What are you reading at the moment?

Charley

You make an interesting and pretty valid point..........

For the record, in my own case, i usually made my initial postings to the internet using this sequence :

1. I went to my own diaries for the period in question
2, I then went to the Regimental Diaries of either of the two regiments in which I served, for possible confirmation
3, Finally I always made the point that anything that was not in either of the two points of reference was strictly down to my memory of
events that had taken place many moons ago.

I am fully aware that even whilst taking these precautions, some of my postings might seem fanciful but
a. I have never knowingly told a "porky"
b. These events were a bloody long time ago !

Best regards

Ron

 

I have my Christmas reading sorted. A book by our very own Mr. Matt Poole:

RAF Liberators over Burma (subtitle: Flying with 159 Squadron)

 

Charley,
I fully agree, however doing research on an internment camp, my eywitnesses are only a few and to double check with official files is not easy. Stephen to me is an eyewitness, o.k. 5 years at the time only, but he also had his mum's diary.
Stefan.

 

I wasn't clear enough that your post just set me thinking; I haven't read the book you were referencing and have no idea of its strengths and weaknesses. 'Truth' can be accessed via many avenues and eyewitness accounts are inherently valuable.

I actually had in mind two books on Monte Cassino: one at each end of the spectrum. One is the account of soldier's time during the battle, penned by his son, that manages to say almost nothing about his father or his service (impressive, eh?); the other (in a single chapter of a wider biography) is from a young girl who lived in the area and records her memories of 1944.

The first was massively unsatisfying, the second interesting--endearing actually--but limited.

 

Quarter of the way through this. Very indepth and just a lovely looking and constructed book.

 

Since I have the time off and won't be going much of anywhere, I've returned to Lord Strathcona's Horse: A Record of Achievement. (I didn't want to damage the book by taking it on my commutes.)

I hope everyone will be having as warm and restful a time as I!

 

first pressie today, super pictures might drop the publishers a line and try and get the nod to upload a few.It will have to be after Christmas.Currently waiting for guests to arrive for Christmas lunch with another 16 due tomorrow.Every one below the rank of cadet, so it looks like Trump,Brexit,and football.
enjoy the sprouts?
Graham.

 

Well I just finished this book, and what an enjoyable and lovely read it was. Matt has formulated the book just brilliantly, using the main resource, Bill Kirkness' diary to great effect. Based on Bill's countdown of 30 + Operational tours over Burma and Thailand, the reader can sense the slow build up of tension as he slowly moves towards the magical figure of 300 operational hours.

Matt has used his great knowledge of the subject matter to add more information and detail to the story. One aspect I particularly liked was learning of Bill's artistic leaning, in painting nose artwork onto some of the Liberators he and his RAF pals flew in. Sadly, when two of his recently painted aircraft were involved in accidents, Bill began to feel superstitious about continuing this tradition.

RAF Liberators Over Burma is well worth reading.

 

I read this book on Holiday...............I could not put it down. The way that the author keeps moving out of the Bunker to tell some stories that were happening all over the World at the same time was amazing.



.

 

Was fortunate enough to receive some Amazon vouchers for Christmas and have ordered several books - the first to arrive is "The Design & Construction of British Warships 1939-1945 - Vol 3 Amphibious Warfare Vessels and Auxiliaries"
I bought this mainly because of my interest in Landing Craft/Ships but found there was little new information (having already read Assault from the Sea and War of the Landing Craft). However I am enjoying the book and looking forward to the chapters on Tugs and Boom Defence vessels.
Noel

 

Wingate's Raiders by Charles J. Rolo. This is a re-read towards my latest article for the website. I'm picking up some good info too!!

 

Defford Airfield is only a 15 minute drive from where I live.It's now a museum open all the year round with some of the original buildings still standing from WW2.During the summer guides take groups on walks around the airfield.
This book concentrates on the research and development of radar fitted within various aircraft both during and post WW2.
Fascinating stuff.

best.......Graham.

 

Defford Airfield,

In January 1945, the worlds first automatic landing took place at Defford.

A Boeing 247-D homed towards the airfield,orbited, and made an approach and touchdown, all without the pilots hands and feet on the controls.

best........Graham.

 

Working on this one right now. Got all interested in the American effort in WW1 after reading the book about General Fox Conner. This book is definitely a long one, about 600 pages or so, with only 4 or 5 pictures, no maps or graphs. So far it is living up to be the claims to be the definitive book on the Doughboys of the AEF. It is extremely interesting, chock full of neat things to know.

Here's an example. All volunteering for the Armed Forces were stopped in August of 1918, and the draft was solely relied upon to fill the services needs. The reason for this is that planners didn't want to strip the burgeoning war effort, farms and supporting industries of manpower. They wanted manpower levies to be met in a calculated and methodical fashion. Obviously it worked. This management style led to the US being able to land 10,000 trained men a day in French ports by the Armistice. This was to continue to what was expected to the "big push" into Germany in 1919. I had to read the passage covering this information several times to completely understand the logic of this method.

Also, from the beginning of the war men could not only select the branch of service they wanted, but also the specific unit as well, at least until that unit was brought up to full strength. I understand that enlisting in a specific unit is commonplace within the British Army, but outside of local militia units and state volunteer units up to and including WW1 this this process was not allowed in the American Army. This practice was discontinued after WW1.

 

Recently finished ‘A True Story of The Great Escape’ by Louise Williams. The author is the niece of Flight Lieutenant John Williams, whom the story largely revolves around, along with his good friend Rusty Kierath, a fellow flier who escaped and was executed alongside John after the escape. So there are a lot of family stories within the text.

It is a book that I was glad that I read, however the way it is written is a bit annoying in the first half of the book where it jumps around chronologically and reads at times like a travelogue. It settles down in the second half and becomes a much more straight forward read about what happened to the two escapees. So worth sticking with.

The part I enjoyed most were the chapters concerning 450 Squadron RAAF’s activities in Kittyhawks during El Alamein. It was during this time that John was brought down by a fellow pilot in a friendly fire incident. Unfortunately it was all downhill from there for him.

Scott

 

I just finished this. If one puts aside doubts about whether everything in the book happened, or if Wilson remembered something that happened to someone else (both of which I think I've heard in relation to it?) - it's still a pretty good read, anyway.

 

"the forgotten battle Overloon and the Maas Salient 1944-45." This is my third ongoing read of this book since I purchased it quite a few years ago. My Father, 6th Guards Tank Brigade, was involved in this battle which makes it even more interesting. In early 2013, my sister-in-law in England and I visited several of the areas in Holland where the fighting took place. The Liberty Park Museum at Overloon is a must see for military equipment. We also visited several Commonwealth Cemeteries where I always seemed to be overcome with a profound melancholy. I also ordered a new copy of the book to send to my American army son who is temporarily stationed in Savannah, Georgia, until he retires. Anything involving my Father's army service is simply marvelous to him.

 

On the recommendation of one of our senior respected members.I ordered this book off e.bay.will have a look at it in the coming days. Graham.

 

More aviation history!
Books fernaufklaerer.com

On to RAF material next.

 

Based on recommendations from the forum. Just started.