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| The Chieftain himself, in the driver's seat of a Sherman tank (Source) |
Right now we've got Polish, German, British, and French characters, I've done some reading on the Winter War (1940) between Finland and Russia, also saw a very good film on the topic of the Continuation War (which is what the Finn's called their participation in World War II), Unknown Soldier. (That's Tuntematon sotilas in Finnish.) Watch it if you can, it's available for rent on Amazon Prime. I highly recommend it.
At any rate I've tossed around the idea of having a chapter on that war as it generated a lot of debate in both France and Britain on the idea of declaring war on the Soviet Union. After all, the bastards attacked Poland, who had "guarantees" from the West in the event of an attack. After Poland, when the Soviets went after the Baltic States and Finland, there were more than a few in the West who thought fighting the Soviets by assisting the Finns was a capital idea.
Thing is though, Finland is a long way from Britain and France, a very long way. How do you assist them, send troops? Send money and supplies? Lawyers? (Tip of the hat to Warren Zevon's Lawyers, Guns, and Money.)
At any rate, as I plan to have Jürgen and Jan wind up on the Eastern Front, I'm going to need Russian characters and what better way to introduce them than in Finland? Just a thought.
Now you're probably wondering about the opening photo, well today's video is how to drive a Sherman tank. Not the full details mind you, but enough to get you interested. And if you're really interested, you can do what Lawyer Bob (up on the North Shore) and I have bandied about once upon a time over at Koobecaf. If you've got a spare $1500 laying around that you don't really need, you can go here and actually drive a Sherman.
Maybe if one of these books sells really, really well in the future I can do that, and probably will. But for now, videos will have to suffice ...
Oh yes, chase the link under the opening photo as well, you can hear Major Moran do his "Oh God, the tank is on fire!" line. Not to mention get an excellent tour on the interior of the Sherman.
Cheers!
While corralling your Muse, perhaps some something else is in order.
ReplyDeleteRecently I watched Part I and Part II of V Is For Vengeance, by a Major Stirling. They are found on You Tube, Major Stirling is the name of the channel. They are informative and fascinating documentary on the V1, V2, and V3. Not dry, very engaging. Well executed. Highly recommended.
Watched a brief snippet, they are good! Thanks Rick!
DeleteApropos of nothing, Your Hand on the Throttle program at the Essex Valley RR is great fun. I did it years ago.
ReplyDeleteWow, cheaper than driving a tank as well. Looks like great fun and it's not far away. Thanks CM!
DeleteThe Russo-Finnish war was pretty intense. The Russians faked a border incident which gave them an excuse to invade - sounds familiar...
ReplyDeleteI was also going to say it produced one of the most accomplished and successful snipers of all time, Simo Hayha, with over 500 confirmed kills. But that happened in the earlier Winter War of 1939-40
The Winter War fits in well with where we're at in the book. Late '39, early '40.
DeleteSimo Häyhä was probably one of the best to ever shoulder a rifle.
Couple of interesting vids there especially Major Moran Sarge. One thing the InterNets is good for is getting this type of info out.Oh uh...... Finns, could there be a Simo Hayha (alt codes not working for me)?
ReplyDeleteCan't say he'll make an appearance, but yeah, one heck of a warrior.
DeleteAlways, always, always, pay attention to what you are signing. Ask me how I know...
ReplyDeleteI believe the movie you reference just rolled off of Netflix, because I recognize the title (and of course cannot find it).
A piece on Finno-Soviet War would be very interesting, as it is something I think both myself and the West in general is pretty hazy on. "There was a war between Finland and the Soviet Union", and then we are right back into the Western Front.
Two minute fun: 20mm LAHTI L-39 Anti-Tank Rifle: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fd_HDFvfPgc
Sorry. Should have mentioned the gun is Finnish, thus the reference.
DeleteIt's still for rent on Amazon Prime, I checked!
DeleteI'm familiar with the Lahti, beast of a gun, that's a nice video!
DeleteForget driving the tank! I want to see you parallel park!
ReplyDeleteParallel park? A tank doesn't need such niceties, just roll on in!
DeleteGreat idea to bring the Soviet characters into your story!
ReplyDeleteThanks Rob!
DeleteI was cleaning out old emails preparatory to a new computer when I move and found an explanation of silk maps for POW's and the back story of the game they were sent in. I have 2 silk maps from my stepfather but they are for the Pacific as he was a bombardier. I would have posted it here but it's a couple of pages in word.
ReplyDeleteNice!
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