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Discussion in '☆☆ New Recruits ☆☆' started by Ilhawk, Jul 28, 2015.

  1. Ilhawk

    Ilhawk New Member

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    I became interested as a kid as my dad and uncle were vets. I played taps at the Memorial Day services. Later as an adult I wrote about a good friend of my father who was in the 327 GIR of the 101st and got it published. Mostly I like talking about WW2. If there are questions about the 327, please ask.
     
  2. GRW

    GRW Pillboxologist WW2|ORG Editor

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    Welcome to the forums!
     
  3. LRusso216

    LRusso216 Graybeard Staff Member

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    Glad to have you aboard. I read your other post about gliders. Well written and interesting stuff. I just read David Pasley's book on the personal recollections of Sgt. Johnny Wetherall. It's called Arnhem on the Horizon. Your post and Sheldrake's post helped add to my limited knowledge of the GIR. Thanks.
     
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  4. TD-Tommy776

    TD-Tommy776 Man of Constant Sorrow

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    Welcome to the Forum, llhawk. I will second Lou's assessment of your "Gliders" post. Very interesting and informative stuff. I look forward to your future contributions.

    BTW, a little shameless but tasteful hawking of your book is acceptable. If it is available online, feel free to post a link.
     
  5. Ruud

    Ruud Member

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    Welcome IIhawk !
     
  6. Ilhawk

    Ilhawk New Member

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    It's a book that is a personal memoir. Not sure where to post about it. The book started out as a personal favor to the soldier, a friend of my dad. He wouldn't give me much info for years. Then when the Iraq War started he went into severe depression for 6 months and when he recovered he started talking. I did a lot of interviews with other 327 soldiers, particularly Co G. I got to meet quite a few of them. It was an honor. What was going to be a short story for his family ended up being a book. I backed the memories up with records. It was amazing how accurate the guys were. It's a part of PTSD I guess....remembering actions under stress in great detail.

    Here is the link. I believe it was Texas A and M Press' best seller for 2012. Don passed in 2013. There is a hard cover and soft cover. Here is the link for the hard cover. It is written in first person with details filled in. It's an easy read.

    I'm happy to tell people about one of the most unknown but pivotal regiments in WW2.

    The book is Titled: Glider Infantryman Behind Enemy Lines in WW2. Published by Texas A and M Press written by Don Rich (soldier) and Kevin Brooks (me) It is available on most any book sellers including Amazon.

    I'm also very interested in the Eastern front, having traveled extensively in Ukraine where there are no shortages of battlefield sites (WW2 speaking) The stories from WW2 in Ukraine are incredible and heartbreaking.
     
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  7. TD-Tommy776

    TD-Tommy776 Man of Constant Sorrow

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    Here's the link for Amazon: Glider Infantryman: Behind Enemy Lines in WW2

    There are many folks who come here to try and understand what their family member experienced during the War, because they never spoke of it. For them, personal memoirs of those who were there are the only way they can get a sense of what it was like.
     
  8. Ilhawk

    Ilhawk New Member

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    That's exactly what I tried to do. The publisher wanted WW2 fanatics to be the target, but I met them part way. Sgt Lloyd Gross of the G mg section never talked much to his family. He gave them a copy of the book and told them something to the effect of...this is why I am what I am. The guys I interviewed all started like this....

    I don't remember. I'd call again.
    I just don't remember... I'd call again.
    They'd tell me something funny but not combat related. Like killing a cow and the farmer getting mad. I'd call back
    They'd tell me a few actions. I'd call back
    They'd tell me something they did to an object, like I took out a mg. I'd call again
    They'd tell me they took a human life. It would be like a weight taken off their chest.


    I had a lot of success by getting reports and then giving them only a few details and then they'd go deeper.

    Still for many of the interviews I had no records, until later. It was amazing the accuracy.

    As I stated, the 327 saw a lot of close combat.

    btw thx for the link.
     
  9. LRusso216

    LRusso216 Graybeard Staff Member

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    Personal memoirs are an excellent way to understand what the ordinary man did in extraordinary times.I read Jeff Rogers's book which summarized the experience of Marion Sanford in the book called Old Hickory Recon. Mr. Sanford lives near Jeff and was a willing participant in the project. I'm not sure where it was posted, but there is a video of Mr. Sanford recounting his experiences. An excellent read and a very good video.
     
  10. KJ Jr

    KJ Jr Well-Known Member

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    Welcome
     
  11. DPas

    DPas Member

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    Welcome to the forum. Look forward to reading about Glider Pilot's from the other side of the pond!
     
  12. Ilhawk

    Ilhawk New Member

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    Need help on uploading profile picture. I'm pretty computer savy, but no success.
     

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