In the summer of 1942 the US War Department activated the 99th Infantry Battalion. Banded together were Norwegian men who had escaped the German Occupation of Norway, or men currently living in the United States who were of direct Norwegian descent. Following initial fitness training, the men were tested to their limits with high altitude and mountain warfare training in the Colorado mountains. From here they would eventually sail to Britain and continue their training at camps near Salisbury and in a 'very wet and muddy' South Wales. Most expected this was in preparation for operations in Norway. Some were selected for parachute training, but the rest of the Battalion sailed to France shortly after D-Day. For many the first sight of France was landing at Omaha Beach and seeing the rows of white crosses marking the graves of fallen comrades. The 99ers themselves would soon be facing the enemy on the frontline. From the summertime battles for the Channel ports, to the bitter Ardennes winter.. Read more
History Book Chat
In the summer of 1942 the US War Department activated the 99th Infantry Battalion. Banded together were Norwegian men who had escaped the German Occupation of Norway, or men currently living in the United States who were of direct Norwegian descent. Following initial fitness training, the men were tested to their limits with high altitude and mountain warfare training in the Colorado mountains. From here they would eventually sail to Britain and continue their training at camps near Salisbury and in a 'very wet and muddy' South Wales. Most expected this was in preparation for operations in Norway. Some were selected for parachute training, but the rest of the Battalion sailed to France shortly after D-Day. For many the first sight of France was landing at Omaha Beach and seeing the rows of white crosses marking the graves of fallen comrades. The 99ers themselves would soon be facing the enemy on the frontline. From the summertime battles for the Channel ports, to the bitter Ardennes winter.. Read more
History Book Chat
[b]Rating[/b]: 5 out of 5 stars
This is a well-written, thoroughly researched, and informative biography of James Alexander Hamilton, the son of Eliza and Alexander Hamilton.
I enjoyed learning of the many parallels between the lives of James Alexander and his brilliant father, and appreciated the glimpses into his family life. I was fascinated to learn of the many public offices held by James Alexander, the contributions that he made to society, and of his interactions with the presidents and political figures throughout his many years of laudable service. Ms. Wilcoxson brought to life James Alexander's dedication and duty to his country, and his commendable actions to preserve his father's memory and legacy.
The author's footnotes, bibliography, personal photographs of related historic sites, and photos of James Alexander's family portraits enhanced this biography and are truly appreciated.
NetGalley, Tracey Boehm
[b]Rating[/b]: 5 out of 5 stars
This is a well-written, thoroughly researched, and informative biography of James Alexander Hamilton, the son of Eliza and Alexander Hamilton.
I enjoyed learning of the many parallels between the lives of James Alexander and his brilliant father, and appreciated the glimpses into his family life. I was fascinated to learn of the many public offices held by James Alexander, the contributions that he made to society, and of his interactions with the presidents and political figures throughout his many years of laudable service. Ms. Wilcoxson brought to life James Alexander's dedication and duty to his country, and his commendable actions to preserve his father's memory and legacy.
The author's footnotes, bibliography, personal photographs of related historic sites, and photos of James Alexander's family portraits enhanced this biography and are truly appreciated.
NetGalley, Tracey Boehm
"Informative, insightful and witty, this is recommended to military and civilian folk alike – a positive and enjoyable read."
Pennant Magazine - THE JOURNAL OF THE FORCES PENSION SOCIETY - Autumn 2024
"Informative, insightful and witty, this is recommended to military and civilian folk alike – a positive and enjoyable read."
Pennant Magazine - THE JOURNAL OF THE FORCES PENSION SOCIETY - Autumn 2024
“The Military Enthusiast gets a deep dive on WWII Commando and Chindit planning, training and fighting. A very interesting book on a key Officer of Special Operations in WWII.”
Read the full review [link=https://www.argunners.com/mad-mike-a-life-of-brigadier-michael-calvert/]here[/link]
ARGunners.com
“The Military Enthusiast gets a deep dive on WWII Commando and Chindit planning, training and fighting. A very interesting book on a key Officer of Special Operations in WWII.”
Read the full review [link=https://www.argunners.com/mad-mike-a-life-of-brigadier-michael-calvert/]here[/link]
ARGunners.com
Article as featured in
Flypast - November 2024
Article as featured in
Flypast - November 2024
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Carve Her Name With Pride
Carve Her Name With Pride is the inspiring story of the half-French Violette Szabo who was born in Paris Iin 1921 to an English motor-car dealer, and a French Mother. She met and married Etienne Szabo, a Captain in the French Foreign Legion in 1940. Shortly after the birth of her daughter, Tania, her husband died at El Alamein. She became a FANY (First… Read more...
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Before Action
William Noel Hodgson never intended to be a soldier; he wanted to write. The Great War made his reputation as a poet but it also killed him. This groundbreaking biography traces his path through the pre-war world and explores why he set his own hopes and plans aside to join the army. His story is personal but it evokes the experience of a generation.… Read more...
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The Last Great Cavalryman
Nearly 70 years have passed since October 1944 when Dick McCreery became the third and final Commander of the legendary Eighth Army in Italy – in succession to Monty and Oliver Leese. With his outstanding record as a fighting soldier and armoured tactician, it was no surprise to anyone that he was to be hugely successful. McCreery was commissioned… Read more...
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Winged Scalpel
In this fast paced narrative, ex-SAS surgeon Richard Villar provides 'a very personal insight into the difficulties, dangers and occasional virtual impossibility of providing medical aid to disaster areas and war zones. He shares his remarkable experiences in the aftermath of three major earthquakes – Kashmir (2005), Java (2006) and Haiti (2010)… Read more...
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The Sterling Redemption
The untold true story of James Edmiston who suffered an extraordinary miscarriage of justice in 1983 when senior officials blocked vital witnesses coming to his trial which led to a personal tragedy; a broken marriage, and the loss of a business. The Sterling Redemption explains how he was wrongly charged with alleged illegal exports to Iraq, and then… Read more...
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A Talent for Adventure
Books on prison camps, daring escapes and life with the Resistance abound. Pat Spooner's story is different and more compelling in one important respect. It recounts the gripping and dramatic rescue of two senior British generals (one a VC) and an air vice marshal from occupied Italy by the author and his companion who had themselves both escaped from… Read more...
Hersch effectively uses his father’s unusual story to convey the horrors of the Holocaust. A valuable addition to Holocaust literature. - Publishers Weekly Hersch's amazing tale is told for the first time by his son Jack who has retraced his footsteps for his new book. - The Daily Mail In a warm and emotionally engaging story, Jack digs deeply into… Read more...
The Real Beatrix Potter is a fascinating and revealing biography of one of the world's most cherished children's authors. Beatrix Potter's famous little white books have enchanted generations of young readers who adored the characters she created and of course her own distinctive illustrations. Born into a typically repressed Victorian family it was… Read more...
Once a Hussar is a vivid account of the wartime experiences of Ray Ellis, a gunner who in later life recorded in this well-written, candid and perceptive memoir the conflict he knew as a young man seventy years ago. As an impressionable teenager, fired with national pride, he was eager to join the army and fight for his country. He enlisted in the… Read more...
This is the story of Brigadier Peter Young (1915-1988), a highly decorated soldier who was one of the founding members of 3 Commando, rising during WWII from 2 Lt to Brigadier in the space of 6 years. His battle honours include Vaagso, Dieppe, Sicily, Italy, Normandy and Burma. A career soldier, he returned to his parent regiment, the Beds and Herts,… Read more...
