Post by fwx on Nov 6, 2012 12:25:13 GMT 12
The Nazi and the Luftgangster
Douglas Bannerman Williamson and Lutz Dille
Elgin Press, 2012
Paperback, 304 pp.
The Nazi and the Luftgangster is a splicing together of the autobiographies of two young men, their often parallel experiences during the Second World War, and how they came to meet up and become friends afterwards.
First a British teenager, who became a flight engineer flying in a Lancaster bomber in 75 (NZ) Squadron. his experiences after bailing out over Leipzig, and capture in the last days of the war. His experiences as a tea planter in India, and later emigration to Canada, then to New Zealand.
Next a German lad who was in the Hitler Youth and his failed pre-war attempt to escape to Britain. Then, as a German army reconnaissance photographer on the Eastern Front. His retreat from Kiev and eventual capture by the Americans and imprisonment in France. His experiences in Germany under Russian occupation, learning to become a professional photographer, and later his emigration to Canada.
Lutz Dille was born and grew up in Leipzig, a city which Doug Williamson's squadron bombed on more than one occasion. And it was not far from Leipzig where Doug bailed out when his Lancaster was hit and caught fire in April ’45. By then Lutz was fleeing from the Russians, only to be captured by the Americans. Doug was eventually captured by the Germans, only to be liberated by the Americans.
Both led fascinating lives after the war, following whims and friendships.
Their stories eventually merge in Canada, where they met up and became good friends (cover photo).
Doug and his family moved to New Zealand in the '70's, and Lutz and his partner moved to the South of France, but both families kept in touch.
Lutz became an internationally recognised photographer (“Canada’s answer to Henri Cartier-Bresson”) with his works displayed in the New York Museum of Modern Art, amongst others. A sample here: www.bulgergallery.com/dynamic/fr_artist.asp?ArtistID=23
Doug Williamson published his autobiography ‘ The Aimless Wanderings of a Nincompoop’ in 2002, and he sent a copy to his friend Lutz, who was inspired to write his own. Unfortunately Lutz passed away before the manuscript could be published, so Doug has decided to merge the two together and self-publish the result as a new book.
Doug was the Flight Engineer in my uncle's Lancaster crew, so I have a personal interest in the book, however after reading it I would recommend it to anyone interested in this period and how individuals coped with such massive change in their lives.
Both authors have a nice sense of humour, and their stories have a nice symmetry. Both make interesting observations about the futility of war and the power of shared humanity in overcoming cultural and political differences.
Doug has copies of his book for sale, to cover the publishing costs, at NZD35 each, plus packaging & postage.
Anyone interested can PM me and I will pass your details on to Doug.
Cheers, Chris
Douglas Bannerman Williamson and Lutz Dille
Elgin Press, 2012
Paperback, 304 pp.
The Nazi and the Luftgangster is a splicing together of the autobiographies of two young men, their often parallel experiences during the Second World War, and how they came to meet up and become friends afterwards.
First a British teenager, who became a flight engineer flying in a Lancaster bomber in 75 (NZ) Squadron. his experiences after bailing out over Leipzig, and capture in the last days of the war. His experiences as a tea planter in India, and later emigration to Canada, then to New Zealand.
Next a German lad who was in the Hitler Youth and his failed pre-war attempt to escape to Britain. Then, as a German army reconnaissance photographer on the Eastern Front. His retreat from Kiev and eventual capture by the Americans and imprisonment in France. His experiences in Germany under Russian occupation, learning to become a professional photographer, and later his emigration to Canada.
Lutz Dille was born and grew up in Leipzig, a city which Doug Williamson's squadron bombed on more than one occasion. And it was not far from Leipzig where Doug bailed out when his Lancaster was hit and caught fire in April ’45. By then Lutz was fleeing from the Russians, only to be captured by the Americans. Doug was eventually captured by the Germans, only to be liberated by the Americans.
Both led fascinating lives after the war, following whims and friendships.
Their stories eventually merge in Canada, where they met up and became good friends (cover photo).
Doug and his family moved to New Zealand in the '70's, and Lutz and his partner moved to the South of France, but both families kept in touch.
Lutz became an internationally recognised photographer (“Canada’s answer to Henri Cartier-Bresson”) with his works displayed in the New York Museum of Modern Art, amongst others. A sample here: www.bulgergallery.com/dynamic/fr_artist.asp?ArtistID=23
Doug Williamson published his autobiography ‘ The Aimless Wanderings of a Nincompoop’ in 2002, and he sent a copy to his friend Lutz, who was inspired to write his own. Unfortunately Lutz passed away before the manuscript could be published, so Doug has decided to merge the two together and self-publish the result as a new book.
Doug was the Flight Engineer in my uncle's Lancaster crew, so I have a personal interest in the book, however after reading it I would recommend it to anyone interested in this period and how individuals coped with such massive change in their lives.
Both authors have a nice sense of humour, and their stories have a nice symmetry. Both make interesting observations about the futility of war and the power of shared humanity in overcoming cultural and political differences.
Doug has copies of his book for sale, to cover the publishing costs, at NZD35 each, plus packaging & postage.
Anyone interested can PM me and I will pass your details on to Doug.
Cheers, Chris