100 Best True Stories of World War II
Published by WM. H. Use & Co., Inc.
I discovered this thick book (almost 900 pages) because my sister gave it to her husband as a gift. His father used to recite one of the exciting stories, “Eighty-Four Days in the Arctic” by Lt. Leon Crane, from memory around childhood summer bonfires. After reading that and browsing the table of contents, I popped on Amazon and found an original copy, printed in 1945, for ten dollars. It was well worth it.
What a great collection of tales from men and women who were in the midst of the various battles.
I’ve made so many notes on these stories as I read that were I to list them here, this blog would be overly long!
While some stories were clearly written in the voice of pro-allies propaganda of the time, I found the vast majority to be simple tales of heroism, tragedy, gallantry, patriotism, and adventure. This was, to my shame, the first time I read anything by Ernie Pyle. He’s now on my go-to list and I understand why he was much beloved.
The stories come from a wide variety of authors—military, civilian, merchant marines—and every ally nation involved in WWII. I learned a great deal about the Pacific, “The Orient,” and North Africa—areas I knew very little about.
Some of the stories that really struck a chord with me include:
“A Nurse on Bataan,” by Lt. Juanita Redmond, A.N.C. – It was enthralling to read this nurse’s story from 1940 and the bravery of medical staff during war.
“The Raft and the Reef,” by Robert Trumbull (curiously, shortly before reading this piece, I’d watched “Against the Sun,” a movie based on this story. It was very moving.
“The Ship That Wouldn’t Sink,” by G.S. Perry & I. Leighton – I cried when one of the men featured in this story died.
“He Covered a Retreat,” by Franklin M. Reck – the saga of Rodger Wilton Young’s sacrifice to save his men.
“Tragedy in the China Sea,” by Cecil Brown – from a war correspondent’s observations and participation in a battle.
“First Blow at Tokyo” (from Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo), by Capt T.M. Lawson – an interesting view from the captain.
“Lady and Tigers,” by Olga S. Greenlaw – a unique account by a western woman stationed with her husband in China with the American Volunteer Group. Another of those tales that brought tears to my eyes. Loss and recovery and surging forward.
“Sherman Had a Word For It” and “Hell on the Normandy Beaches” by Ernie Pyle – if, like me, you’ve ignored this excellent storyteller to date, get busy and read his works.
“Two Years on the Run in Crete,” by Sidney Robinson – Crete was only on my WWII radar in the most peripheral of ways. The saga of Sidney will change that for you, too.
“A Texan in King Michael’s Court,” by Captain John Palm – a tale with some humorous elements.
“What it Means to Be Wounded,” by Richard Tregaskis – featuring Lt. Henry Pedicone from the western PA town of Greensburg.
“The One-Man Army,” by Sergeant C.E. Kelly – a particularly wrenching, yet heroic, story by a confirmed hero from Pittsburgh.
“The Memphis Belle Over Bremen,” by M. Stern – it’s always intriguing to read about this famous gal.
“Death of the Hangman,” by Harold Kirkpatrick – this story is terrifying. The hangman was Deputy Reich Protector of Bohemia-Moravia and second in power to Heinrich Himmler. That probably tells you enough about why I found it horrifying.
“Flying Sweet and Low,” by Mackinlay Kantor – full of brilliant descriptions and for kicks included the line, There is a Santa Claus, Virginia.
“The Texas Takes It,” by Martin Sommers – with a mention of famous actor Robert Montgomery, Lieutenant Commander who was a navy man and not a celebrity while serving.
“Hardtack’s Revenge,” by Cecil Carnes – this powerful two-page story conveys so much detail, emotion, and family in it that I felt a bit gut-punched when it was through.
“Cameraman in Finland,” by Sammy Schulman – the perspective of reading what a seasoned photographer went through to get some of his spectacular shots was another page turner.
“Prisoner 339—Klooga,” by John Hersey – a potent story that gets its start in the ghetto of Wilno.
“Lost Over the Atlantic,” by Colonel Robert L. Scott, Jr. – I know that planes were ferried by pilots—male and female—to fighting areas. But the stories of the journeys of how the transport took place can be amazing, as this flight was. Colonel Scott also wrote God is My Co-Pilot.
“Women in Lifeboats,” by Margaret Bourke-White – another point of view from a well known photography. Ship sunk, rescued, ship sunk. How do you keep going?
“The Battle of Florida,” by Philip Wylie and Laurence Schwab – since the next WWII book on my nightstand is, “In Time of War,” it was interesting to read this about Hitler’s subs creeping close to Florida. Did you know that?
And the final story, “The Long Wait,” as told to Major Oliver LaFarge by Captain Armand L. Monteverde, Captain Kenneth H. Turner, Lieutenant Harry E. Spencer, and Staff Sergeant Don T. Tetley. This adventure of men ferrying a plane, diverted to do a search to rescue over the arctic, and how they wound up being wrecked from November 9, 1942 until April 6, 1943, had me catching my breath, being sad, and feeling the elation of their eventual rescue.
This collection of stories is for any World War II history buff, for anyone who wants to increase their knowledge of what our WWII Vets went through, and for any reader who wants to be thrilled and emotionally connected to the people she reads about.
Wish you still posted on WordPress, RoseMarie. It takes me forever to find you here. Hope you had a fantastic Christmas and the New Year is treating you right!
Not sure what the issue is, GP, but thanks for stopping by. Hope you find a copy of this book–you’d like it.
What an interesting sounding book. Of course I know about the major points of WWII. But it’s interesting and humbling to hear about the small battles that were fought, as well as the individual experiences. It’s easy to forget about the individuals and the families when you hear about something so huge. But these were real people, and it’s great that a book like this helps them to be remembered.
This book was truly full of those personal stories, Erica. Some of them made me cry, others made me gasp for breath. Touching the whole way through.
Hi Rose. Thx so much for sharing this book with us. It is one I’m sure my husband would love as he is obsessed (IMHO) on all things war related, having been a kid when WWII hit the world and changed his life forever.
Doreen, it is absolutely a page turner–even with it taking a year for me to read it. I can see myself re-reading it on down the road. Enthralling tales!
It looks like a collection of fascinating stories. Too often in war, we look at the big picture. It is a battle won, or lost by the country fighting. We forget, it is individual stories that make up war. It is people who fight the battles.
Thanks for sharing.
William, that’s how I felt reading D-Day, the Battle for Normandy. It is a very global picture of the battle in which my great uncle was injured and later died from those wounds. But there are few personal stories in it. Very well done book, just different. I do like the personal stories for how they let us relate to the men and women who lived them.
I agree with Ken – I find first person accounts of history the most fascinating. Stories such as these really bring history to life and a book like this is particularly important now there are so few remaining survivors left to tell their experiences. Thanks for sharing RoseMary!
Yep, Monika. I’m reading another book on a WWII soldier and it’s poorly told. I know he was remarkable, but the author has dried out his story and depersonalized it.
The most interesting history is this kind of first person accounts. Writings like this always add a level of depth and emotion that help make you feel what it was like to be alive at the time. Must be some really interesting stories.
That’s one reason that Ernie Pyle was such a delightful reader. He was in the midst of things and wrote about it and the men from a personal point of view.