Archive for April, 2011

Yeah Friday, finally.  And time for the Weekly History Wrap-Up.  First off, the History Junkie must admit that he got a little misty last night watching Michael Scott’s final episode on The Office.  Without a doubt, best boss ever. But back to work! Madame Ngo Dinh Nhu, South Vietnam’s “Dragon Lady” or unofficial “First Lady” [...]

Over 30,000 prisoners would die at Flossenburg Concentration Camp before it was liberated in late April 1945, 66 years ago this week.  Each one had a story to tell. Some of the more notable inmates included co-conspirators in the failed plot to assassinate Adolf Hitler, codenamed Valkyrie–Rev. Dr. Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Admiral Wilhelm Canaris, General Hans [...]

Hump day, and time for our weekly feature, Letters From War Wednesdays.  Harold Hastings was drafted by the U.S. Army pre-Pearl Harbor, in October 1941.  He fell in with Company F, 2nd Battalion, 168th Infantry, 34th Infantry Division. In November 1942, Hastings joined 30,000 Allied troops for Operation Torch, the invasion of North Africa.  On [...]

This week marks the 66th anniversary of the Liberation of the Flossenburg Concentration Camp, during World War II.  In late April 1945, members of Patton’s Third Army, specifically advance units from the 90th and 97th Infantry Divisions, liberated the facility.  Even these battle-hardened GIs would never forget what they witnessed. The Flossenburg Concentration Camp was [...]

I trust everyone had a wonderful Easter weekend.  It’s Monday, and time for the 90th Infantry Division – Picture of the Week. By August 1944, the 90th Infantry Division had broken free from the Cotentin Peninsula and was racing east, toward Paris.   Near Le Mans, plans changed.  The 90th ID was rerouted north through [...]

And yes, time for the Weekly History Wrap-Up. Wow! The CIA declassified World War I era spy documents. Really? Already? The remains of World War II Army Air Force Tech Sgt. James Maynard have been recovered, identified and returned to the family.  Maynard’s C-47 went down on Leyte, in the Philippines in March 1945.  He’ll [...]

The Battle at Anzio Beach, Italy is, without question, one of the key engagements of World War II.  This past summer, the History Junkie had the pleasure of attending a Reunion of Anzio Beach Veterans.  Talking with these folks was a truly moving experience, and one I shall never forget.  My latest release, EVERYTOWN, USA [...]

Danny Weber was an All-American boy, starring center stage on his high school basketball and baseball teams. He was drafted by the U.S. Army in 1966. In October 1967, Weber turned 20, and set foot in Vietnam. He would serve down south, refueling aircraft, with the 13th Combat Aviation Battalion. “We just got done having [...]

A friend of my wife, who knew of my interest in World War II, actually handed her a copy of Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford for me to read.  I must admit, at first, I wasn’t real excited.  I typically read nonfiction, and it just didn’t look like my [...]

Monday morning, and time for another addition of the 90th Infantry Division Picture of the Week.  This shot comes to us from November 1944, near Cattenom, France.  Members of the 90th Infantry Division crossed the flooded Moselle River to assault the Germans at Fort Koenigsmacker.  Today, Cattenom is probably best known for its sprawling Nuclear [...]

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