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[Gerald]

Manray9 wrote: "While off the WW II theme, any recs on a good book about the Battle of Khe Sanh?"

"The Last Stand at Khe Sanh: The U.S. Marines' Finest Hour in Vietnam" by Gregg Jones was published earlier this year and has gotten good reviews.

Many years ago, I read Robert Pisor's "The End of the Line: The Siege of Khe Sanh" and liked it.

[Manray9]

Gerald wrote: "Manray9 wrote: "While off the WW II theme, any recs on a good book about the Battle of Khe Sanh?"

"The Last Stand at Khe Sanh: The U.S. Marines' Finest Hour in Vietnam" by Gregg Jones was publishe..."

Thanks.

[Gerald]

Manray9 wrote: "Gerald wrote: "Manray9 wrote: "While off the WW II theme, any recs on a good book about the Battle of Khe Sanh?"

"The Last Stand at Khe Sanh: The U.S. Marines' Finest Hour in Vietnam" by Gregg Jon..."

You are welcome.

['Aussie Rick', Moderator]

Here are a few more, books I own but am yet to read:



by Edward F. Murphy

Valley of Decision: The Siege of Khe Sanh by John Prados

Khe Sanh: Siege in the Clouds, An Oral History by Eric Hammel

[Steve]

For those interested in Irish history: New archival evidence reveals that the IRA tried to kidnap the Prince of Wales in 1922:

http://www.irishtimes.com/news/politi...

There's a good story to tell in here.

[Mike, Assisting Moderator US Forces]

Manray9 wrote: "While off the WW II theme, any recs on a good book about the Battle of Khe Sanh?"

I really enjoyed The Hill Fights: The First Battle of Khe Sanh

[Geevee, Assisting Moderator British & Commonwealth Forces]

Something I read tonight reminded me of "Mad" Jack Churchill who was a commando, used a bow and arrow to kill and was supremely brave and, yes I think too, a little mad:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obitu...

[Manray9]

Geevee wrote: "Something I read tonight reminded me of "Mad" Jack Churchill who was a commando, used a bow and arrow to kill and was supremely brave and, yes I think too, a little mad:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/..."

Quite a character.

[Mike, Assisting Moderator US Forces]

Geevee wrote: "Something I read tonight reminded me of "Mad" Jack Churchill who was a commando, used a bow and arrow to kill and was supremely brave and, yes I think too, a little mad:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/..."

Is there a book about him?

[A.L.]

Mike wrote: "Is there a book about him? "

Churchill (and his commando unit stationed on Vis) is mentioned in Island of Terrible Friends. Not even close to a biography (not meant to be), but I thought the book was pretty good.

[Geevee, Assisting Moderator British & Commonwealth Forces]

Mike wrote: "Geevee wrote: "Something I read tonight reminded me of "Mad" Jack Churchill who was a commando, used a bow and arrow to kill and was supremely brave and, yes I think too, a little mad:
http://www.t..."

I'm not aware of one Mike but there is this which adds a little more to the obituary: http://warfarehistorynetwork.com/dail...

[Dj]

Manray9 wrote: "Today is the bicentennial of the British attack on Fort McHenry in Baltimore. The bombardment of the fort inspired a Georgetown lawyer, Francis Scott Key, to write a poem entitled "The Defence of ..."


Francis Scott Key, whose three verse song, second verse omitted due to have offensive it would be to the English, which is the National Anthem of the United States and perhaps the only one that is unsingable by the Mass of the Nation that it represents. Who say American's don't have a sense of Irony? LOL.

[Dj]

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

My most recent reading attempt. I got through three chapters and started to fourth before I had to remove it from my Kindle to prevent a tossing.

['Aussie Rick', Moderator]

Some books can do that to you eh :)

[Dj]

Yeah, I was really disappointed that it turned into a political diatribe, had high hopes for it. Ah well, at least I only got it from the library.
LOL.

['Aussie Rick', Moderator]

Good point, even worse if it had cost you good hard earned money!

[carl]

Anyone watch House Hunters? they had an archeologist who was relocating to the Marshall Islands. His job is to find and
preserve WW2 artifacts. Sounded like fun. The island
he rented a place on was 30 miles long and 3 feet wide, Ok, just kidding, maybe 6 feet wide. Everyone gets an ocean view.

The sky view shots of the islands make one wonder
what was there to have a battle over?

[Manray9]

carl wrote: "Anyone watch House Hunters? they had an archeologist who was relocating to the Marshall Islands. His job is to find and
preserve WW2 artifacts. Sounded like fun. The island
he rented a place on ..."

I saw it. That's my wife's favorite TV program.

[Geevee, Assisting Moderator British & Commonwealth Forces]

carl wrote: "Anyone watch House Hunters? they had an archeologist who was relocating to the Marshall Islands. His job is to find and
preserve WW2 artifacts. Sounded like fun. The island
he rented a place on ..."

I think a naval base (might be a little grand for it) Carl, and that many US operations aside from clearing Japanese troops was to capture or construct airfields so perhaps there was one built by the Japanese or the US after occupation.

['Aussie Rick', Moderator]

I haven't read my copy of the book yet, maybe just watch Clint Eastwood's new movie; "American Sniper":

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cRbAXW...

[Manray9]

Here is an article and video from The Washington Post on the suspected incursions into Swedish territorial waters by unknown (AKA Russian) subs. I remember the "Whiskey on the Rocks" incident well. There have been a number of other submarine incursions into Swedish waters which have received much less publicity.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/mo...

['Aussie Rick', Moderator]

Thanks for the link to the article, makes interesting reading.

[Charles]

It was also the plotline for an episode of Wallander in the final series...!

[Manray9]

Charles wrote: "It was also the plotline for an episode of Wallander in the final series...!"

I'm not familiar with Wallender.

[Charles]

Mankell, Henning

Also made into a TV series - English version for the BBC had Kenneth Brannagh playing the lead role.

First book is:

Faceless Killers

[Dj]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cc6i9...

Military Mishaps, not all WWII, but interesting.

[Jerry]

Charles wrote: "Mankell, Henning

Also made into a TV series - English version for the BBC had Kenneth Brannagh playing the lead role.

First book is:

Faceless Killers"

The Swedish TV version is better than the Brit.

[Tionne]

I found this on Facebook, and I loved it.

Tolkien's academic writings on Old Norse and Germanic history, language and culture were extremely popular among the Nazi elite, who were obsessed with recreating ancient Germanic civilization. But Tolkien was disgusted by Hitler and the Nazi party, and made no secret of the fact. He considered forbidding a German translation of The Hobbit after the German publisher, in accordance with Nazi law, asked him to certify that he was an "Aryan."� Instead, he wrote a scathing letter asserting, among other things, his regret that he had no Jewish ancestors. His feelings are also evidenced in a letter he wrote to his son: "I have in this War a burning private grudge—which would probably make me a better soldier at 49 than I was at 22: against that ruddy little ignoramus Adolf Hitler ... Ruining, perverting, misapplying, and making for ever accursed, that noble northern spirit, a supreme contribution to Europe, which I have ever loved, and tried to present in its true light."

[Manray9]

Here is a link to an article entitled "The 5 Worst Generals in U.S. History." I could quibble:



1. McClellan worse than Braxton Bragg?
2. What about Nathaniel Banks or Gideon Pillow?
3. I agree about MacArthur, but primarily on the Philippines.
4. What about Arthur St. Clair? He was routed by Indians in Ohio and lost over 90% of his army.
5. Franks was just a pawn in Rumsfeld's political game on force structure.
6. James Wilkinson gained (and surprisingly kept) high rank although he never won a battle and was probably a traitor.

http://nationalinterest.org/feature/c...

[A.L.]

My twins are in preschool and lately each day they've been learning about a specific letter of the alphabet and can bring something starting with that letter to show-and-tell. Today is D-day. I almost sent one of them with a copy of The Longest Day, but I didn't think the other kids would get it (and I didn't want my book to get beat up in their backpack).

['Aussie Rick', Moderator]

Smart idea A.L. :)

[Lilo]

Tionne wrote: "I found this on Facebook, and I loved it.

Tolkien's academic writings on Old Norse and Germanic history, language and culture were extremely popular among the Nazi elite, who were obsessed with r..."

This is very interesting. I am a bit beyond reading children's books (or maybe, not old and senile enough yet :-)), but maybe, I should pick up "The Hobbit". Anyone writing Hitler's henchmen a letter like the one you mention and/or referring to Hitler as a "ruddy little ignoramus" deserves highest respect.

[Steve]

Interesting story about the US War Department and publishers teaming up during WWII to create mini special editions of books—the Armed Services Editions—and how they helped frontline GIs cope with combat. This format ended up launching the paperback:

http://m.wsj.com/articles/how-paperba...

The recent book the story refers to: When Books Went to War: The Stories that Helped Us Win World War II

[Manray9]

Steve wrote: "Interesting story about the US War Department and publishers teaming up during WWII to create mini special editions of books—the Armed Services Editions—and how they helped frontline GIs cope with ..."

Thanks, Steve. I had heard of the Armed Services Editions, but look forward to reading the book.

[Steve]

Manray9 wrote: "Steve wrote: "Interesting story about the US War Department and publishers teaming up during WWII to create mini special editions of books—the Armed Services Editions—and how they helped frontline ..."

Hey, you're welcome. I probably bought flimsy old paperbacks years ago and didn't even notice they might be one of these. I would have kept em!

[Manray9]

Steve wrote: "Manray9 wrote: "Steve wrote: "Interesting story about the US War Department and publishers teaming up during WWII to create mini special editions of books—the Armed Services Editions—and how they h..."

Now that you mention it, I may have done the same.

[Dj]

Manray9 wrote: "Here is a link to an article entitled "The 5 Worst Generals in U.S. History." I could quibble:



1. McClellan worse than Braxton Bragg?
2. What about Nathaniel Banks or Gideon Pillow?
3. I agr..."

Nothing nice to say for poor Gates?

McCellan had the talent to build an Army, but like many builders he didn't have the wherewithal to risk his creation. And Bragg fought for the south so he might not count as an 'American' for the definition of the exercise.

Yeah Fredendall was a dud.

I don't really agree with the MacArthur call. One of the most overrated yes, worst, not so much. If that was the case you could toss Bradley and Hodges in the mix as well. I would go for Jones (106th) way before Mac.

And Franks...well toss a coin, but I am not sure that he is worse than the knuckle head running Vietnam.

[Geevee, Assisting Moderator British & Commonwealth Forces]

I wanted to ask my American friends here for their views of George Washington as a general. One can't discount his place in US and world history (by that I mean defeating the British and changing the US into a independent nation) but I've read that his generalship has been called into question...would he perhaps make a top 10 in either best or worst?

['Aussie Rick', Moderator]

Interesting question Geevee and I'll be keen to see the responses.

I can't answer the question but this new book may help:

by Stephen Brumwell

[Manray9]

Geevee wrote: "I wanted to ask my American friends here for their views of George Washington as a general. One can't discount his place in US and world history (by that I mean defeating the British and changing ..."

Washington wasn't much as a tactician, but he learned as the war went on. His performance at New York (Long Island, Harlem Heights, White Plains and Forts Washington and Lee) was deplorable. His army should have been destroyed at Gowanus Creek. He improved in the New Jersey and Pennsylvania battles, even though he was defeated at Brandywine and lost Philadelphia. His genius was in grasping how the maintenance of a force in being kept us from defeat. As long as a Continental Army was in the field the revolution lived on.

Two good general military histories of the Revolution are:

Rag, Tag and Bobtail: The Story of the Continental Army 1775 - 1783 by Lynn Montross

From Lexington to Liberty: The Story of the American Revolution by Bruce Lancaster

[Dj]

Geevee wrote: "I wanted to ask my American friends here for their views of George Washington as a general. One can't discount his place in US and world history (by that I mean defeating the British and changing ..."


He won...almost never. However he kept an under (as in probably not at all) paid Army intact in face of a superior force and thus enabled a win. No Washington, no USA.

[Mike, Assisting Moderator US Forces]

Geevee wrote: "I wanted to ask my American friends here for their views of George Washington as a general. One can't discount his place in US and world history (by that I mean defeating the British and changing ..."

He was a terrible general at the start, read 1776 to see how close we were to defeat.

[Manray9]

Mike wrote: "Geevee wrote: "I wanted to ask my American friends here for their views of George Washington as a general. One can't discount his place in US and world history (by that I mean defeating the Britis..."

The Battle of Long Island should have been a bigger fiasco. What kind of general places their army on the end of an island with its back to water, in the face of superior forces, and when the enemy possesses the most powerful navy in the world? The answer: George Washington.

The Brits (and Hessians) landed, fixed Washington with a holding force, and then performed an rapid night flank march around Washington's left. When the Brits attacked, the Americans were driven back and then the Hessians struck from the center. Things went badly quickly. The enemy was on the verge of cutting off the entire army from retreat across the East River to Manhattan. The day was saved by the Maryland Line. Col. William Smallwood's 1st Maryland Regiment, serving under Maj. Mordecai Gist, formed up on the banks of Gowanus Creek (now the smelly Gowanus Canal) and, led by Lord Stirling, fixed bayonets and assaulted the Brits, captured the Stone House at the center of their position, were driven off, reformed and attacked again. They halted the advance of the Brits and von Heister's Hessians. While they fought, the rest of the army escaped to reform on Brooklyn Heights. The 1st Maryland was virtually destroyed, but saved the day. Think about it: a bunch of Baltimore County farmboys and Annapolis shopkeepers standing toe-to-toe against the 71st Highlanders, the 40th and 46th Foot and the Grenadier Guards.

This was my regiment when I was a reenactor.

[Lee]

Geevee wrote: "I wanted to ask my American friends here for their views of George Washington as a general. One can't discount his place in US and world history (by that I mean defeating the British and changing ..."

I haven't counted to 10, but Washington is certainly on my "greatest American generals" list.
- Flexibility: Yes, his early battles were defeats-- unfortunately, he needed to learn that his army and its leadership was unable to perform to his (or the British) standards. He was able to take the time to adjust his expectations and to train up the army. He never liked the militia or the guerrilla forces around him, but he adjusted to use them successfully. When the war shifted to a siege, he adapted. When it moved south, he adapted. When he saw an opening in Virginia, he was ready to move quickly to seize the initiative and besiege Cornwallis.
- Diplomacy and command: Many of his subordinates tried to steal his glory, betray him to Congress or even the enemy, but he adapted and overcame those. He could have clashed with the French when they arrived, but he did not.
- He developed a clear vision of the strategic means that America needed to win independence and stuck to it.
- To answer Napoleon's question, "Is he lucky?" look at how he got off Long Island in July 1776, and then into New Jersey that same winter.
- He inspired his officers and men, and the rest of the country, to learn and adapt and train to meet the circumstances and become the victorious army.

There were others who won battles and exhibited tactical brilliance, but at the levels of national and military strategy, I think it's hard to find a better one.

[Geevee, Assisting Moderator British & Commonwealth Forces]

Thank you gents for a great and interesting response to my question and a few more books for my TBR.

[Manray9]

Lee wrote: "Geevee wrote: "I wanted to ask my American friends here for their views of George Washington as a general. One can't discount his place in US and world history (by that I mean defeating the Britis..."

Well put, Lee.

[carl]

" Well put, Lee."

I agree !

[Manray9]

Jonathan Yardley, Book Editor of The Washington Post, retires today after 33 years. Below is a link to a short list of his favorite books -- fiction and non-fiction. I am pleased to see he shares my admiration for J.G. Farrell's "The Siege of Krishnapur" and the works of Ward Just, Ian McEwan, Max Hastings and Jean Edward Smith. It seems serious book reviewing may soon be a lost art.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/enterta...

['Aussie Rick', Moderator]

Some good books mentioned there Manray9, thanks for the link.

[Gerald]

Manray9 wrote: "Jonathan Yardley, Book Editor of The Washington Post, retires today after 33 years. Below is a link to a short list of his favorite books -- fiction and non-fiction. I am pleased to see he shares..."

Jonathan Yardley's retirement is the end of an era. I lived in Washington for 17 years, and when I left, I continued to subscribe to the Washington Post, in part because of the Book World, specifically Yardley's reviews. I am sorry to learn of his retirement. He will be missed.