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Honor Them for Their Sacrifice
The B-17 Tomahawk Warrior: A WWII Final Honor is a poignant exploration of a hidden WWII saga, where the crash of a B-17 Flying Fortress unravels the untold stories of its heroic crew. Why was this an important book for you to write?
As a young schoolboy watching auxiliary crews retrieving body parts of the deceased crew from the field where the Flying Fortress crashed and exploded, remained as a vivid image in my mind for the rest of my life.
That I had seen horrific scenes during my time in the bombing and rocket attacks on London paled in comparison with this incident. The thought that this plane had almost crashed into my house before exploding about 30/40 seconds later in a nearby field made me think that some of those body parts could have been mine.
While it remained in the back of my mind for many years afterward, and I had mentioned it to my wife and children, I had no compunction to seek further information. However, while researching for another project, I accidentally came across the story of the plane online. It was after I posted information about this story on my Facebook page strange connections were made. The connection with the pilot’s daughter who never knew her father, the navigator’s diary which came into my possession, and whose descendant relatives never knew he had written a diary.
All of this and many other strange coincidences occurred in which it seemed the souls of those nine airmen had waited for me to reach this stage of my life to cause me to want to honor them for their sacrifice. Thus, in my eighties, a book was born.
What research did you undertake to ensure you had everything you needed to write this book?
The research was intensive and never-ending. One can never really have everything one wants to write a book of this sort. There is always that ‘something more’ one feels one must have, but eventually, the story takes shape. I was fortunate in the sense that having many years of experience in my business of consulting, personnel search, and recruiting, I began tracing the relatives of four of the deceased airmen. Additionally, I made use of the 1940 Census for one family. Using the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) I obtained information about the 8th Air Force and 398th Bomb Group. Delving even deeper, I obtained the specific Secret Operational Records for the 600th Squadron to which the Tomahawk Warrior crew belonged. The major difficulty of tracing relatives was the fact only one of the crew was married. Therefore, only that crew member had any surviving progeny.
Was there anything that you uncovered in your research that surprised you?
There were so many incidents of serendipity that clearly indicated to me we are all linked in this quantum universe. I feel strongly that I was led, not only by my tenacity to find out what happened to this crew but also by some unknown force. While meeting and interviewing relatives, I fully understood the emotional impact I was having on them. After all, I was the last living person on earth who had seen their loved ones and related to the ultimate sacrifice they made that morning.
Among the several corrections to history I made concerning this accident was the solving of the so-called, ‘Frank Snyder mystery.’ Snyder was the tail gunner for the Tomahawk Warrior but did not fly on its last fateful mission. There was never an official explanation. He returned to the USA and nobody ever heard from him again. A local historian said he traced Snyder and published his findings on the internet. I disproved this theory by showing he had identified the wrong Frank Snyder and began my own independent investigation.
The result of my investigation was both shocking and very emotional for me. Without going into the details here but which are fully described in my book, it is obvious this man deserves full recognition for his service as a member of the TW crew. He suffered a violent and unexpected death in an auto-train accident 19 years after the TW crash. He is buried in a small cemetery in California, and I will spend as much time as possible to persuade local veterans’ groups to lay an annual wreath on his grave. I will continue to reach out to surviving relatives and persuade authorities he should be buried with full military honors in Arlington National Cemetery with his fellow crew members. Snyder flew on every single mission with the Tomahawk Warrior crew except the last fateful one.
What is the next book you are working on, and when will it be available?
Prior to the Tomahawk Warrior, I had started my memoir, Alliance d’Amour: The Rise of Love and Devotion from the Ashes of WWII.
It would tell the story of my late wife Sophie and I, and our life over three continents and many countries. I had survived the Blitz in London and Sophie had lived under German occupation of France. We met after the war and were married for 62 years before Sophie went to heaven in 2018. I am not sure if at 87-years-old I still have the energy to complete this one.
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He started his own research and began asking himself many questions about the disaster. How did this plane crash and why, particularly in that location? For what reason was the plane misnamed ‘The Tomahawk Warrior’ through all those years? What strange circumstance led the author to come into possession of the navigator’s diary that no one knew even existed? Why did one airman not take his place on board that day and become a part of the ‘missing airman’ legend?
Despite the coincidence that the plane of the ‘Tomahawk Warriors’ and the plane of Lt. Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. crashed on the same day; Huntley revealed a further significant link between them. This incident adds a further little-known aspect about the Kennedy’s in American history.
Based on Declassified Secret Operational Records, analysis of other official and unofficial records, the author’s personal observations on the day of the accident, and his pursuit of other facts, those mysteries became fully resolved. This story provides a distinct understanding of the immense courage those young 20 to 26-year-old American airmen displayed. Mission after mission, they climbed aboard their craft and carried out their respective duties at 28,000 ft in sub-zero temperatures, hoping their electric-heated protective clothing would not short out during the 9 to 10-hour flight. They prayed that flak and enemy fighters would give them that 70 percent chance of getting back home.
The book offers vivid descriptions of those who got shot down, baled out, and died or got captured to spend the rest of the war as POWs.The narrative places its emphasis on the lives of the heroes who served in WWII and their loved ones who have grown up in their shadows. He obtained a posthumous honor to the deceased crew, as well as a Permanent Commemorative Marker, and brought relief and closure to the descendants’ relatives. This is not a post-mortem of wartime machinery, but a window into the lives of some heroes who sacrificed themselves for a cause, as well as a personal insight into the familial relationships with their loved ones at home.
There Are No Absolutes in Human Behavior
A Winter Gathering is a collection of historical fiction short stories focusing on the duality of human nature, showing readers the depth of good and evil that resides among us. What was the inspiration for this collection of short stories?
I reject the idea that there are absolutes in human behavior and instead believe that a person’s surroundings and life experiences shape who they are. I therefore make it a point to probe deeper and attempt to illuminate the motivations behind people’s actions. In both my writing and actual life, I do that. When I published my first novel, “Winter Pale”, I noticed in posts, reviews, etc., that several characters were being misinterpreted. So I began writing brief snippets of their narratives, and that gradually expanded, as more ‘small’ characters from “Winter Pale” surfaced with a desire to share their stories.
What draws you to the WWII time period and makes it so appealing for you to write your collection in this period?
Ever since I was a teenager and began reading classic literature, I have been captivated by stories that take place in a set of war. From “War and Peace” to “For whom the bell tolls”, and from “Gone with the Wind” to “All Quiet on the western front”, I saw how conflict impacted people’s otherwise typical lives and their rather common desires for love, happiness, acceptance or power. WWII is the period of such massive conflict closest to my generation, so it is something I can relate to, and there are many historical sources from which to gather information, but there are also quite a few oversimplified and clichéd interpretations for why this war happened and what was ‘good’ and ‘evil’ about it. For a writer like me, it is literally like a jar of honey. Anything from alternate history to romance, military action, espionage, resistance, even fantasy and science fiction, can be written about WWII. It’s a huge chapter in history.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
Most of my works, including this collection, are centered around two main concepts. First of all, that there is rarely just black or white in what people do. For anyone who cares to look a little deeper, there will always be an explanation for one’s attitudes and behaviour. That doesn’t mean, of course, that evil is acceptable, only that it can be understood. When we understand something, perhaps there is a way to prevent it from happening again. Secondly, that it is universal human nature to desire love, acceptance, recognition, and the freedom to develop to the fullest extent possible. Understanding this basic idea helps tolerate others who are different from us. And greater tolerance means less conflict.
Will there be more books in this series? If so, when will it be available?
“A winter gathering” is already Book 3 in the ‘Winter Pale’ series. The first book is “Winter Pale”, a full length novel set in occupied Paris, about a young British woman’s struggle for strength, love and acceptance through her conflicting relationship with a French Resistance fighter and a German SS-major. The second book, “A sad Chopin waltz”, is a short story where Winter illustrates the healing power of music and friendship by recounting the tragic story of Louis, the pianist of ‘The Golden Doe’ club, and one of my favourite minor characters in “Winter Pale”. Book 4 of the “Winter Pale” series is currently on the works. It will transport the protagonist to post-World War II Berlin to settle some old scores with Erhard Blut, the former Gestapo interrogator, and Karl Freier, the SS-major’s childhood friend, both of whom have played an important role in “Winter Pale”. We’ve also been able to glimpse into critical moments of these characters’ past in “A winter gathering”, and even more revelations will come in the next book. It should be expected no sooner than the end of this year or even early next, as there is a great deal of “homework” to be done on the historical accuracy of this story’s background—something to which I am fully committed. Finally, since Louis has grown to be so close to my heart, there will undoubtedly be more on his heartbreaking and thrilling tale of bravery, love, and hope in the future.
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Meet Erhard Blut, long before he transformed into a formidable Gestapo interrogator, and bear witness to Georgette’s devastating journey from a loving sister to a traitor fuelled by deep-rooted hatred. Uncover the profound love that forever imprinted Louis’s heart and unlock the hidden secret harboured by Klaus Molnich. In a heartfelt and introspective letter, Oberstleutnant von H. bares his last thoughts to Winter, while Aunt Martha reflects on her desire for an ever-lasting reunion with her beloved, Johann.
Twelve characters with little space but huge impact in the award-winning Historical novel ‘Winter Pale’ share their sweet and unkind, heart-warming and upsetting, mellow and spicy tales in this short stories collection of good and evil, light and darkness, that will thrill lovers of anthologies like the Fall of Poppies and Frozen in Time, as well as readers who enjoy character-driven plots with the ambience of 1930s and WWII London, Paris, and Berlin. Their tales can be enjoyed independently as a set of heartrending vignettes but will be better appreciated if read together with the previous two books in the series.
The Bravest Soldiers
Set against the tumultuous backdrop of World War II, Elaine Schroller’s The Bravest Soldiers interlaces the lives of characters hailing from Australia, the USA, and France. The narrative delves into their personal and political struggles amidst the perils and adrenaline of wartime. Central to the story are Sam, an Australian reconnaissance pilot, and Marianne, a French civilian. Their love endures the trials of distance and the chaos of war, sustained through the exchange of poignant letters that echo their hope for a reunion. Meanwhile, Sophie, a nurse skilled in tending to wounded soldiers, faces her own heartaches and challenges.
The evolving relationship between Sam and Marianne forms the crux of the narrative, captivating readers with their emotional journey against the harrowing war backdrop. The contrast between the stark realities of war and their tender romance is effectively portrayed, especially through their endearing exchanges – Sam’s “bright spot in my day” and Marianne’s hopeful “fly safely.” Schroller’s prose vividly transports readers into the heart of the war zone, with its immersive descriptions and dynamic dialogues, vividly bringing to life the terror of an aerial dogfight or the spiral of a falling plane. The book adeptly explores themes of patriotism, hope, resilience, friendship, and familial bonds. While the narrative moves at a brisk pace, focusing primarily on dialogue over internal reflections, this approach adds a dynamic quality to the story. The rapid shifts between characters’ perspectives create a tapestry of experiences, fostering a sense of eagerness and anticipation for the reader to delve deeper into each character’s journey.
The Bravest Soldiers will resonate with enthusiasts of war literature, offering a compelling exploration of love and family during wartime. Its realistic portrayal of historical challenges keeps the reader engaged and anticipating the resolution of its intricate plot.
Pages: 432 | ASIN : B0CDQV5JWV
Therapy for the Soul
I Stood Among the Ruins and Cried shares your story of growing up in Germany post-WWII with a dysfunctional family brought on by the hardships of living in a war-torn country. Why was this an important book for you to write?
Writing my childhood memoir was never on my agenda. I was working on a historical novel and needed a new home for my young German protagonist after the collapse of the Third Reich and the fascist regime in northern Italy. That new home became Bremerhaven, a port in northern Germany where I grew up. Walking down post-WWII memory lane triggered an overwhelming number of recollections, some sad some funny, all of which left me in a melancholic state. There was only one way to ease my mind: turn those recollections into a book. Writing the book was therapy for the soul and the book has now become a little history of me as a child, for my family and generations to come, and for all those who wish to know what it was like for a child to grow up surrounded by ruins.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
The importance of books. Books were my saviour. I was an early reader. Fortunately, reading was encouraged in my family. After many unhappy moments, I sought refuge in the stories I read. Books became my trusted friends, my escape from reality, another learning route, a source to satisfy my curious mind. To this day, I cannot imagine a life without a good book.
I appreciated the candid nature with which you told your story. What was the hardest thing for you to write about?
My mother. She deserved a kinder husband, a more loving father to their children. It was painful to write about my middle brother’s life, his death and her devastation, and about her nervous breakdown.
What is one thing you hope readers take away from your story?
The importance of peace. I want to illuminate the devastating effect of war on a nation’s soul and all individuals, where nobody is spared, and where especially the children, the most innocent, pay a high price.
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Author’s Note:
I was not raised in a family of men and women who once were Nazi collaborators or members of the underground resistance who later wrote sensational books, or left their mark in the field of science that might have earned them a Nobel Prize. My family was ordinary and bourgeois, shaped by alcohol, adultery, and lies, its members, male and female, further twisted and damaged through the horrors of both World Wars. I Stood Among The Ruins and Cried are bittersweet, occasionally amusing childhood recollections, a kaleidoscope of events as seen and experienced through my innocent eyes in post-WWII Germany in a US military occupied zone: life in cramped quarters with a violent father; early years at school; about my brothers, childhood friends and neighbours; my first love and other observations and experiences and much hurt and pain and a strong desire to grow up fast and escape the unhappy environment in which I lived.
A Winter Gathering: Sinful Confessions and Intimate Revelations From the “Winter Pale” World
Marina Koulouri’s anthology, A Winter Gathering, skillfully assembles a series of short stories, each delving into the intricate facets of human nature. The narrative traverses a wide spectrum of themes, from the pangs of unrequited love and the harsh reality of loss to the profound impacts of war and societal norms. Each story, distinct in its character and plot, unites under the umbrella of exploring human complexity.
In A Train to Dresden, the narrative poignantly portrays the harrowing consequences of prejudice, depicting protagonists faced with a heart-wrenching decision against the backdrop of the SS-men’s pursuit. Similarly, Liebe Mama offers an intimate glimpse into Peter’s war experiences through a series of letters to his mother. What a Traitor Looks Like further explores war’s lingering effects, focusing on Georgette’s transformation and the resulting implications of her actions.
Koulouri’s work shines in its portrayal of the human condition, illustrating the intricate blend of virtues and vices that compose our nature. This thematic exploration emphasizes the inherent complexity of humanity, steering clear of oversimplified notions of inherent good or evil.
The stories, characterized by their emotional depth and captivating characters, are further enhanced by Koulouri’s first-person narrative approach. I believe this style, while engaging, occasionally introduces challenges in clarity, particularly with the seamless transitions between events and the characters’ introspective monologues. Despite these periodic moments of complexity, the narrative remains engaging and thought-provoking.
The blend of politics, espionage, love, and the turmoil of war in these stories makes this collection a compelling read, particularly for those with an interest in historical fiction and romance. However, due to mature themes, it is more suited for an adult audience. Koulouri’s A Winter Gathering stands as a testament to the power of storytelling in capturing the essence of the human spirit.
Pages: 257 | ASIN : B0CKLD8TJW
Exile Music
Orly’s youth is deeply entwined with music, from the serene opera tales of her famous mother to the impassioned strains of her father’s viola. Despite the mounting political unrest in Germany, she finds solace and adventure in the company of her best friend and upstairs neighbor, Annalise, as they create fantastical, eccentric worlds to escape the encroaching challenges of their reality. However, 1938 brings a devastating upheaval when Germany invades, severing Orly from her cherished friend. Fleeing with her parents, they find asylum in the distant mountains of Bolivia. There, Orly faces a dilemma: should she forge a new existence in this unfamiliar land or dare to return to Europe and reunite with Annalise?
Jennifer Steil’s Exile Music: A Novel, set against the backdrop of Vienna during Hitler’s rise, depicts the life of a young Jewish girl. Steil employs historical references effectively, providing readers with a chronological compass through Orly’s journey, and delivering an emotional resonance for those familiar with the Jewish plight during WWII. The novel also weaves in musical motifs, particularly through the tragic operas relayed by Orly’s mother. These references, alongside vivid depictions of the opera house and Orly’s Viennese village, enrich the narrative with a vibrant cultural tapestry, inviting readers into the heart of the characters’ world. The specialized nature of the musical and historical references offers a rewarding opportunity for readers. A deep understanding isn’t essential, but those familiar with these elements will find that their knowledge significantly enriches the emotional depth of the story. The novel’s appeal might vary among readers based on their historical and musical knowledge. The family’s profound connection to music offers a universal touchstone of passion and resilience.
Jennifer Steil has crafted a descriptive and evocative tale that encapsulates the tragedies and perseverance of a Jewish family during WWII. Exile Music is both captivating and eloquent, inviting readers to immerse themselves in a poignant period of history through the eyes of a deeply relatable protagonist.
Pages: 432 | ISBN : 978-0525561835
The Prisoner of Secrets
In The Prisoner of Secrets, author John Lockton crafts a narrative that delves deep into the complexities of adolescence, familial strife, and the darker facets of history. The protagonist, Justin, experiences his time at Pomford boarding school as a stifling confinement, echoing his troubled family life. His father, seeking to accommodate his new partner, dispatches Justin to Pomford, a decision that stirs resentment and a sense of abandonment in Justin. This emotional turmoil is compounded when Justin uncovers his mother’s diary, revealing a harrowing history of abuse and a sinister plot by his father and his mistress to remove her from their lives.
The oppressive environment at Pomford, characterized by stringent rules and limited freedom, mirrors Justin’s inner turmoil. His inability to prove the allegations against his father regarding his mother’s mistreatment adds to his sense of powerlessness. This personal narrative intersects with the story of Dr. Benson, whose tragic past and involvement with the Holocaust and the eugenics movement present a stark contrast to Justin’s struggles. Lockton’s narrative is adept at intertwining these individual stories with broader historical themes, particularly the rise of the eugenics movement. The book skillfully balances elements of suspense, humor, and intrigue, offering a multidimensional reading experience. As a character, Justin is particularly noteworthy for his resilience, empathy, and commitment to justice, making him a compelling figure in the story.
The Prisoner of Secrets captivates and stimulates thought, intriguingly leaving readers eager to learn more about the fates of its well-crafted characters. The exploration of complex themes like eugenics and personal trauma adds depth to the narrative, making it a significant contribution to the genre. Its blend of historical context and personal drama makes it a recommended read for those interested in fiction that doesn’t shy away from exploring challenging themes.
Pages: 323 | ASIN : B0CH2F2M4M
A Historical Journey
The Road to Moresco follows an Italian woman and her daughter who, during WWII, faced multiple tragedies and had to find a way to survive amidst the constant turmoil. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I was inspired by the actual life events of these two women and even more so their perseverance in the face of these events. I had the good fortune to meet the daughter, Clara, and through conversation with her, I began to also get details about her mother. The time periods and events these women had to endure mirrored a life existence that my own parents and their parents had. It was eye-opening to see this same time period through a different lens. I started doing research into the historical events during those times. I asked deeper questions about how societal shifts in mindsets influenced events and actions. First, I wanted to structure the story as a historical journey, staying true to the timetable of these events like landmarks on a road trip. Along the way, I noticed that the characters’ reactions and emotions became much more important, while the historical references shifted into the background as environmental. The dialogue between characters was the hardest part for me. I wanted to balance the “show don’t tell” aspect of conveying their thoughts and emotions with an almost Socratic-like approach to give the reader a better understanding about how their way of thinking was also changing over time. I do not think I would have been as passionate about telling their story in this manner and doing this work if I had not been so moved and inspired by them in the first place.
What are some things that you find interesting about the human condition that you think make for great fiction?
The human condition – what we feel, our emotions, the life events we encounter – can be the basis for empathy and connection to a reader. This goes beyond the psychology or philosophy that a reader may be looking for. There is an acknowledgement, the understanding, that binds the reader to the character leading to a condition where the reader cares about and for the character in the book. The reader sees themselves. They can live through the fiction as if they were there themselves. In that moment, they are on the same journey as the character. They are looking for the same thing. I tried to do that with my storytelling, so that at the end of the book it becomes a shared effort, that the reader, too, has been all along on the road to Moresco.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
There is a central theme of water, first as destruction and catalyst for change, but also a binding element that brings people together. And ultimately a peaceful and serene element that conveys resolution and calm. I was also keen to explore the various theories of psychology and philosophy that not only were driven by shifts in societal norms but also that impacted the characters directly in how they coped with certain events or with each other. Blending Eastern versus Western philosophy was cathartic because I also had to infuse so much of myself into the book and into the characters, my imagination, and my real-life experiences having to fill the gaps.
Will there be a follow-up novel to this story? If so, what aspects of the story will the next book cover?
I think The Road to Moresco has its own place in my heart, with a certain sense of completeness and depth that I do not want to dilute. I wrote with a certain purposefulness and intended for the context to be approachable while also delivering on ideas and concepts that provoke introspection. I am hopeful people will read this book many times over and get something new from each time. I do not think there is a follow-up to this story. However, I am beginning to work on a new story. It is in the formative stages. I did not consider myself to be a writer before publishing Moresco, but I really enjoyed the process and the result.
Author Links: GoodReads | Website | Amazon
But when multiple tragedies struck – earthquakes and storms, unexpected deaths, World War II, broken relationships, even murders – she, and later her daughter Chiara, were forced to find a way forward despite their irreplaceable losses. Against the backdrop of a Europe in constant turmoil, their survival instincts, persistence, and resilience became their path forward. Discover more about these astounding, complicated, talented women in The Road to Moresco.
LITERARY TITAN 