I watched the Battle of the Bulge movie recently (released in 1965). I don't recall the last time I watched it, but it must have been before I started writing the Sgt. Dunn novels in 2004. The reason I point this out is that the writing of the novels has deeply improved my knowledge of WWII, partly due to a natural inclination toward WWII history and partly due to the need for accurate details which comes only from research and extensive reading.
As a result, what I had previously thought was a pretty good war movie became barely watchable. The reason? So many errors permeated the movie it was like watching a train wreck, waiting to see what mistake would come next.
I won't attempt to list the errors; you can Google for them and find a huge list someone took the time to compile. I'll just mention the big one that drove me crazy: the terrain. As you know, the battle took place largely in the Ardennes Forest, but the movie seemed to be in a mountainous arid location! In reality, the Germans had a terrible time finding roads to move their armor. The movie tank battles were taking place over great open distances rather than in the tight confines of the forest.
If you want to see what the battle was really like, I think you're better off finding something on the History or Military History channels.
Tuesday, June 28, 2016
Tuesday, June 21, 2016
Things you never expect to see at a garage sale
So we recently had a garage sale. Some stuff was out on the sloped driveway and other things inside the garage. One item was an old five-wheeled desk chair, which we priced at $3.00.
A man and his wife came by and he was looking for tools, which we didn't have. On the way out, he spotted the chair and promptly sat down. He said something about having it for his weekly poker game because it was more comfortable than the folding chairs. He offered a buck and we said, sure.
As he started to leave, he said something about getting it to the van and thank you, etc. I said, "Or you could ride it down to the van."
The look he gave me was worth the $2 we gave up. He grinned, sat down and rolled downhill in the chair, much to the displeasure of his wife, who looked as if this was her normal day life with him.
A man and his wife came by and he was looking for tools, which we didn't have. On the way out, he spotted the chair and promptly sat down. He said something about having it for his weekly poker game because it was more comfortable than the folding chairs. He offered a buck and we said, sure.
As he started to leave, he said something about getting it to the van and thank you, etc. I said, "Or you could ride it down to the van."
The look he gave me was worth the $2 we gave up. He grinned, sat down and rolled downhill in the chair, much to the displeasure of his wife, who looked as if this was her normal day life with him.
Thursday, June 16, 2016
Wanna see a Thompson .45 demo? Sure you do!
My main character, Sgt. Tom Dunn, and his men typically use the Thompson .45 submachine gun. I stumbled across a great video of some guys firing a Thompson with single shots, short bursts, and full automatic. Nothing sounds like this weapon on full auto.
Hope you enjoy it.
Thompson .45 Demo
Hope you enjoy it.
Thompson .45 Demo
Tuesday, June 14, 2016
Happy 241st Birthday, U.S. Army!
Say "Happy Birthday!" to the United States Army. Turned 241 today.
Thank you to all soldiers for your dedication and sacrifices for our nation!
14 June 2016 - Flag Day
Today is Flag Day. Please consider flying a flag today to celebrate the flag and its history.
Monday, June 6, 2016
6 June, D-Day
Today is the 72nd anniversary of D-Day.
Please take a moment to remember the men who died that day and also those who went on to successfully start the rescue of Europe from the Nazis.
Sunday, June 5, 2016
D-Day is tomorrow, 6 June
A good friend (one of my FIRST READERS) sent me an email yesterday to tell me about four Public Television shows coming on about D-Day this afternoon, 5 June. Here they are. Check your local PBS schedule for day and times.
The American Heroes Channel (AHC) is showing the programs below on the evening of D-Day, 6 June. Check your local schedule for times.
- Storming Normandy (Parts I & 2)
- Ike: Countdown to Normandy.
Here are some links to websites with great information about D-Day:
Hope you have a chance to watch some or all of these.
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