Page 94 - All About History - Issue 59-17

Reviews

pRisonER of

thE swiss

Switzerland’s dark WWII history revealed
Author Daniel Culler and Rob Morris Publisher Casemate
Price £20 Released Out now
nce a nation of mercenaries, Switzerland have offered them refuge. Instead, Culler found
cemented its infamous position as a himself first interned in an old ski resort before
neutral state during the Napoleonic Wars. eventually being sent to the dreaded ‘Black
In fact, such was its desire to remain Hole of Wauwilermoos’, a camp run by Andre
Oimpartial that it rigidly enforced the 1907 Beguin, a fervent Nazi.
Hague Convention requirement that all foreign Abandoned by the US and the Swiss, Culler
troops entering the country would be interned endured nothing short of hell. Forced to stand
in camps during World War II, resulting in the for days on end and given barely enough to eat,
imprisonment of 1,517 US airmen that sought he contracted tuberculosis. What makes his tale
asylum there during the struggle to liberate even more horrifying is the fact that upon his
Europe. Daniel Culler was one of them. eventual escape, he was forced to remain quiet
Feeling honour-bound to sign up in the wake for fear of upsetting American-Swiss relations.
of the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor, Culler Mocked for decades by his own military,
became the first flight engineer in a bombing Culler’s perseverance led to official apologies
crew that flew 24 successful missions over from the Swiss and the US. But, far more
Germany. But his luck wouldn’t last — his plane importantly, he has shone a searing light on
was shot down during a bombing raid in what Switzerland’s treatment of its prisoners during
would have been his final mission. the war, a crime that would otherwise have
Having avoided landing in Germany, the been covered by the snow of the Alps and the
crew aimed for Switzerland, a place that should sands of time.

thE RisE of RomE:

fRom thE iRon agE to thE punic waRs
Going back to the beginning
REcommEnds… Author Kathryn Lomas Publisher Profile Books
Price £25 Released Out now
Churchill: Warrior
Author Brian Lavery Price £25 tarting in 1000 BCE and guide to archaeological sites and
Publisher Casemate hurtling chronologically to museums in Italy concerned with
the start of the First Punic the Etruscans and everything
When Winston War in 264 BCE, Kathryn Italian up to the Punic Wars.
Churchill was
elected prime SLomas takes you on a Lomas doesn’t just send you away
minister for the journey through the early years to find more information, though.
first time in 1940, of one of history’s most famous At the back is a helpful appendix
Britain was already
at war. He later states. Tales of political intrigue with a neat timeline spanning the
wrote of the event: and turmoil are interspersed with book’s date range.
“I felt [...] that all comments on society and culture Those worried about reading a
my past life had along with some of the key players. wall of text needn’t — illustrations,
been but a preparation for this hour
and for this trial”. Veteran history writer Despite its occasional dryness, tables and maps provide levity
Brian Lavery’s new biography explores one of the best things about this and three sets of plates interject.
that past life in great detail, including books is that it doesn’t require The colour photographs they
Churchill’s time as a colonial soldier, a
war correspondent covering the Boer much prior knowledge. Latin display are a welcome addition,
War and as a long-serving politician. terms like ‘quaestor’ and ‘hospes’ helping bring the text to life.
The author of the 2010 bestseller are all translated and explained, All in all, it’s an interesting and
Empire of the Seas chronicles the and a list of sources and references informative read for those wishing
British Bulldog’s many exploits and
insightfully considers how Churchill’s means that you can look further to know more about Rome’s early
military background and experience into everything in your own time. years. Covering archaeology, the
of command shaped his ability to win If you wish to explore further role of women and more, there’s
World War II.
afield, there’s also a handy something for everyone.
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