I Will Tell No War Stories

I Will Tell No War Stories: What Our Fathers Left Unsaid about World War II
By Howard Mansfield
ISBN: 978-1-4930-8108-0
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 160

"I Will Tell No War Stories" by acclaimed author Howard Mansfield delves into the profound silence surrounding the experiences of World War II veterans, including his own father. Despite the war's pervasive presence in media, many who fought, like Mansfield's father, adhered to a powerful code of silence, refusing to share their stories.

The narrative takes a compelling turn when Mansfield uncovers his father's secret journal of bombing missions, revealing harrowing details of attacking fighters, relentless anti-aircraft fire, and the heartbreaking loss of fellow airmen. This discovery illuminates the intense and often arbitrary nature of combat, where the slimmest margins determined life or death.

This meticulously researched and superbly written volume suggests that veterans' reluctance to speak stemmed from experiences too profound for words, a form of self-preservation, and a desire to bring peace to their families. Mansfield skillfully weaves his research with excerpts from his father's diary, offering an intriguing look into the inner workings of a wartime crew and the critical role of B-24 bombers.

Ultimately, "I Will Tell No War Stories" is a powerful and captivating exploration of confronting this hidden history, learning to live with the past, and challenging societal amnesia about the true horrors and cataclysm of a world at war. It is a vital read for anyone seeking to understand the unspoken legacies of the Greatest Generation.