Please join the Hampton Historical Society History Book Group on
Sunday, September 16, at 4 p.m., to discuss
"Sons and Soldiers" by Bruce Henderson, a New York Times bestselling author.
"Sons and Soldiers" is the untold story of young German Jewish boys who escaped the Nazi regime but then returned to Germany with the U.S. Army on what they called their "crusade" to fight Hitler, according to Barbara Tosiano, who leads the discussions.
The book follows six teenaged Jewish boys who were fortunate enough to find sponsors in the United States as Hitler came to power in Germany, but at the same time had to leave their country, culture, friends and families behind, not knowing if they would ever see their loved ones again.
"At times their stories are heartbreaking," said Tosiano.
Once in the United States, the boys learned English quickly, attended school where they excelled and worked to help with their support. They eventually were recruited by the U.S. Army and became an integral part of the formation of what is today's military intelligence operation.
During World War II, the six were part of a group of 2,000 German Jewish young men trained as paratroopers who participated in all the major battles of WW II. They interrogated German POWs and defectors and talked with German civilians to gather intelligence in such areas as German troop strength, weapons, war manufacturing and transportation.
"They did top secret work which until recently was classified, and there has been very little recognition for these men," Tosiano said.
The History Book Group meets at the Tuck Museum of Hampton History, 40 Park Avenue, and all are invited to attend and enjoy homemade German apple cake.
