newbie , just saying hi and hope i find lots to talk about.

Hi all, my names Mick and I am from Melbourne Australia. :waving:
Well I guess I'll do what Otto suggests and say a little about what brings me here. I have always had a interest in ww2 history, firstly just movies as a young boy but as I got older became more interested in the history and the facts. In school I never read one book and I suppose it was because I was made to do it. The funny thing is ,as soon as I left school and started work at the age of 15 (sept 1979)the first thing I bought with my first pay was a book, a novel called "the big red one" which was later made into movie starring Lee Marvin and Mark Hammil. I must say the book was so much superior to the movie.
That started me and every pay after that I bought a book or 5 depending what my needs at the time were and what book I found. By the time I was 27 I had nearly 4,000 books all relating to ww2. From Janes fighting books to novels based on fact. I had large hard covers to little pocket books. I read every single word in every book and I loved doing it, some that I loved I re-read a cpl of times.
I say till I was 27 because when my lovely wife divorced me and took me for every thing I had, that wasn't enough for her, she burnt all my books. Before you jump down my throat, I only read books at my lunch breaks and in the sleeper of my truck when I was away on trips.
My main interest is the European theatre and B17 missions. If I had the money I would own a B17, even if it was static, I just love that beautiful plane. My dreams were to see the airfields of England and the battle fields of Europe. But they are only dreams now.
Hope this is enough of an insight and would like to hear from any one who would like to say hi.
Also I have a question , do any of you know of any books about cleaning up europe after the war. not so much the towns and cities but the traces of war. the damaged equipment, wrecked tanks ,vehicles? I just have never come across anything related to the cleanup of the war.
regards,
MICK

 

Mick,

Welcome aboard! Pleasure to have you with us, make yourself at home. If you get a chance, check out my page... I have some pretty good pics of the mighty B-17.

take care,

Mark

 

Enjoy your stay with us Bigmick!

 

Hi Mick, welcome to a great forum. Had a relative named Joe who flew 45 missions out of England in a B-17. A student in college used him for a research report and he sent me a copy--very well done, you might be interested.
But for now, beware of book burners when you look for a new wife. I share your love of books.

 

Hello and welcome! I am sure you will enjoy your time here!

Cheers!

 

Hi there and welcome to the forums...

 

Hi all, thanks for the replies and the welcome. Seems like a nice bunch here. I do have a query or two though and I hope I dont upset too many people. Seems like in most forums there is a little attacking of fellow members? As I'm new I'm still working out if some of these attacks are between friends or are they put downs to others???
I was asked a cpl of questions and I'll answer those. Yep I have started collecting books again but not as many, as I have learnt some valuable lessons in my 44yrs. never get attached to anything that can be taken away. Secondly I was asked what I learned. Well theres no real answer to that because it dpends how you read a book. If you read on a matter of fact basis you just learn the history,facts and not much else, but if you read to understand and try to think about the story or the people involved you learn so much more and on a different level. then there's reading on an emotional level, you feel what is being conveyed and get so involved and deep that you transform the story from the written word to living the story feeling you are there. Sounds strange but I have read many war stories from battles to home front, fome deep underwater to high in the sky and found myself with tears in my eyes or laughing out loud. thats the way I like to read, I totally get lost in the story and get my self involved. With me saying what I have just said I do not mean to take anything away from vets who were actually there, facing the loneliness,harshness and brutality of war. To all vets of all wars, you have my respect and admiration.

 

don't worry about the "attacks" they are mostly second degree among friends. Or else they are deliberately because someone will challenge members by not quoting sources. We don't expect people to know and on the contrarity admitting ignorance on some points is a matter of humility. Some think they know it all but can't give support. So go ahead ask your questions, we will be ready to help whenever possible.

 

Howdy and welcome to the forum. Glad to have you with us. Happy posting.