The 2009-10 calendar of events for the Dr. Harold C. Deutsch World War II History Round Table has been announced.

All programs are at 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted, and take place at the Fort Snelling History Center, 2nd Tower Ave., St. Paul MN.

Nov. 12 – “The Sorge Spy Ring: The Dr. Harold C. Deutsch Lecture.” Donald Goldstein, author of numerous World War II books. The Sorge spy operation was one of the most successful in history. Information obtained by the spy ring in Japan facilitated the Russian decision to transfer large numbers of troops from Siberia to the Moscow front where they stopped the German “Barbarossa” offensive and launched a massive counterattack that became Germany’s first major defeat in World War II.

Dec. 10 – “The 82nd Airborne Division in the Battle of the Bulge.” Guy LoFaro, author of an upcoming book on the 82nd Airborne, with division veterans. The German counteroffensive in the Ardennes was not broken at Bastogne, as popularly thought, but farther north. There, in the Salm River Valley, the 82nd Airborne Division turned back the German main effort and ended Hitler’s plans to turn the tide of war.

Jan. 14, 2010 – “Soviet Military Leadership in World War II.” Roger Reese, author of books on the World War II Soviet military, with Russian Veterans. The Soviet soldiers’ recruitment and training and their leadership, from platoon level up to Marshal of the Soviet Union, determined their ultimate performance in battle despite the effects of Stalin’s terror purges on leadership cadres.

Feb. 11, 2010 – “The Role of Bombers Against Germany.” Williamson Murray, author of numerous military history books, with Army Air Forces veterans. The massive European Theater air war, from the early struggles to the strategic developments that ensured the destruction of the Luftwaffe and Nazi war industry, employed millions of U.S. airmen.

March 11, 2010 – “The New Guinea Campaign.” James Campbell, author of “Ghost Mountain Boys,” with Southwest Pacific Campaign veterans. The much overlooked campaign in the Southwest Pacific and New Guinea landing were part of the Allies’ successful island hopping strategy. Many of the troops who fought this war in the jungles were from the 32nd Infantry Division.

April 8, 2010 – “The Invasion of Anzio.” H. Paul Jeffers, author of numerous books on World War II, with veterans of participating units. – Despite early success of the surprise landing in late January 1944, savage fighting soon developed on the narrow 15-mile-long Anzio Beachhead south of Rome. By the breakout four months later, the Allies had lost nearly 30,000 men.

May 13, 2010 – “Air Operations in the CBI: The Hump, Air Commandos and Air Cargo.” Al Lathrop, author and historian, with veterans of the China Burma India Theater. – Air support in the CBI Theater was crucial to maintain ground operations; rugged and inhospitable terrain often made supply otherwise impossible. Cargo flights from India and over the Himalayas (“the Hump”) kept China in the war and brought men, equipment and supplies into Burma to defeat the Japanese.

May 15-28, 2010 – V-E Tour 65th Anniversary – The tour will trace the route of the Hammelburg POW rescue, Rothenberg Am Tauber, Nuremburg, Pilzen, Prague, Munich, Dachau, Eagle’s Nest and Ludwig’s castles. For more information, contact Bob Riggs, 952-891-8430.

The Round Table’s mission recognizes the importance of promoting the study of and preservation of the factual history of World War II.

They seek to do this via lectures by knowledgeable historians and by oral history of those individuals who lived through this history.

These presentations are preserved on videotape for the use of participants, students, and others who are interested in the study of World War II history.

Veterans interested in participating in the round tables, should call 952-941-5700.