Blue Wolf Reviews

Tag: Military

  • Hanged For Hitler

    Hanged For Hitler

    The True Story of Hitler’s Spies, Karel Richter and Theodore Schurch

    There were many spies, informants and double agents working during World War II for both sides of this major conflict. Welsh Australian historian, documentarian, author Tony Matthew’s, known for his extensive work on military espionage, latest deeply research book ‘Hanged for Hitler’ chronicles the complex lives of Karel Richter and Theodore Schurch, who were spies during this much studied event. 

    English born handsome Richter became a German spy quite early in WWII and was commissioned to parachute into England to make contact with another German spy, who unbeknown to the Germans had become a double agent. As the Germans were not giving their spies ample training, this drop proved to be disastrous for Richter; he was ill prepared and soon captured before the rendezvous could take place.

    On the other hand, cunning, clever, dangerous Theodore Schurch has gone down in history as one of the most despicable traitors of World War II. His story is not one of heroism or resistance but one of betrayal. Also, English born, as a teenager and without his parents’ knowledge became drawn to fascism, joining the British Union of Fascists. He began working for Axis powers, not only as an informant but also as a spy. As part of the British Army, he was captured in Tobruk, after which he was infiltrated into various Italian P.O.W. camps; his role being to ingratiate himself to the captured and to pass on the information gleaned. 

    Tony Matthews has an impressive background military history, having meticulously research and thoroughly documented events in numerous related books.  Like his earlier books, this is an authoritative work in this field. The book not only explores and chronicles the lives of Richter and Schurch but also many of the other key players.

    The author acknowledges that although both spies tended to bend and colour the truth, with his exacting research he has been able to elicit an accurate account of their lives. With a useful index, military history enthusiasts will find this a most comprehensive, well documented book, which should not be missed; they will be fascinated to learn what goes on in the background of military events!

  • Never Forgotten vol 2 Honouring our Veterans from Vietnam to Afghanistan.”

    Never Forgotten vol 2 Honouring our Veterans from Vietnam to Afghanistan.”

    After the success of author Vietnam veteran David Morgan’s first collection, ‘Never Forgotten’ of veteran stories, he was contacted by a number of past service men and women, asking him to include their story in his next book.

    Believing in the importance of preserving the nation’s military history, his latest “Never Forgotten vol 2” once again chronicles the incredible personal accounts of the service of those who have served Australia through peace and war; they are stories of courage, bravery, sacrifice, resilience and mateship.

    By including a wide range of compelling personal recollections of service to the nation, the author has allowed future generations to recognize their contributions; it includes the stories of Little Pattie, National Service men, and women and men who chose service as a career. These veterans have shared honesty, and from their hearts, their military involvement.

    Each of the untold stories, by often forgotten soldiers included in this collection, gives readers a clearer understanding of the motivations and values of the service man/woman, as it details their family’s military background, schooling, reason for joining, training, their career experiences in both peace and war and their civilian life after discharge. Although sadly several have returned home with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), it has driven them to help others, who similarly have suffered this condition.

    I highly recommend this poignant reminder of the impact of military service on individuals and communities. It won’t surprise the reader that service to the nation by the subjects is generally followed by service to their community.

  • Dogs of War

    Dogs of War

    Guardians of the Battlefield: True Stories of Loyalty and Bravery

    Dogs have been used in warfare for thousands of years, with their roles evolving

    from sentry duties to combat and reconnaissance. Nigel Allsopp’s enlightening book ‘Dogs of War’ not only explores the unique attributes of these combat canines, which makes these highly sophisticated and versatile animals (an extension of the soldier’s own senses), but also gives the reader an insight into their bravery, loyalty, intelligence and devotion to their handler.

    To illustrate the characteristics of these remarkable dogs the author has included photos of the handlers with their special military working dog and a heartwarming vignette relating their special attributes, as a soldier, a protector and above all, a mate. It is very obvious from these anecdotes, that the bond between the dog and handler is ironclad; they are never to be treated as mere equipment.

    This is an easy-to-read book, with its individual chapters not only describing how these extraordinary animals were relied upon during conflict in different parts of the world, but also on recognition of their deeds, future impact of technology and the role of the handler. It is evident that the author is passionate about ensuring that the deeds and sacrifices of these four-legged heroes are not forgotten; many of whom fought and died alongside the troops. The reader is left in no doubt of the role of these remarkable dogs in saving lives in times of conflict.

    I highly recommend it to all readers, whether or not they are dog lovers.

  • No Heil Hitler

    No Heil Hitler

    A True Story of Faith, Courage, and Defiance in Nazi-Occupied Poland

    Award winning authors Paul Cieslar and Jeff Steel’s fascinating book ‘No Heil Hitler!’ is not only an inspirational memoir of the life of the remarkable Paul Cieslar, who lived in Poland during the harsh German and Russian occupations, but it is also a cultural history of the Adventist community in Wisla, Poland during that time. The authors have crafted a touching and insightful recount of life for the citizens, whose resilience and fortitude in this time of extreme hardship, was beyond extraordinary.

    Pawel (Paul) Cieslar grew up on a subsistence family farm in Wisla, a town located at the foot of Barania Mountain in the Beskid Mountains, Poland. In September 1939, when Pawel was 10 years old, his life changed dramatically; life under the regime of the Third Reich with its restrictions and abuses had arrived. Paul was robbed of his childhood, and he was to witness some of the worst crimes in the history of humanity. He attributes his family’s survival to their faith and the courage and inspiration provided by God.    

    I highly recommend this memoir to all readers, not only to those who have been fortunate never to have experience war but also those who have survived occupation.  Despite the harshness of the times, the author’s recount of events is never morbid as it remains overridingly uplifting.

     ‘No Heil Hitler!’ will captivate readers, giving them an understanding of the difficulties of life and the resourcefulness of ordinary people in times of extreme oppression; they will no doubt reflect on the situation of those currently living in war-torn countries.   

  • Code of Silence: How Australian Women Helped Win the War”

    Code of Silence: How Australian Women Helped Win the War”

    Australian men’s war time service has generally been well documented; however, this is not the case of the dedicated women, who were entrusted with the complex work of decoding and intercepting enemy messages and transmitting intelligence both locally and globally. They kept silent about these top-secret activities for almost 40 years and it is only now with Diana Thorp’s book ‘Code of Silence’ that their remarkable captivating personal stories are being told; most of these women were in their late teens and early twenties.

    Diana Thorp, in her meticulously researched historical non-fiction work not only brings the story of these remarkable women to life but also gives the reader an insight into the average Australian’s life during the difficult years of World War II. With the bombing of Darwin and the imminent threat of pending further invasion from the Japanese, she shares with readers the importance of their valuable work and the sacrifices they made in service to their country; many gave up civilian lives and went into army camps, which were often a great distance from their home.

    The vibrant personal accounts not only relate the details of the valuable but exhausting work, but also their day-to-day activities and the long-lasting friendships which were formed in those uncertain times; professionalism and dedication emanate through these accounts.

    The extensive research and the perseverance of the author to track down these women, is to be commended as it has uncovered some unsung heroes, whose contribution to winning the war would have gone largely unrecognized.  The photos of the women in uniform added to the comprehensive bibliography and notes, will make this a wonderful resource for future historians.