I can't remember what made it into the book. There is the mention of the authorities forcing one of the women he went out with to ditch him. There is also an incident where the base couldn't get radio contact England, which they badly needed to do. My father finally told one of the higher ups on the base that there was one guy who could get them in contact, but he was really pissed off about something and they'd better treat him really nicely. If that's not in the book, I suspect my brother could give you details, and there are probably other things where he'd remember and I don't. Or not as well. I'm sure he'd be happy to help.
There is nothing about Studebakers in the book, but they figure in my father's stories, as the US sent loads of trucks as part of Lend Lease, and they held up marvelously on the washboard roads and through the frigid winters breaking the ice for soldiers to become friends with Russians, and resulting in the fact that my first cross country trip, at age 4, was in a 1950 Studebaker Champion.
My father was VERY interested in Russia. He'd gotten interested as an undergraduate at UNC, when he'd learned that the Soviet Union had gone through the Depression with full employment. He was interested in how well Soviet communism was working (not well, and he realized it, but I don't know whether that realization came in Russia during the war, or later, after he became an academic).
His getting sent to USSR was an odd happening. He'd been in England during the war, where is commanding officer was a real jerk. At some point, he'd gotten a promotion. When his CO congratulated him, he said "No thanks to you, sir." Two weeks later, he was off on a ship, he didn't know where to. The ship went to Cairo, from whence he went on land with other soldiers through the middle east, the caucasus mountains, and finally entered USSR on May 6, 1944 via Tabriz in northern Iran.
We also have photos that we can lend you. (There are a few in Plokhi's book, and I have one of him driving the Jeep on one of the bases in Ukraine which is not in that book.)
There may be other materials that didn't make it into Plokhi's book. My brother could speak to that. When you're ready, let me know, and I'll put you in touch. My email is holzmandc@gmail.com; my phone (landline) is 781-862-1101. I should soon have a new cell phone, so that will be more contact info.
Thanks for all. Being able to put information in about the American experience in the USSR in Op Frantic will be good, since it doesn't normally get considered - thus making it a good topic in a TC book.
What's the title and author of the one you're currently reading?
I meant the next book by me that am writing. Your suggestion is good research.
Glad I helped you!
If there's good stuff in it about your dad as you say, he might even end up in the book.
I can't remember what made it into the book. There is the mention of the authorities forcing one of the women he went out with to ditch him. There is also an incident where the base couldn't get radio contact England, which they badly needed to do. My father finally told one of the higher ups on the base that there was one guy who could get them in contact, but he was really pissed off about something and they'd better treat him really nicely. If that's not in the book, I suspect my brother could give you details, and there are probably other things where he'd remember and I don't. Or not as well. I'm sure he'd be happy to help.
There is nothing about Studebakers in the book, but they figure in my father's stories, as the US sent loads of trucks as part of Lend Lease, and they held up marvelously on the washboard roads and through the frigid winters breaking the ice for soldiers to become friends with Russians, and resulting in the fact that my first cross country trip, at age 4, was in a 1950 Studebaker Champion.
My father was VERY interested in Russia. He'd gotten interested as an undergraduate at UNC, when he'd learned that the Soviet Union had gone through the Depression with full employment. He was interested in how well Soviet communism was working (not well, and he realized it, but I don't know whether that realization came in Russia during the war, or later, after he became an academic).
His getting sent to USSR was an odd happening. He'd been in England during the war, where is commanding officer was a real jerk. At some point, he'd gotten a promotion. When his CO congratulated him, he said "No thanks to you, sir." Two weeks later, he was off on a ship, he didn't know where to. The ship went to Cairo, from whence he went on land with other soldiers through the middle east, the caucasus mountains, and finally entered USSR on May 6, 1944 via Tabriz in northern Iran.
We also have photos that we can lend you. (There are a few in Plokhi's book, and I have one of him driving the Jeep on one of the bases in Ukraine which is not in that book.)
There may be other materials that didn't make it into Plokhi's book. My brother could speak to that. When you're ready, let me know, and I'll put you in touch. My email is holzmandc@gmail.com; my phone (landline) is 781-862-1101. I should soon have a new cell phone, so that will be more contact info.
Thanks for all. Being able to put information in about the American experience in the USSR in Op Frantic will be good, since it doesn't normally get considered - thus making it a good topic in a TC book.
Happy to help, and I'm sure my brother will be as well!