MEETING OF THE WORLD WAR II – KOREAN WAR ROUNDTABLE

May 25, 2006, THURSDAY, 6:45 P.M. (The 4th Thursday)

Fairlawn Kiwanis Community Center

3486 S. Smith Rd (off Market St.) Fairlawn, OH 44333

across from City Hall and the Fire Station

MAY TOPIC: Jim Mesko has written 45 books and his later one, “US Armor Camouflage and Markings – World War II” will be his topic. In addition Fred Ballmann , a radar operator in the World War II German Navy, will be interviewed by Dr. Thomas Adams.

APRIL MEETING SUMMARY: Dr. Jerome Muskat, editor of Edward Arn’s book “Arn’s War”, provided a scholarly insight in the challenge of organizing combat experiences on paper. Edward Arn was to have been our speaker but he died on March 25. Dr. Muskat found Mr. Arn to be a highly effective officer and one who exemplified the highest American ideals. Tim Arn, Edward’s son, spoke eloquently of his father’s impact on his children. The attendance was 130.

SPEAKERS FOR 2006: Dr. Thomas Adams is our official “speakers” recruiter. Call Tom at 330 668 3672 to volunteer yourself or to recommend others.

SPECIAL THANK YOU to Larry Heller and George Meidinger for preparing a very professional Roundtable meeting announcement to area veterans organizations.

VOLUNTEERS WANTED: Contact Jerri Donahue 440 546 1207 or

jerridonohue@AOL.com

The WWII-Korean War Roundtable is now collecting interviews for the Library of Congress Veterans History Project. We need volunteers to tape-record or videotape veterans. We also need volunteers to be interviewed. Anyone who served in any branch of America's armed forces (any war) can participate. Volunteer interviewers and volunteer interviewees can sign up at future meetings. Learn more at www.loc.gov/vets

“LIVING HISTORY FOR OUR KIDS” – Bring your kids and friends to our meetings

to witness the veterans who made history.

FUTURE SPEAKERS

June 28, 2006: The Okinawan Campaign – Jerry Montgomery the US Army view

Richard Fox the US Navy View

July 27, 2006: Dorothy Dubacki, WAVE in WWII and Korea and

Jaura Williams Dunlop, WAC cryptographer Signal Corps, Korea

ROUNDTABLE OFFICERS

President 1^st Vice President 2^nd Vice President Secretary Treasurer

C. Dave Post Dr. Thomas Adams Larry Heller Dean Smith Daniel Demko

330 668 2447 330 668 3672 330 633 7737 330 762 8885 330 666 2502

WEB SITE: Dave Hall has set up our Web Site at ‘http://www.wwiirt.com

The Capture of Czechoslovakia

The Munich Crisis. The Czechoslovakian state created by Versailles had in 1938 a population of about 14,000,000 of whom 3,000,000 were German speaking. These Germans lived principally in the area known as the Sudetenland. Hitler demanded the incorporation of the Sudetenland into Germany.

Chamberlain of Great Britain flew to Germany on September 12^th, 1938 in an attempt to prevent war between Germany and Czechoslovakia. On September 22^nd Chamberlain returned to Germany for more talks. The Czechs mobilized on the 23^rd.

On the 27^th the British fleet is sent to its war stations. Negotiations have been going on behind the scenes and an appeal was sent to Mussolini to mediate, convincing Hitler of Anglo-French weakness. Chamberlain and Daladier go to Munich on the 20^th and accept proposals put forward by Mussolini but drafted by the German Foreign Office which amounts virtually to Hitler’s last demands. Just before leaving Chamberlain and Hitler sign a vague friendship agreement and with this Chamberlain proclaims on his return home that he has secured “peace in our time”. (to be continued)

World War II – Korean War Roundtable

777 W. Market Street

Akron, OH, 44303