The World War II Book Club will meet on Tuesday November 20, 2012, at the Millburn Library, 200 Glen Avenue. The guest speaker will be Gregory J. W. Urwin, Ph. D., author of Victory in Defeat-The Wake Island Defenders in Captivity, 1941-1945. The lecture will start at 7 PM.
Victory in Defeat is the detailed account of the defenders of Wake Island following their surrender to the Japanese on December 23, 1941. Dr. Urwin spent decades researching what happened and now offers a revealing look at the United States Marines, sailors, soldiers, and civilian contractors in captivity. In addition to exhaustive archival research, he interviewed dozens of POW's and even some of their Japanese captors. He also had access to diaries secretly kept by the prisoners. This information has allowed him to explain how so many of these Americans survived three-and-a-half years in captivity and emerged with a much lower death rate than most other Allied personnel captured in the Pacific.
Dr. Urwin is a professor of history at Temple University and earned a Ph.D from the University of Notre Dame. He has written or edited nine books and received numerous awards.
On Tuesday January 15. John Lanza, a local author and historian from Caldwell will lecture on his award winning book Shot Down Over Italy, the story of a group of aviators whose plane was downed over Italy during the last stages of the war, and how some evaded capture and managed to return to their outfits. Lanza returned to Italy and located the remains of the fallen plane and reconstructed the remarkable last flight of the crew.
Membership Dues for the Book Club are $25.00 a year for a single membership and $30.00 for an entire family. Anyone with questions can call Dr. McLaughlin at 973-467-3313.
Monday, October 22, 2012
Sunday, October 7, 2012
Next Meeting October 16
The next meeting of the book club takes place at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, October 16 at the Millburn Public Library. Mr. Del Staecker will talk about his
father, a sailor on an attack transport ship in the Pacific during the
heaviest fighting in the war.
Thursday, September 20, 2012
Great start to a new season of speakers
At our first meeting meeting, Dan Petach started off the fall schedule of Book Club presentations with a fascinating discussion of the Flying Tigers. Included were pictures of Dan's uncle, Johnny "Pete" Petach and clips from video, FEI HU, The Story of the Flying Tigers which prompted the audience to ask many questions about this extraordinary group of pilots, Chennault, Vinegar Joe and their role in defeating the Japanese in China. Many members of the Book Club showed up for this lecture, as attested by the lack of empty seats in the room!
Conversation also turned to General Wedemeyer and John McLaughlin, Moderator and founder of the New Jersey World War II Book Club, was pleased to announce that the Wall Street Journal had favorably reviewed his book, General Albert C. Wedemeyer, America's Unsung Strategist in World War II, "...he is to be applauded for shining a light on one of the least known U.S. commanders of the war." To read the complete review, click here >>
Conversation also turned to General Wedemeyer and John McLaughlin, Moderator and founder of the New Jersey World War II Book Club, was pleased to announce that the Wall Street Journal had favorably reviewed his book, General Albert C. Wedemeyer, America's Unsung Strategist in World War II, "...he is to be applauded for shining a light on one of the least known U.S. commanders of the war." To read the complete review, click here >>
Monday, August 27, 2012
Fall 2012 Schedule
On Wednesday, September 19 the World War II Book Club will open its fall schedule of monthly lectures by World War II historians and authors. Dan Petach will be our lecturer on September 19. Please note that this is a change of date. The original scheduled date for the lecture was Tuesday, September 18. Because Tuesday was the second day of Rosh Hashanah we rescheduled the lecture for Wednesday.
All lectures are at the Millburn Library, 200 Glen Avenue, Millburn, New Jersey and commence promptly at 7 PM.
Dan Petach, historian of the famous "Flying Tigers" will deliver a lecture on the history of this famous group of World War II heroes. The American Volunteer Group (AVG), a flying formation known as the "Flying Tigers" because of the bared fangs painted on the noses of their fighters, was the brainchild of General Claire Chennault, a retired U.S. Army Air Force officer and advisor to the Chinese government prior to Pearl Harbor. Chennault had worked in China since August 1937 first as a military advisor to Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek in the early months of the Sino-Japanese War and then as director of a Chinese Air Force. It was Chennault's idea to recruit American flyers and form the "Flying Tigers". The pilots were all volunteers and under an agreement with the Chinese government, they operated in China prior to Pearl Harbor throughout the year 1941 against an invading Japanese military, amassing an astounding record of success fighting the Japanese Air Force.
Dan Petach, the nephew of Flying Tiger Ace Johnny "Pete" Petach, will relate the amazing story of the AVG and its history and how the AVG was inducted into the United States Army Air Force in December 1941, a event not popular with the free wheeling and fun loving pilots. Dan will tell the story of the famous feud between General Chennault and General Joseph Warren "Vinegar Joe" Stilwell, and how that impaired the efficiency of the Flying Tigers after their "induction" into the United States Army, under Stilwell's command.
Dan will tell us about the exploits of his famous uncle, Johnny Petach who married an AVG nurse, Jane Forster, while in China and he will also relate her adventurous story.
Dan, recognized as one of the few official AVG historians, resides in a Adelphi New Jersey. He will show a short film about the Flying Tigers, and will bring with him books, pictures and other memorabilia relating to this exciting period of World War II history.
The schedule for the remainder of the year includes Mr. Del Staecker who will lecture on Tuesday October 16, about his father a sailor on an attack transport ship in the Pacific during the heaviest fighting in the war. On Tuesday November 20 we will host Professor Gregory J. W. Urwin who will give us a talk about the heroic Wake Island defenders in the first days of the Pacific War. On December 6, the Book Club will again host its annual Holiday Dinner at Pals Cabin.
All lectures are at the Millburn Library, 200 Glen Avenue, Millburn, New Jersey and commence promptly at 7 PM.
Dan Petach, historian of the famous "Flying Tigers" will deliver a lecture on the history of this famous group of World War II heroes. The American Volunteer Group (AVG), a flying formation known as the "Flying Tigers" because of the bared fangs painted on the noses of their fighters, was the brainchild of General Claire Chennault, a retired U.S. Army Air Force officer and advisor to the Chinese government prior to Pearl Harbor. Chennault had worked in China since August 1937 first as a military advisor to Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek in the early months of the Sino-Japanese War and then as director of a Chinese Air Force. It was Chennault's idea to recruit American flyers and form the "Flying Tigers". The pilots were all volunteers and under an agreement with the Chinese government, they operated in China prior to Pearl Harbor throughout the year 1941 against an invading Japanese military, amassing an astounding record of success fighting the Japanese Air Force.
Dan Petach, the nephew of Flying Tiger Ace Johnny "Pete" Petach, will relate the amazing story of the AVG and its history and how the AVG was inducted into the United States Army Air Force in December 1941, a event not popular with the free wheeling and fun loving pilots. Dan will tell the story of the famous feud between General Chennault and General Joseph Warren "Vinegar Joe" Stilwell, and how that impaired the efficiency of the Flying Tigers after their "induction" into the United States Army, under Stilwell's command.
Dan will tell us about the exploits of his famous uncle, Johnny Petach who married an AVG nurse, Jane Forster, while in China and he will also relate her adventurous story.
Dan, recognized as one of the few official AVG historians, resides in a Adelphi New Jersey. He will show a short film about the Flying Tigers, and will bring with him books, pictures and other memorabilia relating to this exciting period of World War II history.
The schedule for the remainder of the year includes Mr. Del Staecker who will lecture on Tuesday October 16, about his father a sailor on an attack transport ship in the Pacific during the heaviest fighting in the war. On Tuesday November 20 we will host Professor Gregory J. W. Urwin who will give us a talk about the heroic Wake Island defenders in the first days of the Pacific War. On December 6, the Book Club will again host its annual Holiday Dinner at Pals Cabin.
Monday, May 28, 2012
HNN Reviews Wedemeyer Book
Thomas Fleming, former president of the Society of American Historians, has reviewed John J. McLaughlin's book on General Wedemeyer. The title of his review "At Last, Honor for Albert Wedemeyer, a Great American Soldier" indicates the timeliness of this book. Click here to read the review.
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
June 2012 Newsletter
May 21, 2012, Volume 2, # 17
On Tuesday June 19, 2012 John J. McLaughlin Moderator of the World War II Book Club will give a lecture on his just published book General Albert C. Wedemeyer: America's Unsung Strategist in World War II. As usual the lecture will be at the Millburn Library and commence at 7 p.m. This will be the final lecture of the Spring season. The lectures will recommence in September with the first lecture scheduled for Tuesday, September 18. Copies of John's book will be available for sale and signing for $18.00.
Dr. Josh Botts
Josh Botts, senior historian at the State Department delivered a wonderful lecture on the famous Yalta World War II Conference on May 15. Seventy five people were in attendance and thoroughly enjoyed his presentation. Dr. Botts was an overnight guest of the Book Club at the Short Hills Hilton, and the following morning had breakfast with John McLaughlin and retired State Department Foreign Service Officer and long time Summit resident Henry "Hank" Mueller.
Dan Petach
On Tuesday, September 18, Dan Petach will lecture on the Flying Tigers, the World War II aces commanded by General Claire Chennault in the China Burma India Theatre. Dan is the son of one of the most famous of the Flying Tigers and has delivered this lecture to many audiences over the last 10 years. One of the fascinating things about the Flying Tigers is the remarkable feud between General Chennault and the then Commanding General of the Theatre, "Vinegar" Joe Stilwell. He will talk about a little known, but extremely important battle, and the role the Flying Tigers played in turning back a Japanese advance that had the potential to change the entire course of the Pacific war and force the Chinese to surrender. The consequence of a Chinese surrender would have released over a million Japanese soldiers then occupying China for use against MacArthur's forces in the Pacific. John McLaughlin heard Dan Petach's lecture last year and immediately booked him for the World War II Book Club.
Del Staecker
On Tuesday, October 16, Del Staecker will tell the story of his father's account of the USS Fuller, The Lady Gangster, an attack transport ship and its courageous crew of "Chicago Boys" who braved enemy fire to deliver troops and supplies to the South Pacific theatre during some of the toughest battles of the war.
Gregory J.S. Urwin
On November 20, we will close out the year with a lecture by Professor J.S. Urwin who will discuss his book The Siege of Wake Island Facing Fearful Odds. This lecture was presented last year at Brookdale College.
Treasurer's Report
Along with this Newsletter we send a Treasurer's Report so the membership will know our financial condition and be aware of how their dues are spent to bring you the best speakers and the best programs. We are grateful for the extra donations of almost $1500 from some of our members.
On Tuesday June 19, 2012 John J. McLaughlin Moderator of the World War II Book Club will give a lecture on his just published book General Albert C. Wedemeyer: America's Unsung Strategist in World War II. As usual the lecture will be at the Millburn Library and commence at 7 p.m. This will be the final lecture of the Spring season. The lectures will recommence in September with the first lecture scheduled for Tuesday, September 18. Copies of John's book will be available for sale and signing for $18.00.
Dr. Josh Botts
Josh Botts, senior historian at the State Department delivered a wonderful lecture on the famous Yalta World War II Conference on May 15. Seventy five people were in attendance and thoroughly enjoyed his presentation. Dr. Botts was an overnight guest of the Book Club at the Short Hills Hilton, and the following morning had breakfast with John McLaughlin and retired State Department Foreign Service Officer and long time Summit resident Henry "Hank" Mueller.
Dan Petach
On Tuesday, September 18, Dan Petach will lecture on the Flying Tigers, the World War II aces commanded by General Claire Chennault in the China Burma India Theatre. Dan is the son of one of the most famous of the Flying Tigers and has delivered this lecture to many audiences over the last 10 years. One of the fascinating things about the Flying Tigers is the remarkable feud between General Chennault and the then Commanding General of the Theatre, "Vinegar" Joe Stilwell. He will talk about a little known, but extremely important battle, and the role the Flying Tigers played in turning back a Japanese advance that had the potential to change the entire course of the Pacific war and force the Chinese to surrender. The consequence of a Chinese surrender would have released over a million Japanese soldiers then occupying China for use against MacArthur's forces in the Pacific. John McLaughlin heard Dan Petach's lecture last year and immediately booked him for the World War II Book Club.
Del Staecker
On Tuesday, October 16, Del Staecker will tell the story of his father's account of the USS Fuller, The Lady Gangster, an attack transport ship and its courageous crew of "Chicago Boys" who braved enemy fire to deliver troops and supplies to the South Pacific theatre during some of the toughest battles of the war.
Gregory J.S. Urwin
On November 20, we will close out the year with a lecture by Professor J.S. Urwin who will discuss his book The Siege of Wake Island Facing Fearful Odds. This lecture was presented last year at Brookdale College.
Treasurer's Report
Along with this Newsletter we send a Treasurer's Report so the membership will know our financial condition and be aware of how their dues are spent to bring you the best speakers and the best programs. We are grateful for the extra donations of almost $1500 from some of our members.
Treasurer's Report
| Cash Flows Inception to May 14, 2012 INFLOWS |
|
| Donations | $1,395.00 |
| Dues Received | $6,080.00 |
| Total Inflows | $7,475.00 |
| OUTFLOWS | |
| Lecturer Expense: | |
| Dining | $623.94 |
| Transportation | $555.89 |
| Honoraria | $1,075.00 |
| Miscellaneous | $409.48 |
| Total | $2,664.31 |
| Holiday Party | $328.43 |
| Professional Fees | $675.00 |
| Supplies | $547.62 |
| Director Reimbursement | $194.74 |
| Postage, Printing & Stationery | $201.65 |
| Miscellaneous | $487.40 |
| Total Cash Disbursed | $5,099.15 |
| BILLS OUTSTANDING | $400.00 |
| $5,499.15 | |
| CASH RESERVES | $1,975.85 |
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