THE GREATEST GENERATION SOCIETY
The Global History, Culture and People of World War II.
We welcome all who have an interest and passion for World War II's incredible history as well as the rich and vibrant culture of the 1940s. The focus and purpose of the Greatest Generation Society's website is straight forward: The creation of a virtual forum to honor these patriots from around the world as well as to develop and foster a unique and interactive educational experience through the study of this history.Our retrospective on World War II and the 1940s is through virtual discussion of literary works on the subject, new and old articles, as well as the stories from our own veterans and their families. Our readership includes members from the United States, Canada, Great Britain, the Netherlands and Western Europe.
The events leading up to, during and after World War II are far reaching and fascinating. The world we live in today was shaped and affected as a result of the final outcome. We invite you to join our site, read articles, engage in discussion and love our history!
"To live in the hearts we leave behind is not to die." - Thomas Campbell
THIS MONTH IN BRITISH AND ALLIED FORCES HISTORY
THIS MONTH IN US ARMY AIR CORP AND AIR FORCE HISTORY
THIS MONTH IN US ARMY HISTORY
THIS MONTH IN US MARINE CORPS HISTORY
THIS MONTH IN US NAVY, COAST GUARD AND MERCHANT MARINE HISTORY

2nd
3rd
9th Kursk, Soviet Union; 9 February 1943: The Battle of Kursk begins » The Battle for Kursk had the costliest single day of aerial warfare to date as well as the largest armoured battle in the war on the eastern front. It was also the last strategic offensive Germany would be able to mount in the war on the eastern front.
13th
9th
19th
19th
23rd
28thIf you've never read David Brinkley's Washington Goes to War, you should. :-) I just posted a review of it over on my WW2 blog, plus you can take a glimpse at the blog's new look. http://bestofworl…
Started by Melissa Amateis in LATEST NEWS. Last reply by Scott Lyons Feb 7.
This is very, very cool. http://google-latlong.blogspot.com/2010/02 of us have heard stories, read books and watched films which show the many impacts of WWII across the world. Today we're giving y…
Started by Melissa Amateis in LATEST NEWS. Last reply by Scott Lyons Feb 6.
‘Mein Kampf’ makes comeback in Germany Historians lobby for right to reprint Adolf Hitler's infamous memoir HIDAJET DELIC / AP Though widely available in the English-speaking world, "Mein Kampf" has…
Started by Scott Lyons in LATEST NEWS Feb 6.
Dale Dye describes work on HBO’s “The Pacific” Tom Hanks, Capt Dale Dye and Steven Spielberg discuss filming on the set of HBO's "The Pacific." Photo by David James/HBO CC Lifemember, Capt Dale Dy…
Tagged: USMC, The-Pacific, HBO's-
Started by Scott Lyons in LATEST NEWS Jan 31.
On this date in 1945, the Auschwitz Death Camp was liberated by the 322nd Rifle Division of the Soviet Red Army. Very informative website: The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum http://www.u…
Started by Scott Lyons in HOLOCAUST Jan 27.
Interesting email I received today: The Museum is pleased to announce a special display of recently discovered art albums from Adolph Hitler’s personal collection. Robert Edsel, of the Monument…
Tagged: National-WWII-Museum, Hitler
Started by Scott Lyons in LATEST NEWS Jan 27.
Very excited and had to share - I wrote this article and it was published by Nebraska History magazine in 2005. It is now online in its entirety. http://www.nebraskahistory.org/publish
Started by Melissa Amateis in LATEST NEWS. Last reply by Scott Lyons Jan 26.
This is a very emotional and moving concert (1 song) video. A must see. A special thank you as well to Melissa Amateis for sending this over ! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8lQk27hPzZs
Tagged: Music
Started by Scott Lyons in LATEST NEWS. Last reply by Melissa Amateis Jan 25.
Great Escape camp logbook sells for £3,200Scrapbook was compiled by Scots prisoner of war Private William Macdonald while he was being held at Stalag Luft III goes on auction..13 January 2010 14:03…
Tagged: The-Great-Escape
Started by Scott Lyons in LATEST NEWS Jan 24.
Director Oliver Stone's upcoming Showtime documentary miniseries "Secret History of America" promises to put mass murderers such as Stalin and Hitler "in context." "Stalin, Hitler, Mao, McCarthy --…
Started by Melissa Amateis in LATEST NEWS. Last reply by Scott Lyons Jan 12.
'Casablanca' opens 1942 » The runaway hit from 1942 starred Ingrid Bergman and Humphrey Bogart and was set during World War II. Warner Brothers rushed release of the film to take advantage of the Allied invasion of North Africa. The film won three Academy Awards and tops the lists of "greatest films of all times". "Here's looking at you kid" is one of the Top 100 movie quotes of all time.
'Oklahoma!' opens 1943 » Along with "Casablanca", "Citizen Kane" and "Meet Me in St. Louis", "Oklahoma!" would define the entertainment industry in the 1940s. The Rodgers and Hammerstein production would see a Broadway run of 2,212 performances. The "Oklahoma!" play would also spawn the 1955 hit movie adaptation starring Gordon McRae and Shirley Jones.
'Meet Me in St. Louis' premieres 1944 » Judy Garland debuted her hit, "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" and "The Trolley Song" in this Vincente Minnelli and Arthur Freed hit movie from Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. It was also the second highest grossing film of 1944. Actress Judy Garland and director Vincente Minnelli would later marry after meeting on the movie set.
'Going My Way' opens in 1944 » Bing Crosby was the biggest movie star of the 1940s, and movie makers banked on his likeability factor and singing to bring war-weary movie goers to their local theatres. Bing would reprise his role as Father O'Malley in the 1945 hit "The Bells of St. Marys'. "Going My Way" was the highest grossing film of 1944. Crosby was also the biggest box office draw of 1944.
"No Return Flight - 13 Platoon at Arnhem 1944" by Haks Walburgh Schmidt has captured the intensity and immediacy which was The Battle of Arnhem. Haks' research brings together the remaining veteran British Army soldiers who landed in Arnhem via one Horsa Glider in September 1944.
"Tears in the Darkness" by Michael and Elizabeth Norman was this past summer's big hit on the New York Times Best Seller List, an extensive work and masterpiece on the Bataan Death March.
"They Flew Proud" by Jane Gardner Birch is an exciting look at the Civilian Pilot Training Program which was administered during World War II by the U.S. Army Air Corps. Visit Jane's website »
"A Distant Melody" by Sarah Sundin is the first offering in her new three-book Wings of Glory series set in World War II. The trilogy will follow the three Novak brothers, B-17 bomber pilots with the U.S. Army Air Corp' Eighth Air Force.
"Ten Cents a Dance" is a wonderfully written novel by member Christine Fletcher, set against a World War II backdrop in 1941 Chicago. From Christine's website: "When her mother becomes too ill to work, fifteen-year-old Ruby Jacinski is forced to drop out of school to support her family.
"Letters from Home", by Kristina McMorris is loosely based upon the romantic whirlwind courtship of her grandparents during World War II.
Fran Caldwell is one of the more versatile talents among our authors. In addition to her writing talents, Fran is also an accomplished painter.WWII in the Media
BOOK REVIEWS
It's rare to find a book that is well-written, accurate, and as charming as David Brinkley's Washington Goes to War. The famous journalist's dry wit and incredible prose captures the very essence of D.C. during World War II.
Pulitzer-Prize winner Lucinda Franks delves into her father's shrouded past in this emotionally-driven memoir that reads more like a novel than a nonfiction book.
One word to describe this book: amazing. Flags of Our Fathers is a stunning, gripping, and utterly realistic story of the Battle of Iwo Jima and of the six flag raisers. Visit Melissa's websites »
"World War II: 365 Days" from 2009, 752 pages is a unique collection of photographs, posters, political cartoons, maps, paintings and drawings from the immense collection of the United States Library of Congress.
"Overlord: The D-Day Landings" from 2009; 368 pages, is an excellent all-new look back at the massive undertaking by the Allied Forces on June 6, 1944 .
It was better than meeting any Hollywood celebrity. The Strategic Air and Space Museum near Lincoln, Nebraska, hosted six of the original members of E Company, 506th Regiment, of the 101st Airborne, a.k.a. the Band of Brothers, on Saturday, Dec. 5.
The History Channel brings viewers close to the action through high definition video technology. Pairing this with personal stories and the lives of those who sacrificed and fought makes this a new "must see" series.
"Maverick" ditches his leather flight jacket for a German officer's uniform in this WWII thriller, based on actual events in Germany and North Africa.
True stories make some of the best films. That is certainly the case with Defiance. Daniel Craig (Tuvia), Liev Schreiber (Zusia), and Jamie Bell (Asael) star as the three Jewish Bielski brothers.© 2010 Created by Scott Lyons