Next on my list Orwell. Got it in a N&MP sale and forgot about it! Personal accounts are the key to this type of book so sounds good.
Tonight we die as men I have been studying the 67th Field Regts stay in Ramsbury and Aldbourne prior to embarkation to France with the BEF. This book is very informative of the activities of our American Heroes in peacetime England particularly Ramsbury as the co author Roger Day lived there. I have copies of letters written by local families to Major David Shepherd when at Anzio, which give a different opinion on their quality of military discipline and social behaviour. Would our Paras have been any better? This book covers 3rd Btn of the 506 PIR. who inhabited Ramsbury The second Btn Easy Company is well known as The Band of Brothers. who were billeted in Aldbourne. It seems that the 101 Airborne occupied roughly the same area as the British 1st Div in 1939. Whilst their actions are not as well known their story is well worth reading. I am intending to also read The Band of Brothers book for comparison, more to assess its format than the story.. Personally I feel that the style of book is very dated or at least datable by merely opening them.
Just starting Stuart Tootal's book The Manner of Men. 9 Para's D Day mission to silence the guns at Ranville
Charles Dick's Victory to Stalemate and 53 Div war diaries. Former is a bit of a slog to be honest, which is sad becasue when I was a young geek in the 90s and 00s his work spying on Russians was excellent. I've ordered a copy of Michael Reynolds’s Sons of the Reich because Dick refers to it. Anyone read it? I'm hoping it's a decent bit of work and not the Nazi war porn suggested by the title.
Just finished this ... great read. Novel, new in 2021 and quite similar to Robert Harris' Fatherland in that an anti-Nazi policeman hunts a murder suspect. The author (Scarrow) I hope will do more! If you like WWII, police & Germany stuff, this is a good read.
I'm about half way through Speedo!Speedo! just now, despite the unpleasant nature of the subject its a very easy read, I'm not sure what it is but something in the style of writing almost feels like a nice chat with a veteran about his experiences, well worth a read in my opinion, easily available and cheap to pick up too
Been through a few recently: Wings Over Olympus - TH Wisdom. Wartime publication by a reporter, largely about a Blenheim squadron in Greece. The author went on a few raids, so it's written from experience. Quite poignant as it describes the characters of the squadron at length, many of whom were subsequently killed. (He makes several references to the retreat from France as well, so any info on the authors role here will be appreciated). Into the Dark - Reg Wilson/Janet Hughes. Bomber Command navigator who ended up a POW whilst four of his crew were killed. In his 80s he decided to try and locate the crash site of his Halifax, uncovering more than he could have anticipated. This is an excellent account, but drags a bit towards the end when his daughter takes up the story and there's quite a lot of repetition regarding reunions and trips to Germany etc. Dunkirk: Miracle of Deliverance - Rev Frederick Grossmith. The basic premise here is that the saving of so many lives was purely due to the national day of prayer that preceded it. Each to their own, but I'm personally not religious so I concentrated on the veteran accounts contained within, some of which were excellent. There's then a prolonged rant about the standards of the day (1979) and how we're all going to the dogs unless we embrace religion and the Dunkirk spirit. Superbly outdated stuff that I found quite amusing to be honest. (If anybody wants this for the postage cost, PM me as it's in the charity shop donation bag already).
As an aside, the rock shown on the cover is the islet of Filfla which lies off Malta’s SW coast. For many years Filfla was used as a target by the RN and RAF, and fishing is still forbidden in its proximity due to unexploded ordnance.
Reading this study of a small battle that took place during the advance on Moscow between elements of the 19th Panzer Division and Soviet defenders in which the Germans lost ~ 12 tanks. The author discovered a picture from the battle and was inspired to dig deeper into the background. Interesting as it demonstrates that even the successes the Germans had in Barbarossa frequently came with large losses and the Soviets did not just roll over and surrender en masse as is often depicted.
Barnhill by Norman Bissell, a novel about George Orwell's time on the Isle Jura, which he spent writing 1984. It was a Christmas present and, ungratefully, I thought it sounded a little bit naff. It has actually turned out to be a very enjoyable read.
Thanks for the intel, mate. Will give it a go then, now that I'm about to start my "reading campaign" on Africa and the Med.
Mate, I read to learn, and touching different subjects at the same time, does not let me dig as deep as I like to enjoy and really comprehend things. For me, reading is a lovely way to go places, meet people, and get to know facts Besides, due to a myriad of reasons, I got stuck in the CBI / SEAC for about 3 years (it should have taken me less than 1 to cover the planned bibliography), so it is about time to go to the next place in line.
Mate, on the low end, I have been without a job for several months now so I have a tad of spare time; on the bright side, I have my paper (and some electronic) friends with me, and that helps in making reality a little less harsh...