THE SHOP IS NOW OPEN.
January 2010
Happy New Year to you all.
We have expanded the merchandise on offer in the store to include the fantastic looking Toccoa Paratrooper T-shirt, which is an exact reproduction of the shirt the men would have bought from the PX at the camp.
We are also offering 2 sets of limited edition signed photographs and we also have in limited numbers, signed copies of the book. These books have been signed by some of the 3/506th veterans.
I can also confirm as of the 10th January we will be offering the chance to own the only available print of the 'Bridges at Brevands'. These prints were signed by all the 3/506th veterans who took part in the film 'The Forgotten Battalion' and a few key contributors, along with the authors of the book 'Tonight We Die As Men'. These prints were presented to each of the contributors and remain in their personal possesion . There are only 16 of these prints in exsistance and this is the only print that will ever be offered by us and is a true collectors item.
September Update.
506th Reunion weekend at Toccoa Military Museum - Oct 2nd - 4th 2009.
The Currahee Military Museum at Toccoa, Georgia wil be holding a special book signing for 'Tonight We Die As Men' this Friday, 2nd October as part of their 506th PIR reunion weekend. The event will take place in the museum reception hall from 1pm to 4pm and will feature all attending veterans (including Col. Ed Shames and 'E' Co medic Ed Pepping). Books will be available for purchase at signing.
August - Update.
Book signing events.
Ed Shames will be signing copies of Tonight We Die As Men on Saturday September 12th at Barnes & Noble, Virginia Beach Blvd from 2pm (tel: 757 671 2331) for more information
Ed Shames will also be signing copies of the book at The Military History Weekend, Williamsburg, Virginia on 17/18th October 2009.
Osprey, Casemate and W. Britain are sponsoring the event as well as a dinner on Saturday evening at Hospitality House Hotel, 415 Richmond Road where Ed will be the keynote speaker.
The event starts at 6.30pm and finishes at 9.30pm. Tickets are $5.00 (concessions do apply) booking in advance is advised via the W. Britain hotline: (tel: 888 771 5576)
Facebook.
Ian Gardner has now started a Facebook page where he is busy currently answering a multitude of questions regarding the book and DVD. Also thanks to our friend Paul Woodadge of Battle Bus Tours, the book Tonight We Die As Men also has it's own Facebook page. Please go and check them out.
July - Update.
War and Peace Show 2009.
We will be at the War and Peace show this week from 22nd to 26th July. Ian will be in the Victory Marque signing books from 22nd to 26th and Roger will be joining him on 25th and 26th. For details on how to get to the show please visit their web site at, http://www.thewarandpeaceshow.com/
As promised here is an account of our own personal Normandy, courtesy of Ian.
Upcoming Events
Ian and Roger will be conducting a book signing and talk at the HUNGERFORD BOOKSHOP, 24 High Street, Hungerford, Berkshire,
on Friday 17th July 2009 from 7pm - Tickets available from Hungerford Bookshop price £4, refundable on book purchase - call 01488 683480.
Also, both authors will be at the War and Peace show this July. Please visit http://www.thewarandpeaceshow.com/ for details. I will also post more details nearer the time.
That's all for now, but I will be back soon with more news and details of upcoming events and also a full account of our trip to Normandy, pictures et al, courtesy of Ian.
June news.
Normandy and the launch of 'The Forgotten Battalion'.
Well finally after nearly three years in the making we launched the feature length documentary 'The Forgotten Battalion' at Normandy to help celebrate the 65th anniversary of D-Day. Both the DVD and the book were very well received by everybodythere and our two 3rd battalion veterans, Bill and Manny were kept extremely busy signing copies, fulfilling media events and press engagements and meeting literally hundreds of well wishers. I will post an account of our Normandy trip along with some pictures shortly but in the meantime I will be concentrating on opening the web site store and contacting all those who pre registered for either the DVD or the book or both, as they will be the first in line to purchase the DVD and signed copies of the book when the store opens later this week.
Normandy news
As promised here is the latest news regarding the launch of the film 'The Forgotten Battalion' and the European launch of the book 'Tonight We Die As Men'. I can now confirm that our two very special guests will be 3rd Battalion, 'I' Company veterans Bill Galbraith and Manny Barrios. We are so pleased they will be joining us and we feel very honored to have them along for what will surely be a memorable few days celebrating the 65th anniversary of D-Day.
Our schedule is as follows;
On Friday 5th June, our group will be at Utah Beach from 10am to 6.00pm. The museum has made available a large marquee and if you want to be sure of meeting Bill and Manny then please try to arrive between 10am -1pm or 3pm - 6pm. Normandy veteran Fred Bahlau (H/506) may also be dropping in during the day.
The main event will be the ‘Tonight We Die As Men' exhibition which takes place over the weekend of the 6/7th in a field directly behind ‘The Dead Man's Corner Museum' in Saint-Côme-du-Mont. Our marquee will be surrounded by over one hundred living history enthusiasts all determined to bring D-Day to life. To add to this we will have our own display of 3/506th PIR memorabilia kindly supplied by Michel DeTrez and the museum. Again the veterans will be signing from 10am to 1pm and then again from 3pm to 6pm.
On Sunday 7th the ‘Brothers in Arms' march starts at 10am in St-Côme and finishes at 4pm in Carentan. With nearly five hundred reinactors taking part – this year proves to be the largest turnout in its five-year history. As guests of honour for this year, Bill and Manny will be away from our marquee between 10 & 11am and again from 4 to 5pm
The 65 th anniversary is an important date in world history and on behalf of the veterans and ourselves we hope that you will join us in celebrating the release of the book ‘Tonight We Die As Men' and DVD ‘The Forgotten Battalion'.
Also as promised, Ian has wriiten an account of his recent visit to the US. Dressed in the pinkest shirt he could find and using biggest text known to man kind (sorry mate!) here are a few of the many tales from the very successful US book promotional tour he, Roger and special guest Ed Shames have just undertaken. So no need for the reading glasses on this one.
Back soon with more news, meanwhile enjoy.
To view the video of Ed's presentation at the Army & Navy club in Washington DC. CLICK HERE
May News.
The absence of a March and April news letter has duly been noted. In the rather chaotic last two months I have just had finishing the film, I'm afraid my web master duties have had to take a back seat. However, I'm back now and plan to spend the next few weeks bringing you all up to date with the events that have taken place and all those coming up.
Ian has agreed to write an account of the successful US book tour that he and Roger have just returned from and I will also be publishing the planed events for the official launch of the film at 65th D-Day anniversary celebrations in Normandy on 6th June, along with news of two very specially guests that we hope will be joining us there.
There has been some confusion about the pre registration page on the site as people have tried to place orders for either the book or the film. I would just like to clarify that this is merely a form to register interest in the DVD and book and will allow us to contact all those who have filled in the form directly. We also thought it would be nice to use this as a way to offer signed copies for all those who would wish a copy, so please accept my apologies for any confusion and my thanks go out to all of you who filled in the form and are waiting patiently.
Back soon with more news.
April News.
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Bobbie Rommel.
Bobbie Jack Rommel passed away on April 11 th in Modesto, California at the age of 84 years. Born on June 8 th 1924 he was drafted into the regular army but successfully volunteered for airborne selection at Fort Benning GA. By this time the 506 was in need of parachute-trained support weapons specialists and in July 1943 he joined ‘HQ' Company at Camp Mackall NC as a machine gunner.
Related to Field Marshal Erwin Rommel, Bob parachuted on D-Day with 3 rd his cousin commanding the enemy forces. After promotion to gun corporal Bobbie went on to participate in the invasion of the Netherlands and also the defence of Bastogne - where he was seriously wounded on January 9 th 1945 and sent to the UK. After spending 119 days recuperating in hospital - he was posted to France (on limited duties) and spent the remainder of the war as a driver for a USO show. Because of this unusual assignment Bob did not receive his medals from the 101st. However, fifty-eight years later, and after a campaign headed by a local politician he was finally awarded three Purple Hearts and a Distinguished Service Medal for his service in WW2.
When the war was over he became a highly skilled carpenter and started BJ Rommel Construction in the early 1950's. The company is still in existence and currently run by one of his son's. Not many people get a second chance in life but after Doris (his first wife) died in 2003 he found a new and loving companion in local widower Mrs. Tommie Mota. Our heart goes out to Tommie and his five children Janet, Cheri, Mike, Billie and Rocky.
February News.
April 10th is the release day for 'Tonight We Die As Men in the UK and the 21st see's the book released in the US. To celebrate the launch of the book we will offer exclusive signed copies for those who have pre registered their interest. So if you would like to be eligible to receive a signed copy please visit the shop and fill in the simple form, there is no commitment to buy.
I can also confirm that authors Ian Gardner and Roger Day along with their special guest, veteran Ed Shames (former 3/506th and 'E' Co 2/506 member), will be appearing at the following venues as part of Osprey's officialbook promotional tour.
National WWII Museum at New Orleans on Saturday April 25th from 12pm to 4pm.
Army & Navy Club Washington DC April 30th. (by invitation only)
Radio Americas - G Gordon Liddy show on Friday 1st May
Fort Bragg AAFES May 6th. (Ian Gardner and Ed Shames only)
The White Horse Book Shop, High Street Marlborough, Wiltshire. Saturday 11th April. 12pm to 2pm. Ian and Roger will be signing books.
UK War and Peace show 2009. In the Victory marquee from 22 -26th July (Ian & Roger only)
With more venues to be announced, check back for details.
We will also be announcing in the next couple of weeks our plans for the 65th D-Day anniversary celebrations in Normandy, France. This will be the official launch of the film 'The Forgotten Battalion' and we will be there to sign copies of both the film and the book and we will also hope to have with us a special guest or two . So check back for details of the times and places we shall be appearing and who our special guests will be.
In the mean time I will leave you with this recent WWII History magazine review of 'Tonight We Die As Men'. Here is what they had to say;
Taking their title from a brief prayer by 3rd Battalion C.O. Lt.Col. Robert Lee Wolverton (who would be killed during the early morning hours of D-Day) said shortly before boarding their C-47 "Skytrain" aircraft for the flight to Normandy, Gardner and Day have produced a highly detailed study of one battalion's harrowing first weeks fighting in France. As Ed Shames, a veteran of the 506th, writes in the Foreword, Tonight We Die As Men is "the most detailed history ever written about the battles that began the drive to free the European continent of the German armies...." Many books and accounts have been written about the invasion of Normandy, but never have you read one that has been more accurate about the facts and events of this period of warfare." The battalion's D-Day objective was to land at Drop Zone D and seize control of two small wooden bridges––one for foot traffic and the other for vehicles––over the Douve River east of Carentan. The mission was vital, for the Germans had built the bridges a few months earlier to enable them to rush reinforcements into the coastal area in the event of an Allied landing. The fierce and costly battle for these two bridges is the focus of Tonight We Die As Men. The Germans, too, knew the importance of the
bridges and would not relinquishthem without an all-out fight. The two British authors take the reader back to Toccoa, Georgia, and the initial training received (some would say endured) by the men of the 506th PIR, commanded by Col. Robert F. Sink, then on to airborne training at Fort Benning and Camp Mackall. They also flesh out the personalities mentioned in the book so that by the time the regiment is in England and preparing for its baptism of fire in Normandy, the reader has developed a
fondness for each trooper. This personalizing of the men also serves to intensify the feeling of loss when the soldiers are killed in the savage fighting on D-Day and the month after. Of the 575 officers and men who jumped on D-Day, the
506th lost 93 killed and 73 listed as missing in action. Scores more were wounded.
It will be hard to find a better book about a single airborne
battalion in World War II.
Mason B Webb.
December News.
Welcome to the new web site. As promised we are now able to take advanced orders for the DVD and book, so if you are interested in receiving an advanced copy of either, please go to the 'shop' and fill in the simple form with your details and we will get back to you as soon as they become available. Also at this time, we can now announce that all pre ordered books will be signed by the authors. We will be back in the New Year with news of the proposed DVD and book launch, along with the details of some very special limited edition DVD’s that we are planning and much more. So from all of us here I would just like to wish you all a happy and peaceful holiday and see you all next year. John
November News.
The web site will be dormant for a week or two as we rebuild it. We will be back soon with a new look, news of the DVD and Book and hopefully with a shop. Also you will be able to pre register for the DVD and book but more on that when we return. Keep checking back.
September News.
Ben Hiner
(1920 - 2008)
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Dr. Ben M. Hiner Snr on Tuesday 2nd September 2009.
Ben grew up with his three brothers in the mountains of West Virginia, where he spent two years studying French and German at Morgantown College before joining the Navy. In the summer of 1942, unfulfilled and needing a bigger challenge he transferred to the fledgling 506th Parachute Infantry at Toccoa, Georgia and it was there that he married his childhood sweetheart, Ruth Anna.
Following a life threatening abdominal wound received in Normandy, he was precluded from parachuting into Holland. However, never one to be left behind, he arrived by glider on the second day of Operation Market Garden and remained with the 506th until the end of the war, fighting in the campaigns that would eventually help to liberate Holland, repel the German advance in Bastogne at the Battle of the Bulge and then finally on into Austria and Berchesgaden and the capture of Hitlers prized 'Eagles Nest'.
It was here in Austria that his war finally ended and being one of the high point men S/Sgt B. Hiner was among the first to be sent home.
After the war he trained as a dentist and ran a successful practice for over fifty two years in Tappahanock, Virginia before retiring to the sleepy backwaters of Kinsale.
Despite battling bladder cancer most of his adult life (caused by his wounds) his general health had been in decline for the last few of years. The Ben that we knew was a gentle man, a man with a great sense of humour and a cheeky glint in his eye and we will all miss him greatly. Our condolences go out to his three children and family members.
The newsletter will return in a few weeks with the latest news on the book and DVD and we also hope to be able to start taking pre-orders for both of them. We should also be able to give you some details of the proposed book launch in the US.
Well, that's all for now take care and thanks for stopping by.
John.
August News.
WELCOME to the web site if it is your first visit, if not, then welcome back. The site continues to grow from strength to strength and now with over 3/4 million hits it just keeps on getting better, so thank you.
I will start this month's newsletter with an update on the book. I can now confirm that the official title of the book is going to be 'TONIGHT WE DIE AS MEN'. At the moment, the book is with the art department, having the final touches done and should be ready for final proofing next month. So, all being well, by the end of August the book should be ready for print. I'm hoping I will be able to show you a sneak preview of the front cover in next month's update and also, to let you know a publication date ... so keep checking back.
With regard to the two films; we have no plans to change the names, they remain 'THE FORGOTTEN BATTALION' the untold story of 3/506th P.I.R part 1 and part 2. The first film (part 1) will start with the men volunteering for the newly formed regiment and follows them through all their training at Toccoa, right through to the invasion of Normandy.
The second film, (part 2); picks up the story as the Battalion returns to England and prepares for the jump into Holland to help liberate Eindhoven. We then follow 3/506th through their struggle to secure 'Hells Highway' and the 'Bloody Muddy Island' and then on into Belgium and to the hell that was Bastogne. Finally, with victory in Europe in their sights, 3/506th heads into the Heart of Nazi Germany to Berchtesgaden and the ultimate prize; the capture of the 'Eagles Nest', Hitler's Alpine retreat.
The Film is progressing well and with the help of our friend and expert archivist Patrick Brion, we are currently researching all the archive material we need to finish the films. However, we are still looking for photographs of 2Lt. John H. Williams (ASN 0 507 489), who was assistant 'H' Co. 3rd platoon for Normandy'. So, if anybody can help us, then please let us know.
I have also added some new friends to our Links page, so be sure to visit them.
So, finally as promised, here is a glimpse of the art work for the DVD cover for 'The Forgotten Battalion Part 1'. We are still applying the final touches before going to print, but we do not envisage it changing too much, if at all.
Please let us know what you think of the art work and keep the general feedback coming in, as it is a big help in the development of the site.
Well, that's all for now, take care and check back as often as possible ... as the news is coming in thick and fast.
John.
