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Girls in a World at War
After visiting a friend who returned from World War II confined in a body cast, Kathy Collens felt compelled to enlist in the war effort. In 1944, at the age of 23, she joined the Army. Despite her background as a college-educated dietician from an affluent family, and having attended the 1936 Berlin Olympics, Kathy discovered nothing could fully prepare her for the realities of war.
Girls in a World at War offers a firsthand account of Kathy and four other young women who served in the 223rd General Hospital. Stationed in France, they operated out of a converted horse barn situated near the 82nd Airborne quarters and in close proximity to the Battle of the Bulge. Their patients included survivors released from the Dachau concentration camp.
The narrative unfolds with vivid descriptions of crossing the Atlantic, lodging in a castle, working with German prisoners of war, and attempts to make dehydrated food and Spam taste good. The book describes the experiences of weddings, a paratroopers’ jump-off dance, and the surprise of a baby’s birth, immersing readers in the narrative. Their adventures included interludes in Switzerland, sailing in the Mediterranean, and the jubilation of Victory in Europe (VE) Day. The story also touches on visits to Paris, Biarritz, and trips to the magnificent Reims Cathedral to see ‘The Angel of the Smile’ statue and attend a memorable Christmas Eve service. Romantic entanglements add another layer of complexity to the girls’ wartime journey.
Throughout their trials, these women provided invaluable support to each other, navigating the tragedies of war with resilience and camaraderie. As readers engage with their stories, they’ll find themselves laughing and perhaps shedding a tear, gaining a rare insight into the female perspective of war, grounded in real-life events.
Girls in a World at War offers a firsthand account of Kathy and four other young women who served in the 223rd General Hospital. Stationed in France, they operated out of a converted horse barn situated near the 82nd Airborne quarters and in close proximity to the Battle of the Bulge. Their patients included survivors released from the Dachau concentration camp.
The narrative unfolds with vivid descriptions of crossing the Atlantic, lodging in a castle, working with German prisoners of war, and attempts to make dehydrated food and Spam taste good. The book describes the experiences of weddings, a paratroopers’ jump-off dance, and the surprise of a baby’s birth, immersing readers in the narrative. Their adventures included interludes in Switzerland, sailing in the Mediterranean, and the jubilation of Victory in Europe (VE) Day. The story also touches on visits to Paris, Biarritz, and trips to the magnificent Reims Cathedral to see ‘The Angel of the Smile’ statue and attend a memorable Christmas Eve service. Romantic entanglements add another layer of complexity to the girls’ wartime journey.
Throughout their trials, these women provided invaluable support to each other, navigating the tragedies of war with resilience and camaraderie. As readers engage with their stories, they’ll find themselves laughing and perhaps shedding a tear, gaining a rare insight into the female perspective of war, grounded in real-life events.
442 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 7, 2024
6 people are currently reading
16 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
July 31, 2024
The writer did a great job in giving a firsthand narrative of what to expect or what has been seen between girls when there is war in a country.
The story is about a young dietitian named Kathy Collens, a 24-year-old lady who is from a well-known and affluent family, and the four other women who served in the general hospital, which was found in France, and they operated out of a converted horse barn situated near the Airborne quarters and very close to the battle of the Bulge, and the people they treated were the survivors released from the Dachau concentration camp. Kathy was only moved to join the war because her friend, who had earlier joined World War II, only came back in a body cast.
The story came to life through detailed depictions of experimenting with ways to enhance the flavour of dried food, residing in a castle, collaborating with German prisoners of war, and the Atlantic crossing. It delves into account of the paratrooper’s jump-off dance, the unexpected arrival of a baby, and different weddings, which will keep the readers spellbound in the book.
The story is about a young dietitian named Kathy Collens, a 24-year-old lady who is from a well-known and affluent family, and the four other women who served in the general hospital, which was found in France, and they operated out of a converted horse barn situated near the Airborne quarters and very close to the battle of the Bulge, and the people they treated were the survivors released from the Dachau concentration camp. Kathy was only moved to join the war because her friend, who had earlier joined World War II, only came back in a body cast.
The story came to life through detailed depictions of experimenting with ways to enhance the flavour of dried food, residing in a castle, collaborating with German prisoners of war, and the Atlantic crossing. It delves into account of the paratrooper’s jump-off dance, the unexpected arrival of a baby, and different weddings, which will keep the readers spellbound in the book.
August 12, 2024
Girls in a World at War by both Peggy Munro Scholberg and Nancy Ewing Munro is a fascinating historical novel that takes readers back to one of the most unforgettable wars. It is truly heartbreaking while reading this that the same anti-Judaism hatred is alive today and breeding all over the world. Feels as though the world has forgotten the tragedies that occurred during WWII. The novel is well-written and deeply engaging. The story reminds me of Kristin Hannah's novel, The Women. It is also a war tale featuring women. The main woman going from one tragic thing to the next. This book too, was like that. So devasting, heartbreaking, and like time never stopped, Girls in a World at War is like time traveling back to the past where the danger, risks, and pain are re-experienced all over again.
I received this copy from the publisher. This is my voluntary review.
I received this copy from the publisher. This is my voluntary review.
August 24, 2024
A fascinating read of a woman who served in the Army as a dietician during World War II. She was stationed in the European Theater of Operations and saw first hand the ravages of war. The book was completed by her daughter after her passing. Highly recommend!
August 12, 2024
Girls In A World At War" by Peggy Munro Scholberg and Nancy Ewing Munro provides an evocative and deeply personal account of five young women who served in the 223rd General Hospital during World War II. Centering on Kathy Collens, a college-educated dietician who enlisted at the age of 23, the narrative is a profound exploration of courage, resilience, and camaraderie amidst the horrors of war.
The book begins with Kathy's emotional decision to join the Army after seeing a friend return from the war in a body cast. Despite her privileged background and education, Kathy soon realizes that nothing could have truly prepared her for the brutal realities of wartime service. Stationed in France, near the infamous Battle of the Bulge, Kathy and her fellow nurses faced the daunting task of caring for soldiers and survivors from the Dachau concentration camp, all while operating out of a converted horse barn.
"Girls In A World At War" excels in its vivid descriptions and rich anecdotes. Readers are transported alongside Kathy and her comrades as they navigate the Atlantic crossing, adapt to life in a castle, and strive to make military rations palatable. The narrative is punctuated with moments of levity and humanity, from a paratroopers' jump-off dance to an unexpected childbirth.
The book also delves into the personal lives of these women, exploring their romantic entanglements and the deep bonds they forged with each other. Their adventures in Switzerland, the Mediterranean, and the celebratory atmosphere of VE Day provide glimpses of hope and normalcy amidst the chaos. Visits to Paris and the majestic Reims Cathedral further enrich the narrative, offering readers a sense of the cultural and historical landscape the women inhabited.
Throughout "Girls In A World At War," Scholberg and Munro masterfully balance the gravity of war with moments of humor and tenderness. The women's stories are a testament to their strength and mutual support, making this a compelling and emotionally resonant read. By sharing these firsthand accounts, the authors offer a rare and invaluable perspective on the female experience of World War II.
The book begins with Kathy's emotional decision to join the Army after seeing a friend return from the war in a body cast. Despite her privileged background and education, Kathy soon realizes that nothing could have truly prepared her for the brutal realities of wartime service. Stationed in France, near the infamous Battle of the Bulge, Kathy and her fellow nurses faced the daunting task of caring for soldiers and survivors from the Dachau concentration camp, all while operating out of a converted horse barn.
"Girls In A World At War" excels in its vivid descriptions and rich anecdotes. Readers are transported alongside Kathy and her comrades as they navigate the Atlantic crossing, adapt to life in a castle, and strive to make military rations palatable. The narrative is punctuated with moments of levity and humanity, from a paratroopers' jump-off dance to an unexpected childbirth.
The book also delves into the personal lives of these women, exploring their romantic entanglements and the deep bonds they forged with each other. Their adventures in Switzerland, the Mediterranean, and the celebratory atmosphere of VE Day provide glimpses of hope and normalcy amidst the chaos. Visits to Paris and the majestic Reims Cathedral further enrich the narrative, offering readers a sense of the cultural and historical landscape the women inhabited.
Throughout "Girls In A World At War," Scholberg and Munro masterfully balance the gravity of war with moments of humor and tenderness. The women's stories are a testament to their strength and mutual support, making this a compelling and emotionally resonant read. By sharing these firsthand accounts, the authors offer a rare and invaluable perspective on the female experience of World War II.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews