Introduction to the WW2 Site - Please Say Hi Showing 901-950 of 4,899

[Geevee, Assisting Moderator British & Commonwealth Forces]

Frank wrote: "I have only been a member for a month and wow I am amazed at reading through the introductions once a week and finding many members that had a parent, including my self, who served in the War, it f..."

Certainly makes for a group with wide ranging interests and helps to widen books on areas people's family members served Frank. My parents were too young but lived through the bombing in England and my grandparents and great-uncles all served; as did my my great-aunt in the Land Army.

Would you have a book on LCI to recommend Frank or is that an area you'd like other's to help with perhaps?

[Geevee, Assisting Moderator British & Commonwealth Forces]

Frank wrote: "I have only been a member for a month and wow I am amazed at reading through the introductions once a week and finding many members that had a parent, including my self, who served in the War, it f..."

What a great story Cort - did they give an idea how they came to the US?

[Cort]

What a great story Cort - did they give an idea how they came to the US?..."

While I don't know (or remember) the details, I got the impression that his talents in medicine allowed him to avoid horrifying POW situations. He was quickly tasked post-war in medicine. Possibly that might be how how ended up in the USA. I believe his first medical degree was from Germany pre-war, and was why we was drafted as a Medic. He made it clear he was drafted ... wonder why? :)

Thx for the interest!

[Robert]

Cort wrote: "Thanks for the warm welcome. I was telling Rick I am just finishing up a battlefield archaeology book on the Anzac's in WWI called "Digging Up Plugstreet". If you haven't heard of the 'Ultimo Crate..."

One thing I learned from my old friend, Gen. Oscar Koch (Patton's G-2), was that he had great respect for the German regular army officers and men. He felt that they were well trained and played fair, and generally trusted (but verified!) information they provided as POWs. Not so the SS and Nazi Party members. Many of the German officers, once captured, cooperated in every way they could in hopes that information they gave would help shorten the war. They knew that Hitler would fight forever, disregarding the deaths among the civilian population and the destruction of the country.

['Aussie Rick', Moderator]

Some great stories there from Cort and Frank. Imagine what accounts that German doctor or Frank's father could have told.

[Frank]

Geevee wrote: "Frank wrote: "I have only been a member for a month and wow I am amazed at reading through the introductions once a week and finding many members that had a parent, including my self, who served in..."

Geevee wrote: "Frank wrote: "I have only been a member for a month and wow I am amazed at reading through the introductions...

Geeve: Did your parents and grandparents relate much of those times to you? They must have gone through a great deal during the bombings.

As far as books specifically on Amphibious forces during the war, not much has been published, other than overall histories of the operations most recently
[author:Robin L. Rielly Amphibious Gunboats of World War Two, some of these LCI's actually participated in both the Normandy and Pacific Landings. My father served on several during the war and participated in a quite a few (Iwo Jima, Tarawa, Okinawa etc.) of the landings during the island hopping campaign.

[Geevee, Assisting Moderator British & Commonwealth Forces]

Thanks Frank I'll check out American Amphibious Gunboats in World War II: A History of LCI Ships in the Pacific by Robin L Rielly

They were both young: my dad recalls the Canadians with great affection as they were camped around his house prior to D-Day, and in respect of the bombing his maternal grandmother was killed in the bombing of Newhaven in 1941 - his abiding memory of that day is seeing the house flattened but the clock from the lounge sitting upright, undamaged and still working; my mum recalls sitting in the air raid (Anderson) shelter in their garden or just sitting under the stairs in the house listening to the bombs and feeling the explosions; my wife's father was saved by a Morrison (different to the more common Anderson) shelter and the mantle-piece of their coal fire, when a railway track from the railway line at the back of their garden was uprooted by a V1 and landed in the room where he lay as a baby. The rail ended one end on the mantel-piece laying across the shelter.

About 20 years ago my mum went with me to the Imperial War Museum and we sat inside a mock air-raid shelter with the recording of an air-raid and siren - she found it a little unnerving as it took her straight back to the days of 1940/41.
Her other memories of the blitz was of her elderly neighbour who shared their shelter and continually ate Everton mints.

My great-aunt who also lived with my Mum served, as I say, in the Land Army and never went to the shelter when she was home as she wanted to sleep in her bed and through courage and sheer tiredness ignored the bombing. Right into old age she would always eat her favourite parts of her meal first: she did this in the war so she ate the best/nicest bits before the bombs got her - a great little story.

['Aussie Rick', Moderator]

That's a great story Geevee about your relations and the Blitz. I liked the idea of eating the nice bits of food first, makes perfect sense eh!

[Frank]

Geevee:

Great story about the bombing of London, I can picture it as you tell it.
I have a question about the Imperial War Museum, I am planning to take a trip next year to London and want to visit the museum, I understand it is under renovation, do you know if it is the entire facility that is being renovated, the website is a bit unclear?
Thank you.

[Frank]

Rick:

By accident I deleted a post and apologize, I was wondering if you restore it as a group leader?

Thank you Frank

['Aussie Rick', Moderator]

I'm sorry to say I don't think I can Frank.

[Geevee, Assisting Moderator British & Commonwealth Forces]

Frank wrote: "Geevee:

Great story about the bombing of London, I can picture it as you tell it.
I have a question about the Imperial War Museum, I am planning to take a trip next year to London and want to vis..."

Hi Frank, it closed in January for a major refurb to remodel galleries until 29th July when it re-opens for the school summer holidays but there will be much work continuing into 2014 in readiness for the 100th anniversary of the start of WWI.

The re-opening on July should see these galleries and exhibitions will be partially re-open with a major new family exhibition Horrible Histories®: Spies, an autumn programme of new art and photography displays including works that have never been on display before.

The permanent galleries which will also re-open will include:

The art galleries
The Lord Ashcroft Victoria Cross Gallery: “Extraordinary Heroes”
The Holocaust Exhibition
Secret War
A Family in Wartime
Explore History Centre.

Although partially open it will be worth a visit an if time allows do also visit the IWM's Churchill (aka Cabinet) War Rooms under Whitehall, HMS Belfast on the River Thames.

Other places I'd recommend are:
The National Army Museum: http://www.nam.ac.uk/

The Hospital Chelsea (Home of the Chelsea Pensioners) http://www.chelsea-pensioners.co.uk/v...
- worth just for visiting the Great Hall which lists on wooden panels around the hall every battle honour awarded to the British Army; and the chapel opposite dates from 1681 and on-line is a book of remembrance.

The Guards museum http://www.theguardsmuseum.com/ whihc covers the history of the 5 regiments of foot guards and the 2 regiments of the Household Cavalry from their respective formation through to their latest tours in Afghanistan and the ceremonial duties that still are carried out today.

The museum is very close to the Guards Chapel which was rebuilt after being hit by a V1 in June 1944 killing 121 people: http://www.army.mod.uk/chaplains/2336...

St Clement Danes in the heart of London is the church of the RAF. It is a Wren church and was badly damaged by enemy action in 1941: http://www.raf.mod.uk/stclementdanes/

The Royal Artillery Memorial is a stunning memorial: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Ar...

Firepower the Royal Artillery Museum is great too: http://www.firepower.org.uk/

Check out the Admiralty Citadel too - it was built in WWII and many people don't notice it or realise what it is. It is easy to see on Horse Guards Parade just a stone's throw from the Guards memorial (where Trooping the Colour is held). Sadly its not open to visitors as its still useed. Some details here: http://www.shadyoldlady.com/location....

And for something different try Blitz Walkers - they do guided tours of sites around London about the blitz and the stories associated with them: http://www.blitzwalkers.co.uk/index.html

I hope this is helpful.

[Frank]

'Aussie Rick' wrote: "I'm sorry to say I don't think I can Frank.
I will not hit the edit icon by accident again.
Sorry again.

[happy]

IMO the IWM is well worth the visit. The WWI and WWII exhibits are outstanding.

GV - will the two 15 inch rifles still be outside the front enterence when they are done with the refurb?

There are so many more museums I need to get to when I return :D

[Frank]

Geevee

Thank so much for the information on the museum, as well as, the other sites. There is so much to see. I haven't been to London in twelve years and it is long overdue.
I am planning to go with a buddy, another buff. Might try to link it up with visiting Normandy for the 70th anniversary.

[Geevee, Assisting Moderator British & Commonwealth Forces]

happy wrote: "IMO the IWM is well worth the visit. The WWI and WWII exhibits are outstanding.

GV - will the two 15 inch rifles still be outside the front enterence when they are done with the refurb?

There are..."

I believe so Happy although there were plans originally to move them to the back - once finished the whole of the ground will be given over to WWI as I understand.

[Geevee, Assisting Moderator British & Commonwealth Forces]

Frank wrote: "Geevee

Thank so much for the information on the museum, as well as, the other sites. There is so much to see. I haven't been to London in twelve years and it is long overdue.
I am planning to g..."

My pleasure Frank.

[Craig]

Hi, I'm Craig. i love reading ww2 stuff at the tactical level...strategic bogs down for me.

Currently reading two fine works about both the northern and southern shoulder of the Bulge.

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/64...

and

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15...

[happy]

Welcome Welcome Craig

[Geevee, Assisting Moderator British & Commonwealth Forces]

Welcome Craig and feel free to join in as you wish.

['Aussie Rick', Moderator]

Hi Craig and welcome to the group, I am sure you will find heaps of good tactical level titles here, enjoy :)

[Robert]

Welcome to the group, Corrie. Always nice to have a new member who shares an interest in military history. Also, as a U.S. Army veteran, I appreciate your husband's service and your supporting role.

['Aussie Rick', Moderator]

Hi Corrie and welcome to the group, I hope you find lots of things to keep you interested :)

[Mike, Assisting Moderator US Forces]

Welcome Corrie, lots of history buffs here and some excellent resources for your studies. Glad to have you in the group.

[happy]

Welcome Corrie - don't be shy :)

[Geevee, Assisting Moderator British & Commonwealth Forces]

Corrie wrote: "Hi all
I'm new to the group, I've been playing around with Goodreads for a bit but just found groups.
I'm a history major (2 classes to go till I get my BA! Finally!) And I really like war history,..."

Welcome Corrie and feel free to join in as you want.

[[deleted user]]

Hello guys! I just signed up for this group and I'm hoping to learn and perhaps share ideas! I am going through graduate school for education and I have a deep love for history!

Nice to meet all of you!

Gino

['Aussie Rick', Moderator]

Hi Gino, good to see you here and I hope you do find a few things of interest. Will be keen to chat with you more in some of the various threads and share a few ideas :)

[[deleted user]]

Hi, just joined Good reads and this forum. I am a huge history fan, with a fair bit of interest in WW2, especially the Eastern front (I inherited a copy of Alan Clark's Barbarossa that sparked this interest). Sorry Aussie Rick, but also enjoying the Ashes too at the minute...

[Wade]

WELCOME ALL NEW MEMBERS!....Best Group around,and now you all too are included.

['Aussie Rick', Moderator]

Hi Daz, good to see you here and I think you will find quite a few members share your passion for the Eastern Front - I can't talk about the Ashes at the moment :(

[Dj]

Hello, my name is DJ. I have been an avid reader of military history for nearly thirty five years. My main focus at the moment is the Battle of the Bulge and Patton and his Staff.
In general I prefer the ETO and the Pacific Naval Actions. But I will read most anything.

['Aussie Rick', Moderator]

Good to see you here Dj and hopefully you will find a few good books in the European and Pacific theatre threads.

[Sean]

Hi everyone! I am relatively new to goodreads and have a great passion for history and a greater passion for WWII. I thoroughly enjoy reading and it is my favorite thing to do. I hope to participate and find more great books on here!

Thanks,
Sean

[Paul]

Dj wrote: "Hello, my name is DJ. I have been an avid reader of military history for nearly thirty five years. My main focus at the moment is the Battle of the Bulge and Patton and his Staff.
In general I pre..."

Welcome, Dj (and everyone else). One of our members helped Patton's G-2, Gen. Oscar Koch, write his memoirs, and has now written a biography of him that has the respect of many reviewers. You may be interested, so the picture below links you to that book.

Patton's Oracle by Robert Hays

[Robert]

Welcome, DJ, and thanks, Paul. Gen. Oscar Koch is my personal hero. His loyalty to and admiration for Patton were remarkable and his intelligence work was a critical factor in Patton's success. I was fortunate to have known him and I am forever grateful for the opportunity to have worked with him. It always is a pleasure to find an opportunity to introduce him to a new reader! Robert Hays Oscar W. Koch

[Mike, Assisting Moderator US Forces]

Ismael, DJ, Daz and Sean, welcome to the group. Glad you found us and look forward to hearing your thoughts on WWII.

[Dj]

'Aussie Rick' wrote: "Good to see you here Dj and hopefully you will find a few good books in the European and Pacific theatre threads."

I already have found some interseting comments on books in both Cases. In one case it has made me want to get out and read one that is on the shelf. Patton's Oracle. From the comments on it, it sounds like it should be a good read.

[Geevee, Assisting Moderator British & Commonwealth Forces]

Hi Ismael, Daz, DJ and Sean welcome to the group. Whatever your knowledge and interest areas please feel free to join in and share the books :)

Rick did you say you wanted to chat about the Ashes, as Daz and I can join in ;)

['Aussie Rick', Moderator]

Enough about the Ashes please, our American friends won't be able to understand what you guys are talking about - probably think your referring to some long dead descendant that you want to swap with Australia :)

[Geevee, Assisting Moderator British & Commonwealth Forces]

Ha Ha I hadn't thought about only us Brits and Commonwealthers understanding the Ashes!

[happy]

Let me add my welcome to

Ismael, DJ, Daz, and Sean

[Robert]

Geevee wrote: "Ha Ha I hadn't thought about only us Brits and Commonwealthers understanding the Ashes!"

OK . . . enough is enough. For some of us ignorant colonials, what is all this about the ashes? (Unless explaining will make me feel foolish, in which case you can ignore this.)

['Aussie Rick', Moderator]

I will let my British cousins explain the Ashes since they are enjoying it sooo much :)

[Tionne]

What I want to know is why burn a cricket ball? What is the significance?

['Aussie Rick', Moderator]

For those interested in what the Ashes is all about here is some information:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Ashes

[Robert]

'Aussie Rick' wrote: "For those interested in what the Ashes is all about here is some information:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Ashes"

Just what I thought, after finding the article you cite a little earlier. Sorry, fellows, to me a cricket is an insect!

['Aussie Rick', Moderator]

I am sure our English friends will say that cricket is a sport that made an Empire :)

[Tionne]

Robert wrote: "'Aussie Rick' wrote: "For those interested in what the Ashes is all about here is some information:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Ashes"

Just what I thought, after finding the article you cite..."

Its that game they play on Downton Abbey! :-) haha jk, it actually does look fun, but its hard to follow here in the US. Never on tv, etc.

[Paul]

I thought the cricket that made an empire was Jiminy Cricket...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jiminy_C...