The true story of a little-known; yet remarkable World War II operation; which had all the hallmarks of a suicide mission.Beginning with a crazy plan hatched by a suspect prince; and an even crazier reliance on the word of the Nazis; Operation Chowhound was devised. Between May 1 and May 8; 1945; 2;268 military units flown by the USAAF; dropped food to 3.5 million starving Dutch civilians in German-occupied Holland. It took raw courage to fly on Operation Chowhound; as American aircrews never knew when the German AAA might open fire on them or if Luftwaffe fighters might jump them. Flying at 400 feet; barely above the tree tops; with guns pointed directly at them; they would have no chance to bail out if their B-17s were hit―and yet; over eight days; 120;000 German troops kept their word; and never fired on the American bombers. As they flew; grateful Dutch civilians spelled out "Thanks Boys" in the tulip fields below. Many Americans who flew in Operation Chowhound would claim it was the best thing they did in the war. In this gripping narrative; author Stephen Dando-Collins takes the reader into the rooms where Operation Chowhound was born; into the aircraft flying the mission; and onto the ground in the Netherlands with the civilians who so desperately needed help. James Bond creator Ian Fleming; Hollywood actress Audrey Hepburn; as well as Roosevelt; Eisenhower; and Churchill all play a part in this story; creating a compelling; narrative read.
#1587041 in Books 2014-09-22 2014-09-22Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.98 x .71 x 5.98l; 1.10 #File Name: 110766876X323 pages
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Especially significant at this moment in historyBy Shelley K.Every Day Lasts a Year is an especially significant book at this moment in history; whenanti-immigrant sentiment is rising around us. Not only does the book contain rare letterscomposed by besieged residents of the Kracow ghetto; but it also relates thesimultaneous immigration case of Joseph Hollander; the recipient of the letters.Hollander was an educated; hard-working; deserving person who was attempting to fleeoppression. It is chilling to learn his story; particularly the US government’s efforts todeport him back to Poland to his certain death as WWII unfolded.The book is of special interest because Hollander’s immigration petition was a notablecase in American immigration history. Remarkably; Hollander’s case reached thehighest levels of the US government; among them the U.S. Court of Appeals in NewYork and the office of the Secretary of State; bringing even greater importance to thistale about Joseph Hollander and his family’s letters.The book centers around the letters sent to Hollander in the U.S. from his desperaterelatives trapped in the Kracow ghetto; where they were enduring progressively moredevastating measures imposed by the Nazis.Two chapters by holocaust scholars precede the chapter containing the Hollanderfamily’s correspondence. These chapters provide essential historical context on WWIIEurope. We learn; for example; how the Nazi’s plans for Poland’s Jews unfolded; whythe ghettos were established; how they were created; and what Nazi rule of thementailed. This background ensures that when we finally read the letters we trulyappreciate the escalating; impossible burdens being imposed upon the community andthe increasing pressure to which Hollander’s family members were being subjected (andabout which they were not allowed to write directly).Every Day Lasts a Year paints a vivid picture of this terrible moment in history. Theauthors have skillfully illuminated a poignant story; and thanks to the excellentorganization of the book and the clarity of the background within it; I now have the toolsto pass this consequential saga on to others - and I am inspired to do so.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. A compelling storyBy baking foolThough somewhat academic; it is a compelling story of a family whose history was unearthed after their untimely deaths. The pre-WWII and the ultimate journey to America is a story that brings so much clarity. I recommend it highly.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Five StarsBy barbara e. richmondall good
