Tim > Recent Status Updates

Brilliant book so far. Holland has the knack of weaving the high command decisions in with his descriptions of the personal stories of the people involved. One thing that comes through clearly is the breathtaking courage of all of the air crews involving Operation Whirlwind. Deepest respect.

This is not a pleasant read. It stinks of the hubris of American generals from Eisenhower on downwards. Men who were living in comfort miles behind the lines with their mistresses. The next time I get a sneer from an American about the Somme, I will refer that person to the Battle of the Hurtgen Forest, where a lot of good American boys died to uphold the pride of the US Army.

Between 1972 and 1974 I was stationed in West Germany with 1st British Corps. I had a wonderful time there and made some great friends... My best friend was the landlord of my local pub, Erwin. He was a veteran of the 21st Pz Div. One thing I remember him saying was "a lot of people will tell you that they fought the Russians not the British. No one I knew ever came back from Russia."