World War Ii Christmas

December 1942 saw the bloodiest Christmas in the history of mankind. Men were killing each other in greater numbers than ever before. The Holocaust continued, and innocent civilians were murdered by the thousands throughout the evil Nazi empire, even as the perpetrators celebrated the birth of Christ. Millions stationed in far-off lands amid the greatest conflict in human history feared this was their last Christmas in freedom, or their last Christmas alive. At the same time as the slaughter continued unabated, throughout the world there were random acts of kindness.

No turkey. No fruit to make a decent pudding. No money for presents. Your children away from home; your husband, father and brothers off fighting. How in the world does one celebrate Christmas? That was the situation facing the people of Britain for six years during the Second World War. From the family whose dog ate the Christmas roast, leaving them to enjoy “Spam with all the trimmings”, to the exhibition of handmade toys for children in a Singapore prison camp, these firsthand stories are by turns tragic, poignant and funny.

Snowed in for the holidays with a killer? It’s the most wonderful time of the year… December 1938. As storm clouds gather over Europe, a group of bright young things are spending a festive weekend at Hexham Hall, the grand Northumberland estate of the genial Colonel ‘Monty’ Talbot. Hexham Hall has all the right ingredients for a perfect holiday: roaring fires, flowing brandy, a glittering cast of guests, and a relentless blizzard cutting them off from the world. What could possibly go wrong? Plenty... There’s the Colonel’s dazzling niece, Vanessa, whose past romantic ...

For fans of All the Light We Cannot See and The Tattooist of Auschwitz! “Angels of the Resistance brings to life a deadly-effective and deeply moving sisterhood.” —Kate Quinn, New York Times bestselling author of The Rose Code From the bestselling author of The Flight Girls comes a story...

In 1944, while waiting for the imminent arrival of her war weary fiancé Dick Thimble, Joan Foster is stricken to discover that he may not have survived. Learning nothing further, and with no recourse but to wait and pray, Joan and her friend, Annie, are distracted by the mysterious reappearance of previously pilfered Sacred artifacts. But when a blistering encounter with Gloria, Joan’s seemingly ever-present challenger for Dick’s affections, is followed by an explosion inside Annie’s shop, Joan and friends see life’s fragility. Just as it appears that the holidays will be one long ...

The True Story of One Woman's Triumph of Faith Newlywed American missionary Darlene Deibler Rose survived four years in a notorious Japanese prison camp set deep in the jungles of New Guinea. Thinking she was never to see her husband again, Darlene Rose was forced to sign a false confession and...

It's 1944, and World War II is raging through Europe. Lieutenant Bradford Reimer, forced to leave his wife and ill daughter in Pennsylvania, finds himself fighting for his life and the lives of his men in the Battle of the Bulge. As they escape certain death, they end up in the Belgian Village of Ciel, where they meet a kindly old man named Nikolaas.

Christmas 1941 came little more than two weeks after the attack on Pearl Harbor. The shock - in some cases overseas, elation - was worldwide. While Americans attempted to go about celebrating as usual, the reality of the just-declared war was on everybody’s mind. United States troops on Wake Island were battling a Japanese landing force and, in the Philippines, losing the fight to save Luzon. In Japan, the Pearl Harbor strike force returned to Hiroshima Bay and toasted its sweeping success.

It’s Christmas Eve 1944 and the Battle of the Bulge is raging across the snowy Ardennes Forest. Even in these bitter conditions, two soldiers manage to exchange gifts, but there is a bittersweet twist. Inspired by O. Henry’s classic short story, The Gift of the Magi. Important note: This story can be read at the author’s website

""An ingenious look at WWII.” —Publishers Weekly (Starred Review) A groundbreaking new history of the role of American servicewomen in WWII, illuminating their forgotten yet essential contributions to the Allies’ victory. Valiant Women is the story of the 350,000 American women who served...

Siblings forge new paths and find love in three stories filled with the wonder of Christmas. Turn back the clock to a different time and listen to Bing Crosby sing of sleigh bells in the snow as the realities of America’s involvement in the Second World War change the lives of the Turner family in Lafayette, Indiana. The Turner family believes in God’s providence during such a tumultuous time. Can they absorb the miracle of Christ’s birth and His plan for a future?

Winner of the 2025 Audie Award for Multi-Voiced Performance A NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER “Absolutely gripping.” —The Washington Post “A masterpiece of oral history…stirring, surprising, grim, joyous, moving, and always riveting.” —Evan Thomas From the New York Times...

An American fighter pilot doomed to die in Buchenwald but determined to survive. On August 13, 1944, Joe Moser set off on his forty-fourth combat mission over occupied France. Soon, he would join almost 170 other Allied airmen as prisoners in Buchenwald, one of the most notorious and deadly of...

11 Days in December tells the unforgettable story of one of the grimmest points of World War II and its Christmas Eve turn toward victory. In December 1944, the Allied forces thought their campaign for securing Europe was in its final stages. But Germany had one last great surprise attack still planned, leading to some of the most intense fighting in World War II: the Battle of the Bulge.

June 1944. Joan Foster had no way of knowing when or if fate would reunite her with the maddeningly good-looking Sgt. Dick Thimble, the tall, soft spoken soldier from Washington, D.C. They'd scarcely become engaged after knowing each other only weeks, when he had been called away. The War takes a giant step closer when the husbands and boyfriends of all of Joan's friends are suddenly deployed. Joan and her friends Helen, Annie, and Bernice pray fervently for their safety as the men disappear into the unknown world of War. When Annie's Sylvester goes MIA, only Bernice's wild surprise is ...

Singing seems like a weird thing for military men to do together in the modern age of TikTok dances and faux manliness, but it used to be very common, especially when alcoholic beverages were made available. These song books were handed out to Marines during World War II. The images contained herein are from the book given to my grandfather in 1944. As a matter of fact, you’ll see his signature at the top of one of the pages. The Fighting Fourth Marine Division fought in countless battles in World War II and beyond. I was privileged to serve in the same division 50 years to the month ...

A spellbinding novel of World War II based on the little-known history of the X Troop—a team of European Jews who escaped the Continent only to join the British Army and return home to exact their revenge on Hitler’s military. A lone soldier wearing a German uniform stumbles into a British...

One Christmas in Washington is a fascinating, in-depth look at one of the most crucial periods in modern history: the Washington war conference of 1941, when two proud and accomplished statesmen struggled to overcome biases, suspicion, and hubris to create what turned out to be the war-winning alliance.

A heartwarming story from the author of the Mountain Women Series In a remote mountain town, an extended family looks forward to gathering at Christmas. But one of them is missing–Charlie, a deputy sheriff. Though loved and admired, Charlie is not well understood, and because he leads a solitary life, he often goes away without telling anyone. Still, he promised to be with the family Christmas day. Charlie has been a devoted family member, but he is a poor communicator. No one knows if he’s somewhere enforcing the law or buying horses, his favorite pursuit. As Christmas day approaches, ...

The Believe In Christmas Collection: A Christmas Miracle An early 1800's Novelette by Carole Brown Can a rich, but troubled, married couple find happiness again through one little homeless, precocious lad? Will a real miracle save Christmas this year? Christmas Angels A WWII Short Story by Carole Brown Abigail had always been a strong young woman, but living in a boarding house, with a baby girl, and no way to give her daughter a real Christmas what is she to do? Without money and worried sick over her husband who is a missing-in-action soldier, her hope is gone. But...her Christmas Angels ...