Guestbook
This page is intended for general comments about World War II Today. Observations, corrections or appeals for information about specific events are probably best left with the individual entries – but we’ll see how it goes.
I am certainly no expert on the War, this blog is a process of exploration and learning for me. This is very much a generalist site covering as wide a perspective as possible. So I am always happy to signpost to places where people can learn more. Quite a few people have left encouraging comments but I am equally open to feedback of just about any kind – although as a general guide I have yet to approve any comment that has been signed off “Heil Hitler” or similar. Suggestions about material to cover, particularly from first hand memoirs or contemporary records, are always welcome.
Thanks for your support
Martin Cherrett
{ 27 comments… read them below or add one }
I just wanted to take the opportunity to say how much I enjoy this blog. As an avid reader of WWII literature and a former history minor at my college I relish any opportunity to learn. You do a great job of balancing facts with personal accounts allowing for a great perception of these war-time occurences.
Thank you! Keep them coming!
Martin,
This is a wonderful site. It brings alive the terrible events of seventy years ago. I am editing several personal memoirs of those who were there and as their recollections are so specific one doesn’t get a sense of what is going on more broadly. This website provides a ‘feeling’ of what was going on all over the world at the time. Congratulations and thank you very much.
David
Writer and Editor
Martin, I’ve _so_ enjoyed reading your blog – it’s wonderfully entertaining and enlightening read – and comes so much more alive so due to its day-by-day chronological nature. Do keep up the great work : )
Al
Bravo! The method that you are using to tell this story brings to light the personal horrors and tragedies that so often are overshadowed by the generalized “world view” of history. This second “War to End All Wars” was not only about nations or ideologies. Truly, it was a very personal experience for millions of people. The effect it had on humanity, the hard and horrific lessons that were learned, can not be forgotten. Sites such as yours will bring that humanity back to the surface and will bear the torch of that lesson for generations to come. Again, bravo and keep up the good work!
Martin,
This page should be read every day, in every American history classroom. A clear reminder of the meaning of “mortal danger” which we seem to have grown immune to the signs of that surround us clearly each day although from a different but just as dangerous enemy.
The piece from Willey Reese’s ” A Stranger to Myself” is superb
Sir,
I run a virtual WWII flight simulation squadron called Doolittle Raiders. We specialize in flying historic missions and have been flying them chronologically. We are currently flying missions in March 1944. One of the reason we fly historic missions is to honor the men and women who sacrificed and served during World War II to preserve democracy and defeat the forces of fascism. In that spirit it is important to remember that the pilots and crew of the aircraft we fly were real and human. Remembering their story is as important as anything we do to entertain ourselves with our virtual flying hobby.
As such, I have placed you website on a permanent link on our website at http://www.doolittleraiders.us. Your entries help us to stay focused on the human reality of the war we fly. Thank you sir and from us, a smart ‘salute.’
Very respectfully,
Maxwell Shaw
Doolittle Raiders
[Wichita Kansas, USA]
This web site is a real revelation for me along with @realtimewwII.
I was a 4 year old living with my parents in Paris in April 1939. I and my birth family were all British subjects. My parents never told me very much about our stay in France which ended when we boarded an RN ship in Bayonne, France on or about June 23, 1940.
We eventually made our way back to Canada by July 13, 1940. About 10 years ago I began exploring Internet archives about France in 1939 and 1940. So I will no doubt find lots of useful information at this web site.
Well done – nice website! One comment – on the page http://ww2today.com/further-anti-jewish-bureaucratic-measures, the significance of the “including Jewish shops” is that their Sabbath is Saturday and they therefore closed on Saturdays and, I assume, opened on Sundays.
Well Done Martin, keep up the good work….
Rob
Thanks from Russia. I really love your site, there are lot of interesting information about World War II. I learn History of XX century, and your articles on this web site is very important for me.
Best regards.
Just fantastic to see the recapture of events and facts that have been forgotten or
distorted over time.
Wonderful work!!!
Nice site. Love the sub pic on the front page.
Brilliant blog, wonderful in every aspect, you can easily loose yourself in the dramatic days of World War Two, looking at it from all sides, without prejudice.
All in all great to read and good for you to read.
Long may it continue!
Very interesting – just stumbled upon it. Thank you for the effort. I was born in
November 1945. Those that served our country literally saved the world. They
cannot be honored too much. Those were terrible times but the spirit of cooperation
and patriotism were magnificent.
So many interesting and diverse stories! I enjoy reading the personal accounts and look forward to learning more about the war with each day’s story.
Glad to see a nice picture of HMS Argus. My dad served on her during the Malta and Russian convoys and with Force H..
Martin,
I’m almost lost for words – such an ambitious project, I’ve followed it for a while now and never once have I been disappointed in the daily ‘show’. Your choice of topics, combined with the extremely clean and professional layout of the site, has made this one of my daily stops. I’ve added a permanent link to my ‘Kent & Sussex History Boards’ at http://www.sussexhistoryforum.co.uk, so keen am I to spread the word about this fantastic resource of yours.
How on earth do you devote so much time to the project? However you do it, you have my undying gratitude for providing such an amazing resource for those of us with a keen interest in WWII. Keep up the good work, it is appreciated!
John
Just wanted to thank you for this site. It is an important and unique representation of the war, and I find myself checking it everyday. Great job, and thanks again.
World War II Today gives excellent coverage of key events across all theatres of war. As March begins, the war in Malta now enters its most critical phase, and the Island becomes the most bombed place on earth. For a more detailed look at the siege, maltagc70.com follows events hourly ‘on this day’, from official wartime documents including War Diaries, and personal memoirs.
This blog along with the Facebook and Twitter feeds is just absolutely fantastic. I log on every day to see what has happened in the war! Thank you for this great site and the effort you’ve put into it.
Martin,
You have done SUCH an amazing job with this site. I can’t imagine the work that’s gone into finding, editing, organizing and displaying the content for this incredible project. I especially appreciate the no-nonsense, straightforward tone of the excerpts. It brings home the reality of the war in a way that hollywood or sensational fiction have failed to do. I feel very lucky to have found your site. It is a treasure. Thank you!
I wanted to take a moment to express my deep appreciation of this blog/website. WWII, for a variety of reasons, has always been a deep passion of mine. I find this site to be, in a word, simply superb. Keep up the great work and rest assured, it is noticed.
Sincerely,
Ed Foster
this blog is really interesting! please do keep it up.
however, I would like to read something about battles that are in Asia. a lot has happened there too. coming from Asia, from the Philippines in particular, I would like to trace history and am interested to know what happened during that time. thank you!
Martin, you have done a very good service in recording this history such that one can more closely experience the dire straits of these times.
Most books etc. tend to avoid the horrible aspects of war, even in some case glorify it.
It only due to the tremendous bravery and suffering of many individuals that the free world survived.
I have been fortunate in meeting some of these people in my life, just ordinary people who responded without expectation of any reward.
This blog has become one of my mandatory reads every morning, lunch hour, and night. I have to stop myself getting lost in the treasure trove of information you are able to so effortlessly dig up.
Great stuff, great work. Thank you!
- Craig
Absolutely fascinating story told on Captain Partridge’s & Lieutenant Bostock’s ordeal in Norway – I am glad they came out alive. Henrik Mjoman, ex-Royal Swedish Navy, RIGA, Latvia
A rather neglected campaign in the war. Captain Partridge was one of the pioneers of dive-bombing by carrier based planes, he had a narrow escape in Norway on 27th April 1940.