I am an collector of self published books and manuscripts by World War 2 veterans about their wartime career. On this page you find the books that I have collected over the years and where they can be bought when available.
If you know of any other self published
books/manuscripts, please
contact me.
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Self Published Books Home US ARMY BRITISH ARMY and COMMONWEALTH FORCES US ARMY AIR FORCE ROYAL AIR FORCE and COMMONWEALTH DUTCH ARMY and AIR FORCE |
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Private Zager Raymond Lee Zager
HQ Co
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One Soldiers Memories Buck Winterowd 1st Armored Division
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Red Devil Lawrence Nickell
A co
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The Hunter and the Hunted Bennett J. Palmer B Co
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An Improbable Machine Gunner Frank E. Hancock
M Co
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An Infantryman Remembers
World War II John H. Light
475 Infantry regiment
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Joe's War 1941 - 1945 Joseph H. Marion
B Battery
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Not Ready To Die Nila Gott 517th Regimental Combat Team
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Ordeal in the Vosges
Donald C. Pence &
275th Infantry Regiment
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Snow, Ridges and
Pillboxes
Lt. Col. Wallace
274th Infantry Regiment
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Another Six-Hundred (US
NAVY) J. Daniel Mullin USS POPE
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Route Step Roy Veary 275th Infantry Regiment
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| The War As I Remember It Roy Gray I Co
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A veteran's Remembrance John A. Alicki 517th Regimental Combat Team
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The letters Of A
Combat Rifleman Charles Davis 104th Infantry Division
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Hero For A Day Keith Christensen C Co
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| How A Ninety-Day Wonder Survived The War Charles D. Curley E Co
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PRIVATE ZAGER, 71st Infantry Division
by RAYMOND LEE ZAGER HQ Co, Mr. Zager wrote this book initially as a project for his writing class. What started out as a writing assignment turned into a well written and very personal account of this time in HQ Co, 1st Bn, 66th Inf Regt, 71st Infantry Division. The book is a series of thoughtfully written stories from his time before the war, his enlistment, the war in France, Germany and Austria, his breaking through the gates of Gunskirchen concentration camp, his return home and finally his return to the former battlefields. A very personal view of the war through the eyes of Raymond Zager, accompanied by Betsy, his Jeep and Mr. War God. After the war Mr. Zager developed a keen interest in diaries and taught diary writing at the University of California. He owns the largest library of diaries in the United States. You can visit his website at www.diarylibr.com. This book was published in 1999. 154 pages, soft cover, no pictures. Mr. Raymond Lee Zager |
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ONE SOLDIERS MEMORIES
by BUCK WINTEROWD 1st Armored Division This is Buck Winterowd's story of his time with the 1st Armored Division in North Africa and Italy and his post war experiences in both the US Army and US Navy. Written in short chapters, it gives a excellent portrait of Buck's experiences. More snippets of experiences than a well rounded story, it never fails to capture the imagination and see the war from the perspective of this tanker. Besides the stories the book also contains a number of Buck's poems about the war. This book was published in 1994, 126 pages, ring bound, soft cover, pictures. This book is no longer available. |
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RED DEVIL, Able Company, Double Dynamite An Old Man's Memories of World War Two by LAWRENCE R. NICKELL A co, Lawrence Nickell's story of his time as an enlisted man in A Co, 5th Inf Regt, 5th Infantry Division in France and Germany. A well written and researched account of this little known unit. Lawrence Nickell enrolled in Engineering School at the University of Kentucky, and also in ROTC. On his eighteenth birthday he volunteered for active duty and was soon in Camp Fannin, Texas. Nickell was selected for ASTP, but when he found he would be repeating the course work he had at Univ. of Kentucky he turned down ASTP and volunteered for Infantry training. He was assigned to Infantry Basic Training at Camp Shelby with the 69th Division. In April 1944, all ranks below sergeant in the 69th Division were shipped overseas as infantry replacements. He was in the first contingent of combat replacements that the 5th Division received (mid-July 1944). Nickell became one of two, in his company, who survived from Normandy until after the Rhine crossing. Then he was seriously wounded by an enemy machine gunner, had to feign dead while a German soldier looked him over, and after long hours was rescued and evacuated. The book was written in 1992/3 based on his account which he wrote in 1945 and letters he wrote to his family back home. After the war Mr. Nickell became a Radiologist. This book was published in 1996, 172 pages, soft cover, maps, cartoons and pictures. As far as I know this book is no longer available. |
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THE HUNTER AND THE HUNTED A Combat Soldier's Story by BENNETT J. PALMER B Co, Sgt. Bennett Palmer was with B Co, 143rd Inf Regt, 36th Infantry Division from the maneuvers in the States to the landings in North Africa and Anzio in Italy. He was wounded at San Pietro, fought at Monte Cassino and watched the bombing of the abbey there. He was with the division when it liberated Rome. His unit invaded Southern France on August 15, 1944 and was involved in the drive up to the north of France, driving German armies in front of them. Again wounded in the heavy fighting in the Vosges and Colmar area, he was sent to recuperate until fit enough to return to his unit. By that time he was the only original member of his company. He ended the war in Bad Tolz, Germany. This is a riveting account of how a Sgt tried to survive the war and did everything in his power so that the men under his command would do so too. A great insight in the war from the perspective of a Sergeant, the backbone of the combat forces. This book was published in 2002, 246 pages, soft cover, pictures. You can buy a copy of this book from Mr. Bennett directly. Cost $25. Price includes postage, handling and tax within the USA. Mr. Palmer passed away on 23 April 2005. Visit the 6th Corps Combat Engineers Website for more information on Bennett Palmer, his book and how it can be obtained. |
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AN IMPROBABLE MACHINE GUNNER By FRANK E. HANCOCK M Co, This is Frank Hancock's rendering of events of his time as a machine gunner in M Co, 399th Infantry Regiment, 100th Infantry Division. Written in 73 stories rather than a chronological account, Mr. Hancock takes us through his wartime career in France and Germany. A very honest look at his personal war which shows that it wasn't all glory and also shows the human behind the soldier. This second edition was published in 1997, 157 pages, soft cover, A4 format, no pictures. There are still copies
available from the author, Frank Hancock. Price $10 plus
postage. Contact Mr. Hancock at
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AN INFANTRYMAN REMEMBERS WORLD WAR II By JOHN H. LIGHT
475 Infantry regiment It can be argued that there is no adequate training to be a combat infantryman. John Light relates the story of his trek from a naive eighteen year old through the rigors of training to the campaigns of Belgium, Holland and Germany and to his eventual wounding near Marburg, Germany shortly before the war's end. "I omitted most of the gore," he said. "Some of the sights, sounds and smells have to be lived through to be understood. The emotions of weeks on the front line are too numbing to be described completely to someone who hasn't been there". This is his attempt to relate a general description of the life they led and of the events that made that time so memorable to those who lived through it. Pfc Light was with the 104th Infantry Division. He was awarded the Silver Star for his actions in Holland.
This book was published in
1997. 157 pages, soft cover, pictures. $11, includes
shipping in the US. Contact the author:
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JOE'S
WAR 1941 - 1945 by Joseph H. Marion B Battery This is Joseph Marion's account of his time before and during the war. He was with Field Artillery battalions in both the Pacific and Europe. In the ETO he was with the 274th Field Artillery Battalion of the 69th Infantry Division. The book not only covers his own account, as written for his family, both also the unit history of the 724th Field Artillery Battalion. This book is printed in A4 format, 140 pages plus appendixes. Ring bound, soft cover, pictures. This book is no longer available.
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NOT READY
TO DIE By Ignacio 'Nacho' Vasquez as told to Nila Gott 517th Regimental Combat Team Nacho never thought much about the fact that he always seemed to be one step away from death. Born in a boxcar along the Southern Pacific railroad tracks, he spent his youth in the 1930s trying to survive in the harsh New Mexico Badlands. World War Two took him away from home at a time when men died daily. Nacho jumped into battles with the 517th Parachute Regimental Combat team, and later a s a civilian, he faced his own personal conflicts. This is one of the most honest and plain speaking books I have read about men in conflict. It is different in that it doesn't hide or cover up in any way the harsh life Nacho Vasquez has led and many of the problems he had to face in his life. This is as much an insight in the war as it is an insight in the man himself. This book is one that stuck in my head for a long time and one I take from the bookshelf to read again and again. A humbling reading experience and one that makes me realize what it took for many men to get us free. This book was published in
2004. 85 pages, soft cover, pictures. $12 plus postage. It
can be ordered from Nila Gott.
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ORDEAL IN THE VOSGES By Donald C. Pence and Eugene J. Petersen 275th Infantry Regiment A very readable, detailed, well researched and well written account of the 275th Infantry Regiment, 70th Infantry Division during their battles in the Vosges mountains, between 31 December 1944 and 13 January 1945. They were in middle of thwarting the German Operation Nordwind, which was launched on the 1st of January 1945 in support of the Ardennes offensive that had been launched on December 16, 1944. The regiment, relatively new to the theatre, showed its true colors and fought its heaviest battles right there and then. A very highly recommended book on a little known battle. This book was published in 1981. 347 pages, A4 format, Ring bound, soft cover, pictures. This book costs $30
(includes postage within the US) and is available from Ed
Lane, editor of The Trailblazer, the association magazine of
the 70th Infantry Association. He can be contacted at
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SNOW, RIDGES AND PILBOXES Edited by Wallace R. Cheves 274th Infantry Regiment This is a reprint of the regimental history of the 274th Infantry regiment, 70th Infantry Division in World War Two. Written shortly after the war was over, the 274th Infantry regiment first entered combat on December 27, 1944, when they were committed near the Rhine river in Northern France. From there through the Siegfried line, to Saarbrucken and deeper into Germany in March 1945. The 70th quickly became a battle hardened division with battles fought that deserve a great book like to be told. The new edition of SRP is much easier to read and the rosters (KIA, WIA, Awards, and Combat) all have been retyped. Additions and corrections have been done to the extent possible. The KIA and Awards Rosters are presented in both alphabetical and by unit format. This should be helpful to everyone using the book. Also a Name Index was added at the end of the book. The photos are somewhat enhanced but some resolution was lost during the enlargement process. The quality is similar to the original book and much better than the subsequent reprint. SRP is now approximately
540 pages rather than original 420 pages. This is due to the
addition of information and the enlargement of all the
rosters. The total cost including
mailing is $30.00. This price reflects $27.00 per copy and
$3.00 for shipping and packaging materials. To order send a
check or money order to: |
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ANOTHER SIX-HUNDRED By J. Daniel Mullin USS Ford This book describes the deployment of Destroyer Division 59, and other U.S. Asiatic Fleet destroyers during the first 85 days of the war. The naval battle in the Java sea plays a big part in this book, particularly the role played by the US Navy Destroyers, from the perspective of the author, J. Daniel Mullin, who was a gunner's mate aboard the USS Ford during the battle. A very well researched and well written book. This was the very first self published book by a veteran that I acquired. Published in 1984. 262 pages plus indexes. Pictures, maps. Soft cover. This book is available through www.anothersixhundred.com.
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Route
Step by Roy Veary 70th Infantry Division "Route Step",
a book of WW II memories, by Roy T. Veary. Mr. Veary served
in the 70th Infantry Division in WW II. He was captured by
the Germans a short time after his first combat action, so
the book is mainly about his POW experiences. He never gave
up trying to escape, and did get out of the Stalag at
Hammelburg on three occasions. His time of freedom varied
from hours to several days, but was recaptured in all cases.
He describes from first-hand, the attempt by General
Patton's Third Army to free Patton's son-in-law from
Hammelburg and how that raid raised, then dashed, the POWs'
hopes for freedom. Veary and his American, British,
Australian and Russian fellow prisoners were finally freed
by the 3d Infantry Division.
This book is now available
through Author House (1-800-839-8640).
Mr. Veary will be glad to answer any questions you may have.
Mr. Veary's address is:
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A veteran's Remembrance John A. Alicki 517th Regimental Combat Team
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The War As I Remember It Roy Gray I Co The personal remembrances of Roy L. Gray. Illustrated by Mr. Gray himself. More follows... Contact G. Gray for copies of the book: dominoe.gray@gmail.com |
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The letters Of A
Combat Rifleman Charles Davis 104th Infantry Division
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Hero
For A Day Keith Christensen C Co "I was inducted into the
service on October 20, 1942. I completed basic training at
Camp White, Oregon; then I started my Army Specialized
Training Program at U of C, Berkley, from June through
December of 1943. Then at Camp Roberts in California, I
joined the 89th Chemical Battalion, which had the 4.2
mortars. From there I left the 89th to join the 201st
Infantry doing ration and clothing tests at Fort Carson,
Colorado. I was sent unassigned overseas from Camp Shanks in
New York in October of 1944. In the ETO I joined the 19th
AIB, 14 Armored, Co. C, in November of 1944. I was wounded
in action on January 12, 1945, at Hatten, during the third
day of battle there. I was sent to the 21st General Hospital
in France to recover and came back to my unit in February of
1945. After the war I left the 14th Armored and went to Co.
G, 157th, 45th Division, headed for Japan. With the war
over, I arrived home in September of 1945 and was discharged
November 12, 1945. I took a direct commission in 1949 and
was recalled to Korea, where I was stationed in August of
1951, Co. G., 24th Infantry, and with Co. D., 27th Infantry
at Koji Do from December 1951 to February 1952. I stayed in
USAR (active reserve) and retired as an 04-Major Infantry in
September of 1974. |
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How A
Ninety-Day Wonder Survived The War Charles D. Curley E Co This book chronicles the author's experience as a WWII draftee that received appointment to OCS at Ft Benning, GA in 1943. After his commission as Lieutenant, (A 90 Day Wonder) the first assignment was with the 97th Inf. Div. then in Louisiana. Shortly there after, he shipped overseas, and attached to the 2nd Inf. Div. in Wales. He recounts the crossing of the English Channel, then landing on Omaha Beach after D-day, seeing the carnage of war. His next assignment was with the 38th Regt. as 1st platoon leader of E Co. replacing its former wounded officer. From this point forward, he details the intense training with tanks used to breach hedge rows in France. His documentation on the attacks on Hill 192 in Normandy are vividly written. His platoon's encounters German paratroopers defending the hill are incredible [sic]. The fight continues through Normandy, then Brittany, and Brest, France. His platoon gains valuable combat experience, and is counted on for more difficult tasks. The author and his men take part in breaking the "little known Parisian Black Market," a gang of thieves, robbing train shipments of goods to allied forces. Later his platoon moves back into the thick of fighting, in the Schnee-Eifel. The men of E Co. were in the maelstrom of the German attack, known as the Battle of the Bulge. Historian will likely say, "The 2nd Inf. Div. was vital in thwarting the German march to Liege." E Co. moved rapidly across the Rhine river, then through Germany. Many interesting stories are related to command decisions, of which the author had part in, because of his position out front. As the story climaxes, with the author and his men in Pilsen, Czechoslovakia, where they met our Russian allies. Finally the trip home. It is hoped these details will enlighten some little known facts for following historians. ALL COPIES WILL BE AUTOGRAPHED! Copies of Maj. Curley's book can be ordered directly from the author. Mr. Curley can
be contacted at:
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