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2016 - August - Theme Read on any Personality of WW2
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'Aussie Rick', Moderator
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Aug 22, 2016 01:59PM
Two good books there Paul, I hope you enjoy them!
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Old Harry S. was right about MacArthur.
About half way thru my book - First Lady: The Life and Wars of Clementine Churchill - Just about to start the sections on World War IIIt's been a fascinating look at her life and the influence she had on Churchill. The author states she was one of the first political wives in Britian to take an active role in her husbands career. Her political instincts were every bit as good if not better than his. The author mentions that many in gov't and his various political parties felt that she was the only one that could reel in some of his more outrageous ideas.
One point the author makes is that she was not at all in favor of his returning to the Conservative Party in the 20s after Labor overtook the Liberals as a major party. Although she worked on his campaigns after that, their politics never again really agreed.
I've found there views on personal finances an interesting read also. It seems Winston had champagne tastes on a beer budget. There was a reason he was constantly writing :) Clementine was always worried about making ends meet, Winston didn't seem to care.
The author states that the only time he deceived her was when he bought his estate, Chartwell. He never discussed the purchase with her told her about after the mortgage was signed and they couldn't back out. It seems he didn't quite understand why she was so upset.
Been away on the beaches of the Fiji islands for a week with my wife so just thought I would throw that out there to rub it in lol. Taking a book on Himmler did not seem to be the right read so I took something else.
Anyway just finished Chapter 6 "Chief of German Police." Interesting chapter but again I repeat that I think the author strays a little from the subject. An interesting couple of pages at the end of the chapter discussing Himmler's sporting needs. He apparently worked hard to get his performance badges. The author makes a comment as to the veracity of his sporting prowess though.
The other senior members of the inner circle laughed at Himmler, even 5 SS generals said that he was the greatest fraud in the Third Reich.
'Aussie Rick' wrote: "Two good books there Paul, I hope you enjoy them!"I just hope I can find a little time to read them! They have both been on my list for a while, but it's not books I lack; it's having time to read them.
Tantum librorum, tam brevi tempore!
Yes indeed, the curse that afflicts us all; Tantum librorum, tam brevi tempore.
'Aussie Rick' wrote: "Yes indeed, the curse that afflicts us all; Tantum librorum, tam brevi tempore."I keep telling myself "Stop buying books, stop buying books, stop buying books." It's not working. It hasn't worked for fifty years.
Finished my bio of Clementine Churchill.About half of it was on the WW II yrs. One aspect that I found interesting is the comparison on how much Churchill and FDR told their wives what was going on. It seems Churchill told Clemmie (one of his pet names for her) everything and used her as a sounding board, while FDR didn't confide anything of importance to Eleanor. For example Clemmie was told about Overlord almost from the day the planning started. Eleanor was told the day before.
Another interesting aspect is the relationship between their son's wife Pamela, even after the marriage came apart.
They basically used her as a "Honey Trap". Made use of her sexual conquests to gain information about US intentions. It seems she slept thru most of the US high command :) Their son Randolf was understandably not happy about it. It did nothing for the relationship between parents and son - which was rocky anyway.
Good read - solid 4 stars
happy wrote: "Finished my bio of Clementine Churchill.About half of it was on the WW II yrs. One aspect that I found interesting is the comparison on how much Churchill and FDR told their wives what was going ..."
She ended up as U.S. Ambassador to France. Sex can get you far, but she got that gig raising money for politicians.
Colin wrote: "The other senior members of the inner circle laughed at Himmler, even 5 SS generals said that he was the greatest fraud in the Third Reich."I would consider the SS generals to also be frauds to be honest.
Struggling a bit with Padfield's Himmler bio. Not that it is a bad book per se but it can come across as a general history at times. Chapter 7, Expansion, covers old ground for me in terms of the machinations of Anschluss and Sudetenland but Himmler rarely gets a mention. He has seemingly become the 2nd most powerful individual in the 3rd Reich and the story has hardly told why.
I interviewed over a dozen SS generals, mostly Waffen SS, and there were some great differences between the early Allgemeine SS party members and the Waffen SS officers and most of the men. Kumm, Mohnke, and Bittrich among others argued with Himmler and were openly against his policies when they became aware. This is especially true of Kumm who, upon learning of the death camps, and saw a train being used to transport Jews instead of war supplies and troops, made a personal visit to see Hans Hausser, who also argued against the policy. Can't broad brush all because of others. Kumm openly defied a destruction order while in the Ukraine, and took the civilians to safe havens, during an orchestrated cease fire.
I think we may have to agree to disagree on this Colin.From my readings the individuals that joined the SS knew what the ideals were. I do not see how Krumm, to use him as an example, could with a straight face say in an interview after the war that he was apposed to everything that the SS stood for. As to personally approaching Hans Hausser IMO this was not some benevolent act but a cold blooded reality check that they were losing the war and needed to shore up defensively.
Krumms comment's after the war seem revisionist to me and to cite one example of civilians being taken to safe havens hardly cuts it for me personally. The likes of Krumm stood back while the holocaust was happening.
I know that wiki is not a particularly trusted source but HIAG the organisation set up by Krumm was closed down by the West German government as a Nazi front. On that wiki is an interesting comment "At least through the 1970s, Kumm remained "the ever unreformed Nazi enthusiast" according to researcher Danny S. Parker, who was given access to the previously closed HIAG archives."
Some things of interest to add to the 7th Chapter as I get to the end.The author quotes Stephen Roberts. In all my readings over the years this man has passed me by. It would be interesting to read this
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen...The House That Hitler Built
The author claims that Himmler was popular with his staff.
"For his part, despite his shortcomings as an Aryan, Himmler inspired loyalty at every level of his SS, not only among those of limited education like Stroop and Hoss who formed some 40% of the Fuhrer-corps, but among those from socially more fortunate backgrounds like Karl Wolff. How else is one to interpret a passage from a remarkable letter Wolff wrote to his wife in February 1939?
Fate has placed me as the closest colleague on an unparalleled man, the RFSS, whom I not only revere immensely on account of his extraordinary qualities, but of whose historical mission I am now utterly convinced.
The author goes on to discuss his "charm", his hard work that would have inspired others, and he claims there are 'many any accounts of his seemingly genuine concern for his people and their families to doubt this'
The author quotes Ward Price of the Daily Mail as to him wondering how he was able to 'wield great power' considering his mild looks and manners. Stephen Roberts also mentions this in a similar vein.
Himmler is certainly a wolf in sheep's clothing.
'Aussie Rick' wrote: "Yes indeed, the curse that afflicts us all; Tantum librorum, tam brevi tempore."What? There isn't enough time? No way if you still have books to read on you shelf you are immortal. LOL
4ZZZ wrote: "Colin wrote: "The other senior members of the inner circle laughed at Himmler, even 5 SS generals said that he was the greatest fraud in the Third Reich."I would consider the SS generals to also ..."
Most all of them at any rate. I am reading a bio on Sepp Deitrich. The book suggests that right after the war he may have been on the Communist side of things in Bavaria. Although it makes it clear that there is no clear evidence supporting that he was, but there is also no evidence supporting that he was in the right wing groups either.
Colin wrote: "I interviewed over a dozen SS generals, mostly Waffen SS, and there were some great differences between the early Allgemeine SS party members and the Waffen SS officers and most of the men. Kumm, M..."I am reading a book right now...
Army of Evil: A History of the SS
This book is interesting in the fact that it focuses more on how the SS was started and grew. The author is of the opinion that there is much less difference between the General (Camp) SS and the Fighting Forces than has been made of in most works on the Waffen SS. While he points to the fact that the 3rd SS was originally started from Guards, he also uses some other references to the Membership of both forces and how they were moderately interchangeable.
I must admit though the thing that I am finding most interesting right now, is how the SS supported a reparation or expatriation program at the start of things. He does point out that on a moral basis the SS Officers had no real objection to a singularly brutal Final Solution, they just found it financially more beneficial to make the Jews pay for leaving.
Dj wrote: "4ZZZ wrote: "Colin wrote: "The other senior members of the inner circle laughed at Himmler, even 5 SS generals said that he was the greatest fraud in the Third Reich."I would consider the SS gene..."
Just had a net search and am not able to find any reference to that. He seems to have far too many Nazi credentials for that to be credible.
Dj wrote: "I must admit though the thing that I am finding most interesting right now, is how the SS supported a reparation or expatriation program at the start of things. He does point out that on a moral basis the SS Officers had no real objection to a singularly brutal Final Solution, they just found it financially more beneficial to make the Jews pay for leaving. "Padfields Himmler bio covered a little bit of this.
Kumm and most of the others did believe in National German superiority and expansion into the east as a bulwark against communism. However, it must be remembered that several of the higher ranking SS officers were not indicted for any war crimes due to the fact that they were on the record as not supporting mass murder, and a few even voiced their opposition without any fear of reprisals. Several SS generals even joined the several plots to kill Hitler. They may not have been angels (Max Wuenche was one of the more frightening people I interviewed) most of them did not condone murder. One great example is Rudolf Muhlenkamp, commanding the 5th SS Wiking during the 1944 General Warsaw Uprising, who convinced Erich von dem Bach-Zelewski to have those men captured in uniform sent to traditional POW camps. Journalist and author Rita Cosby's father was one of those fortunate enough to have been in uniform and saved by Muhlenkamp's insistence that Geneva 1929 be upheld. Wilhelm Bittrich made a statement to over a dozen high ranking SS officers in Vinnitza in 1942 that "Heinrich (Himmler) was a fool with his policies, and things will go very badly for us if we don't change our ways." Just saying that the men involved were individuals, and not all were on board with the genocide. Kumm, Bittrich, Mohnke, Muhlenkamp, Degrelle and others saw the dangers of alienating the large pro-German populations they encountered who were anti-Stalin, as well as any post war review of the violations of the laws of war (I wrote a book on this); hence the Freiwilligen units being created. Karl Wolff told me that; "Himmler and I were sitting with Hitler and Goebbels one evening, and he stated that he was uncertain if he could trust his senior officers in the east to follow their orders on this matter (mass killing). Hitler said, 'I do no care really, as long as they win battles and conquer territory. The rest will work itself out in time.'"
'Aussie Rick' wrote: "Jack wrote: "At the airport. Will review later. Back in lovely Hawaii. Now for the review. Too often we Americans read about Patton, Bradley (on my list), Eisenhower, or MacArthur. We should pay at..."I found Mountbatten very intriguing and definitely relevant to our military leaders today. As a matter of fact, this book was required reading when I became an officer in the Navy. What a pity it has fallen of the list.
Mike wrote: "'Aussie Rick' wrote: According to the author of the book on Rommel I'm reading, Lane always thought that Rommel saved him from being shot by the Gestapo...."Lane could well be right. In this rece..."
That one looks good.
I will need to read a book on him soon myself I think Jack, he sounds like a pretty remarkable man. I'm glad you enjoyed your book on Mountbatten.
I started the theme month off with a new book on Field Marshal Rommel, now I am going to finish the theme with a book on a Swedish infantry soldier who served in the 11th SS-Panzergrenadier Division Nordland:
by Thorolf Hillblad
The author of my current book has had a few good things to say about Felix Steiner when he commanded the III (Germanic) SS-Panzerkorps in 1945:http://warfarehistorynetwork.com/dail...
http://www.eestileegion.com/?home/waf...
Again wiki for what it is worth. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Felix_S...
"Steiner's books and memoirs have been characterised by historian Charles Sydnor as one of the "most important works of apologist literature," together with warfare analyses Grenadiere by Kurt Meyer and Waffen-SS in Action by Paul Hausser. These works demanded rehabilitation of the military branch of the NSDAP, with Steiner's works being important in stressing the theme of the purely military Waffen-SS.[7] A second book was published in 1963 under the title Die Armee der Geächteten (English: "The Army of the Outlaws") and was equally tendentiously received.[8] George Stein scoffed that the genre and Steiner's contribution to it was "SS apologetics".[9] Steiner died on 12 May 1966, shortly before his 70th birthday. He never married."
It is really going to take a lot of convincing me that SS officers did not know what was going on.
Interesting debate everyone. I have not been a reader of autobiographies over the years. Bit easy to be "protective" of ones own turf as it were.
Rick I see you have read the above mentioned Snyders book and gave 4 stars. Any recall?
Soldiers of Destruction: The SS Death's Head Division, 1933-1945
Just finished Chapter 8 entitled War. Many pages without the subject matter even getting a mention. The "opposition" character who gets a fair bit of coverage is Wilhelm Canaris. On Wolff the author writes ".....none of Wolff's post-war statements can be accepted if they involve his own self defence.....".
When the author actually writes about Himmler himself I get the impression that he was an exceptionally hard worker.
I knew Karl Wolff, one of my best interviews. He was one of the first snapped up by Dulles and the CIA after the war. In my interviews with many senior Waffen SS officers, you have to reflect back upon the Jan. 20, 1942 Wannsee Conference. The greatest attribute of this meeting, besides setting the standard for industrialized murder, was the extreme need for secrecy and "need to know." People will find it hard to believe, but Himmler and Heydrich has a list of senior SS officers who were not on that need to know list. Otto Kumm and Wilhelm Bittrich among others were on that list. The information regarding the established death camps (not the concentration camps, let's not confuse the two) was so tightly restricted, and the vetting process so severe, some of these men learned about the events second hand, or by accident. A few were on board and did not care, others were horrified at the concept, and three SS generals eagerly joined Stauffenberg's plot to remove Hitler. In fact, Kumm established a safe zone for those he assumed would be targeted, and he even protected a Mischling (partial Jew) enlisted man whom he knew was in his company.
I'd like to thank everyone who participated in the August theme read, some good books were highlighted throughout the month and the conversation was interesting and fun, so thank you all.
I am halfway through the Himmler bio. It is a 600 page book so rather large. Should be finished by the next theme read. Will keep updating for those interested.
Please do 4ZZZ, I'm sure quite a few group members will be keen to read your updates and comments/observations.
Odette: The Story of a British Agent, Jerrard Tickell.Jerrard Tickell’s excellent book, “Odette” deals honestly, sometimes perhaps too much so, with the uncertainties, difficulties, messiness and horrors engendered and multiplied by the inhumanities of War.
A few weeks ago I stood on the banks of the River Beaulieu, in Southern England’s New Forest, where during the Second World War, Special Operations Executive operatives, including Odette (field-name: “Lise”), were trained. Very high standards of operational performance were expected from SOE personnel in the field, in very dangerous situations.
Operations in France were dangerous in the extreme. Even the simplest movements had to be carefully planned. Tickell masterly maintains a sharp edge to that danger throughout. The names; Arnaud, Raoul, Anton, and Vidal came to life. “Allo Allo” (the 1990s British sit-com) this emphatically is not. Quick and imaginative thinking was second-nature. Lise was able to evade the Germans on one occasion by sleeping overnight in a brothel, door locked!
I turned to other sources; E.H. Cookridge’s “Inside SOE” (1966)”, and MRD Foot’s “SOE in France” (1966). Both indicate alleged failures in the organisation of SOE and its operations. That I thought hardly surprising. War is messy. Imperfect knowledge does nothing to make it any the less so. These weren’t fictional characters.
Alas, Lise’s freedom of movement was not to last. Imprisonment in the prison at Fresnes, twelve miles south of Paris, brought its own horrors; but for a brief time, also the blessing of some measure of forbidden communications.
"How strong the reserves upon which you draw you never realize until you need them, but believe me they do not fail you," she [Odette] said of her capture and interrogation in 1943. "When I left the Gestapo headquarters that evening there were no nails on my toes. But I had not talked." …” Neither had she wanted her husband, Peter Churchill, incarcerated elsewhere in the same prison, to receive news of what had happened to her.
The unspeakable torture by the Gestapo of Lise left me feeling physically sick. A glance at the photograph (opposite the Epilogue) of Odette and her three daughters sitting at home in 1945, in front of the brick fireplace, shows Odette smiling, but with her hands concealed from the camera.
To have put this book down, unfinished, would have been a betrayal to the memory of Odette. I couldn’t have done that. I read on. I was able to see how cleverly Jerrard Tickell wrote his book. He doesn’t stoop to emotive sensationalism; not even when Odette is incarcerated in Ravensbrûck concentration camp. He simply tells it as it was; and by that communicates very powerfully.
It is revoltingly difficult, perhaps even more so after so many years, to read of the horrors and brutality committed by the Nazis on their prisoners in Ravensbrûck; the execution squads, mental torture, starvation of food, starvation of light … Emotionally it helped me to be able to periodically glance down and read the numerous footnotes recording the just fates of the German camp staff, such as “Sentenced at a British Military Court to death by hanging, February 1947, executed March 1947”. However difficult it is to read, which at times it really is, of the utterly appalling conditions and appalling inhuman treatment of the prisoners incarcerated within Ravensbrûck concentration camp in 1945; I was acutely aware of the vital importance of my never, never forgetting anything of what I’ve read of this most uncompromising book.
In the end, Odette’s life was to be saved because of her surname. The camp commandant believed her to be a relative of the British Prime Minister, Sir Winston Churchill. He attempted to use Odette as a bargaining chip for his own cowardly safety. Thankfully he failed, thankfully she survived.
NOTE:
Odette Sansom was buried at Burvale Cemetery, Hersham, Elmbridge Borough, Surrey, England (see http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg....).
“ LONDON, March 20— Odette Hallowes, GC, a British agent tortured by the Gestapo in World War II and the first woman awarded the George Cross, died at her home in Walton-on-Thames on March 13. She was 82. Her family did not announce the cause of death of Mrs. Hallowes, born Odette Brailly in France.
Obit. (published: March 21, 1995): at http://www.nytimes.com/1995/03/21/obi...
The GC, the George Cross, is the second highest order bestowed by the British, second only to the Victoria Cross.
An amazing story and she was just one of many who suffered at the hands of the Nazis. It's good to know she survived since so many others didn't.
A great story of an amazing woman, thanks for taking the time to share the details with the group.
And finished chapter 9 last night aptly titled "Racial Warrior". This covered a lot of the growing expansion of the mistreatment of those considered racially inferior. Himmler's doctor Felix Kersten is being quoted extensively. I found the discussion on Himmler becoming ill when it was thought he would have to deport the entire Dutch population to the east interesting in that the monent that stopped his health improved. The author makes the point though that Himmler's devotion to Hitler had not particularly made him ill or given him too much trouble in the past, nor did so into the future so that that may not have been the issue at all and he just have been......well ill! And that is the problem I have a little with this book. It is long, that does not bother me, but at times very tedious. It breaks away from the subject at hand a little too easy ad I think misses the point and that is the Reichs Fuhrer-SS himself.
4ZZZ wrote: "And finished chapter 9 last night aptly titled "Racial Warrior". This covered a lot of the growing expansion of the mistreatment of those considered racially inferior. Himmler's doctor Felix Kerste..."I read my copy of the book in 1990 and from what I can remember, and this is pushing it since it was over 25 years ago, I found it to be a pretty good account on the Reichsführer, although I must confess it has been the one and only book that I have read on Himmler. I will be keen to hear your final thoughts on the book once you have finished.
Chapter 10 "Endlösung" of the Himmer Bio. Page 342 to 343 makes "interesting" reading. The incident when Wolff maintained Himmler witnessed his first executions in 1941 at Minsk. The author gives the impression that he does not consider anything that Wolff said after the war being anything other than than self serving. I will quote at length.--------
A truck drove up with the first batch, 'ragged forms mostly young men, some with tears running down their cheeks,, two of whom, while being hustled from lorry to the grave, threw themselves down, 'clasping their police escorts around the knees, pleading for their lives'. This description by Wolff, in stark contrast to so many other accounts which bring out the mute, numbed dignity with which many Jews, men, women and children, faced their incomprehensible end, is perhaps the most sickening of Wolff's entire post-war tissues of evasions. If on this occasion two youths were allowed time wasting antics before the Reichsführer, it is certain from a host of eyewitness accounts of other executions that many more did not give the guards this satisfaction.
--------------
The author describes the execution and then writes......
--------------
Wolff watched Himmler jerk convulsively and pass his hand across his face and stagger. He went to him and drew him away from the edge. Himmler's face was almost green; he took out a handkerchief with trembling hands and wiped his cheek where a piece of brain had squirted onto it. Then he vomited.
The dynamics of the situation are against Wolffs flying piece of brain, and it is unlikely that Himmler so far lost control as to stagger and vomit. Otherwise he would have hardly have stayed while the next truck loads were dispatched, then have the face to give the squad a talk on the sacred necessity of their task - hard as it was - which according to other participants strengthened the men in their resolve to do their duty. That he was shocked, and blanched, is probable. It may even be that this demonstration decided him that another method had to be found. Yet it is most likely as suggested earlier, that gas had been decided on long since, and he had already ordered Hoss to extend Auschwitz for extermination.
-----------------------------
I interviewed Karl Wolff, so I have his story first hand. Other SS generals and senior officers knew of this story, if not the particulars of the executions. I have no reason to doubt Wolff's testimony. Hans Baur also witnessed Himmler become weak and ill during the period when he and Hitler watched the Ploetzensee films.
Just finished Chapter 10 "Endlösung". What a slog! The racial policies of the Nazi's was discussed heavily and with that Himmler as the driver. Specific reference is made to the eastern territories. The last few pages cover the monstrous experiments made by so called doctors in the name of science. Padfield goes into detail as to the low pressure experiments carried out at Dachau. Most of this was cine filmed and photographed.
Colin I am going to bring the name of Wolff up again. He seems to have been stuck to Himmler like glue. Padfield writes that it is probable that Himmler witnessed these experiments at one time or another. Also Wolff witnessed them and along with other staff members viewed the cine film and photographs and also received reports from Sigmund Rascher. Footnote 98 is cited " Aronson p. 266 note" in the claim that Wolff actually discussed with Rascher taking the footage for viewing at the Fuehrers headquarters. I find Wollf an intriguing character.
Rascher and his wife Nina are frauds and sycophants. Their "cloying flattery" of Himmler is sickening from my readings.
'Aussie Rick' wrote: "I read my copy of the book in 1990 and from what I can remember, and this is pushing it since it was over 25 years ago, I found it to be a pretty good account on the Reichsführer, although I must confess it has been the one and only book that I have read on Himmler. I will be keen to hear your final thoughts on the book once you have finished. .""Enjoy" is not the right word to use for this book. I have my criticisms of it that I will hopefully articulate in the final review but even if this was the greatest bio ever, the final word on the subject, I suspect I am not going to be reading a bio on Himmler for a long time. Amazingly he may (debatablely) be the most dull megalomaniac in the history of mankind.
4ZZZ wrote: "Just finished Chapter 10 "Endlösung". What a slog! The racial policies of the Nazi's was discussed heavily and with that Himmler as the driver. Specific reference is made to the eastern territories..."I agree with the assessment of the Raschers. Wolff admitted that his career was in Himmler's hands, unlike Heydrich who was Himmler's biggest fear despite being his superior. Heydrich had files on everyone, even Himmler and Hitler, and was not opposed to using blackmail to get what he wanted. Wolff told me of a meeting he had with Gestapo chief Heinrich Mueller, where Mueller said: "We do what we must at Himmler's discretion, but I find his leadership somewhat lacking. He does not want to get his hands dirty, but has no issue with ordering others to do the most insane things, contrary to logic."
Chapter 11 "Endlösung" completed. Covered the assassination of Heydrich and the consequences of that. Wolff made comment that Himmler broke down in tears. The rest of the chapter mostly covers the holocaust and Himmlers obvious involvement. Plenty of discussion on his racial theories, again! Discussion on his witnessing deaths committed at Auschwitz. As usual these books always throw up individuals that can pass one by in their general reading. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francis...Towards the end of the chapter the author discusses Himmler's religious beliefs. Again drawn from conversations with his doctor Kersten. He seemingly believed in immortality along the lines of Hindu beliefs mixed with German paganism.
Himmler was by all accounts from my interviews with those who knew him, an insane narcissist who believed in reincarnation, that he was in fact the reincarnation of Otto the Great, and many other revelations. Not a single senior officer I interviewed had a good thing to say about him, although Leon Degrelle said that he "was very efficient and unyielding in his determination."
Just started chapter 12 "The Herrenmensch". The first few pages are a discussion on the economics of the 3rd Reich from the start of the war to the present time in the book itself, 1942. A sentence by the author has caught my attention in that he says that Hitler was paying the price by 1942 for "enmeshing in a world war several years to soon". He then quotes and footnotes Richard Overy as to economic output. I have to admit to never reading Overy. I have however read Adam Tooze's Wages of Destruction who made a compelling case for 1939 being the only time that Hitler could make his gamble as the economic power of the UK (and the US) was on the rise and Germany was doomed to fall behind rapidly and that Germany was also effectively bankrupt at the time.
Richard Overy is solid, always good info and reliable.
I've read a few of Overy's books and still have his latest to read:
The Bombers and the Bombed: Allied Air War Over Europe 1940-1945 by Richard Overy
Colin, in your discussions with various people who knew Himmler was there any comment ever made as to his protection of Carnaris after Canaris name was dropped as an opposition leader by Schimidhuber who did this while under interrogation by Sonderegger?
What a frustrating book. At its best unputdownable (is there such a word) at its worst tedious. Another question Colin. In fact make that 2.
You need to write a bio on Wolf. When are you going to? lol.
My "proper" question is that Wolff had constantly asked Himmlers permission to divorce wife Frieda and and marry his mistress. Himmler had refused. Later Wolff was due to have an operation and had been told he may not survive it hence his need to marry his preferred choice his mistress but he went over Himmlers head and went directly to Hitler who gave his blessing. Himmler was suitable piqued. Did Wolff ever mention this to you? If so do you think it had any bearing on his opinion of Himmler?
Looks like there is a Wolff bio. Would not mind getting this. 
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