The account of Ernest Focht, who spent 27 months as a prisoner of war in World War II.
""I was a guest of Adolf!""
This was how Ernest Focht responded when asked about his wartime experience.
Ernest Virgil Focht was born and brought up in Tyrone, Pennsylvania. He was drafted into the Pennsylvania Army National Guard in April 1941 and assigned to the 105th Infantry Battalion (Anti-Tank). After training he participated in the Carolina Maneuvers. The National Guard unit was redesignated as the 805th Tank Destroyer Battalion, being deployed to North Africa in January 1943.
Ernie was captured in his first action in February 1943, remaining a prisoner of war until May 1945 when the Russian Army liberated his camp. During these 27 months he was held in five different POW camps, and was forced to march between camps in the depths of the 194445 winter. Using his wartime diaries and letters home, this book offers an insight into the 805th Tank Destroyer Battalion, and the experiences of prisoners of war.
AUTHOR: Michael H. Zang was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in 1951. He received his education at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, The Pennsylvania State University, and the United States Army War College. In 1969, he met SSG Ernest V. Focht's daughter, Karen, and they married in 1973. Over the course of the next 30 years, Michael eavesdropped as Ernie spoke to anyone who would listen to his experiences as a World War II Prisoner of War. These stories, in combination with his personal interest in military history, led to his desire to memorialize SSG Focht's experiences. Michael retired in 2003 from the United States Army Reserves at the rank of Colonel. During his time in the military, he commanded units at the Company, Battalion, and Brigade levels and was involved in Operation Desert Shield/Storm operating seaports throughout the Eastern Seaboard of the United States, Europe, and Saudi Arabia. In his civilian career, Michael worked in four school districts in Central Pennsylvania as a teacher and administrator. He culminated a 38-year education career in 2011, retiring as an Elementary Principal. Michael and Karen reside in Central Pennsylvania.
50 maps and photographs
By:
Michael H Zang
Imprint: Casemate Publishers
Country of Publication: United States
Dimensions:
Height: 229mm,
Width: 152mm,
ISBN: 9781636244556
ISBN 10: 1636244556
Pages: 256
Publication Date: 01 October 2024
Audience:
General/trade
,
ELT Advanced
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Unspecified
List of Maps List of Tables Foreword Preface 1 Growing Up 2 Military Training 3 Anti-Tank Force Development 4 North Africa 1942-43 (Operation Torch) 5 Sicily, Italy, and Moosburg Germany 6 Stalag IIIB Furstenberg 7 Stalag IIIA Luckenwalde 8 Liberation: The Way Home 9 Reunion and Asheville, North Carolina 10 Civilian Life Appendix 1 105th/805th Tank Destroyer Battalion History Appendix 2 Ernest Focht's Lists Appendix 3 Ernest Virgil Focht's Chronology Appendix 4 Abbreviations and Acronyms Endnotes Bibliography
Michael H. Zang was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in 1951. He received his education at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, The Pennsylvania State University, and the United States Army War College. In 1969, he met SSG Ernest V. Focht's daughter, Karen, and they married in 1973. Over the course of the next 30 years, Michael eavesdropped as Ernie spoke to anyone who would listen to his experiences as a World War II Prisoner of War. These stories, in combination with his personal interest in military history, led to his desire to memorialize SSG Focht's experiences. Michael retired in 2003 from the United States Army Reserves at the rank of Colonel. During his time in the military, he commanded units at the Company, Battalion, and Brigade levels and was involved in Operation Desert Shield/Storm operating seaports throughout the Eastern Seaboard of the United States, Europe, and Saudi Arabia. In his civilian career, Michael worked in four school districts in Central Pennsylvania as a teacher and administrator. He culminated a 38-year education career in 2011, retiring as an Elementary Principal. Michael and Karen reside in Central Pennsylvania.
Reviews for Guest of Adolf: The War of SSG Ernest V. Focht, 805th Tank Destroyer Battalion
"""Reviewed and highly recommended""-- ""ARGunners.com"""
