Must Read Books of WW2

[Doubledf99.99]

happy wrote: "When I was a wee lad, we lived at Ft. Sill - the US Army's Arty trng center (this was at the height of Viet Nam)- every qtr they would put on a fire power demonstration. All of III Corps Arty, plu..."

Sill is where I retired from, was never stationed there untill the end, but always liked it on other trips I made there. They do have a damn fine museum and library or research center at Knox Hall if my memory serves me right.

[Dj]

I only have one question about Ft. Sill. Has the Artillery School changed its moto yet? After they new Counter Battery Radar came online sometime in the 80s a friend of mine said that they should change their motto to 'Pull the Lanyard and Die'


Doubledf99.99 wrote: "happy wrote: "When I was a wee lad, we lived at Ft. Sill - the US Army's Arty trng center (this was at the height of Viet Nam)- every qtr they would put on a fire power demonstration. All of III C..."

[Mike, Assisting Moderator US Forces]

Michael wrote: "Here is a Book that I would highly recommend..


follows the forgotten polish warriors that in 193..."

Added to TBR and about to order it.

['Aussie Rick', Moderator]

It's a good book Mike, I'm pretty sure you will enjoy it!

[Michael]

Manray9 wrote: "Michael wrote: "Here is a Book that I would highly recommend..


follows the forgotten polish warr..."


while I know leaders need to make tough decisions and not all will agree with that decision.. but with Churchill the issue about Poland's independence after the war he kept changing his mind and realized too late and failed to act.. Roosevelt on the other hand thought he was the best person to control Stalin even to the point of making crude jokes about Churchill who looked up to Roosevelt and admired him which happen during the big three conference just to get on Stalin's good side.. Roosevelt who pretty much told Stalin that he didn't care what happened to Poland after the war. and to keep it a secret as to what was said between him and Roosevelt since it was an election year and he needed the polish Americans vote to keep himself in office.

While I cam see not going to war over Poland I believe there was other ways to defend Poland's rights to independence. basically Roosevelt and to some extent Churchill where just appeasing Stalin just like Chamberlain was appeasing Hitler..

[Doubledf99.99]

Dj wrote: "I only have one question about Ft. Sill. Has the Artillery School changed its moto yet? After they new Counter Battery Radar came online sometime in the 80s a friend of mine said that they should c..."

If they haven't, thats a good moto..

[Manray9]

Michael wrote: "Manray9 wrote: "Michael wrote: "Here is a Book that I would highly recommend..


follows the forgo..."

How could they defend Poland's independence? They could take diplomatic or economic initiatives against USSR, but the war was still being fought in Europe and the prospect of an Allied invasion of Japan loomed on the horizon (we didn't know if "the Bomb" worked yet). As always in realpolitik the bottom line is forces on the ground. The Brits and U.S. had none. Stalin had many battle-hardened divisions.

[happy]

dj wrote: I only have one question about Ft. Sill. Has the Artillery School changed its moto yet? After they new Counter Battery Radar came online sometime in the 80s a friend of mine said that they should change their motto to 'Pull the Lanyard and Die'

LOL

Doubledf99.99 wrote: "Sill is where I retired from, was never stationed there untill the end, but always liked it on other trips I made there. They do have a damn fine museum and library or research center at Knox Hall if my memory serves me right.."

I agree about the museum - it is one of the finest in the Army. I have very fond memories of it. When my father was there for his career course, 1964/65, we would visit it and climb all over the cannons on the Canon Walk. When I went there for tng in the early '80s, for some reason the Signal Corps taught their CESOC course there instead of Ft. Gordon, thay had stopped that - the arty was all roped off and nicely painted. I also loved the old post stockade, where kept Geronimo for a time - Oh, the memories :D

As much as an Army Brat can claim anywhere as home - Ft. Sill is where I claim :)

We spent 5 of my Dad's 14 yrs on active duty there.

[Feliks]

If I had to choose one fiction book to convey the gist of the war, it would be Len Deighton's 'Bomber'
.

If I had to choose one 'must read' non-fiction WWII book? Haven't thought much about it. What might the criteria be for that, I'm sure I don't know.

But I reckon it would not focus on any one leader, country, campaign, army, incident, or battle. It ought not over-emphasize just physical combatants. Nor should it be too 'sprawling' in an attempt to tell the whole saga of the war.

I guess it should focus on ethics and feelings and experiences of a variety of participants touched by the conflict. Maybe something like a 'Studs Terkel' approach.

[Betty]

Michael wrote: "Here is a Book that I would highly recommend..


follows the forgotten polish warriors that in 193..."

Thanks for the recommendation! I love books like this! I added it to my list!

['Aussie Rick', Moderator]

That's a good recommendation Feliks, I read a few of Len Deighton's books on WW2 and must confess to having enjoyed them all. I'd rate them as excellent introductions to the Second World War.

[Jon]

I would recommend "Inferno" by Max Hastings as one which covers a wide spectrum of WWII.

['Aussie Rick', Moderator]

An excellent recommendation Jon, a very good book indeed!

by Max Hastings

[Gerald]

'Aussie Rick' wrote: "An excellent recommendation Jon, a very good book indeed!

by Max Hastings"

If someone were attempting to familiarize himself with World War II, I would recommend that he read Antony Beevor's "The Second World War" and then move on to "Inferno." The two together pack quite a wallop.

['Aussie Rick', Moderator]

Another excellent recommendation Gerald!

[Terrence]

Hitler, Vol 2: 1936-1945 NemesisHitler, Vol 1: 1889-1936 Hubris

Lots of fascinating books! Ian Kershaw's two volume biography of Hitler is essential to understand the chemistry of Germany before and during the war. The second volume, of course, is more about the war, and sheds light on some critical mistakes made by Hitler and his all or nothing strategy that led to much unnecessary suffering for his own people.

['Aussie Rick', Moderator]

I'm sorry to say I have a copy of the book but am yet to read it but thanks for the details Terrence as I'm sure it will interest quite a few other members here in the group.

by Ian Kershaw

[Geevee, Assisting Moderator British & Commonwealth Forces]

Terrence wrote: "Hitler, Vol 2: 1936-1945 NemesisHitler, Vol 1: 1889-1936 Hubris

Lots of fascinating books! Ian Kershaw's two volume biography of Hitler is essential to understand the ch..."

I thought Hubris (vol I) was very good and highly readable too.

['Aussie Rick', Moderator]

Sitting up in my library as the sun goes down on a quiet Sunday afternoon in Canberra, Australia. I'm enjoying a fine glass of red wine and listening to a CD of Sarah Brightman singing some lovely classics and browsing through a few books close to hand when I came across this old classic that I think I should try and read soon:

(no cover) Alamein by C.E. Lucas Phillips

So many good books around that need to be read eh!

[Geevee, Assisting Moderator British & Commonwealth Forces]

Be good to hear your thoughts when you do AR.

['Aussie Rick', Moderator]

I'll try to get to it soon Geevee, I got distracted again by another book :)

[Sweetwilliam]

Michael wrote: "Manray9 wrote: "Michael wrote: "Here is a Book that I would highly recommend..


follows the forgo..."

Also consider "No Greater Ally." This book talks about the entire story. The Polish aviators that were the best in the European theater as well as the paratroops that took part in Market Garden. It also covers the imprisoned Poles that Stalin released from the Gulags after Operation Barberosa when Stalins Pal Adolph broke their agreement to parcel up Poland and attacked the Soviet Union.

[Dimitri]

Choosing between "No Greater Ally" and The Eagle Unbowed: Poland and the Poles in the Second World War, which is the better book, since they're both recent & comprehensive ?

[Sweetwilliam]

I have not read the other book (The Eagle Unbowed...) but I highly recommend No Greater Ally.

[Adrian]

I would personally recommend this book as a must read WW2 book:Tigers In The Mud: The Combat Career of German Panzer Commander Otto Carius

This book really does bring the horrors of what combat was like on the Eastern Front during the Second World War.

[Colin]

I knew Otto Carius very well, as well as some of his fellow commanders, such Albert Kerscher, Paul Eggar, Will Fey, Wolfgang Koltermann, Willy Jaehde, Ernst Barkmann, and others. I had the luck of interviewing them all (as they were at Kursk), as well as a T-34 commander who fought them.

[^]

I know it's 'only' fiction; but yesterday afternoon I was literally unable to put down Nevil Shute's , "Landfall" (first publ. 1940). I thoroughly, thoroughly enjoyed it.

[Victor]

Tigers in the mud is a good book. Another book I enjoyed is Von Luck memoir which gives a good idea of the panzer commander strategy in different war theaters throughout WW2. Luck was in a unique position at the brunt of many German panzer operations including invasion of Poland.

['Aussie Rick', Moderator]

Two excellent books there Jz, thanks for mentioning them. I think Panzer Commander has just been recently re-released.

[Lilo]

I just detected this page. It is too late for today (past midnight), but tomorrow, I'll catapult some of the books recommended here onto my TBR-list.

[Dimitri]

Lilo wrote: "I just detected this page. It is too late for today (past midnight), but tomorrow, I'll catapult some of the books recommended here onto my TBR-list."

Anything you'd like to trebuchet the other way ?

[Helen]

Has anyone read "The Forgotten Soldier" by Guy Sajer? My husband is reading it now, and since he is enjoying it so much, I was wondering if anyone here knows of it.

[Colin]

I read it in the Marines, on the reading list. Great book.

[Mike, Assisting Moderator US Forces]

Helen wrote: "Has anyone read "The Forgotten Soldier" by Guy Sajer? My husband is reading it now, and since he is enjoying it so much, I was wondering if anyone here know..."

Concur with Colin, excellent book, well worth a read. I may just have to pull it off the shelf and reread it myself!

[Helen]

Thank you, Colin and Mike. My honey is recommending that I read it, too. Happy New Year to you!

[Colin]

Victor wrote: "Tigers in the mud is a good book. Another book I enjoyed is Von Luck memoir which gives a good idea of the panzer commander strategy in different war theaters throughout WW2. Luck was in a unique p..."

I knew and interviewed Hans von Luck, and he was a very interesting man indeed. He was the one who placed me into contact with Friedrich von Mellenthin.

['Aussie Rick', Moderator]

Helen wrote: "Has anyone read "The Forgotten Soldier" by Guy Sajer? My husband is reading it now, and since he is enjoying it so much, I was wondering if anyone here know..."

I read it when I was a young soldier in the army, loved it. It was my all time favourite book for quite a while.

[Geevee, Assisting Moderator British & Commonwealth Forces]

Helen wrote: "Has anyone read "The Forgotten Soldier" by Guy Sajer? My husband is reading it now, and since he is enjoying it so much, I was wondering if anyone here know..."

Hi Helen, like the rest of the gents I read it when I was a young soldier and was a good read. It seems it was unofficial recommended reading for many of us.

[Victor]

"The Forgotten Soldier" is popular for a reason, but I would suggest you familiarize yourself with the GrossDeutschland division before you read the book, Helen. Guy Sajer had only a slight idea where he was fighting. He just marched through the steppe according to the orders. But the historical context is quite fascinating.

Sajer is clear he joined GrossDeutschland in fall of 1942 when they were fighting in southern Ukraine. Then historical context becomes a little murky as the book progresses. The blood bath Sajer describes when German advanced in the summer 1943 is actually a battle of Kursk.

[Doreen]

'Aussie Rick' wrote: "The Must read book or books of WW2:"

I do envy your bookshelves Rick. I always wanted to have one room to devote to a library sanctuary. Because space is limited for me I have 99% of my books on my iPhone. I also think a must read for all is any book on Anne Frank so we as humans do not forget the past and repeat it.

['Aussie Rick', Moderator]

I'm lucky to have an understanding wife who allows me to indulge in my passion for books. A very good point about Anne Frank's story!

[Colin]

Victor wrote: ""The Forgotten Soldier" is popular for a reason, but I would suggest you familiarize yourself with the GrossDeutschland division before you read the book, Helen. Guy Sajer had only a slight idea wh..."

Grossdeutschland was commanded for a time by a distant relative of mine on my mother's side, Hasso von Manteuffel on the Eastern Front, fyi. He was also the 25th of only 27 men to receive the Diamonds to the Oak Leaves and Swords to the Knight's Cross in January 1945.

[Victor]

Colin wrote: "Victor wrote: ""The Forgotten Soldier" is popular for a reason, but I would suggest you familiarize yourself with the GrossDeutschland division before you read the book, Helen. Guy Sajer had only a..."

Wow, the Diamonds to the Knight's Cross. That's an elite club. What happened to him after WW2?

[Larry]

I highly recommend two books from the German side, both primary sources: 1) Albert Speer's Inside the Third Reich; and 2) Walter Schellenberg: The Memoirs of Hitler's Spymaster. Speer said he was Hitler's best friend--if Hitler was capable of having a friend--which makes his account all the more interesting. Schellenberg was the Nazi foreign intelligence chief and a brilliant (albeit bizarre and paranoid) operative. His accounts of important missions (i.e., Venlo, counterfeiting currency, etc.) is first-hand and, while brief, provide a nice supplement to the MI6 records.

[Lee]

Colin wrote: "Victor wrote: ""The Forgotten Soldier" is popular for a reason, but I would suggest you familiarize yourself with the GrossDeutschland division before you read the book, Helen. Guy Sajer had only a..."

Colin what is your take on the claims that Sajer fabricated the story in Forgotten Soldier? I've read both sides of the debate and am not sure either way.

[Dj]

Lee wrote: "Colin wrote: "Victor wrote: ""The Forgotten Soldier" is popular for a reason, but I would suggest you familiarize yourself with the GrossDeutschland division before you read the book, Helen. Guy Sa..."

I am not sure of Colin's take on it, but in general failed Stuka pilots didn't end up in elite Mobile Divisions of the Army.

It would be a little like a failed F-16 pilot all of the sudden becoming a member of the 101st Airborne. Not really all that much change in job skills I guess.

[Lee]

Dj wrote: "Lee wrote: "Colin wrote: "Victor wrote: ""The Forgotten Soldier" is popular for a reason, but I would suggest you familiarize yourself with the GrossDeutschland division before you read the book, H..."
Thanks for that,it's things like that the put me off,i read quite a comprehensive debunking of the book once and thats why I have avoided buying it.

[Dj]

Lee wrote: "Dj wrote: "Lee wrote: "Colin wrote: "Victor wrote: ""The Forgotten Soldier" is popular for a reason, but I would suggest you familiarize yourself with the GrossDeutschland division before you read ..."

I started reading it once while I was sitting at the library and decided about then that it wasn't worth finishing. It might be that it was an exaggeration, Most personally written books have them. Even Panzer Leader, but it was a bit much for me.

[Colin]

As far as Guy Sajer's book not being 100% accurate, it has flaws, which could be of memory or lack of understanding of the larger picture. Unlike in the case of Ambrose, I would not condemn Sajer's account out of hand. There have been a couple of questions as to the voracity of of Pieter Krueler's story as he told it to me, for some of the same reasons. In my case, I spent 25 years researching, even travelling to East and South Africa to corroborate his story, and the end result is Four War Boer.

[carl]

'Forgotten Soldier' was first published about 1971. At that time there were few books with the German point of view, let alone the Russian front. So that helped make it an interesting read.