History Forum / War History / World War II / December 2003

I do not have access to a library because of my location. I was hoping to
find some books online. I am particularly interested in books that deal with
details of a division's deployments and deal with how companies of the
division are sent to do different tasks during a battle etc.

Looking for figures for each action in the Pacific (like by island)
which would include total troops sent to take the island (land troops
only), number dead/died of wounds, number wounded/survivied.
Example of separate actions would be: New Guinea, Tarawa,

Just one question: I am translating a fictive text where it is spoken about
"spears of destiny". The contexte is 2nd World War, nazis, etc.
Is it a famous concept? What does it exactly mean? Is there an official
French translation?

During the past 3 years I posted military biographies in my Spanish
historical site.  In highest degree they were asked by students to be
included.  Most are high ranked officers and some are as low as privates as
Kay Summersby who was Eisenhower's secretary, but who technically was ...

There was a discussion on the US 37mm Canister round and its normal usage.
I just came across an interesting data point in "Steel Victory" by Harry
Yeide on the US Separate Tank Battalions in WWII.
"M5's in the 735th Tank Battalion, for example carried 70 percent of their

If diplomacy is war by other means, Spain was indeed a serious combatant
in WWII, with generals such as Serrano Suner, Gomez Jordana and the Duke
of Alba. What did Spain try to win through diplomacy? Is it true that
Franco wanted peace between the Allies and the Axis for the purpose ...

The more I learn about Marshal Petain, the less I understand
what he was up to.  On the one hand, he despised the openly
pro-German Pierre Laval and sacked him, only bringing him
back into his Vichy government when forced to.  On the other

I know that, pre -1940, french arms were eagerly sought by many
countries, e.g. Poland, Turkey, Romania and that exports included
items such as Morane Saulnier MS406 a/c , Renault R35 tanks, Brandt
mortars etc - does anyone have any idea how much they charged ?

   What was Erwin Rommels personality type?  Was he the tuff Prussian type?
How did he treat his men?  How tuff was his discipline towards his troops?
What did Hitler think of him?

I am somewhat new to the news group and didn't see anything like this posted
before. I need some help locating information about German anti-tank rifles
of WW2.
I have some basic pictures and general information on the Pz.B. 39, Gr.B. 39

was this rifle semi auto (like the american m1 carabine) or bolt and
did the americans ever make a "small" garand for use in jungle/urban
fighting. off course they did have the m1. but i mean a powerfull
"small" gun

I have a recorded interview(s) with a couple of men who flew the
Enolagaye B-29 bomber, the interview
was done by mike tigger in 1962, with Richard Nelson the radio operator,
and charles Sweeny.

I am looking for someone who would like to examine, and identify if
possible, some items for me. I inherited them from my Grandfather and was
told he brought them home from the Pacific after World War II.
I'm primarily interested in finding out what the English translation of the

 permitted to occupy eastern Europe?
      If the Allies simply has said to the Russians to move out of eastern
Europe or
face nuclear retaliation, would not they have moved out?

What is the latest thinking about the Surcouf? This was a French submarine
with a turret and twin 8 in guns mounted forward of the conning tower.
It escaped to the UK after Germany conquered France but then controversially
disappeared with foul play suspected and the ...