Post 1945 Conflicts

['Aussie Rick', Moderator]

I'll keep you posted :)

['Aussie Rick', Moderator]

The author of "Algeria France's Undeclared War" mentions the Sétif and Guelma massacre's that occurred in Algeria in May 1945:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S%C3%A9...

[Mike, Assisting Moderator US Forces]

Long-awaited MoH for action in Korea.

https://www.military.com/daily-news/2...

[Sweetwilliam]

Awesome! Good for Biden for upgrading the medal. Sounds like It was much deserved. Thanks for sharing.

['Aussie Rick', Moderator]

I saw that on the news, well deserved indeed!

[Marc]

Five Purple Hearts as well! Yikes!

[Colin]

That's taking a lot of hits. The Germans in WW II received the wound badge; black for one wounding, silver for 2nd, gold for a fifth. and gold with diamonds for ten wounds. My late friend pilot Georg-Peter Eder was wounded 14 times.

[Jonny]

I really can't decide whether that's an indictment of Allied marksmanship, or munitions (or I could just be narrow minded, it could easily be both). Or maybe he was just accident prone?

[Colin]

He threw himself into bomber formations. He and Egon Mayer developed the head on attack against heavy bombers, prompting the development of the B-17G with the forward firing chin turret mounting twin .50s. Twice he was hit by his own flak.

['Aussie Rick', Moderator]

Here is an article by Giles Milton on his new book; "Checkmate in Berlin", which I have a copy on order.

The Forgotten Hero of the Cold War:
https://www.thehistoryreader.com/mili...

Checkmate in Berlin: The Cold War Showdown That Shaped the Modern World by Giles Milton

[Bernice]

Thank you. Great article about this “Forgotten Hero”.

['Aussie Rick', Moderator]

I plan to read the book sometime soon.

[Rupert]

Just finished Paid to Predict by Ewen Southby-Tailyour. Here is my review:-

“This is an outstanding book. Written by a retired Royal Marines officer, with 32 years of operational experience, it is an eye opening account of his time as a monitor with the European Community Monitoring Mission (ECMM)in the former Yugoslavia in the early 1990s.
It is a tale of duplicity and double dealing - a shocking advertisement for the geo-political machinations of the EU in setting up a mission allegedly to monitor the economic and political recovery of the areas being former parts of Yugoslavia, namely Croatia, Bosnia-Herzogovenia and Serbia and provide humanitarian assistance. In reality, it did neither.
Ewen Southby-Tailyour writes his story with clarity and precision. Not a man willing to allow his professional or personal integrity to be compromised, he recounts a tale of the farce that was the ECMM, led by incompetent and dishonest diplomats and government officials, with private national agendas supporting one or other sides in the conflict.
Although Southby-Tailyour was never able to “land on” concrete evidence, he was convinced that the US and Germany were breaking the UN embargo on arms supplies to the protagonists to the civil war. His suspicions were well found when about a year after he left the ECMM, the launch of Operation Storm by the Croats in 1995, led to the ethnic cleansing of 200,000 inhabitants of the Republic of Serbia-Krajina.
The book lays bare the inability of the EU to act in a co-ordinated and cohesive way, with each nation involved pursuing its own political and military agenda. That included the UK, Southby Tailyour also being “tasked” by MI6 to report back on certain individuals within the differing factions.
The book is fast paced and exciting - a mixture of recollection and Southby Tailyours contemporaneous diary. The result is a fascinating book. I was astounded by the level of deception and duplicity involved within the EU and the fact that the US and Germans played a leading hand in the alleged breaches of the UN embargo. For someone who knew very little about the Balkans civil war, this book really educated me. Highly recommended

['Aussie Rick', Moderator]

Sounds like a very interesting book, thanks for posting those details Rupert.

Paid to Predict: Duplicity, Deceit and Dishonesty among 'Allies' by Ewen Southby-Tailyour

[Rupert]

Just finished Re-enter the SAS by Alan Hoe

Here is my review:-

An excellent account of the re-birth of the SAS in the Malayan jungle in the early 1950s. Alan Hoe is well equipped to write this book, having served in the SAS in fire active operational theatres.

It explains in detail how the SAS were r-born to fight the Communist terrorists in the Malayan jungle, despite misgivings at a senior level in the British Army about the purpose and tactics of the unit, ending up as an indispensable part of the British Army ORBAT.

Well worth a read if you are interested in jungle warfare.

[Gary]

Rupert wrote: "Just finished Re-enter the SAS by Alan Hoe

Here is my review:-

An excellent account of the re-birth of the SAS in the Malayan jungle in the early 1950s. Alan Hoe is well equipped to write this bo..."

Thanks, Rupert – sounds good.

[Mike, Assisting Moderator US Forces]

Added Re-enter the SAS: The Special Air Service and the Malayan Emergency by Alan Hoe to the TBR pile. Now to find an affordable copy.

[Sweetwilliam]

Sounds like a couple of good books.

[Jonny]

Finally put up my review of John Nichol's work on the Mighty Fin during the 90-91 Gulf War Tornado: In the Eye of the Storm:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
And my Kindle highlights, if anyone's looking for some insight:
https://www.goodreads.com/notes/58326...

['Aussie Rick', Moderator]

Very nice review Jonny!

[Manray9]

Jonny wrote: "Finally put up my review of John Nichol's work on the Mighty Fin during the 90-91 Gulf War Tornado: In the Eye of the Storm:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
And my ..."

Good one, Jonny.

[Gary]

Jonny wrote: "Finally put up my review of John Nichol's work on the Mighty Fin during the 90-91 Gulf War Tornado: In the Eye of the Storm:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
And my ..."

Nice one, Jonny.

[Jonny]

Thanks guys

[Chris]

By coincidence I also recently read John Nichol's excellent Tornado: In the Eye of the Storm, and my review is here. I second Jonny's recommendation!

On a similar theme, I read Rowland White's most recent book on 809 NAS in the Falklands, Harrier 809: The Epic Story of How a Small Band of Heroes Won Victory in the Air Against Impossible Odds, my review of that one is here. It's not quite as good as Storm Front and Vulcan 607, but still a great read.

[Jonny]

Chris wrote: "By coincidence I also recently read John Nichol's excellent Tornado: In the Eye of the Storm, and my review is here. I second Jonny's recommendation!

On a similar theme, I read Row..."

Nice reviews Chris, had to smile at your comments about airworthy Tornados - at the time of the events in JN's book, I was bemoaning the lack of flying Lightnings....

['Aussie Rick', Moderator]

Chris wrote: "By coincidence I also recently read John Nichol's excellent Tornado: In the Eye of the Storm, and my review is here. I second Jonny's recommendation!

On a similar theme, I read Row..."

Two very good reviews!

[Rupert]

Just finished reading Malayan Tales of The Yorkshire Light Infantry by John Scurr

Here’s my review:-

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...

[zed]

Rupert wrote: "Just finished reading Malayan Tales of The Yorkshire Light Infantry by John Scurr

Here’s my review:-

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3..."

I don't see your review, Rupert. Only a link to the book.

[Rupert]

Here it is:-

This is an interesting book. Written for the benefit of the Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (KOYLI) Veterans Association, it is a collection of vignettes written by KOYLI veterans about their service with 1st Battalion KOYLI in Malaya 1948-1950. The typical British soldier’s “black” humour comes through strongly, with many of the stories entertaining and others desperately sad depictions of close friends being killed. There are also a number of the stories which are not appropriate for under 18s.
I rated this 3*s simply because it is written for a specialist audience. It does convey clearly the bravery and sacrifice of young men - some barely out of school - conscripted, and sent to a place many of them had never heard of, to fight a tenacious and determined Communist terrorist force, in one of the most inhospitable environments on our planet, the jungle. For those interested in understanding what is was like to fight in Malaya, this book represents a good “ho holds barred” account.

[Chris]

Jonny wrote: "Chris wrote: "By coincidence I also recently read John Nichol's excellent Tornado: In the Eye of the Storm, and my review is here. I second Jonny's recommendation!

On a similar the..."

I was listening to a podcast the other day where they interviewed a guy who is 4 years into a 15 year project (!) to get another Lancaster airworthy - I think I'm right in saying that would be only the second globally. So you never you know, maybe a wealthy enthusiast will take on the Mighty Fin!

It's an aircraft I'm very fond of, it was the main draw at most of the airshows I went to growing up and my brother in law spent the last 10 years trying to keep them flying!

[Chris]

Not a book, but if you don't mind a grim watch then the BBC drama "Warriors," about the initial UN peacekeeping effort in Yugoslavia, is excellent. I think it might have been aired in some places outside the UK as "Peacekeepers."

I watched it last night for the first time since it originally aired in the late 90's, and it's just as powerful and haunting as I remember. It really captures the frustration of the first foreign troops sent to Yugoslavia, and the complete impotence of the initial UN mandate. Great cast and writing, I think it's a fantastic piece of television drama.

I found it on YouTube, and the quality is decent even on a bigger TV:

Part 1: https://youtu.be/a9thf92vfio

Part 2: https://youtu.be/BB2uEDIBuSI

['Aussie Rick', Moderator]

Thanks for those links Chris, I will try and watch them a bit later.

['Aussie Rick', Moderator]

I've placed an order for this March 2022 release, it sounds pretty good:

The Road to Dien Bien Phu: A History of the First War for Vietnam by Christopher E. Goscha
Description:
A multifaceted history of Ho Chi Minh’s climactic victory over French colonial might that foreshadowed America’s experience in Vietnam

On May 7, 1954, when the bullets stopped and the air stilled in Dien Bien Phu, there was no doubt that Vietnam could fight a mighty colonial power and win. After nearly a decade of struggle, a nation forged in the crucible of war had achieved a victory undreamed of by any other national liberation movement. The Road to Dien Bien Phu tells the story of how Ho Chi Minh turned a ragtag guerrilla army into a modern fighting force capable of bringing down the formidable French army.

Taking readers from the outbreak of fighting in 1945 to the epic battle at Dien Bien Phu, Christopher Goscha shows how Ho transformed Vietnam from a decentralized guerrilla state based in the countryside to a single-party communist state shaped by a specific form of “War Communism.” Goscha discusses how the Vietnamese operated both states through economics, trade, policing, information gathering, and communications technology. He challenges the wisdom of counterinsurgency methods developed by the French and still used by the Americans today, and explains why the First Indochina War was arguably the most brutal war of decolonization in the twentieth century, killing a million Vietnamese, most of them civilians.

Panoramic in scope, The Road to Dien Bien Phu transforms our understanding of this conflict and the one the United States would later enter, and sheds new light on communist warfare and statecraft in East Asia today.

['Aussie Rick', Moderator]

I'm going to start Giles Milton's latest book; "Checkmate in Berlin: The Cold War Showdown That Shaped the Modern World". The first few chapters covers the Allied drive to Berlin and what happened once the Russians arrived.

Checkmate in Berlin: The Cold War Showdown That Shaped the Modern World by Giles Milton

[Sweetwilliam]

I just finished this one. Maybe it doesn't quite fit here because it happened in 1968 but I thought since the Korean War never really ended, I would give it a mention. What a ill-conceived mission it was. An unarmed scow that could make about 13 knots with only two operational 50 caliber machine guns, laden down with copious classified documents and no way to destroy them quickly. The Navy gave them a cover story of an oceanographic vessel conducting research (there were two researchers on board) and told them to stay out of international waters and promised swift assistance and retribution if attacked. Of course this assistance and retribution never came and N Korea didn't care about international waters. The crew was subjected to a brutal captivity and, after repatriation, the Navy attempted to make scapegoats out of the skipper and some of the crew during a court of inquiry . All-in-all, there was never a dull moment in my opinion and it reads like a spy thriller. This is a must read.

[Darya Silman]

On Full Automatic: Surviving 13 Months in Vietnam
5 stars for this one! Review will be available later!

Currently reading this book:

SCOUTS OUT! : A Kiowa Warrior Pilot’s Perspective of War in Afghanistan

[Colin]

I would also suggest Five Years to Freedom, written by my late friend Col. James N. Rowe

['Aussie Rick', Moderator]

Sounds like a few good books there Darya and Colin!

[Colin]

I am working to take Nick Rowe's story to the screen, either as a film or limited series. He was a legend and a great guy.

[Doubledf99.99]

Sweetwilliam wrote: "

I just finished this one. Maybe it doesn't quite fit here because it happened in 1968 but I tho..."
I just finished reading it a few day's ago and I agree it is a must read, the book brings out a lot of NK raids going on in S. Korea back then. Excellent book.

[Doubledf99.99]

It'a novel, but I've started on the 13th Valley. It's fine fine read. The 13th Valley John M. Del Vecchio

[Liam]

I agree; for my money, that was one of the best novels to come out of that war- and there were several in that category!

['Aussie Rick', Moderator]

Doubledf99.99 wrote: "It'a novel, but I've started on the 13th Valley. It's fine fine read. The 13th Valley John M. Del Vecchio"

That's a great novel! I hope you enjoy it all the way through.

[Jonny]

Doubledf99.99 wrote: "It'a novel, but I've started on the 13th Valley. It's fine fine read. The 13th Valley John M. Del Vecchio"

The basis for the movie Hamburger Hill, if memory serves. Enjoy.

[Sweetwilliam]

Doubledf99.99 wrote: "Sweetwilliam wrote: "

I just finished this one. Maybe it doesn't quite fit here because it happe..."

Yes, I forgot to mention the raids. Amazing! I'm glad you enjoed it as much as I did.

Thanks for the tip on 13th Valley. I could use another novel for this winter's reading line-up.

[Nooilforpacifists]

On Vietnam, I always recommend https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18955522 The Crouching Beast , by Frank Boccia.

I have no idea whether my antiquated HTML 1 will work here—hard on an iPhone to add links—but “The Crouching Beast” is 2nd Lt Frank Boccia’s worms-eye view of the Battle of Hamburger Hill. If the link didn’t work, look at the review on my shelves.

NOfP

[Mike, Assisting Moderator US Forces]

Nooilforpacifists wrote: "I have no idea whether my antiquated HTML 1 will work here—hard on an iPhone to add links..."

Yep, iPhone/iPad not easy to work with. Here is the link:

The Crouching Beast: A United States Army Lieutenant's Account of the Battle for Hamburger Hill, May 1969 by Frank Boccia

[Sweetwilliam]

Thanks No Fool. I'll check out "The Crouching Beast."

On the subject of the post war including the Korean War and Vietnam, I just finished and reviewed Colonel David Hackworth's About Face. It was outstanding. I was saddened by the ending. I wish he would have kept his mouth shut until he got out and then wrote his book. None the less, the war stories and training stories were outstanding, and I thought that there was quite a bit of knowledge to pass on to our future leaders.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

['Aussie Rick', Moderator]

Two excellent books - "About Face" and "The Crouching Beast".

[Manray9]

Tonight I'll start on William M. Waddell's --

In the Year of the Tiger: The War for Cochinchina, 1945–1951.