Someday You Will Understand; My Father's Private World War II
New York: Arcade Publishing [an imprint of Skyhorse Publishing, Inc.], 2014. First Edition [Stated], First Printing [Stated]. Hardcover. xiv, [2], 285, [1] pages. Frontis illustration Illustrations. Appendix. Notes. Related ephemera laid in. At the age of 19, German-born Mr. Wolff was drafted by Uncle Sam and later found himself en route back to Europe as part of a special unit known as The Ritchie Boys. It was comprised of many refugees like himself whose language skills and inside knowledge of Germany and Axis countries made them ideal U.S. intelligence officers and operatives. We learn through his letters that Mr. Wolff’s Army journey included training at Camp Ritchie in Maryland, where he became an interpreter and found his calling as an intelligence officer. He was among nearly 16,000 fellow Jewish and European refugees who were fluent in German, French, Italian, Polish, and other languages — and who could understand the culture and psyche of military enemies. They became known for their interrogation and psychological warfare efforts in Europe, contributing to the Allies’ victory. Many in this covert strategic unit continued to serve post-war as translators and interrogators, including Mr. Wolff. After Germany’s unconditional surrender, he served at several POW camps registering and interviewing prisoners, and ferreting out high-ranking Nazis who were sent to trial in Nuremberg. Wolff was also one of a few from his unit selected to classify and translate Mussolini’s documents following the dictator’s death. The letters sent home at this time painted a picture of war-ravaged Europe through the eyes of one who was spared. The letters constitute both a war journal and a means by which Ms. Feld gained great insights into her father. More