I'm not really sure if this would be considered OT or not, since it's not about JB's work . . .

JB mentioned (on the old AOL Bynre Ward) around the time that Saving Private Ryan was released that his father served in the China-Burma-India theater of operations during World War II. I just watched a reading and Q&A session given by Donovan Webster, the author of THE BURMA ROAD, a book covering that (as JB called it) "forgotten" part of the conflict on CSPAN Booknotes. It was filmed last fall.

During the Q&A, one member of the audience mentioned that the British have done more to acknowledge the contribution of their own veterans in Burma than American historians have for ours. Webster, an American, said that was one reason why he wrote his book -- to collect the memories of veterans (from all nations and both sides) between two covers before it was too late. (Also because as a subject the Burmese theater offered many colorful characters and exciting stories in its overlooked history.)

This comment caused me to recall JB's dad and has me wondering about the details of the senior Byrne's British army service, if JB would care to share some family history with us. (If he has it to share! My maternal grandfather was an US Army Air Force radio mechanic in Italy during The Big One, and it's tough to get many details from him about his experiences.) Webster said he really enjoyed researching the British aspect of the conflict and Burma in general at the Imperial Museum. Have you visited the Museum, JB, to look at some their Burma-related items? What a resource they must be.

Also, I know you read a lot of nonfiction, so have you read this particular book yet, JB? Has anyone else? I was a history major in college and I'm thinking of picking it up. Apparently it's been remaindered because the hardcover is only ten bucks at Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0374117403/qid=1082360447/sr=12-2/104-8093919-5249560?v=glance&s=books

According to an Amazon reviewer, Lewis Allen's BURMA: THE LONGEST WAR 1941-1945 is more thorough than Webster on the subject. (Allen was a British Intelligence officer in Burma during the war.) I guess it better be since Allen's book is over 400 pages longer than Webster's!

Based on what I heard tonight, it sounds like fascinating material. Webster read an excerpt from his book about Japanese troops stationed in the Burmese thicket being "taken" by tigers in the night, their bones discovered in tree branches the next morning . . .

Sounds like it could be a spooky JB horror comic to me! When's the last time you drew a tiger, JB?

Ian

This comment caused me to recall JB's dad and has me wondering about the details of the senior Byrne's British army service, if JB would care to share some family history with us.

*************


Wish I could, but Dad has always been tight lipped about his wartime service. When I was a kid I was always pestering him to tell me about the war, and he would always deflect my questions. I know he served honorably and had a box of campaign medals, so he clearly saw a lot of action. I also know he ended up as a sargeant in charge of a recon party whose job it was to go out and find the enemy so they could radio back their position to the artillery boys.

The closest he got to a "war story" was in connection with an army issue Japanese sword he brought back with him from Burma. I asked him many times about where it came from. Finally, when I was about 12, I asked him once again and after a brief pause to reflect he said "I got it from a Japanese officer who had no further use for it."

Finally, when I was about 12, I asked him once again and after a brief pause to reflect he said "I got it from a Japanese officer who had no further use for it."

That sounds like something Wolverine might say...

"I got it from a Japanese officer who had no further use for it."

Similar story from my grandfather about a couple of Nazi bayonettes that his brother "acquired".

~Bob

served in WWII and he was on a ship of 500 service men when it got taken oout by a torpedo. He was one of only, I believe four or five guys to survive, with a broken back (!) yet and they were floating out there for a few days before being picked up. One other guy, who I guess hung onto him, took care of him during those days floating, had just passed away recently. Ed's pretty tight-lipped about it his war time experiences, understandably. He's getting up there in age and there was some discussion about interviewing him about his time there to have a record of what went on for future generations. I think it's important that we never forget any of these guys who've been out there fightin' for us. -Rick


Edited to add: years and years ago, my grnadfathers friend, Tage, gave me a souvenir from his days in the war: a helmet he took off of a dead nazi, complete with the eagle(?) emblem on the side of it. The leather interior strap has long since disintegrated. The question is, what does one do with such an artifact? It somehow seems "wrong" to throw it out yet at the same time, I don't want to display it in a place of honor either. It's currently upended on the workbench serving as a container. Whoever wore it had a small head though.

Just preserve it, share it with your heirs, as a reminder of what things can go wrong in the world. I have some medals and other reminders of my Great Uncle's service in WW2, in which he gave his life, and I cannot help but honour his memory by keeping them as a family keepsake.
Many vets are quiet about their experiences in WW2, as it was the generally accepted "tradition" or standard of the time.


DADDIO

I teach a firearms class at a German American Club. So I get to talk to the older German fellas every now and then.

They all cordially shared their war stories with me. All but one fought on the Russian front. It is a real odd feeling hearing the story told from the other side.

One of the fellas was recruited as an operative for what would become the CIA. He still carries around his well worn papers to prove that the US wanted him as a citizen. He says "The Germans used me against the Commies and I did such a good job the Americans did the same."

Creepy and cool all at the same time.