Beverley Driver Eddy, author and Professor Emerita of German at Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania will visit the Alexander Hamilton Memorial Free Library on Dec. 14, from 1 to 3 p.m. to talk about her book “Ritchie Boy Secrets.”
This is a different kind of World War II story; the story of the 15,000 immigrants and refugees who used their native language skills and knowledge of their home countries to help America to victory in World War II. Beverley Driver Eddy tells their story thoroughly and colorfully, drawing heavily on interviews with surviving Ritchie Boys.
Books will be available for purchase and can be signed by the author.
“I’ll bet few of you had any idea what Fort Ritchie was doing during the war nor did you know that 60% of the intelligence gathered during the war was gathered by the people trained there in secret. The fact that they were largely immigrants and therefore native speakers who had enlisted to fight against Nazi occupation of their birthplaces was impressive. The additional fact that many of them were Jewish and yet volunteered to return to their occupied homelands undercover to gather military intelligence is nothing short of phenomenal.” said Linda May, director of the Alexander Hamilton Memorial Free Library.
“This is an opportunity to hear about a part of America’s WWII history not all of us knew about or understood. And it was right on our doorstep. Ms. Eddy has written what reviewers have described as a ‘meticulously researched’ book about Fort Ritchie and the men and women who trained there in secret during World War II. It’s a fascinating book to read and you will definitely have questions to ask her.”
Space is limited so please call, 717-762-3335, or visit the library to register.
