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I don’t care if you “just” re-greased bearings or cooked … you are my hero. You served. When I was young I was mainly interested in the military tactics of great battles. After reading the book Global Mission by WWII Army Air Corp Generral Hap Arnold, I became interested in how politics affect our military operations.
Now I have keen interest in the experiences of individuals … how they think of the inhabitants of many countries … how they reflect on relations with their fellow solders … and how they reflect, in general, at their experience in the military. |
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< Back to Table Of Contents
 | | 08-29-2019
Preparing for Mechanized War: The 1st Armored Division is Organized, 1940
by George Howe
CONTAINS: Nice description of our changing organization and crude equipment; tanks, and other moving armored equipment as we prepare for a new type or warfare. Practice maneuvers took on new significance with armored German aggressions in Europe. "Defects the maneuvers had revealed thereafter received constant attention."
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 | | 04-18-2019
Agonizing Situation in the Philippines, Early 1942, Part 2: Official Reports From Washington
by Office of Government Reports
CONTAINS: What the press was told . . . our government reports had to be both, realistic and encouraging at the same time. You'll see a steady increase in Japanese forces while we still give reports of successful actions. In March you'll read that General Douglas MacArthur, arriving at Melbourne, Australia, said "I have great confidence in the ultimate success of our joint forces. But success in modern war requires more than courage . . ."
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 | | 12-20-2018
We Enter War . . . Celebrities Keep Our Soldier’s Spirits Up, 1943
by Yank magazine writers
CONTAINS: All star cast entertains our troops at home bases and abroad. You'll be educated on the big names in show business of the time . . . you'll enjoy our soldier's reactions to the celebs. Most of the entertainment was at home training and support bases . . . just a few entertainers like Joe E. Brown and Bob Hope and a few lady stars went overseas.
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 | | 10-25-2018
We Enter War . . . Radio is "Beamed" to Our Soldiers Overseas, 1942
by Yank magazine writers
CONTAINS: Efforts of celebrities and radio networks to bring a variety of radio entertainment to our soldiers in Europe and the Pacific. You'll note the celebrities of the day . . . musicians and comedians . . . but you'll also note that programming also includes more heart-warming contents like messages from home, read by Connie West and G.I. letters answered by Mary Small. Most important . . . What is "G.I. Jive!"
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 | | 09-27-2018
We Enter War . . . Women Enter Jobs and the Service, 1942 Yank Magazine Articles
by Yank magazine writers
CONTAINS: Excellent, entertaining, historic and [male reactive] reporting as women filled vacant civilian jobs and the Army and Navy recruited women into the WAACS and WAVES. You'll love the descriptions of the change in lifestyle plus the obvious devotion of women entering the services. You'll love the job descriptions and attitudes of ladies taking on jobs vacated by men and new war jobs created to support our troops.
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 | | 08-30-2018
We Quit Running, We Take Action in the Pacific: as Reported by Yank Magazine, Summer 1942
by ’Yank’ magazine writers
CONTAINS: Refreshingly non-academic (non-factual) dramatic reporting of our very few [positive actions] of mid 1942. An element of the Doolittle raids is described by a crewmember with visually descriptive dialogue of the flight over Japan. The [sea] Battle of the Coral Sea and the Battle of Midway are presented with melodrama . . . a fun read. Our landings in the Solomons, including a foothold on Guadalcanal give a deep feel for our first Pacific offensive.
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 | | 08-02-2018
The Nazi Submarine Nemesis as Presented to Our Troops: ’Yank’ Magazine, Summer 1942
by ’Yank’ magazine writers
CONTAINS: Entertaining and vividly descriptive change from the standard, critical presentation of the "War in the Atlantic." Our troops our told the truth yet the deadly side of the battle is subdued in favor of dramatic displays of effort and bravery on our part. We are shown the problem in the words of merchant sailors and we read about our offence in the words of Navy and Army Air Force personal on detection and pursuit missions.
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 | | 07-05-2018
We Enter World War II - Part 2: You Enter the Service, June 1942
by ’Yank’ magazine writers
CONTAINS: With a backdrop of news from the Philippines, you read about overseas life, overhauls in the pay scale and family benefits. For your entertainment, letters to the editor are enhanced with sarcasm and comics. The beginnings of overseas entertainment broadcasts contrast new movie releases back home but a pin-up of "This Indiana Girl . . .," Ann Baxter, gives warmth as you march off to war.
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 | | 06-07-2018
We Enter World War II - Part 1: Changes in Our Way of Life, June 1942
by ’Yank’ magazine writers
CONTAINS: Playfully written short articles will entertain and inform. America is changing to war mode. Men are leaving their careers. Michigan football back Tommy Harmon, headlines the news of sports stars joining the military but you'll note that baseball is in the middle of the transition. We read what Americans back home were reading about Europe and Asia. A note of hatred for the aggressors will be read and seen comically.
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 | | 05-10-2018
THEY WERE EXPENDABLE (Book) - Part 8: "EXPENDED" . . . Our Sailors Mixed in the Mayhem of Retreat
by W. L. White
CONTAINS: "EXPENDED," Lieutenant Kelly reiterates multiple times in literary poetry, describing the April ,1942 situation in the Philippines. Kelly [bums] rides across land and water and catches one of the last flights from Mindanao to Australia. . . Despite the tragic note, Lieutenant Kelly creates a very interesting read, describing soldier's and civilian's deep emotional conditions, from despair to false hope . . . intermixed with his anger with regard to America's readiness for war.
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 | | 04-12-2018
THEY WERE EXPENDABLE (Book) - Part 7: Depleted Strength . . . Last Offensive Actions . . . but President Quezon is Delivered
by W. L. White
CONTAINS: An interesting mixture of PT boats going into disrepair and the remaining boats last actions (they torpedoed a Japanese Cruiser). But first the crews had to transport Philippine President Quezon through Japanese [held] waters. As the story proceeds, the crews loose two more PT boats, not to enemy fire but to shallow waters. Repairs are attempted but only one serviceable PT remains. Meanwhile the crews spend their paycheck on fun, possible their last fun before their capture.
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 | | 03-15-2018
THEY WERE EXPENDABLE (Book) - Part 6: Two Tense Nights: General MacArthur is Delivered
by W. L. White
CONTAINS: Fly (thought the water) by night - Hide by day. The PT boats became separated during the first night and tension is felt until they rendezvous. The passengers are seasick . . . MacArthur could wait a day for a submarine to take him to safety but decides to PT it another night. The 3 remaining PT boats spot a Japanese Cruiser but go unnoticed. The final leg . . . "We were going in the dark entirely by dead reckoning." The next morning MacArthur made his rendezvous for passage to Australia.
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 | | 01-18-2018
THEY WERE EXPENDABLE (Book) - Part 4: The End is Inevitable . . . General MacArthur Wants to Take a Ride
by W. L. White
CONTAINS: Our PT (MTB) crews see exciting night action and sink more Japanese ships but we know that their days in the Philippines are done. Food is running short . . . " you don’t know how tired you can get of canned salmon." PT's helped U. S. submarines run the Japanese blockade, bringing in a few supplies . . . very few. The PT crews were running low on torpedoes and fuel. Their purpose here was coming to a close. March 1, 1942,. . . "It seemed that General MacArthur wanted to take a ride on one of our boats . . ."
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 | | 11-23-2017
THEY WERE EXPENDABLE (Book) - Part 2: The Realization that It’s the End . . . But a Love Story Begins!
by W. L. White
CONTAINS: With their base destroyed, the Patrol Boat crew's story displays a conversion to a make shift attitude. Then one of the officers checks into the hospital under Corregidor Island where we [view] and influx of patients, rescued by the PT boats, from a wrecked ship. We hear telling stories of air and ground action . . . the Japanese made our boys look like rookies. Within all this action, a love story unfolds between one of our story tellers and a nurse.
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 | | 10-26-2017
THEY WERE EXPENDABLE (Book) - Part 1: No Surprise in the Philippines . . . The Japanese are Coming!
by W. L. White
CONTAINS: You'll get pulled into the story at a personal level as crew members of a PT boat squadron, Motor Torpedo Boat (MTB) Squadron 3, based in the Philippines at the outbreak of the WW2 Pacific war, tell their actions, environment and their attitudes as the Japanese begin their conquest of the Philippines. Early battle and rescue operations are described as well as PT boat capabilities in terms of their structure, armament and most important . . . their crews.
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 | | 09-28-2017
Dragged Across the Atlantic: Transport vs. the German Navy, 1940-1944
by Admiral Jonas Ingram and other many other [Authors Unknown]
CONTAINS: Pictorial snippets of actions and events which led Europe into war and led us into military and political actions in support of shipping goods across the treacherous Atlantic Ocean. A [gradually] upbeat presentation of topics makes this article pleasant viewing. Despite the omission of many tragic policies and actions, the article gives a great education on our route to success.
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 | | 08-31-2017
The Air Battle in the Battle of the Bismarck Sea, Part 3: Can We Build a Real Southwest Pacific Air Force?, Spring 1943
by U. S. Air Force Historical Division
CONTAINS: Tired men . . . tired equipment. "Troops stationed in New Guinea could expect a loss of fifteen to twenty pounds in weight . . ." "P-38’s out of commission were being stripped to keep others for the daily alert.” The Japanese attacked our bases from March through May and we did not have enough force to attack their bases. But we build and man better bases and, impatiently, General Kenney carefully orders up a real air force.
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 | | 08-03-2017
The Air Battle in the Battle of the Bismarck Sea, Part 2: Our Crude Air Force is a Winner, January-March 1943
by U. S. Air Force Historical Division
CONTAINS: The Japanese needed to send supplies and reinforcements to their holdings on northeastern New Guinea. We need to stop this shipping. We get exciting reads about the actions against shipping and enemy aircraft . . . made more exciting when considering some of the obsolete aircraft which took part. We will also appreciate our cargo flights which re-supplied our advanced ground units.
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 | | 07-06-2017
The Air Battle in the Battle of the Bismarck Sea, Part 1: MacArthur’s Pacific Strategy, Early 1943
by U. S. Air Force Historical Division
CONTAINS: Who would command, how we'd advance, where we'd advance in the Southwest Pacific . . . we learn the intricacies of interaction between the Navy and the Army on these issues. We learn that the enemy base at Rabaul was earmarked for invasion in these early plans then the discussion turns to the scarcity of resources: the Navy having the upper hand in expansion for Central Pacific operations.
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 | | 06-08-2017
We Seal the Deal but Uncover Horror . . . Overrunning Germany, April-May, 1945
by General Dwight D. Eisenhower
CONTAINS: Much excitement in a short time period. We crush the Germans in the "Ruhr pocket" in less than one month with decisive actions and take 350,000 prisoners. Eisenhower talks of the discovery of Nazi treasures . . . gold and art. He visits freed American prisoners, too thin to let travel home. He visits Nazi "Horror Camps" and takes notes for future inquiry. Finally he gets tough with German brass and negotiates surrenders in tough, politically correct terms.
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 | | 05-11-2017
Cross the Rhine in Mass, Encircle the Ruhr, Crush the Germans, March, 1945
by General Dwight D. Eisenhower
CONTAINS: We had one major Rhine crossing point but we needed more in other areas to press the large scale battle needed to keep Germany on the run. Ike give us an action filled account of Montgomery's crossing. Now, Eisenhower and staff decide on an encirclement of the Ruhr valley . . . some in Britain want us to try to beat the Russians to Berlin instead. Ike holds firm and our resulting operations crush the German military.
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 | | 04-27-2017
The Last German Obstacle, We Cross the Rhine, 1945
by General Dwight D. Eisenhower
CONTAINS: Despite our combination of superior air and ground power the Germans had the geography of the Rhine River to help forestall our eventual advance deep into their country. The Germans also had some Allied brass naysayers on their side but General Marshall supported Eisenhower's plan for all-out advance. You'll read descriptions of the well chosen battles which advanced us across of the Rhine.
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 | | 04-13-2017
Hitler’s Last Bid, The Bulge, December 1944
by General Dwight D. Eisenhower
CONTAINS: A very different picture of the events surrounding "The Battle of the Bulge" than most stories that you'd read. As the battle unfolded Eisenhower met with his generals to decide how to counter the German attack commenting " The present situation is to be regarded as one of opportunity for us . . ." As usual, the period was marked with small controversies in which, with the solid backing of General Marshal and Winston Churchill, Eisenhower pushed forward in the correct direction.
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 | | 03-30-2017
Spread Thin but We Continue to Advance Along the Rhine River, Fall 1944
by General Dwight D. Eisenhower
CONTAINS: Ike wanted to continue offensive but the logistics of supply and fresh infantry reserves pitted against the natural German defenses made it a tight game. We did get Antwerp and it's estuary waters to help supply. Now the chess game begins. Montgomery has no reserve troops in the north. Further south we had less than 1 division for every 10 miles of front. We keep on the offensive . . . but where could the Germans counterattack?
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 | | 03-16-2017
Supply and Advance: We Move Toward Germany, Late Summer 1944
by General Dwight D. Eisenhower
CONTAINS: We were ahead of schedule and the supply situation limited our advances. We had to move toward and into Belgium for closer ports . . . the fighting was fierce. Much exciting action is described as well as correct and incorrect decision making in terms of both overall plans and tactics. Needed supplies are sold on the black market in Paris . . . see how Eisenhower punishes the offenders.
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 | | 03-02-2017
The Breakout is Complete . . . We Accelerate Through Paris, August 1944
by General Dwight D. Eisenhower
CONTAINS: A framework for our advance in France: the problem of supply vs. the advantages of a quick advance, Hitler's fatal mistake of not pulling back to the Seine River and our quick march through Paris enroot to continued battle. General Eisenhower has re-question estimates of where to battle given limited supplies, has to make General de Gaulle appear genuine to the French then spends much time talking about his thoughts/philosophies on the press and how nearly 1000 correspondents in Europe became part of the campaign.
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 | | 02-16-2017
We Out-Tactic Stubborn German Resistance and Breakout in France, July-August 1944
by General Dwight D. Eisenhower
CONTAINS: Battle tactics. We were supposed to break out from the northern coast of France shortly after D-Day but points of German resistance delayed our "Breakout." Instead of all-or-nothing attacks we wore out the Germans at key places. We then hoped for well timed advances between divisions to "encircle" a bulk of the enemy. Timing was imperfect . . . many Germans escaped . . . but we took thousands of prisoners and as important, we firmly owned Western France.
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 | | 02-02-2017
D-Day and the Month Long “Battle of the Beachhead,” June 1944
by General Dwight D. Eisenhower
CONTAINS: We get an important lesson on the uncertainties of battle and how to accommodate them. Many readers know of the stalemate at the landing at Omaha Beach on the first day of the battle but General Eisenhower tells of the continuous doubts and questioning of decisions during a whole month period. We resisted temptation to alter plans and instead serviced problems expertly.
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 | | 01-05-2017
Planning "Overlord," Invasion of France, June 1944, Part 1: Command Structure, Route to Germany, Landing Locations, Men and Equipment
by General Dwight D. Eisenhower
CONTAINS: You'll appreciate the extent of required planning as Eisenhower discussions of the proper organization to ensure smooth advance once landed in France, where to enter Germany, where to land on France, how to attack the transportation system of France, and the need for artificial harbors to ensure supply. You will also appreciate that Eisenhower manages a constant conflict of opinions from the many involved with the planning.
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 | | 12-22-2016
American Women and World War 2, Part 7: Effects of War is Reflected in Women’s Advertising, 1944
by Mademoiselle Magazine Advertisers - Comments by Stu Moment
CONTAINS: Classic fashion advertising that illustrates women working, women sacrificing and women losing their men. Some manufactures reflect the war in terms of limitations . . . if Seamprufe slips are out of stock, they're making parachutes too . . . Edgewood shoes are a wise buy because you only get 3 pairs per year . . . buy Gorham sterling silverware, but sparingly . . . but most ads reflect the sad nature of the home when the country is at war.
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 | | 12-08-2016
American Women and World War 2, Part 6: Working for the War Effort Across our Country, 1944
by Polly Weaver & Jay Deiss
CONTAINS: We needed a maximum work effort from the whole nation and women rose to fill the jobs in industry and remote government openings. We are also given a look at a nation where some necessary services reduced because of labor shortages as well as the effects of turnover . . . "4 million man-hours are lost each month through turnover . . . thus costs more than 200 Flying Forts every month."
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 | | 11-24-2016
American Women and World War 2, Part 5: Working for the War Effort in Washington D. C., 1944
by Bess Furman, Mademoiselle magazine contributor.
CONTAINS: Insights into the government operations in Washington D. C. and the need for women to fill important jobs. You'll feel the pride of the Mademoiselle magazine writer and realize that women grabbed opportunity which only war would bring and won a permanent place in upper-scale jobs. You'll also learn much about the business of our government, 1944.
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 | | 11-10-2016
American Women and World War 2, Part 4: Raising Moral at Home, 1943
by Mademoiselle magazine staff
CONTAINS: Article highlights the devotion of many American women. Feeding, supplying and giving recreation to servicemen who were still in the States was definitely a moral boost to those who would be gone for a year. Many women took jobs or volunteered in these important areas. Picture filled article shows our boys in happy situations while they prepare for the grueling year of 1944.
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 | | 10-27-2016
American Women and World War 2, Part 3: Servicewomen in a Mademoiselle Magazine Framework, 1943
by Mademoiselle Magazine Contributors and Staff
CONTAINS: Mademoiselle magazine presentation by staff authors depicts women in the armed forces as hard workers yet keeping a feminine and stylish form of life. The WAVES presented are doing important and technically challenging jobs but the magazine also uses them to present fun and fashion. “DON’TS FOR SERVICEWOMEN” may make you chuckle.
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 | | 10-13-2016
American Women and World War 2, Part 2: a WAC and a SPAR’s Experience, 1943
by Sgt. Pearlie Hargrave, WAC & Lt. (jg) Mary Catherine Lyne, USCGR
CONTAINS: One serious overseas story of a lady driver at Army Headquarters in Tunisia and one colorfully written story of a lady and her housemates serving in the Navy and Coast Guard. Both, writing for Mademoiselle magazine, write their stories from their personal perspective, giving us a true feelings of different women’s involvement in our war effort.
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 | | 09-29-2016
American Women and World War 2, Part 1: Serving on a Variety of “Fronts,” 1943
by Mademoiselle Magazine Contributors
CONTAINS: Great reads. First person accounts of experiences serving overseas and at home. Elizabeth Peat serves the RAF and survives the training. Carol Chapin joins the Red Cross and serves in North Africa while maintaining a women’s sense of style. Anne Stecha is a member of WOW, Woman Ordnance Workers and represents the contributions of women manning machines.
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 | | 09-15-2016
Slow Advance in Italy — Overlord Needs Overhaul, End of 1943
by General Dwight D. Eisenhower
CONTAINS: Our knowledge of the troubles with advances in Italy from weather problems, terrain problems and the nature of German defenses and determination. At the end of 1943 Eisenhower is told of his command of the upcoming Operation Overlord and had to deal with inadequate invasion plans of France as well as Churchill’s insistence of support for a landing at Anzio.
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 | | 09-01-2016
Roosevelt and Churchill Decide the 1944 Offensive; Cairo Conference, November 1944
by General Dwight D. Eisenhower
CONTAINS: Revealing discussions with Roosevelt and Churchill form a strangely pleasant article about planning Operation Overlord. Churchill still believes that the Normandy Invasion would be a blood-bath and favors increased offensive action against Europe from the Mediterranean side, however is quite supportive of the eventual invasion of France. The conference location is leaked but Eisenhower convinces the Secret Service that it will be safe.
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 | | 08-18-2016
Learning How to Defeat the Germans: Invasions of Sicily and Italy, Summer 1943
by General Dwight D. Eisenhower
CONTAINS: The execution of our invasions into Sicily and Italy by a better informed and trained military. Both the American and British/Canadian troops did a great job and Ike also expresses glee at how the armies, navies and air forces had fought as one unit. Interesting additions include the Patton “soldier slapping” and the forced surrender of Italy. Once invaded we reduce troops in Italy to a minimum.
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 | | 08-04-2016
Planning Operation Husky, the Sicily Invasion, Early 1943
by General Dwight D. Eisenhower
CONTAINS: Decisions on the methods of the Sicilian invasion within a context of increasing strength and the ever present doubters of the following year’s Normandy invasion plan. Determination of the strength of the attack was determined by available resources but selection of the places and coordinated timing of attacks gives us interesting perspectives to the expertise of our planning.
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 | | 07-21-2016
Find ’em, Report ’em, Save ’em, Detect ’em, Capture ’em. Detection Groups of World War II
by Authors Unknown
CONTAINS: Our flying boats, blimps, Coast Guard cutters, escort destroyers and escort carriers played an important role of search, detection, rescue and capture during World War II. Article describes actions of these groups, their roles, their equipment and the devotion of their crew and ends with the capture of the German submarine, U-505.
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 | | 07-07-2016
Green Troops, New Command Structures . . . We Finally Take Africa, 1943
by General Dwight D. Eisenhower
CONTAINS: Excellent account of both, the battles and the circumstances: supply, tactics, training, weather, and command. Since the disappointing December, 1942 cessation of action we learned from mistakes and we grew strong. Finally, our air and naval forces cut the German supply line from Italy . . . The End of the Axis in Africa!
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 | | 06-23-2016
Our First Offensive in Africa Stalls, December 1942
by General Dwight D. Eisenhower
CONTAINS: Story of our first offensive on Africa, an attempt to quickly move hundreds of miles east and capture Tunis before the Germans could reinforce it from across the Mediterranean. A lack of sizable force and equipment would make the attempt somewhat difficult but it was the weather which spelled the end to the offensive.
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 | | 06-09-2016
Our First Major Offensive, Africa, November 1942
by General Dwight D. Eisenhower
CONTAINS: Nervous feelings as we begin our first major action. Communications kept the results of some landings unknown. Working with the Vichy French taxed the listening/understanding and negotiation skills of General Eisenhower who also had to act opposite to media and even Washington's opinions. Brave [first action] soldiers, wise decisions and a deceived Germany allowed us to get a foothold in Africa.
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 | | 05-26-2016
Planning the Invasion of Africa, Operation Torch, Late 1942
by General Dwight D. Eisenhower
CONTAINS: Insights into the combinations of geo-politics, weather, material and of course, trained men which affected the decisions of where and how to invade Africa. Many of the landing forces had to come directly from the United States an unprecedented distance. Emphasis is made on the point that we needed the peoples whom we were invading to end up on our side.
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 | | 05-12-2016
Our Submarines, PT boats and Big Battlewagons of World War II
by Authors Unknown
CONTAINS: Easy reading, condensed picture-book presentation showing the variety of floating craft we used to win the war. The article illustrates the life of the crewmembers as well as the equipment the crews operated. You'll will understand that different craft are useful for different situations and their crews were up to the task.
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 | | 04-28-2016
Planning the Invasion of Europe, June-July 1942
by General Dwight D. Eisenhower
CONTAINS: Eisenhower leaves for Great Britain and plans a smooth path for coexistence of American forces and the English people. Eisenhower, constantly combating other's pessimism, finds that his own dreams of a 1943 invasion of Europe would have wait until spring 1944. Suddenly he is assigned to command the invasion of North Africa.
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 | | 04-14-2016
Planning for Success, Why We Will Win the War, Spring 1942
by General Dwight D. Eisenhower
CONTAINS: You will understand the [Spring 1942] need to reorganize the command of our army and the way Eisenhower enhanced Marshall's decisions in choosing good officers. You will also understand the [Spring 1942] priorities to keep key bases in the Pacific while giving total concentration to the defeat of Germany as well as the choice of Great Britain as a base for invasion.
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 | | 03-31-2016
We Go on the Offensive in the Southwest Pacific, Late 1942
by General Alexander A. Vandegrift, USMC
CONTAINS: Pictorial summary of Pacific actions in late 1942 conveys the feeling that we were finally taking the offensive. There were exceptions such as the Battle of Savo Island where we lost heavily. We also lost more aircraft carriers. But from ground and air actions on Guadalcanal to the sea Battle of Santa Cruz we were establishing ourselves in the southwest Pacific.
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 | | 03-17-2016
We Reverse the Tide in the Pacific, Coral Sea, Midway and Aleutians, Mid 1942
by Admiral Aubrey Fitch and Admiral Frank Fletcher
CONTAINS: Before the picture presentations of the battles, the Admirals involved give their description of the actions along with their meanings . . . the reversal of Japanese advances. The Coral Sea action map show you just how close to Australia the Japanese came and the actions of Midway give us the destruction of the Japanese as an aircraft carrier force.
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 | | 03-03-2016
We Lose the Western Pacific, January - April, 1942
by Unknown Editors
CONTAINS: Pictorial summary of the Japanese advances early in the Pacific war. The conquest of Singapore leaves Burma and India wide open and the British lose more of their navy near Java. We hold on boldly in Philippines but its loss exposes our soldiers to atrocities. We do make positive moves on New Guinea and make the famous Doolittle raid on Japan.
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 | | 02-18-2016
We Enter a Global War, December 1941 - Spring 1942
by General Dwight D. Eisenhower
CONTAINS: "Ike" tells us what went into the strategy decisions early in World War II and explains his admiration for General Marshall. All attention went to the Pacific that first winter as we had to keep lines of communication and transport free to Australia if we were to later have offensive efforts. General Marshal, Eisenhower and staff would not let our feeble forces get spread too thin.
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 | | 02-04-2016
PRELUDE TO WAR, 1938-1941
by General Dwight D. Eisenhower
CONTAINS: "Ike" discusses the state of our military prior to World War 2. Lack of modern equipment plus complacency in training for real combat to give us a very weak military. As war got nearer the organization of the army was improved, men were drafted into the army and scenarios of real combat with troop movements were incorporated into the training.
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 | | 01-21-2016
Pearl Harbor and Ensuing Havoc in the Pacific, December 1941
by Rear Admiral William R. Furlong, USN
CONTAINS: After a pictorial account of the attack at Pearl Harbor, methods of salvage are shown. The geo-politics in the aftermath of Pearl Harbor brings us into the European war then we see the Japanese advance on Guam, Wake, and Hongkong and Singapore. The fitting ending shows our aircraft caught on the ground in Hawaii.
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 | | 01-07-2016
Our Navy Trains for War, 1940-’41
by Vice-Admiral Louis L. Denfeld, U. S. N.
CONTAINS: Article begins with a discussion of the size and scope of quickly building our Navy for World War II then transitions to a pectoral presentation our men and women in training. An interesting variety of training is shown from engine mechanics, manning submarines, navigation and gunnery. The article then turns to the mid 1941 job of sending supplies to Britain.
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 | | 12-24-2015
We Turn the Tide: Battles of Coral Sea and Midway, 1942
by Geoffrey Bennet
CONTAINS: Nice version. Story gives a prelude to the Battle of Midway by describing the Japanese conquests up to the Battle of Coral Sea. The Battles of Coral Sea and Midway are described in terms of strategy, guts and good guesses. Author then discusses consequences of the actions.
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 | | 12-10-2015
Al Williams on Our Air Power Part 2, United States Not Ready for War, 1940
by Major Al Williams
CONTAINS: Entertaining although opinionated way of learning the state of our Army Air Corps in 1940. Major Williams mixes geo-politics with commentaries on the quantity and quality of our Armed Services. He also notes that while the Air Corps is expanding, it would be better off as its own branch of the military.
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 | | 11-26-2015
Al Williams on Our Air Power Part 1, Politics and the Europe War, 1940
by Major Al Williams
CONTAINS: Scathing mid-1940 criticism of the Administration's "subterranean agreements between Washington and London." Major Williams claims that were are weakening our own inadequate defenses by sending war supplies to Great Britain and that "No nation—not even America—can save, an empire which has proven unable to save itself."
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 | | 11-12-2015
We Finally Control Leyte Gulf: Battles of Samar and Cape Engaño, October 1944
by Geoffrey Bennet
CONTAINS: Story begins with tense action as 18 of our unguarded "Baby Flatops," are under attack by a major Japanese surface force but Admiral Clifton Sprague handles the situation with sheer guts. Later, Japanese Admiral Ozawa continues to fight but loses his carriers and flees the scene.
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 | | 10-29-2015
We Win Big Surface Actions: Battles of Sibuyan Sea and Surigao Strait, October,1944
by Geoffrey Bennet
CONTAINS: We landed troops on Leyte in the Philippines and the Japanese Navy came to regain control of the surrounding seas. Unlike our poorly played surface actions 2 years before, we blasted the Japanese forces with well coordinated actions utilizing our Battleships, Cruisers, Destroyers and even PT boats.
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 | | 10-15-2015
We Engage in the Biggest Carrier Battle in History, Battle of the Philippine Sea, June 1944
by Geoffrey Bennet
CONTAINS: Quick but dramatic version of the Battle of the Philippine Sea. Author sets the stage for this engagement between the biggest fleets ever to do battle. Rather than expand on the famous "Turkey Shoot" airborne victory, the author does a great job discussing the consequences of the battle ... and of course, we move closer to the Philippine Islands.
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 | | 09-17-2015
Our Navy’s Battles Protecting Guadalcanal, Part 1, Disaster of Savo Island 1942
by Geoffrey Bennet
CONTAINS: Our naval forces, dispatched to protect the troop landings at Guadalcanal and Tulagi were poorly organized and lacked recent training in night battle. Torpedoes and shells sunk our ships: 1000 of our sailors were killed. Luckily, the Japanese force retreated on bad information and our transports at Guadalcanal were spared.
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 | | 09-03-2015
We Find Rough Going in the "Soft Underbelly of the Axis," Late 1944
by Francis Trevelyn Miller
CONTAINS: Many experienced troops and officers were relocated to France but our troops battling in Italy became top notch with constant action. The Germans strongly resisted the taking of cities such as Florence and Pisa and also did things like hold human hostages but did fall back. Finally we found the terrain gave the Germans natural defenses near the northern "Gothic Line."
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 | | 08-20-2015
We Battle our Way to Rome, Early 1944
by Francis Trevelyn Miller
CONTAINS: We gradually won the infamous, tough battles around Cassino, Italy. Meanwhile we went ashore at Anzio, only 30 miles from Rome and advanced rapidly but Cassino still blocked the way and the article describes the battles well. We finally take Cassino and advanced quickly to Rome where we were greeted as liberators.
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 | | 08-06-2015
In Taking Buna "we learned a lot," New Guinea, late 1942
by U. S. Air Force Historical Division
CONTAINS: Crossing land on foot was slow and wet. Small airstrips near the destination would help deliver soldiers and supplies but our concept of air transport was new and untested. Air-ground communications were problematic in the combat operation to take Buna. Finally our soldiers took Buna and we were in command of the South Pacific.
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 | | 07-23-2015
We Hold Milne Bay and Develop Something Which Looks Like an Air Force, New Guinea, 1942
by U. S. Air Force Historical Division
CONTAINS: Nice story of our early operations on New Guinea. We took Milne Bay at the southeast tip of New Guinea, build an airstrip and held it despite Japanese advances. We gradually built an air force despite problems of supply, maintenance and facilities. Air superiority would be needed to protect our troops.
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 | | 07-09-2015
U.S.S. BORIE’S LAST BATTLE
by John Hersey
CONTAINS: Tense action between our destroyer, USS Borie and a German submarine. We were rapidly retaking the Atlantic Ocean in 1943 by both destroyer and aircraft carrier action; aggressive pursuit was the order of the day. But Borie's aggressive ramming of a German sub led to her own demise. Many died abandoning ship in the cold Atlantic.
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 | | 06-25-2015
Our Fight to Defend Merchant Shipping; View from the Top, 1942
by Winston Churchill & Admiral Ernest King
CONTAINS: Churchill's comments give a cruelly honest report on the views of Roosevelt, Stalin and the German commanders. Convoys to Russia were held up due to heavy losses in long daylight arctic runs. Admiral King gives us a review of our own coastal defense inadequacies and tells us how we built a good system between 1941 and 1943.
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 | | 06-11-2015
Tense Sailing Through Nazi Seas, Murmansk Run, 1942
by Captain Walter Karig, Lt. Earl Burton, Lt. Stephen L. Freeland
CONTAINS: Excellent account in the eyes of one merchant crew on the cargo run to Murmansk, Russia. Submarines were not the only danger. Once north of Scandinavia, German planes, "Vultures" as the crewmen regarded them, kept an eye on the convoy and radioed their position to air and sea forces. Bombed and Torpedoed, many got through to unload their cargo at desolate Murmansk.
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 | | 05-28-2015
Our Merchant Seamen are Slaughtered in the Atlantic, Early 1942
by Felix Riesenberg, Jr.
CONTAINS: Just after we entered the war, German U-Boats owned our coast, sinking much shipping from Florida to Maine. Sailors drowned, burned or died from exposure. Parts of dead sailors washed up upon our shores. We did not have the resources to stop the attacks … the German sailors found our shipping to be “easy hunting.”
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 | | 05-14-2015
Our Air Forces Help Control the Navy’s Central Pacific, 1944: Part 2
by U. S. Air Force Historical Division
CONTAINS: Airstrike after airstrike; Air Force Night bombing operations against the Japanese stronghold of Truk were supplemented by Admiral Mitscher’s carrier units. Our expanding Air Force then lent a hand in bombing islands in the Marianas … the future bases from which our B-29’s would attack Japan.
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 | | 04-30-2015
Our Air Forces Help Control the Navy’s Central Pacific, 1944: Part 1
by U. S. Air Force Historical Division
CONTAINS: The Navy and Marines attacked and took island after island. They also took the focus of the cameras in the Central Pacific. Our growing Air Force was undergoing changes in command needed to control Japanese operations, especially at the islands of Truk.
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 | | 04-16-2015
We Get Airbases to Attack the Japanese Mainland, Marianas, June 1944
by Various officers present during the campaign
CONTAINS: Very costly action and different from the Marshals and Gilberts. Taking the heavily garrisoned Saipan was deadly but we needed the airstrip. The carrier fighter pilots had a much easier time destroying the enemy in what would be known as the “Marianas Turkey Shoot.”
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 | | 04-02-2015
Successful Invasion of Kwajalein, 1944. We Did Learn from Tarawa.
by Various officers present during the campaign.
CONTAINS: Our landings went much smoother than those a couple of months earlier at Tarawa. The authors describe the thoroughness of the Navy’s pre-landing bombardment not just as a brute force action but as a well planned and coordinated operation. This time the marines hit the beaches with little opposition.
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 | | 03-19-2015
Our Marines’ Bloody First Day on Tarawa, November 1943
by Robert Sherrod
CONTAINS: Gut-wrenching first had account of our invasion. It was an action from which we learned the hard way. The Naval ship and air bombardments did not eliminate the Japanese. The tide was low and our Marines’ landing craft could not make all the way to the beach … Japanese machine guns peppered our reinforcing waves.
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 | | 03-05-2015
We engage the Vichy French Navy at Casablanca, November 1942
by Rear Admiral Samuel Morison
CONTAINS: The Vichy French didn’t get our request to lay down arms instead of battle. We hoped that French fleet at Casablanca, Morocco would surrender but instead they put on a good fight. Admiral Morison describes the French Navy’s maneuvers with admiration and respect. Action filled descriptions of the actions and the support of our Navy’s air arm.
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 | | 02-19-2015
Rag-Tag South Pacific Air Force Part 3: Guadalcanal Secured, Early 1943
by U. S. Air Force Historical Division
CONTAINS: Interesting combination of actions. After securing the area around Henderson Field, the Air Force would finally be able to mount offensive strikes in the Solomons but new aircraft did not arrive as fast as planned and aircrews were fatigued from missions as well as “Washing Machine Charlie.”
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 | | 01-22-2015
Rag-Tag South Pacific Air Force Part 1: Need More B-17’s, Late 1942
by U. S. Air Force Historical Division
CONTAINS: Strike missions with only six B-17 Flying Fortresses flown out of Guadalcanal and Espiritu Santo were varied and inconclusive. General Harmon campaigns for more B-17 and other aircraft to relieve B-17 search missions.
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 | | 01-08-2014
After Pearl Harbor, Carefully Expanding Air Combat Operations
by General H. H. Arnold and Staff
CONTAINS: Beginning with precious few combat aircraft we carefully choose combat operations in the Pacific and the Mediterranean theater as well as important troop and supply operations. General Arnold explains our objectives and how we chose targets in Germany.
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 | | 12-25-2014
After Pearl Harbor, We Quickly Build a Huge Air Force.
by General H. H. Arnold and Staff
CONTAINS: We need an Air Force of over 2 million personnel. We setup a training system, Air Transport Command, Air Service Command and made rapid advances in aviation medicine, training, weather forecasting, engineering and production. Favorite line: “[officers said] it would take at least three months to set up the school … first classes were held the following Monday.
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 | | 12-11-2014
Before Pearl Harbor, Our Air Forces’ Lean Preparation for War
by General H. H. Arnold and Staff
CONTAINS: General Arnold explains how we prepared for war in the 1930’s, mostly in philosophy and varied technologies rather than quantity. Appropriations were small. When hostilities brought us into action we had to build our Army Air Force rapidly with a variety of designs and massive training of manpower.
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 | | 11-27-2014
The Squadron Engineer, Charged to Keep ‘Em Flying
by Robert McLarren
CONTAINS: Is you aircraft in World War II safe to fly? Your S. E. Squadron Engineer will make that determination. In combat areas he often has to salvage parts to keep a few flying. He is your mechanic in charge.
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 | | 11-13-2014
Guadalcanal Air Battle Part 2, Japanese Arrive in Force. Late 1942
by U. S. Air Force Historical Division
CONTAINS: General Arnold arrives in the Pacific, also the President expressed concern. More Army Air Force support plus non-ambiguous control of all forces were given to Admiral Nimitz just as the Japanese make their push to retake Guadalcanal. The deciding action begins.
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 | | 10-30-2014
Guadalcanal Air Battle Part 1, Our Men Can’t Hold On, Summer 1942
by U. S. Air Force Historical Division
CONTAINS: Our men bravely hold on. We took Guadalcanal but don’t have the air reinforcements, naval support or even the local infrastructures to hold it. Navy and Army Air Force commanders battle each other as it appears that we will lose Guadalcanal.
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 | | 10-16-2014
The Battle of “Key Industry Bombing” vs. Sir Arthur Harris, 1943-44
by Sir Charles Webster and Noble Frankland
CONTAINS: We bombed the ball-bearing factories at Schweinfurt. Sir Arthur Harris, Commander, British Bomber Command refused R.A.F. follow-up night attacks, personally expressing that bombing key industries was the wrong tactic.
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 | | 10-02-2014
The Development of Our Aircraft Carrier Based Fighters, to 1910-43
by Robert McLarren
CONTAINS: Compact presentation of the extreme challenges of aircraft carrier operations and issues of their development between 1910 and 1943. Author then summarizes particular aircraft types from bi-planes to monoplanes which operated off carriers.
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 | | 09-18-2014
Our Air Power and the Future, November 1945
by General H. H. Arnold
CONTAINS: The war is over and General “Hap” Arnold gives unfiltered opinions on what we must learn from World War II and what we must do to prevent a future great war. While we reduce our military, we must emphasize certain areas of development and coordination.
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 | | 07-24-2014
We Spoil the Luftwaffe’s “Big Blow”, Early 1945
by General H. H. Arnold and Staff
CONTAINS: Our tactical air power spoils Germany’s attempt at a decisive campaign. Air blows gain in cumulative effect, wrecking Germany’s war industry. Also Germany’s war politics is discussed.
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 | | 07-10-2014
“Day of Infamy” Pearl Harbor, December 7, 1941
by Francis Trevelyn Miller
CONTAINS: Nice approach to Pearl Harbor. Author sets the stage with events before and during the attack then describes the heroics of individuals. A candid and disturbing description of the investigation follows then he takes us southwest to other aggressions of the day.
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 | | 06-26-2014
We Control the Air. Time for Combat, Burma 1944
by U. S. Air Force Historical Division
CONTAINS: We gain control of the air over Burma then support troop advances and tactical raids. We used many aircraft types … whatever wasn’t needed elsewhere. We struck targets according to priority and supported important offensives.
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 | | 06-12-2014
Poor Roads: We Have to Supply Troops by Air, Burma 1943-44
by U. S. Air Force Historical Division
CONTAINS: Roads and Rail will not supply our offensive. Supply by air will take the form of parachute, glider and of course, new airfields close to the action. Also accounts of some thorny relations between famous names in the poorly defined command structure.
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 | | 05-29-2014
A New Base for Our Bomber Operations … Italy, 1944
by General H. H. Arnold and Staff
CONTAINS: The “Soft Underbelly of Europe” was inhospitable to our ground troops but from bases in southern Italy we destroyed European oil, transportation and factories which the Germans moved south so they would be “safe.”
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 | | 05-01-2014
General Arnolds’ Report on the Progress of the B-29 Superfortress, 1944
by General H. H. Arnold and Staff
CONTAINS: General “Hap” Arnold explains the huge technical and managerial undertaking which brought us the plane that took the war to the Japanese homeland. The heroes included the mechanics and runway engineers. A most efficient military procurement.
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 | | 04-03-2014
With Western France in Hand We Bomb German Assets, 1944
by General H. H. Arnold and Staff
CONTAINS: Germany’s resupply of planes and tanks needed production facilities as well as raw materials, bearings and transportation. With Western France in hand we concentrate on those facilities plus restrict oil production.
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 | | 03-06-2014
Our Air Power Immobilizes the Germans, D-Day to St. Lo, 1944
by General H. H. Arnold and Staff
CONTAINS: Our fighters and bombers not only controlled the air but they controlled the ground over France. The Luftwaffe didn’t show up for the battles and we destroyed roads, bridges and railroads which the Germans needed for troop movements and supply.
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 | | 02-20-2014
Before D-Day … We Win the Air War, Early 1944
by General H. H. Arnold and Staff
CONTAINS: If Germany had air superiority our troops invading France would be in jeopardy. We needed to destroy as much of Germanys air power as possible. By February 1944 we started heavy attacks on critical industries.
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 | | 02-06-2014
We Win Africa, May, 1943
by Francis Trevelyn Miller
CONTAINS: We now knew that we would win the war. 500,000 Axis troops were out of action in one way or another, the Mediterranean was now in our control … from our troops to the top brass, we had legitimate confidence in the superiority we had built.
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 | | 01-23-2014
We Route Rommel in Southern Tunisia, Spring 1943
by Francis Trevelyn Miller
CONTAINS: Battling Rommel becomes easier as we learn to combine growing air and sea support with tactics learned in earlier battles. We also impair the re-supply of lost men and equipment to the Afrika Korps.
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 | | 01-09-2014
BATTLE OF KASSERINE PASS … THE ROAD TO TUNIS
by Francis Trevelyn Miller
CONTAINS: Classic Rommel vs. Eisenhower and Montgomery story. Back and forth battles test the wit of the generals, the resources of the “Desert Fox” and most important, the training and performance of our soldiers.
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 | | 12-26-2013
We Meet and Plan the Rest of WWII at Casablanca, January 1943
by Francis Trevelyn Miller
CONTAINS: Geo-politics and war. Could the French unite and join the battle? Could we coordinate with the Russians and Chinese? The announcement of Roosevelt’s and Churchill’s conference at Casablanca united the free world.
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 | | 12-12-2013
Building Our Air Force … Men and Material, 1942-43
author not stated
CONTAINS: The story of how we developed our great Army Air Force. Business minded leaders developed various commands to ensure that our men were well trained and used the finest equipment.
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 | | 12-03-2013
Our Airlines and Personnel Fly the African War Zone, 1942
by John Murdock
CONTAINS: As we entered the war, every useful resource was pulled-in to service. Pan American Airways had experience setting up world routes. Their mechanics were the real heroes of supply to the Allied forces.
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 | | 09-10-2013
We Approach and Take Paris, August 1944
by Francis Trevelyn Miller
CONTAINS: As we move closer to Paris many towns lie in rubble. Could we take beautiful Paris without its destruction ? Incredible story !
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 | | 08-13-2013
We Liberate the Towns of Normandy. June 1944
by Francis Trevelyn Miller
CONTAINS: Now established on French soil, we begin the work of freeing the towns. German resistance was strong but our men and our strategy were superior.
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 | | 06-18-2013
We Land on Africa, November 1942
by Francis Trevelyn Miller
CONTAINS: We surprised the Axis in the Mediterranean. The attack was complicated by Vichy French considerations. After some resistance, they joined us.
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 | | 06-04-2013
We finally Land On Europe … Sicily, July 1943.
by Francis Trevelyn Miller
CONTAINS: We learned much while defeating Rommel in Africa but many new tactics like advanced glider and paratrooper placement plus close-in naval support would be used.
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 | | 01-01-2013
The Capture of Iwo Jima, February - March 1945
by Francis Trevelyn Miller
CONTAINS: We are now attacking Japan from the air but to end World War II we have to get our forces closer. Iwo cannot be bypassed. It’s a terribly bloody battle.
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