Book Review- "The Sinking of The Troopship Leopoldville" by Jacquin Sanders

On the first Christmas Eve after D-Day, The troopship "Leopoldville" was torpedoed by a German Submarine while it crossed the English Channel to France during World War Two.

Like the Titanic 32 years before, The Leopoldville was ill-equipped to deal with disaster. About 300 men died in the initial attack. Hundreds more died because of a lack of  survival equipment, poor leadership, and little coordination between military and civilian authorities and other nationalities.

The Sinking of The Troopship Leopoldville is a well-researched and fascinating account for those interested in maritime and World War Two history.

Book Review- Farewell To Manzanar by Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston and James D. Houston.

When I was a kid, I loved to read about the history of World War Two and I was aware of the internment of Americans of Japanese descent but I never thought much about what it must have been like. "Farewell To Manzanar" is an account of how the internment affected one Japanese-American family.

 After the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, President Roosevelt signed executive order 9066 which eventually resulted in the internment of 110 thousand Americans of Japanese ancestry. Manzanar in Owens Valley, California was one of ten camps scattered throughout the west.

 The Manzanar camp was hastily constructed and not always functional.Although according to the author, there was plenty of food, schooling for the children, and some medical care. Still, Manzanar was basically a prison camp for people whose only crime was being of Japanese descent.

The Manzanar camp was closed Nov. 21, 1945

 In 1988, the US Senate voted to provide compensation for the victims of the internment.

Book Review "Soldier X" by Don Wulffson

"Soldier X" by Don Wulffson is a fictionalized account of actual events that occurred during World War Two. In 1944, 16 year old Erik Brandt is drafted into a desperate German army that is losing ground on all fronts.

Along with several other boy soldiers, Erik is sent to the Russian Front to defend a German outpost that is under siege by the Russian army. Erik's position is overrun by the Russians and he finds himself trapped behind enemy lines. Erik learns that the Russians are not taking any prisoners so he switches uniforms with a dead Russian soldier. In the Red army uniform, Erik is wounded by a German officer and is then sent to a Russian army hospital. Erik uses a knowledge of the Russian language to continue to pretend to be a Russian soldier.

After the hospital is attacked by the Germans, Erik and a Russian  nurse named "Tamara" are pushed by the tides of war into numerous dangerous situations while they attempt to get to Switzerland.

Soldier X is an exciting story of a little known chapter of World War Two. Since there are graphic descriptions of  combat and wounded soldiers , It might be helpful for a teacher or other adult to explain some of the events in the book to younger readers.

Courage Under Fire.

In one of Bremerton's parks there are two actual anti-aircraft gun platforms from a World War Two era ship. Each platform was operated by two gunners.

For a few moments, I tried to imagine what it must have been like during a battle with the guns blasting away and your shipmates depending on you to destroy the enemy aircraft before they could damage or sink the ship.

It must have taken tremendous courage for the gunners to stay at their posts while enemy planes beared down at them at 400 miles an hour.

Book Review- Up Periscope by Robb White

I love a good submarine story and "Up Periscope" by Robb White is one of my favorites. Underwater Demolitions Specialist Lieutenant Ken Braden (Junior Grade) is given a top secret mission to find a Japanese code on a Pacific island during World War Two. Unfortunately for Lt. Braden, the commander of the submarine that is transporting him to the Japanese-held island refuses to perform the necessary maneuvers that will enable Braden to complete his mission successfully.

Up Periscope gives a good description of life aboard a World War Two US Navy attack submarine. All of the characters are well-drawn with real human strengths and weaknesses. The petulant, and uncompromising commander of the submarine is especially convincing. There is also plenty of underwater action and suspense. Up Periscope is suitable for older kids and adults. The following is a passage from Up Periscope: "Ken watched the red second hand on the bulkhead clock moving along with a steady , irritating nervousness. When it reached twelve the minute hand jumped forward. It was now ten minutes past one o'clock in the morning. Suddenly, with no warning, no preparation, there was a loud, hard, metallic CLICK. Ken looked at the others in the conning tower. Every face changed, grew suddenly older, more serious. He couldn't help saying it, although his lips were stiff. "What's that?"

  Pat Malone just looked at him with somber eyes. Then it came.

  WHAM WHAM WHAM WHAM WHAM WHAM WHAM WHAM WHAM WHAM WHAM."