good books? good movies?

Hi;

Any suggestions for good books and/or movies on WW II?

I read the FAQ and it is missing every good book I have ever read on the subject (books: A Bridge Too Far, Eisenhower's Leutanants, The Bridge at Remagen, Day of Imfamy, Pegasus Bridge, etc; movies: tora tora tora, A Bridge Too Far, Battle of Midway, etc)

So, any suggestions?

thanks

- David Thielen Enemy Nations

'BEST FOOT FORWARD' story of Colin Hodgkinson who flew with the RAF after having lost both of his legs in a naval aviation accident.

The 'BATTLE OF BRITAIN' portrayed the total battle in a time compressed series of pictures. I would think that one could pick out the RAF pilots who fought in the battle from some of the episodes portrayed in the film. The film told the tales of many squadrons involved. 85 Squadron and Paul Ritchey. 242 Squadron and the Canadians in that Squadron. The terrible pasting to Detling [coastal command] station. And Manston. Every time I watch the movie I try to relate the pilots portrayed with real pilots who fought the Battle, and gained some fame.

Your comment about a thin plot could not refer to 'The Battle of Britain', because I thought the plot was quite obvious. I used to have the tape of The B of B, but some postal worker got it.

Another excellant book is 'SINK THE TIRPITZ' by Leonce Peilland translated from the French by Oliver Coburn. It chronicles all the British attempts, and success sinking the TIRPITZ. It covers the attempt by the RN midget subs, and their success. There was a movie done about this episode, but to make it saleable in america James Caan had to be in the movie. I am not sure whether they tried to pass him off as a Canadian. It relates the bomber strikes and success. Each Lancaster carried only 1 12,000 lb bomb and many hits were made. The 2 RN officers who commanded the midget subs were awarded the VC for their accomplishment.

For a movie try and find, _Tight Little Island_.

I am quite fond of Len Deighton's 'Blitzkrieg'. As for movies I do like the the ones you mentioned. But my favourite WW2 movie is undoubtedly 'Kelly's Heroes'.

I hope one day Ken Burns puts together a documentary series on WW2 the same way he did for the American Civil War. That would be very interesting.

Glen Hallick

A veteran recommends 'A Walk in the Sun.'

Words written to me by a participant was to the effect, 'There is no better better portrayal of the individual infantryman than this movie.'

The film is currently out of print . . . I've searched . . . though I'm hoping for a copy to be sent to me shortly. Also depicting the 36th Division, you might look for (Major) John Huston's film about San Pietro.

'A Walk in the Sun' was also released under the title 'Salerno Beachhead'

Regards,

Texas Military Forces Museum

Yeah, it sounds like someone needs to update the FAQ! How is this done?

A while back, I started a thread on the Best WW2 movie, which was a 'smash' and led to the 'Worst WW2 movie' and numerous debates over Hollywood's role in educating the world, etc. Use Deja news to check that out.

Good books? What you mentioned, plus:

A Short History of WW2 by James Stokesbury (for a good, short overview reference book on WW2)

The Pacific War 1941-45 by John Costello (good reference book for the Pacific War)

Brute Force by John Ellis (for statistical analysis of production, etc.)

Russia's War, Blood on the Snow (for understanding of the Eastern Front, including new information and revelations as a result of new research in recently opened communist archives)

Brave Ship, Brave Men by Arnold Lott for life on a tincan during the kamikazi attacks at Okinawa

Frontsoldaten by Fritz (life of a common soldier in German Army, borrows heavily from Guy Sajer's book on life on the eastern front)

Last Days of the Third Reich by James Lucas; The Last 100 Days by John Toland; or The End of the War by Charles Whiting (provides closer details of events toward the end of hte European war; good for the close detail vice the movement of divisions and armies)

Prisoners of the Japanese by ? Davis (good reference for allied prisoners in Japanese hands)

If it has not already been mentioned, I can recommend 'A World at Arms' by Gerhard Weinberg.

I have read so much on WWII, I thought a general history would be a yawner. The style and readabilty of this author is outstanding, the content held quite a few unknowns (at least for me). I enjoyed this book more than any fiction or non-fiction work in the last few years.

Still in print, I believe.

I think my favourites would have to be :

'Stalingrad' - IIRC, Jurgen Ritter (I believe that's his name), the same fellow who did Das Boot. A longish film, only really obvious technical flaws are the T-34/85s as the Russian tanks (although finding running T-34/85s is a miracle in itself). You get to see part of a Marder too (which you also see in the English Patient, though), and satchel charges ! The 'Auntie Ju's ' are in seemingly good condition also.

'Cross of Iron' - a Sam Peckinpah film. Coburn, Schnell and Mason star in it. Absolutely superb, the best view of a combat soldier I've ever seen. A bit hard to follow at times with frequent changes of location. It's rated R18 in this country for some reason - although the final shooting of the annoying German officer with a full PPSh clip is quite gory.

Great list! 'The Train' is my personal favourite and heads my top ten list. But since everyone knows about 'Patton', 'Bridge Over The River Kwai', 'The Great Escape', etc I'd like to list three great but relatively unknown films...

'Walk in the Sun'

I beleive you can now get a reissue of this masterpeice from 'Belle & Blade' a video house specializing in war films. They run full page ads in 'Military History' magazine. I also have an old copy from Prism Entertainment Corporation , Los Angeles (Sorry no address on label)

If you are interested in The Battle for Arnhem you should read 'Arnhem-the Airborne battle', written by Martin Middlebrook.

Bye.

I know of a great movie coming out about WWII called The Reader. It is based off the book by Bernhard Schlink which has won awards and was #1 on the New Times Bestseller List. It is set during a Nazi war crime trail and a mystery surrounding it. It sounds great and very historically accurate. It opens in limited release on December 10th and then opens everywhere December 12th.

So there is a good movie and a good book for you.