Books By James Bacque

Jonathan Saunders · 31-03-2005, 08:38 PM

I am after opinions on the professional standing of the author and assessments of either of these books as valid historical investigations.

Many thanks in advance.

Kiwiwriter · 04-04-2005, 04:17 PM

Historians have shredded the eminent Mr. Bacque's claims. There was a devastating review of the book in Military History Quarterly when it came out. Many of the German "POWs" Bacque claimed were starved were actually Volkssturm, Hitler Youth, and stomach soldiers who were simply sent home sans weapons, and thus disappeared from POW rosters.

Jonathan Saunders · 06-04-2005, 03:06 PM

Many thanks for your reply.

I have only seen accusations made against Bacque's findings, which he has refuted in length and then offered the sources of his research for further analysis. What I am trying to find out (and what I cant find) is evidence that his research has been systematically disproved by a vigorous investigation of his sources.

I havent read either of these books yet myself but I have found snippets of info that make the circumstantial evidence quite compelling, or was it just his spin?

Not sure at this stage what constitued a POW or a DEF, but whether in camps or not, I expect there was some obligation on the occupying powers to ensure the German population as a whole were fed - not just POWs.

Kiwiwriter · 06-04-2005, 10:37 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Jon Saunders@Apr 6 2005, 09:06 AM
Many thanks for your reply.

I have only seen accusations made against Bacque's findings, which he has refuted in length and then offered the sources of his research for further analysis. What I am trying to find out (and what I cant find) is evidence that his research has been systematically disproved by a vigorous investigation of his sources.

I havent read either of these books yet myself but I have found snippets of info that make the circumstantial evidence quite compelling, or was it just his spin?

Not sure at this stage what constitued a POW or a DEF, but whether in camps or not, I expect there was some obligation on the occupying powers to ensure the German population as a whole were fed - not just POWs.

Quoted post

It's his spin...when I get some time, I'll get you information about the counter-statements. It's just more "moral equivalency" between the Allies and the Nazis. Once you make them "morally equivalent," Nazism is not so bad.

Jonathan Saunders · 07-04-2005, 09:46 AM

Once again, thanks for your reply.

04-04-2005, 04:17 PM	#2 (permalink)
Kiwiwriter Very Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Newark, NJ, and Christchurch, NZ Posts: 2,431	Historians have shredded the eminent Mr. Bacque's claims. There was a devastating review of the book in Military History Quarterly when it came out. Many of the German "POWs" Bacque claimed were starved were actually Volkssturm, Hitler Youth, and stomach soldiers who were simply sent home sans weapons, and thus disappeared from POW rosters. __________________ "My intensity is intense." -- Roger Clemens "We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender." -- Winston Churchill. "I am not a hero. The heroes are all dead. I am a survivor." -- Sgt. William Guarnere, Easy Company, 506th Parachute Regiment, 101st Airborne Division. Check out my little contributions to World War II history at my web pages: World War II Plus 55 or http://davidhlippman.wildbillguarnere.com

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31-03-2005, 08:38 PM	#1 (permalink)
Jonathan Saunders Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 30	I am after opinions on the professional standing of the author and assessments of either of these books as valid historical investigations. Many thanks in advance.

06-04-2005, 03:06 PM	#3 (permalink)
Jonathan Saunders Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 30	Many thanks for your reply. I have only seen accusations made against Bacque's findings, which he has refuted in length and then offered the sources of his research for further analysis. What I am trying to find out (and what I cant find) is evidence that his research has been systematically disproved by a vigorous investigation of his sources. I havent read either of these books yet myself but I have found snippets of info that make the circumstantial evidence quite compelling, or was it just his spin? Not sure at this stage what constitued a POW or a DEF, but whether in camps or not, I expect there was some obligation on the occupying powers to ensure the German population as a whole were fed - not just POWs.

07-04-2005, 09:46 AM	#5 (permalink)
Jonathan Saunders Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 30	Once again, thanks for your reply.

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