Introduction to the WW2 Site - Please Say Hi Showing 2,401-2,450 of 4,899

[Geevee, Assisting Moderator British & Commonwealth Forces]

Welcome Mark and please feel free to join in.

[Douglas]

Hi everyone,
My name is Doug. I am a biology professor at the University of Montana, where I study the evolution of beetles. My main focus is the diversity and extravagance of the extreme weapons - horns - wielded by male rhinoceros beetles.

I have also always been irrationally fascinated by military history, and in particular WWII history.

While researching a book on animal weapons I had a chance to dig into the military literature surrounding arms races, which only renewed my love of this field. To my astonishment, it turned out that exactly the same things trigger arms races in animals and in our military technologies - remarkable, when you think about it, that crab claws, mastodon tusks, elk antlers, and beetle horns have the same basic properties, and evolve in response to the same conditions, as oared galleys in the ancient Mediterranean, Nelson-era ships of the line, ironclad battleships, fighter aircraft, and arsenals of the Cold War. this just caused me to look at extreme weapons in a whole new light!

I also learned about Goodreads at this same time (thanks to the urging of my publisher). So I am new to these reading groups and new to the message boards process.

My problem is that I have very little time these days, so it often takes me a month or two to finish each book (I only get to read for a bit at the end of each evening, for example). So I'm guessing this group will move much faster than I am able. That said, I'm eager to learn of new topics, authors, and titles, and WWII history is my all-time favorite history topic.

I'll also add that my great uncle was a tail gunner in the 90th squadron of the 3rd Attack Bombardment Group, serving in the Pacific in the latter half of the war. I've already tracked down a few books, like Henebry's "The Grim Reapers", but I'm especially eager to learn more about what it would have been like to serve in New Guinea at that time.

Thanks!

['Aussie Rick', Moderator]

Hi Mark and Douglas and a warm welcome to both of you! I am sure you will both fit in and I hope you both find a few things of interest in the various threads and forums.

['Aussie Rick', Moderator]

Nice introduction Douglas, interesting tie-in between your area of study and military history!

The New Guinea theatre was a pretty horrible area of operations during WW2. I hope you find a few more books on that subject so you can learn more about what your great uncle endured during his service.

[Manray9]

Douglas wrote: "Hi everyone,
My name is Doug. I am a biology professor at the University of Montana, where I study the evolution of beetles. My main focus is the diversity and extravagance of the extreme weapons ..."

Welcome, Douglas. Please pitch in whenever.

[Mike, Assisting Moderator US Forces]

Kosie, Mark and Doug, welcome to the group. We are glad to have you here.

[happy]

Let me add my welcome to Mark and Doug

Welcome, Welcome!

[Bev]

Paul wrote: "Bev wrote: "Paul where did your grandmother escape to - the UK? Her story must indeed be fascinating!

She's a Catholic Pole and had an uncle high up in the military in Warsaw. He knew the SS would..."

That is quite the story Paul. She must have been a very strong woman!

[Larry]

Hello all:I am very happy to have obtained membership in this WW2 group. I grew up hearing WW2 stories from my relatives, two uncles in the European Theater and my Dad a prewar soldier who was in the Philippines in Dec. 1941. He was finally captured on Corregidor and spent 3 years 8 months as a POW.He was liberated in 1945 by the Soviet Red Army in Mukden Manchuria.

[Manray9]

Larry wrote: "Hello all:I am very happy to have obtained membership in this WW2 group. I grew up hearing WW2 stories from my relatives, two uncles in the European Theater and my Dad a prewar soldier who was in t..."

Welcome, Larry. Please feel free to pitch in. I am sure your father saw some hard times in the service of his country. I salute him.

[Kerry]

Hi, I'm Kerry and quite interested in joining this group. I am in the Civil War group with "Aussie" Rick and see that he is involved with this group. My dad was on Iwo Jima for 26 days and after the war became a member of the Connecticut Iwo Jima Survivors Association. I met many of the survivors through the years, but of course their numbers are dwindling. They built a replica of the Flag Raising on Suribachi in Newington, Ct. all with private funds. The park is worth a visit.

['Aussie Rick', Moderator]

Hi Larry and Kerry, welcome to the group, you both have great connections within your family history to WW2. I hope you both find a few things of interest here in the group.

[Manray9]

Kerry wrote: "Hi, I'm Kerry and quite interested in joining this group. I am in the Civil War group with "Aussie" Rick and see that he is involved with this group. My dad was on Iwo Jima for 26 days and after ..."

Welcome, Kerry. We look forward to your contributions.

[Kerry]

'Aussie Rick' wrote: "Hi Larry and Kerry, welcome to the group, you both have great connections within your family history to WW2. I hope you both find a few things of interest here in the group."

Well let me see. I loveto read, especially about history,so I am guessing i will find many interesting things within this group. Thanx to you also, Manray.

I am sure many people have read "Flags of our Fathers". I rate it as one of my top 10 favorite books and not just because my dad was on Iwo Jima. Ever since I finished reading this book back in the 90's, I havebeen able to rattle off the names of the six flag raisers. I have met James Bradley and have his autgraph in my hard cover edition.

[Mike, Assisting Moderator US Forces]

Welcome Larry and Kerry. Fascinating connections to WWII, looking forward to your participation here.

@Kerry, my second son lives not far from Newington (West Hartford) and we'll be sure to visit the park when we come out there.

['Aussie Rick', Moderator]

Hi Kerry, your copy of Flags of our Fathers sounds vey special. I really enjoyed the book and have always admired and respected the men of the USMC who fought in the Pacific during WW2.

The B&W photographs of those men struggling ashore under fire at Tarawa is one I've never forgotten and it's a Pacific battle that I never tire of reading about.

[Bev]

Paul wrote: "Manray9,

Hong Kong's defeat - and a mass escape by motor torpedo boat - is my main research focus at the moment. I'll try to find GR thread you're referring to..."

I was just looking through a box of old books from my Dad and found one on Hong Kong. It doesn't appear to be listed on Goodreads. It's called Hong Kong Escape by R. B. Goodwin, Barker Dragon Books 1956 (first edition was 1953 but this appears to be the first time of publishing by this company).189 pages. This fellow escaped after 3 years captivity and was from New Zealand.

[Paul]

Thanks Bev. I've got that out from Hong Kong University library.

['Aussie Rick', Moderator]

Sounds like a great find Bev!

[Paul]

Yes, it's a lively book from the opening chapters I've read so far...

[Kerry]

'Aussie Rick' wrote: "Hi Kerry, your copy of Flags of our Fathers sounds vey special. I really enjoyed the book and have always admired and respected the men of the USMC who fought in the Pacific during WW2.

The B&W p..."

Hey Rick, I have a book abut Tarawa you would be interested in reading, if you have not already done so. "One Square Mile of Hell-The Battle For Tarawa", by John Wukovits.

['Aussie Rick', Moderator]

I have a copy of that book but I will have to check and see if I have read it yet :)

['Aussie Rick', Moderator]

Yep I have read it and enjoyed it a great deal!

[Paul]

Bev wrote: "Paul wrote: "Manray9,

Hong Kong's defeat - and a mass escape by motor torpedo boat - is my main research focus at the moment. I'll try to find GR thread you're referring to..."

I was just looking..."

Bev,

I can't sign in from work to Google's Books to check to see whether an electronic edition is available, but here is the link for those that want to look further:

http://books.google.co.uk/books/about...

[Paul]

Paul wrote: "Hi all.

I'm a history teacher and part-time writer. I'm from the UK and now live in Hong Kong (where the Winnipeg Grenadiers fought, Bev).

Like Bev and her uncle (below), I interviewed my gran a..."

Welcome, Paul. I notice that your parents loved you as much as mine love me to give you such a fine name. :)

[happy]

Let me add my welcomie to Larry and Kerry

Welcome Welcome

[Geevee, Assisting Moderator British & Commonwealth Forces]

Welcome Doug, Larry and Kerry. Please feel free to join in.

[Tom]

Hi, my name is Tom Glover and I live in New Jersey.
Right now, my favorite topics are: reading about the 106th Infantry Division in 1944-5, and their efforts in the Army of the Occupation in 1945-6. Plus the history of Camp Shanks in NY.
Often, my favorite books were written by people who actually lived through and experienced a history making event; Mark Twain, Tom Brokaw, and Alan Greenspan, to name a few.
Thanks for the invite!
Tom

[Manray9]

Tom wrote: "Hi, my name is Tom Glover and I live in New Jersey.
Right now, my favorite topics are: reading about the 106th Infantry Division in 1944-5, and their efforts in the Army of the Occupation in 1945-6..."

Welcome, Tom. I look forward to your contributions to the group.

[Mike, Assisting Moderator US Forces]

Welcome to the group Tom. Hope you find something of interest here.

[happy]

Wecome to the group Tom

I'm sure you'll find something that piques your interest in the various threads :)

[Geevee, Assisting Moderator British & Commonwealth Forces]

Tom wrote: "Hi, my name is Tom Glover and I live in New Jersey.
Right now, my favorite topics are: reading about the 106th Infantry Division in 1944-5, and their efforts in the Army of the Occupation in 1945-6..."

Welcome Tom and please feel free to join in.

['Aussie Rick', Moderator]

Hi Tom and welcome to the group, I hope you find a few things of interest here.

[Kerry]

'Aussie Rick' wrote: "I have a copy of that book but I will have to check and see if I have read it yet :)"

It seems from all I have read, you either live in a library or you own a copy of just about every book. You are a true book lover.

['Aussie Rick', Moderator]

I can't help myself Kerry when it comes to books :)

[Kerry]

I like a bookstore far better than a hardware store. Drives my brother-in-law crazy!

['Aussie Rick', Moderator]

No comparison as far as I'm concerned :)

[Lilo]

Oh, dear! I haven't been on this page for half an eternity. I hae been busy, busy, busy.

So I am a bit late to say "hi" and welcome to all the newcomers, but I'll say it anyway.

HI and WELCOME to you all! -- You'll love this group. I think it is the nicest group you can find on Goodreads.

[Geevee, Assisting Moderator British & Commonwealth Forces]

Kerry wrote: "I like a bookstore far better than a hardware store. Drives my brother-in-law crazy!"

Hardware stores are good...to make more bookshelves :)

[Alex]

I have just finished reading "The Bomber Campaign" by Richard Overy focussing on strategic bombing in the european theatre of war covering both Germans and allies (and even the Italians)

Fantastic and illuminating book that highlighted limited success of the allies bombing campaign on German war effort and the constant over stating of results by bomber command and such. Wasnt until US bombing campaign focussed on transport, airplane production and oil that major impact.

Whilst US assessed results of bombing campaign as being limited did not stop one of the assessors, robert mcNamarra when US defence Secretary promoting the bombing campaign in Vietnam

Alex

['Aussie Rick', Moderator]

Sounds good Alex, I know I have a copy sitting waiting to be read somewhere in my house :)


by Richard Overy

['Aussie Rick', Moderator]

Geevee wrote: "Kerry wrote: "I like a bookstore far better than a hardware store. Drives my brother-in-law crazy!"

Hardware stores are good...to make more bookshelves :)"

Good point Geevee!

[happy]

Kerry wrote: "'Aussie Rick' wrote: "I have a copy of that book but I will have to check and see if I have read it yet :)"

It seems from all I have read, you either live in a library or you own a copy of just ab..."

I came to that conclusion long ago :)

[Colin]

Alex wrote: "I have just finished reading "The Bomber Campaign" by Richard Overy focussing on strategic bombing in the european theatre of war covering both Germans and allies (and even the Italians)

Fantastic..."

I wrote the book Night Fighters, which also covered the bombing campaign in Europe, mostly from the Luftwaffe and RAF Bomber Command perspective, some USAAF, all with interviews. The great differences b/w the RAF/USAAF methods in WW II, and the strategy used in Vietnam, was simple, yet stupid.

The Americans targetd specific targets, such as the Ho Chi Minh Trail (Hwy 1), and hard targets as ID'd by SR-71 overflights, aerial recon, or on the ground FACS. The political crippling of not hitting Hanoi's massive SAM sites and munitions industry was the ultimate LBJ liberal failure, despite his efforts elsewhere.

Nixon came on the scene and changed that, forcing the North Vietnamese to the table in Paris. Mining Haiphong harbor and bombing that, as well as targets around Hanoi (while limited by Congress) had results. Again, liberally imposed restrictions (enabled by no formal declaration of war, and heavy anti-war sentiment) hampered, but did not cripple the Communists.

Curtis Lemay (who I interviewed) had a very interesting plan, similar to the fire bombing of Japan which he orchestrated after he left the ETO. He was ignored, but Vo Ngyen Giap stated that the Lemay plan would have forced his nation out of the war had it been implemented.

[Alex]

Thanks Colin

I have just finished the "March of Folly" by Barbara Tuchman which was superb and a lot to say re approach to bombing in Vietnam and US involvement in US full stop. Although easy to be wise with benefit of hindsight

alex

[Colin]

True.

[Phyllis]

Hi Aussie Rick, I have added An Unlikely Warrior, A Jew in Hitler's Army, by Georg Rauch (written by my husband and translated from the German by me) and published by Macmillan, to various appropriate groups in Good Reads such as memoirs etc. It would be most appropriate for this site, but I'm finding your page more difficult to navigate than the others. Each time I try to add the book I end up on another page. Perhaps it is already included here, but there are so many subgroups, that I'm uncertain. It's in the pre-order stage at the moment and comes out in mid-Feb in hardback, digital and audio versions. Foreign rights have already been picked up by Italy and Poland. Reviews in other places are mostly 5 star. Am hoping you will clue me in as to whether the book is already here or not. If the latter, would you please put it up for me? Thanks, Phyllis Rauch

['Aussie Rick', Moderator]

Hi Phyllis, I have posted details of your husbands book in the following threads:

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

[William]

I grew up with a WWII night fighter carrier pilot as a father. After the war he was a test pilot, and then Director of Test Pilot Training in Patuxent River, MD. He went on to command two ships and finished his career behind a desk in the Pentagon during Vietnam. Fighter pilots were beyond reproach during that time and the idea that anything could be wrong with someone with the right stuff was absurd. But in the years long after he died, my sister and I have absorbed the discussion about the signals of war trauma or what they coined in 1990 as PTSD. Our Dad had it in spades. My book "Journals From The Edge" http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00SAEQZ7U is the story of growing up with our Dad.

[William]

This is a video I made showing the travel that my father made after leaving an isolated home for the first time in 1936 to travel to the US Naval Academy. The video follows his incredible movement during the next years until the end of the war. He was like many from small town America. When someone examines the causes of disorientation, rapid movement is just one of the many causes.
https://vimeo.com/113425946