Gretchen, I'd like to add my "Welcome To The Forum" to you also. It's "a punk rock 20 something" like yourself that reinforces my contention that contrary to a few naysayers, today's youth ain't that bad. Ain't that bad at all
Wow, yes I will absolutely read that. What a great opportunity you had! I am new to this site, but I think somewhere it said your father served and was a D-Day Dodger? I am almost overwhelmed, talking to so many sons and daughters of WWII veterans on here. For me honestly, it feels like I'm talking to celebrities. While some may worship pop stars, WWII vets are my celebrities (who actually did profound things to earn that status!). I am currently watching a documentary, and they just started to delve into the battles of Sicily, italy and North Africa. I can't believe I'm talking to the child of one of those soldiers! I can't believe the bravery, I and I can imagine your pride. I also have a separate fondness for English soldiers, because of what I have learned about them. Also, my husband is English he moved to the states about 6 years ago from Portsmouth. Thank you to your family and to your father!
Aww thanks! I will say though, that I have always marched to the beat of my own drum my whole life and I know zero peers with similar interests; and I go to college. College sadly, is no longer a place for inquisitive minds and scholars, it's a hangover recovery building. Today, instead of talking about Karl Marx and the spirit of capitalism (which I really wanted to do, because then we get to talk about WWII) we spent most of the class time explaining what certain words were. For instance, one girl could not grasp the concept of "religious". Another kid couldn't stop giggling the whole class, he informed me he was extremely high. I was awestruck, and bored. I have even spoken to the Dean of my state University about the elementary nature of college, and he explained that if they didn't dumb college down..nobody would graduate. My parents are both over 60 and I was very close to my grands...I also inherited a thirst for knowledge and reading from my mother...and that has brought me here! I am terrified of the state of my generation, but I try to keep the faith that their are enough of us that have brains out there, that we can take the reins when we must. Fingers crossed!
If you are looking for more information about US forces in the Mediterranean, I would suggest you look at Atkinson's trilogy, the third volume of which is due out in May. The first two volumes, An Army at Dawn and Day of Battle are excellent reads. For the Pacific, I would suggest anything by Hornfischer, but I especially liked The Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors. My late father served in Italy and North Africa, as you can see from my signature. Best of luck in your learning.
Gretchen and Erin, Glad to have you aboard ! The best thing about this forum is the knowledge of its members. The more you learn about WW 2, more questions come up. Feel free to ask questions or comment on any subject.
Wow, I'm just starting to figure out that a lot of you have parents that served. It's so amazing to be talking to all of you! I will surely put the suggested books on my list, although when it comes to understanding the war itself-- documentaries help me a lot. To see pictures of the countries and where everyone was. Currently the one I'm watching (Ken Burns, The War) it's talking about where your father was, and what those men had to do. Simply amazing; thanks to you and your family, and to your father-- a hero! I am such a novice when it comes to understanding wars and military things, all I know is what I've read and watched myself! I just started looking into the military aspect of WWII, because most of what I've researched has been directly to do with the Holocaust. Maybe you can answer a couple questions for me, to help me understand a couple things better while I'm watching this series. This is really a stupid question..but why did Japan get in this war? They just hopped on a bandwagon? Did they want to invade America? Was it "just because" they didn't like us and they thought Hitler (and Mussilini) was a good partner in crime? Also, the documentary stated that only Japanese Americans from California were interned in camps. I also remember my mother telling me one of her mother's best friends was of Japanese decent and left California (I think) to stay with my grandmother in Minnesota and avoid being interned. Was there a specific fear of Californians, or was that just the only place it passed? Honestly, I have always thought of these camps as barbaric and a huge violation of American citizens, and in retrospect..it is. But after learning about Pearl harbor and the battles with the Japanese and how they treated POW's...I can understand how people would think up an idea like internment camps in the US. It seems like a very scary time..no matter who you were, everyone was scared of everyone. The Civil Rights Movement in the U.S. was happening... There was antisemitism everywhere. There were countries that wanted to destroy America. There were countries that wanted to destroy England..France..the world! A world war on so many levels. I just can't imagine. In my class I sit next to white people, black people, Indian people, Somali people, Hispanic people..and i think nothing of it. It seems like around this time, "what you were" was so important. Like all of a sudden a person born and raised knowing only America is a traitor because of their ethnicity. All of a sudden regular people who didn't even practice a religion were killed for simply having Jewish blood. Any insight or lessons are greatly appreciated! Thanks again!
Gretchen, you've asked a numberof good questions. I don't have time to answer them, but I might suggest you do a search for them in our forum. They are all topics that have generated long, involved discussions. I think you'll find them interesting. They might also cause you to post deeper thoughts and question these assumptions. There is much to learn and question. Enjoy your reading, and don't hesitate to ask about anything you don't understand. Someone is bound to respond.
I'll jump on 36ths sentiments and echo my welcome to you both. And don't forget to take a tour of our sister site...ww2 talk...Its not compulsary but you'll find some good reading there too..But come back here...this is the home of ww2.
Okay, I get that, too. There is a young man who served with my son in the Army National Guard and he not only has a great interest in WWII, he loves to read books about it - joy! He and I constantly talk back and forth about WWII because he doesn't have anyone with similiar interest, either. I know how nice it is to find people who want to discuss it. You've definitely come to the right place here. Welcome!