Favourite WW2 Fiction

Hey everybody. I am new to the forum having migrated over from war44.com following its closure. In an effort to get to know people within the forum I thought I'd start this thread with the aim of stimulating some lighthearted conversation. Ultimately, what is your favourite WW2 work of fiction. I appreciate that there are so many out there that is unlikely that any of us have an overview of everything that has been written in this genre, but just tell the group which is the best book you have read.

For me it J.G. Ballard's "Empire of the Sun". Semi-autobiographical and seen through the eyes of a 9 year old boy, it explores the horrors of ww2 in an extremely unique manner. Unlike the Spielberg movie, it is devoid of any sentimentality and is a deeply dark yet moving work of fiction. I found many of the chapters somewhat surreal in nature. Definitely one of those books that stays with you.

I have a Kindle these day and find most of my fiction books for sale online and download them, so I would love to get some further reading recommendations. Looking forward to hearing everybody's thoughts and input.

 

I remember reading a book about some German pilots that were tasked with getting to know the B-17. They had a captured 17 that had the MGs changed over to German MGs...the pilot and crew were only told it was for a special mission. Somewhere along the line they realise it is to deliver a new weapon onto the unsuspecting Americans...
We are never told what the weapon is...but we are supposed to guess.

 

Well, i enjoyed reading

Anti Tank by Mark Carter

It gives a very interesting and detailed account on North African campaign but its widely said thats its not an autobiography but an adventure story based on the author's personnal war-time experience in North Africa. Instead of writing his autobiography he created a ficitional character and involved him in events he took part. So its kinda not entirely fiction but still not a trustworthy biography as well. But like i said above, its honestly one of most interesting books i ever read about WW2, despite the thing it might be not entirely historical accurate. Hope it suits this topic.

 

SS-GB by Len Deighton. An occupation of England by Germany is always the most fascinating "what-if" of WWII and this was a good treatment of it, and a bit of cloak and dagger to go along with it.

 

Mila-18 by Leon Uris. Good narrative of the Warsaw Uprising

 

Hi Mugger

Here's an existing thread that has a lot of good books.

http://www.ww2f.com/topic/58442-ww2-fiction-novels/

 

Thanks for sharing the link Dave. I'll check out the thread.

 

Some of my favourites include;

Piece of Cake by Derek Robinson
Ride out the Storm by John Harris
Bomber by Ken Deighton
Ace by Spencer Dunmore
The Old Corps by Johnnie Clark
The Last Dogfight by Martin Caidin
Mission Incredible by Lawrence Cortesi

 

Here are my favorites, in no particular order.
1. Castle Keep, William Eastlake
2. From Here to Eternity, James Jones
3. The Thin Red Line, James Jones
4. Whistle, James Jones
5. Catch-22, Joseph Heller
6. Stalingrad, Theodor Plievier
7. Life and Fate, Vassili Grossman
8. The Forsaken Army, Heinrich Gerlach
9. Bomber, Len Deighton
10. The Cruel Sea, Nicholas Monsarrat

 

Clint...I thought Piece of cake was a great book.

 

Ace by Spencer Dunmore was a wonderful book that I was going to ask people if they knew. Because I just couldn't remember the author and as a result have never been able to find it again over the years. So thanks Clint NZ!

Just to let people know it's about a German fighter ace who builds a huge score on the eastern front and then fights B-17s in the west. He has an affair with a Jewish French woman without anyone knowing. It's really exciting and thoughtful too.

 

Sven Hassel.
Captain Correlli's Mandolin.
Nevil Shute.
Monsarrat.
Catch 22.
Victor.
Warlord.
Battle.

Probably Captain Correlli if I had to choose a favourite.

 

Forgot to mention 'Blaze of Glory' by Michael Carreck. He was an ex Bomber Command Navigator so the realism is excellent.