"America Fought Its Own Battle Over Books Before it" Topic

… Fought the Nazis

"When United States servicemen stormed the beaches in Normandy, most of them had an essential item tucked into their breast pocket—not a weapon or food or other gear, but a lightweight paperback novel.

These weren't just any books. These were Armed Services Editions, softcover versions of popular novels, classics, Westerns, mysteries and everything in between. Their dimensions were such that they fit perfectly in the soldiers' uniform pockets and, while sturdy enough to withstand weather and repeated readings, could be ripped apart and shared between the men…"

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Armand

Irrelevant, entirely off-topic.

Dunno.

Do we need, yet again, to discuss the BAR vs the MG34?

We see so much discussion about the rights and wrongs of the ACW and slavery, why not an "off-topic" a bit different?

The forum is called "Discussion". Plus we are told the whole raison d'etre here is to get beyond just wargaming and modelling and painting and converting etc, etc.

But instead to get our brains in gear. (Does that translate over the Pond? Apologies if not, it is a UK motoring term)

(smile)

Armand

Personally, I would think it is on topic. It's ww2 related if perhaps not so ww2 miniature wargaming related.

And yes, explaining again why arming all GI with bar or garand would have been a bad idea would be less interesting.

Personally, I think in the enlisted line infantry the books were used more for wiping their a-- than reading. Grunts are more concerned with their personal survival and with what's happening to them and the guy next to them than what someone writes in a book.

Wolfhag

and that is of interest too and sparks more discussion. That is what this forum is for, to stimulate comment.

I suspect the paper was not soft quilted two-ply.

Wouldnt be so sure Wolfhag. Most enlisted were literate. My dad even had a few years of college. The books were portable entertainment. He remembered the books and they were read and passed around in his unit. And yes he was in combat among other things landing on Omaha Beach on D-day.

And very much on point. Always took this thread as general discussion about all things WWII and certainly not limited to game applicable topics.

Indeed, quite a few writers and journalists that became famous served as enlisted soldiers in WWII. People did not have I phones then and there was certainly a lot of hurry up and wait at the time.

This discussion reminds me of a couple of episodes of M*A*S*H. In one the unit was so desperate for supplies that every scrap of paper was being used for TP. In another people as so desperate for entertainment that when one person got a 'Who Done it' mystery they ended up pulling the book apart, chapter by chapter and passing it around. I have no doubt both reflect what could happen.

Thanks!

Armand