French MacLean, Author at The Fifth Field

Stalingrad Article in “Desperta Ferro Magazine”

Desperta Ferro Edition Cover

Desperta Ferro Magazine out of Madrid, Spain has published an article by French in Spanish in their latest March-April 2014 issue. The issue is entitled on the front Cover “Stalingrado (I) El as alto de la Wehrmacht.” French’s six page article, beginning on page12, is titled, “El Sexto Ejército preparativos para la campaña.”

This excellent magazine can be ordered from:

Desperta Ferro Ediciones SLNE
C/Isabel Clara Eugenia 10, portal G, 4˚ B
28050 Madrid
CIF B-85964815
Tlf. 658 160824

An email address there is jesus_jimenez@despertaferro-ediciones.com

Their website is www.despertaferro-ediciones.com

The magazine, which is all in Spanish, has excellent maps and photographs. If you are a Spanish-speaker interested in history, this is the magazine for you.

Sexto Ejército, preparativos para la campaña por French MacLean. Ni el ejército alemán en su conjunto, ni el Sexto Ejército en particular, eran esos invencibles titanes que proclamaba determinada bibliografía de postguerra, aunque el Sexto Ejército fue con frecuencia el de mayores dimensiones de toda la Wehrmacht. Aquejado de una carencia de mandos experimentados, mientras operaba al final de una larga y precaria línea de suministros y con un equipo que fue rápidamente superado por el enemigo, el alemán fue en el fondo un ejército de la Primera Guerra Mundial en muchos aspectos –aunque llamado a cumplir con las expectativas de velocidad y profundidad de la Segunda Guerra Mundial– y, una vez más, condicionado por una guerra en dos frentes.

Stalingrad Article in “Desperta Ferro Magazine”French MacLean2015-08-02T11:29:21-05:00

New Book Distributor for Europe

(March 12, 2014) Schiffer Publishing has hired Gazelle Book Services to sell and distribute Schiffer publications in Europe. This will shorten delivery time and reduce postage costs. The information on this distributor is:

Gazelle Book Services White Cross Mills Hightown Lancaster Lancashire LA1 4XS UK Tel: +44 (0) 1524 68765 Fax: +44 (0) 1524 63232 E-mail: sales@gazellebooks.co.uk

For those readers in Germany or those travelers fortunate enough to be able to visit Munich, Germany, another bookstore can also assist you in finding the books found on this website. In my 40 years experience, the Christian Schmidt bookstore is one of the best military bookstores in the entire world. You can spend hours in there browsing! Ask for Gabi; they speak perfect English. You can take the U6 U-Bahn from the center of the city in the direction of the Klinikum Grosshadern and get off at Grosshadern, one stop before the end. It is marked in blue on U-Bahn maps.

Christian Schmidt Buchhandlung
Sauerbruchstrasse 10
D-81377 Muenchen
Germany

Email: info@christian-schmidt.com
Web Page: www.christian-schmidt.com
Phone: (49) 89 703227

New Book Distributor for EuropeFrench MacLean2023-08-19T08:17:07-05:00

US Army Executions World War II in Europe and Africa Data

(March 9, 2014) Due to numerous requests by readers, we have added a table showing the names, dates of execution and places of execution for all 96 American soldiers executed in World War II in Europe and North Africa, the subject of The Fifth Field. Included at the top of the table, which is found in the published work section for The Fifth Field, is a photograph of the last face that probably 34 American soldiers ever saw before they were hanged — that of US Army hangman, Master Sergeant John Woods. Previously published biographical information on Woods has been mostly incorrect, as until two years ago, Woods’ official personnel records had never been released to the public. The Fifth Field is the first work to incorporate those files and shows that Woods had been in the US Navy in 1930 but had been discharged for psychological reasons. He also had never been an assistant hangman in Texas and Oklahoma — as he had claimed in 1944 to help secure the position as hangman, which took him out of a combat engineer unit slated for frontline duty, and also elevated him from the rank of private to master sergeant in just one day!

US Army Executions World War II in Europe and Africa DataFrench MacLean2023-08-19T08:17:55-05:00

US Army Executions World War II in Europe and Africa

Master Sergeant John C Woods, US Army Hangman

The 96
Last Name	First Name	Date of Death	Location of Execution
Cobb	David	Friday, March 12, 1943	Shepton Mallet Prison, England
Smith	Harold A.	Friday, June 25, 1943	Shepton Mallet Prison, England
Kendrick	James E.	Saturday, July 17, 1943	Oran, Algeria
Pittman	Willie Aron	Monday, August 30, 1943	Termini, Sicily
Stroud	Harvey L.	Monday, August 30, 1943	Termini, Sicily
White	Armstead	Monday, August 30, 1943	Termini, Sicily
White	David	Monday, August 30, 1943	Termini, Sicily
Smith	Charles H.	Monday, September 06, 1943	Oran, Algeria
Davis	Lee A.	Tuesday, December 14, 1943	Shepton Mallet Prison, England
Jones	Edwin P.	Wednesday, January 05, 1944	Oran, Algeria
Waters	John H.	Thursday, February 10, 1944	Shepton Mallet Prison, England
Spears	Charles E.	Wednesday, April 19, 1944	PBS Stockade Number 1, Aversa, Italy
Leatherberry	J.C.	Tuesday, May 16, 1944	Shepton Mallet Prison, England
Harris	Wiley Jr.	Friday, May 26, 1944	Shepton Mallet Prison, England
Miranda	Alex F.	Tuesday, May 30, 1944	Shepton Mallet Prison, England
Donnelly	Robert L.	Wednesday, May 31, 1944	PBS Stockade Number 1, Aversa, Italy
Brinson	Eliga	Friday, August 11, 1944	Shepton Mallet Prison, England
Smith	Willie	Friday, August 11, 1944	Shepton Mallet Prison, England
Whitfield	Clarence	Monday, August 14, 1944	Canisy, France
Watson	Ray	Tuesday, August 29, 1944	PBS Stockade Number 1, Aversa, Italy
Thomas	Madison	Thursday, October 12, 1944	Shepton Mallet Prison, England
Anderson	Roy W.	Wednesday, October 25, 1944	Seine Disciplinary Training Center, Paris, France
Sanders	James B.	Wednesday, October 25, 1944	Seine Disciplinary Training Center, Paris, France
Kluxdal	Paul M.	Tuesday, October 31, 1944	Seine Disciplinary Training Center, Paris, France
Watson	Joseph	Wednesday, November 08, 1944	Seine Disciplinary Training Center, Paris, France
Wimberly	Willie Jr.	Wednesday, November 08, 1944	Seine Disciplinary Training Center, Paris, France
Maxey	Curtis L.	Saturday, November 18, 1944	PBS Stockade Number 1, Aversa, Italy
Pennyfeather	William D.	Saturday, November 18, 1944	Fort Du Roule, Cherbourg, France
Scott	Richard B.	Saturday, November 18, 1944	Fort Du Roule, Cherbourg, France
McGann	Theron W.	Monday, November 20, 1944	St. Lo, Manche, France
Davis	Arthur E.	Wednesday, November 22, 1944	Montours, Ille-et-Vilaine, France
Jordan	Charles H.	Wednesday, November 22, 1944	Montours, Ille-et-Vilaine, France
Hendricks	James E.	Friday, November 24, 1944	Chateau La Vallee, Plumaudan, Cotes-du-Nord, France
Pygate	Benjamin	Tuesday, November 28, 1944	Shepton Mallet Prison, England
Newman	Oscar N.	Wednesday, November 29, 1944	Beaunay, Marne, France
Valentine	Leo Sr.	Wednesday, November 29, 1944	Beaunay, Marne, France
Davis	William E.	Wednesday, December 27, 1944	Guiclan, Finistere, France
Clark	Ernest Lee	Monday, January 08, 1945	Shepton Mallet Prison, England
Guerra	Augustine M.	Monday, January 08, 1945	Shepton Mallet Prison, England
Cooper	John David	Tuesday, January 09, 1945	Lerouville, Meuse, France
Baldwin	Walter J.	Wednesday, January 17, 1945	Beaufay, Sarthe, France
Farrell	Arthur J.	Friday, January 19, 1945	St. Sulpice de, Ille-et-Vilaine, France
Twiggs	James W.	Monday, January 22, 1945	Loire Disciplinary Training Center, Le Mans, France
Holden	Mervin	Tuesday, January 30, 1945	Fort d’Orange, Citadel, Namur, Belgium
Spencer	Elwood J.	Tuesday, January 30, 1945	Fort d’Orange, Citadel, Namur, Belgium
Slovik	Eddie	Wednesday, January 31, 1945	Ste. Marie-Aux-Mines, France
Wilson	J. P.	Friday, February 02, 1945	Lerouville, Meuse, France
Skinner	Robert L.	Saturday, February 10, 1945	Bricquebec, Manche, France
Yancy	Waiters	Saturday, February 10, 1945	Bricquebec, Manche, France
Mack	William	Thursday, February 15, 1945	Plabennec, Finisterre, France
Crews	Otis B.	Wednesday, February 21, 1945	PBS Stockade Number 1, Aversa, Italy
Downes	William C.	Wednesday, February 28, 1945	Etienville, Manche, France
Agee	Amos	Saturday, March 03, 1945	La Saussaye, Commune de Bure, Orne, France
Smith	John C.	Saturday, March 03, 1945	La Saussaye, Commune de Bure, Orne, France
Watson	Frank	Saturday, March 03, 1945	La Saussaye, Commune de Bure, Orne, France
Jones	Cubia	Saturday, March 17, 1945	Shepton Mallet Prison, England
Pearson	Robert L.	Saturday, March 17, 1945	Shepton Mallet Prison, England
Jones	Kinney	Tuesday, March 20, 1945	PBS Stockade Number 1, Aversa, Italy
Mack	John H.	Tuesday, March 20, 1945	PBS Stockade Number 1, Aversa, Italy
Taylor	John W.	Tuesday, March 20, 1945	PBS Stockade Number 1, Aversa, Italy
Burns	Lee A.	Tuesday, March 27, 1945	PBS Stockade Number 1, Aversa, Italy
Grant	General L.	Tuesday, March 27, 1945	PBS Stockade Number 1, Aversa, Italy
Smalls	Abraham	Tuesday, March 27, 1945	PBS Stockade Number 1, Aversa, Italy
Davison	Tommie	Thursday, March 29, 1945	Prise Guinment, Manche, France
Williams	Olin W.	Thursday, March 29, 1945	Le Chene Daniel, Manche, France
Harrison	William Jr.	Saturday, April 07, 1945	Shepton Mallet Prison, England
Hopper	Benjamin F.	Wednesday, April 11, 1945	Loire Disciplinary Training Center, Le Mans, France
Bailey	Milbert	Thursday, April 19, 1945	La Pernelle, Hameau Scipion, Normandy, France
Jones	James L.	Thursday, April 19, 1945	La Pernelle, Hameau Scipion, Normandy, France
Williams	John	Thursday, April 19, 1945	La Pernelle, Hameau Scipion, Normandy, France
McGhee	Shelton Sr.	Friday, May 04, 1945	PBS Stockade Number 1, Aversa, Italy
Smith	George E. Jr.	Tuesday, May 08, 1945	Shepton Mallet Prison, England
Green	George Jr.	Tuesday, May 15, 1945	Loire Disciplinary Training Center, Le Mans, France
Heard	Haze	Monday, May 21, 1945	Mesnil-Clinchamps, Calvados, France
McCarter	William J.	Monday, May 28, 1945	Loire Disciplinary Training Center, Le Mans, France
Norris	Clete O.	Thursday, May 31, 1945	Loire Disciplinary Training Center, Le Mans, France
Rollins	Alvin R.	Thursday, May 31, 1945	Loire Disciplinary Training Center, Le Mans, France
Clay	Matthew Jr.	Monday, June 04, 1945	Fontenay-sur-Mer, Manche, France
Schmiedel	Werner	Monday, June 11, 1945	PBS Stockade Number 1, Aversa, Italy
Martinez	Aniceto	Friday, June 15, 1945	Shepton Mallet Prison, England
Ortiz	Victor	Thursday, June 21, 1945	Loire Disciplinary Training Center, Le Mans, France
Johnson	Willie	Tuesday, June 26, 1945	La Heye Peshnel, France
McMurray	Fred A.	Monday, July 02, 1945	PBS Stockade Number 1, Aversa, Italy
Till	Louis	Monday, July 02, 1945	PBS Stockade Number 1, Aversa, Italy
Jefferies	Charles H.	Thursday, July 05, 1945	PBS Stockade Number 1, Aversa, Italy
Jones	John T.	Thursday, July 05, 1945	PBS Stockade Number 1, Aversa, Italy
Nelson	Henry W.	Thursday, July 05, 1945	PBS Stockade Number 1, Aversa, Italy
Gordon	Tom E.	Tuesday, July 10, 1945	Loire Disciplinary Training Center, Le Mans, France
Wray	Robert	Monday, August 20, 1945	Loire Disciplinary Training Center, Le Mans, France
Philpot	Henry C.	Monday, September 10, 1945	Loire Disciplinary Training Center, Le Mans, France
Robinson	Charles M.	Friday, September 28, 1945	Loire Disciplinary Training Center, Le Mans, France
Mariano	Blake W.	Wednesday, October 10, 1945	Loire Disciplinary Training Center, Le Mans, France
Bennerman	Sydney	Monday, October 15, 1945	Les Milles, France (Delta DTC)
Parker	Woodrow	Monday, October 15, 1945	Les Milles, France (Delta DTC)
Ervin	Charlie Jr.	Friday, October 19, 1945	PBS Stockade Number 1, Aversa, Italy
Spinks	Mansfield	Friday, October 19, 1945	PBS Stockade Number 1, Aversa, Italy

US Army Executions World War II in Europe and AfricaFrench MacLean2015-09-08T19:49:44-05:00

Kudos for Stalingrad

(November 8, 2013) Distinguished Stalingrad author Jason Mark, who has written such classics as Island of Fire: The Battle for the Barrikady Gun Factory in Stalingrad, Death of the Leaping Horseman: 24. Panzer-Division in Stalingrad, Into Oblivion: The Story of Pionier-Battalion 305, Angriff: The German Attack on Stalingrad in Photos, and An Artilleryman in Stalingrad, now offers Stalingrad: The Death of the German Sixth Army on the Volga, 1942-1943 for purchase on his website (www.leapinghorseman.com). Jason writes on his site:

“Leaping Horseman Books gives this two-volume set its highest recommendation. The level of detail is astounding. For every day of the battle there is map and an account of the actions and casualties of every corps and division in 6. Armee, followed by a closer look at an individual soldier who died on that day.”

Check out his website for this book and for many of Jason’s excellent offerings.

Kudos for StalingradFrench MacLean2024-07-21T10:33:45-05:00

Grave of Louis Till

Louis Till was hanged at the stockade at Aversa, Italy on Monday, July 2, 1945. His body was transferred to the American Military Cemetery at Oise-Aisne in 1949, where he was buried in grave # 73 in the fourth row of the plot known as “the fifth field.” Till had murdered an Italian woman, raped two other Italian women, assaulted an Italian man and assaulted a U. S. Navy sailor to earn the death sentence. The Army sent his personal effects home to his estranged wife. Ten years later, Till’s 14-year-old son Emmett wore his father’s ring, bearing the initials “LT” on a visit from to Chicago to Mississippi. Three men kidnapped Emmett, tortured and killed him. His body was so disfigured in the incident that it was difficult for authorities to identify him. Positive identification was finally made, in part, because of the initials on the ring. The shocking incident of Emmett Till’s death sparked the Civil Rights movement of the late 1950s.

Grave of Louis TillFrench MacLean2015-09-08T19:18:16-05:00

Fifth Field Responses Arriving

(November 6, 2013) Responses to the publishing of The Fifth Field are starting to arrive. A Supreme Court Associate Justice, an Army 4-star and Deans of two east coast “Ivy League” Law Schools and one California Law School have written that they each have a copy of the book and look forward to reading it.

Fifth Field Responses ArrivingFrench MacLean2024-07-21T10:35:31-05:00

The Fifth Field Published

(September 17, 2013) Schiffer Publishing has sent out the author advance copy, which indicates that The Fifth Field has been published and should be available for shipment next month. The book is fabulous; it came out at 370 pages, with 42 photographs, almost all of which have never been published before.

Five special photographs show moments from the executions of Louis Till, Fred McMurray, Charlie Ervin and Mansfield Spinks at the Peninsular Stockade at Aversa, Italy in 1945. These unique photographs, which had remained hidden in private hands for 67 years after the war, and unknown to be in existence by the Army, are believed to be the first photos of U.S. Army executions of U.S. personnel since the hanging of the Lincoln Assassination Conspirators in 1865. The book additionally has five photographs of Army hangman Master Sergeant John C. Woods; we feel certain that you have not seen at least three of them before.

Each of the cases is covered in great detail through trial records, witness statements, investigator notes, review findings and execution reports. For those historians and legal scholars wishing to do additional research you will find 56 pages of endnotes with specific document citations and the archives in which these documents can be found. There is an additional appendix that provides over 100 short biographies of detention center personnel, hangmen (such as Thomas and Albert Pierrepoint,) key Judge Advocate General — JAG — officers and commanders from Dwight Eisenhower on down who approved General Court-Martial results.

This is a book about the death penalty. No matter what you believe your opinion to be on this important subject, you need to read this book before making up your mind for the final time. The information within these pages has never truly been considered before as we address this significant national issue. But do not worry. This is not a legal text; it is written by a regular Army officer, using standard English, not “legalese.” Having said that, there is a section where a trained lawyer, with over 50 years experience and who has participated in death penalty cases, examines several of these courts-martial and analyzes them from his own perspective.

For historians of the Second World War, this is the first definitive account of every capital case ending in death for an American soldier in Europe and North Africa during the conflict. For past, present and future Judge Advocate General officers, non-commissioned officers and civilian personnel, this is a history of your Corps during its most significant hour.

The Fifth Field PublishedFrench MacLean2024-07-21T10:36:31-05:00

Warriors fighting the 1874 Yellowstone Expedition

I am trying to determine names of warriors who may have fought there and later at the LBH in 1876. So far, I have the following names linked to the 1874 fighting…some are tenuous links, others can pretty accurately be demonstrated, but I need anyone’s expertise here. If you can confirm their presence in 1874 or if you know of other warriors that were there, please let me know their names and pertinent information:

Black Twin/Holy Eagle (Wakan) – Bad Face band/Oglala/Lakota

Braided Locks/Wrapped Braids – Northern Cheyenne

Crazy Horse (Tȟašúŋke Witkó) – Hunkpatila band/Oglala/Lakota

Eagle Elk (Wanbdi Herake)† – Oyuhpe band/Oglala/Lakota

Flying By/Struck/Struck Plenty (Keya Heyi) – Minneconjou/Lakota

Gall (Pizí) – Hunkpapa/Lakota

Good Weasel (Hitunkasan Waste)† – Bad Face band/Oglala/Lakota

Gray Earth Tracking/Sounds-the-Ground-When-He-Walks/Noisy Walking (Wahpekute) – Santee/ Lakota

High Bear (Sunka Mato) – Oglala/Lakota

Hump (Etokeah) – Minneconjou/Lakota

Inkpaduta/Red-End-of-Horn (He-inkpa-luta) – Santee/Lakota

Iron Thunder (Wakiyan Maza) – Minneconjou/Lakota

Kicking Bear (Matȟó Wanáȟtake)† – Oyuhpe band/Oglala/Lakota

Little Killer (Ciqa Wicakte)† – Bad Face band/Oglala/Lakota

Little Wolf/Little Coyote (Ó’kôhómôxháahketa) # – Northern Cheyenne

Looking Horse† – Minneconjou/Lakota

Low Dog (Sunka Kyciyela)† – Oyuhpe band/Oglala/Lakota

Makes Room (Kiyukanpi) – Minneconjou/Lakota

Morning Star (Vóóhéhéve); Lakota name Dull Knife (Tamílapéšni)# – Northern Cheyenne

No Flesh – Oglala/Lakota

Red Hawk (Cetan Luta) – Minneconjou/Lakota

Shell Boy (Pankeska Hoksila)† – Oyuhpe band/Oglala/Lakota

Shell Necklace (Pankeska Napin) – Oglala/Lakota

Shoot the Bear (Mato Kutepi) – Hunkpapa/Lakota

Short Bull (Tȟatȟaŋka Ptecela)† – Bad Face band/Oglala/Lakota

Sitting Bull (Tȟatȟaŋka Iyotȟaŋka) – Hunkpapa/Lakota

Touch the Clouds (Maȟpíya Ičáȟtagya)# – Minneconjou/Lakota

White Earth Tracking (Oyemakasan) – Santee/Lakota

White Twin – Bad Face band/Oglala/Lakota

# inferred from Lakota oral tradition by Donovin A. Sprague Hump

+ inferred from membership in Hokší Hakákta, Last-Born Child Society

Red Hawk

Warriors fighting the 1874 Yellowstone ExpeditionFrench MacLean2015-06-21T22:30:01-05:00

Stalingrad Two-Volume Set Published!

Stalingrad: The Death of the German Sixth Army on the Volga, 1942-1943

Volume 1 – The Bloody Fall

Volume 2 – The Brutal Winter

(August 9, 2013) The advanced copies of the long-awaited set of books detailing the demise of the German Sixth Army have arrived at the publisher and more should arrive in a few weeks. You can order a set now. Bound in a sturdy black case, the two volumes have a total retail price of $69.99. If you are a historical aficionado of the battle, a “grognard” wargamer, or a military collector of German World War II Stalingrad memorabilia – especially documents , this is a set of books you will pore over time and again in your library.

Stalingrad Two-Volume Set Published!French MacLean2024-08-20T15:48:17-05:00

Visit the Hidden Side of History with French L. MacLean

French MacLean

About French MacLean