THE WORLD WAR TWO GROUP discussion

Members can post any requests or suggestions here.

I like what you've done with the place so far Rick :) I will suggest that throwing up a different group pic every once in awhile would be cool.

I will start with some new photographs once I get home and find a few 'neutral' images - not too many Tiger tanks :)

Good work Rick and thanks for taking it on - I knew there'd be a Tiger or two in there somewhere :)

I tried hard not to have too many :)

excellent suggestion.

Chrissy wrote: " I will suggest that throwing up a different group pic every once in awhile would be cool."

Whoa....What a great job you are doing Mr. Rick(just like Casablanca-eh?).Leave it to one from down under to bring us upto speed. I check out the group several times A DAY NOW....I am going to recommend you for a commendation AND a medal!

Glad you are enjoying the new look of the site Wade. I will try and keep it interesting and if you have any suggestions just let me know.

I will shortly set up some general threads as areas to discuss books covering aspects of air warfare, sea warfare and land warfare during WW2. I may place these under the 'Campaigns and Battles' section or open a new area altogether.

Been away from the site for a few days...must say...love what you've done with the place.

My pleasure, did you check out the two videos at the bottom of the page?

Would folks like a thread to discuss movies and documentaries covering the Second World War?

We could chat about our favourite flicks and doco's and recommend good movies or request recommendations from other readers here.

AR that's a great idea as we can discuss stuff but also help tip each other off - for instance I've just picked up a copy of Kokoda: 39th Battalion, have you seen it?

Yep, I've got a copy and have watched it a few times, what did you think of it?

I've set up a new thread to discuss movies and documentaries so maybe you can tell us about what you thought of "Kokoda", here's the link:

http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/8...

I've not watched it yet - but plan to soon.

'Aussie Rick' wrote: "My pleasure, did you check out the two videos at the bottom of the page?"

I did. Pretty neat. I haven't been to any type of military display since I released in the 90s. Looking forward to having some time to explore all the new threads.

If folks are interested I have set up a thread where members can discuss their favourite novels and/or ask for recommendations and suggestions:

http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/8...

For those interested I have identified three new moderators to help out at the site. We have Mike (Assisting Moderator US Forces), Geevee (Assisting Moderator British & Commonwealth Forces) and Michael (Assisting Moderator Axis Forces).

These great blokes will help keep the site going when I'm not around and will assist in discussions and questions as required, have fun :)

congratulations to these fine individuals on their promotions-their knowledge in their fields is well documented and deserved- iam confident they will serve as outstanding lieutenants to Mr. Rick---well done!

Thanks Wade, you have been a great contributor to the group as well. Thank you and also the other members for all your assistance, it makes it a pleasant group.

Reporting for duty Sir!!!

Two new video's have been added to the group page, hope folks enjoy them.

Would members like a thread/forum area where they can discuss books other than WW2 titles? A general book chat/discussion area?

Folks, I have split one of the threads into two, one dedicated to new release titles:

http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/4...

and a new thread to cover books members have purchased recently and want to let other members know about:

http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/1...

Good idea Rick, and thanks for arranging.

My pleasure Geevee, way too many good books to keep track of eh!

There are and as many of us buy second hand books too it'll work well I think.

I like the idea - thnx rick

Love to buy second handers...all books need a home.eh

Me too, can't help myself :)

There should be a humanitarian award for those who go out of their way to save and rescue old second hand books eh!

'Aussie Rick' wrote: "Me too, can't help myself :)

There should be a humanitarian award for those who go out of their way to save and rescue old second hand books eh!"

Now that's an award I could totally work even harder on to achieve. :)

Me too!

What do members think of a thread/page to dicuss books and events of those conflicts prior to WW2, just those in the 1930's and somewhat related to the Second World War?

'Aussie Rick' wrote: "What do members think of a thread/page to dicuss books and events of those conflicts prior to WW2, just those in the 1930's and somewhat related to the Second World War?"

Such a page could be interesting with the the impact these conflicts had on WW II. I am thinking specifically of the Civil War in Spain, the Sino-Japanese War before December 1941, the Soviet clash with Japan at Khalkhin Gol (I visited the sites in 1995), or Ethiopia. The colonial wars of the period are much less relevant. There are, of course, many fine works on the Spanish Civil War, but fewer on the other conflicts mentioned above. I am familiar with Alvin Coox's "Nomonhan: Russia Against Japan, 1939" and a recent work of Rana Mitter, "China's War with Japan."

A good idea Rick thanks, and Manray9's post shows the breadth and potential interest areas for people. If one also adds in the various treaties and actions to prevent or respond to wars and conflicts (for example the Nyon agreement leading to naval patrols to protect/respond to attacks on shipping in the med during the Spanish civil war) then we have a really rich area that leads us to WWII in the various theatres.

I will set a thread up in the next few days as I think there will be quite a few good books and areas of interest to discuss. Thanks for your input Manray9 and Geevee.

'Aussie Rick' wrote: "What do members think of a thread/page to dicuss books and events of those conflicts prior to WW2, just those in the 1930's and somewhat related to the Second World War?"

Good idea!

'Aussie Rick' wrote: "I will set a thread up in the next few days as I think there will be quite a few good books and areas of interest to discuss. Thanks for your input Manray9 and Geevee."

I didn't mention the Soviet-Polish war of 1919-1921. Certainly, it was a precursor to WW II. The noted historian of Poland, Norman Davies, wrote "White Eagle, Red Star: The Polish-Soviet War 1919-1920 and The Miracle on the Vistula."

OK folks here is the new thread for those conflicts prior to the commencement of the Second World War that are linked in some manner to WW2:

http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/1...

Manray9 wrote: "'Aussie Rick' wrote: "What do members think of a thread/page to dicuss books and events of those conflicts prior to WW2, just those in the 1930's and somewhat related to the Second World War?"

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Personally I think that the Spanish Civil War, Ethiopia, and the Japanese conflicts in Asia prior to 1941 all part of World War II.

We had a off-piste discussion about music and Robert got us back on track mentioning WWII and his research for his book on Oscar Koch.

It got me thinking in that would members like a thread to discuss music of World War II?

Cited as good for morale, for casting memories to home and for fun and laughter on leave (esp when mixed with alcohol) and many of the songs and personalities are now rooted in fabric of the war's history. Music could also include music relating to marching songs including military/martial music (from taps/last post to parades and leading men into action) and also political songs/music such as Horst Wessel Lied and Germany Awake.

A disclaimer too in that I propose this not to glorify or revel in the Nazis but merely that music played an integral part in the war and in people's lives.

Will organise a WW2 musical thread as soon as I can, good suggestion Geevee.

AR, you mean you're in the mood?

'Aussie Rick' wrote: "Will organise a WW2 musical thread as soon as I can, good suggestion Geevee."

I like the idea.

For those interested here is the new thread for music of WW2:

http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/1...

My current book is "Wartime" by Milovan Djilas. I haven't seen posts on the war in Yugoslavia, which was a particularly ugly theater of operations combining an armed struggle against German and Italian occupation forces, an inter-ethnic conflict, and a political war too. Djilas discusses his wartime interactions with British officer, Fitzroy Maclean, who worked with the communist partisan army.

Hi Manray9, I will open a new thread for Yugoslavia or partisans when get home in a few days time.

I interviewed Djilas, among other former Yugoslav naionals, even some German SS men, regarding WW II in that country. He was a very interesting man. I still have the signed photo he gave me.

Colin wrote: "I interviewed Djilas, among other former Yugoslav naionals, even some German SS men, regarding WW II in that country. He was a very interesting man. I still have the signed photo he gave me."

In all my years as an intelligence analyst of Soviet and Russian affairs, I always considered --

Conversations with Stalin by Milovan Djilas

-- to be one of the most fascinating books looking into the inner workings of the Soviet regime late in WW II. Djilas is one of the few "old school" communists who broke with the party and survived.

Will you post the photo?