"Bravo, Amerikanski!": And Other Stories from World War II

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For over 150 years American war correspondents have been reporting news and events from some of the most dangerous locations in the world. What is noteworthy, however, is up until sixty years ago most of these journalists were men. All of this changed somewhat during World War II when new horizons were opened to female journalists. Women now had secured military accreditation and the right to cover some of the biggest news events of their careers. One of these journalists was Ann Stringer, who in one word can be described as "gutsy," in her pursuit of the truth.

Bravo Amerikanski and Other Stories From World War II exposes us to a vivid and poignant narration of this courageous woman's experiences as a war correspondent during the Second World War as relayed to Mark Scott. Scott had previously edited a book entitled "Yanks Meet Reds: Recollections of US and Soviets Vets from the Linkup in World War II," and it was during this assignment that Scott had crossed paths with Stringer.

Stringer presents history as it should be taught in our high schools and universities. Her portrayal of the rotting human flesh of Nordhaussen, her interview with Ilse Koch, the wife of the camp commandant, and who was called the "Bitch of Buchenwald," are all reminders that wars are about people. It is not something in the abstract and history is not only about dates and names of battles. What could be more horrendous than entering the Dachau concentration camp and listening to the German commandant apologize to her because he ran out of fuel to keep the ovens running. To listen to him state that it was his fault they did not have the fuel and it was the fault of the Americans they had run out of fuel is beyond comprehension!
Her recounting about her personal tragedy loosing her husband, William John Stringer Jr., when he was on assignment in France was extremely moving. However this loss did not prevent Stringer from moving on with her life and as she states: "It was up to me to go on and do the things Bill and I had planned to do together-cover the war." That is exactly what she did in a brilliant and professional manner!

One of Stringer's most exciting assignments and probably the one she will be most remembered for is her reporting of the link up of the American and Russian soldiers at the Elbe River in Germany. To hear it straight from the "horse's mouth" is an eye opener. We can appreciate her feelings when she tells the reader that her first glimpse of a Russian was "that of a young man running down the street wearing nothing but under shorts and a grey cap." Stringer goes on to tell us that the soldier was dripping wet because he had just swam across the Elbe River to greet her crew and herself. We are then informed that the Elbe was swarming with Russian soldiers stripped to their shorts swimming across. When Springer and her associates were spotted the soldiers all called out "Bravo Amerikanski!" and "Bravo, Comrades!" You can just imagine the scene!

The last chapter of the book is very appropriately entitled "I'll Be Seeing You." These were the last words written to Stringer by her first husband prior to his death. Even after two subsequent marriages, she always had a soft spot in her heart for her first husband who she never forgot and hoped to meet one day in the hereafter. We also are reminded that war is cruel to all sides, no matter whether you win or lose. We should try and learn from history in order that past tragedies are not repeated. Hatred has no place in the world.

Ann Stringer never considered herself a crusader for women's liberation and one of her final comments in her book was "I'm just a person." Ann died on November 7th, 1990. Perhaps one day we will view the Ann Stringer story on the silver screen?

Norm Goldman (...)

I personally experienced in 1985 the phenomenal 40th anniversary reunion of World War II American and Russian soldiers who had linked up at the Elbe River in Germany during the last days of the war so her recollection about being the second war correspondent to reach troops from both armies was particularly exciting. She got there while they were still joyously celebrating the reality that, now that the two great armies had met up, the German soldiers would be surrendering and the war would soon be over. Her true gutziness was revealed with her story about the lengths she went to in order to get back to Paris and be the first to file the story about the historic link-up! Yet her recollections did not end with the conclusion of the war. The book goes on to share her experiences following the war--going into the ravaged cities of Europe, seeing the despair, hopelessness, and hunger of the people throughout. She also covered the Nuremberg Trials for 11 months, witnessing first-hand the Nazi leadership on trial in the Palace of Justice. Finally, I was especially touched by the poignant way in which she reflected towards the end of the book about lessons to be learned: "Wars are cruel to all sides, no matter whether you win or lose. One of the major issues of the Trials was the condemnation of aggressive wars. Another was recognizing how vicious a doctrine of hatred can be. Yet another was that orders are not always enough. Just to obey an order does not absolve you of all guilt. We can still prevent wars by getting to know each other, to realize that "they" have some of the same problems "we" have...." For this and for historical reasons, everyone should read this book.