by James Bohun (Author)
A Soldier at War: The World War II Letters of Borys Bohun, is a personal journey of one man's war experience. The author relied heavily on two primary source documents to provide much of the historical data: The War Diary of the 62nd Anti-Aircraft Artillery (AAA) Gun Battalion and letters from Borys Bohun, his father, who served in the 62nd AAA from early 1942 to mid-1945. Additionally, dialogue between artillerymen, although fictional, permits the introduction of factual information from other sources.
The War Diary tracks the 62nd AAA Battalion from its November 1942 landing in North Africa through the victories on that continent, followed by actions in Sicily and France, the horrors of the Holocaust at Landsberg Concentration Camp, and the ultimate conquest of the Third Reich itself in May 1945. Within this time frame is a month-by-month breakdown of the battalion's actions and locations.
The writings from Borys provide an understanding of changes in American wartime social structure as viewed by the common person. His correspondence also educates the reader regarding civilian sacrifices made on the home front, such as rationing. Added to the discussion are topics such as submarine warfare and war production.
The letters between Borys and his fianc?e, Martha, also provide insight into their mutual love and longing to be together across the vast distance of the Atlantic Ocean. Borys's mail shows that his major desire is for the war to end so he can return home, marry Martha, and share raising a family.