Douglas Boyd (1)

And you thought that the first wave of the novel Corona virus was bad! This author digs through the detritus of wars and history to bring light onto many other death bringers and also to show some perspectives on some things Western civilizations thought they knew. Like the fact that the people of India and elsewhere were inoculating against smallpox long before Jenner (or George Washington). The rapid contagion as well as the VERY short course of some other devastating illnesses was a real eye opener to this retired nurse who remembers polio and Rheumatic Fever (don't even talk to me about MRSA!). While the writing is as dry a a PhD thesis, I think that it has to be so, or the reader would drown in the incredible death toll percentages. Fascinating!
I requested and received a free ebook copy from Pen & Sword History via NetGalley. Thank you!… (altro)

I incorrectly assumed that this book told the account of a western spy captured by the east germans and held prisoner during the Cold War. Sadly this was not the case but instead details the life story of a signal intelligence analyist working for the west. Boyd describes how he ended up being conscripted into SIGINT work and what he did day to day. Towards the end of his story he is posted to RAF Gatow in West Berlin. During his time there he makes a stupid decision and ends up being arrested by the East Germans for spying. Overall the book was a good read but nothing special.… (altro)

Uma das recompensas que levam ao alistamento na Legião é a cidadania francesa, e todo o legionário com três anos de serviço com boa conduta pode exigi-la. A Legião nunca teve dificuldades para atrair recrutas: ainda são rejeitados cinco em cada seis candidatos. Mas o que leva homens de tantos países e estratos sociais diferentes a aceitar a dura disciplina desta força lendária, dotada de um código de honra próprio do século XIX? E qual o motivo da relação de amor/ódio entre a França e os estrangeiros a quem ela paga para verterem o seu sangue por ela?

Numa obra que lê como um verdadeiro livro de aventuras, Douglas Boyd explica este enigma, traçando a história da Legião desde a sua criação, em 1831, para travar as guerras coloniais da França, passando por dois conflitos mundiais, pelo Vietname e pela Argélia, até aos nossos dias, em que constitui uma moderna força de elite envolvida em operações de resgate, manutenção de paz e auxílio humanitário em todo o mundo.… (altro)

Normandy’s Nightmare War – An interesting look at Normandy’s war

As any historian or archaeologist who investigates the 20th century’s battlefields from both wars, when starting an investigation are always reminded that there is still live ordinance being dug up and having to be destroyed. In 2010, while work on the University of Caen was being carried out a Second World War bomb was uncovered. A mere baby at 500Kg with an explosive charge of 265Kg, and this American baby had been dropped on 7th June 1944.

Author and historian Douglas Boyd reminds us of the fact that air raids killed tens of thousands of civilians but killed very few soldiers, which was the same in all the German occupied countries. The Second World War was a total war and that means there are no civilians, and the greatest threat to their lives came from the American and British aircraft.

This book takes us from the 1am waking of French commander in chief General Gamelin, on 10th May 1940, with the latest intelligence report of the German Armies massing still on the border. Giving the order ‘take no action’ and went back to sleep, when he woke later in the morning, the Battle of France was well underway, with the Germans making their entry into France the same way they had in 1871 and 1914, and the best troops were not their to meet them. Highlighting the impotence of the French leadership, both militarily and political, even if Petain tried to blame everyone else rather than looking closer to home.

This excellent book also deals with life under the Germans as well as British bombs. It also deals with the occupation, the concentration camps and the hunger. As well as dealing with some of the collaborators, including the Police and Gendarmerie. It is amazing to note that those who shared their beds with Germans, whether by choice or economic reasons had their head shaved. I note, that Coco Chanel and the upper echelons who also collaborated with the Germans went on to keep their fortunes and more.

Douglas Boyd has written an excellent history of Normandy from 10th May 1940, through D-Day to the last German being pushed out of France. Once again, this book highlights known and unknown facts. Some of this may come as a surprise to some readers, as the war time bombing and killing of civilians were not up for discussion in Britain after 1945.

This is an excellent book, well researched, well- illustrated and brings out into the open facts some people may wish stay hidden. Such as the 3000 children fathered by Germans in Normandy alone, which is now only being discussed long after the war ended… (altro)