 Reading
recommendations by Combat! fans for Combat! fans |
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Books about Canadians
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Lifting the
Silence: A World War II Canadian Bomber Pilot Reunites With His Past
by Scott Smith and Sydney Percival Smith
Syd Smith and 13 of his classmates answered duty's call in 1941. Co-written with his son sixty years, this is an amazing tribute to a generation.
The Guns of Normandy:
A Soldier's Eye View, France 1944
by George G. Blackburn
First-hand account of life with the Canadian 2nd Division after the invasion of
Normandy, told by an artillery forward observation officer.
Learn more...
Also by George G. Blackburn:
- The Guns of Victory: A Soldier's Eye View,
Belgium, Holland, and Germany, 1944-45
trade paperback. - Where the Hell Are the Guns? : A Soldier's Eye View of the Anxious Years,
1939-44
Check Amazon Price
Maple Leaf Against the Axis:
Canada's Second World War
by David J. Bercuson
A comprehensive look at Canada's role in WWII. "The sheer determination of mortal men
who pitted flesh against steel and concrete, and finally prevailed." (Hardcover, 316
pages)
Amazon
Also of Interest:
Knights of the Air:
Canadian Fighter Pilots in the First World War
List price US $35.00 Amazon Price
Conduct Unbecoming:
The Story of the Murder of Canadian Prisoners of War in Normandy
by Howard Margolian
Between June 7th and 17th, 1944, more than 150 Canadian soldiers were murdered after
capture by troops of Nazi Germany's elite 12th SS Panzer Division 'Hitler Youth.' This
book tells the story of the deaths, the investigation, the prosecutions, and the release
of many of the S.S. officers involved. (Hardcover, 336 pages)
Check American Price...
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Canada
Price
Canadian Forces in WWII
(Men-At-Arms, 359)
by Rene Chartrand, Ronald Volstad
(illustrator)
Slim volume gives a great overview of battle dress worn by Canada's armed services
and also details the military contribution of all of Canada's military — not just the
traditional services but even lesser known branches such as the Canadian Navy's Ferry
Command and the women's auxiliary services.
Read more...
The Black Devil Brigade:
True Story of the 1st Special Service Force in WWII
by Joseph A. Springer
Compelling account of the 1st Special Service Force as seen through the eyes of the men
who were the pioneers of today's Special Force units. This combined Canadian/USA unit were
an elite and deadly combat unit formed in Montana. They saw action in the Aleutian Islands
and in Italy. During the Anzio invasion, they struck terrorized the seasoned German troops
who dubbed them "Schwartzer Teufel" -- Black Devils.
Learn more...
The Black Devil brigade was the inspiration for film The Devil's Brigade
(1968) starring William Holden. A great WWII action/adventure film.
The Devil's Brigade DVD
or VHS
Canadian Warbirds of the 2nd World War This
series of aviation handbooks provide a quick reference to identify the military aircraft
flown by the Royal Canadian Air Force, the Royal Canadian Navy and the Canadian Army
during the Second World War.
• Fighters, Bombers and Patrol Aircraft
Check Amazon
Price
• Trainers, Transports and Utility Aircraft
Check Amazon Price
Canadian Fiction for Children:
The Eternal Spring of Mr.
Ito
by Sheila Garrigue
The fate of a 200-year-old bonsai tree is decided by a young girl and an old Japanese
Canadian gardener. During WWII, Sara is evacuated to live with her aunt and uncle in
Vancouver. She becomes special friends with their gardener, Mr. Ito. Following the
Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and Hong Kong, Japanese-Canadians are interned, but Sara's
relationship with the Itos continues. (Reading level: Ages 9 to 12)
Check Amazon price
Dodger (Dion Osika) recommends several books about Canada's involvement in WWII (most of these are out of print, links for those take you to a used book seller site):
- D-Day Dodgers: the Canadians in Italy
by Daniel Dancocks ... Sicily and the Italian campaigns. Another gem! (Out of print) Check Used Availability
- Three books by Denis and Shelagh Whitaker, a great husband/wife writing team:
- Tug of War: The Canadian Victory that Opened Antwerp The campaign to
clear the Scheldt Estuary and open the port of Antwerp in late 1944.
Check Amazon price - Dieppe: Triumph to Tragedy
The title says it all! [Out of print] ISBN: 0850523095
Check Amazon Price - Rhineland the battle to clear the Reichswald in 1945, Canada's
equivalent of the Huertgen Forest.
Check Amazon Price
- Tug of War: The Canadian Victory that Opened Antwerp The campaign to
clear the Scheldt Estuary and open the port of Antwerp in late 1944.
- Canadian author Farley Mowat wrote three very readable books....
(All out of print - used books not available through Amazon Canada)
- The Regiment A short readable regimental history of the Hastings and
Prince Edward Rgt ..most regimental histories are dry and too technical for the average
reader...this one is not!
Check Amazon availability - And No Birds Sang Mowat's autobiography as a front line infantry
platoon officer in Sicily and Italy. [Out of Print]
Check Amazon price - My Father's Son : Memories of War and Peace 1993 [Out of Print]
Check Amazon price
- The Regiment A short readable regimental history of the Hastings and
Prince Edward Rgt ..most regimental histories are dry and too technical for the average
reader...this one is not!
- 1944: The Canadians in Normandy by Reginald Roy the Canadian story of
D-Day, the fight for Caen and the advance
Check Amazon Price
Reference Books about Canada in WWII
| The Science of War: Canadian Scientists and Allied Military Technology During the Second World War
by Donald H. Avery (Hardcover - January 1999)
US Price
Amazon Canada
Price |
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| Canada's Greatest Wartime Muddle: National Selective Service and the Mobilization of Human
Resources During World War II by Michael D. Stevenson (Hardcover - January 2002)
US Price
Amazon Canada
Price |
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| The Domestic and International Dimensions
of the Resettlement of Polish Ex-Servicemen in Canada, 1943-1948 (Canadian Studies, Vol
25) by Martin Thorton (Hardcover - October 2000)
US Price
Amazon Canada
Price |
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