Little-Known World War II General Discussed at Library Armed Forces Day Celebration

Patrons of the were treated to an afternoon program about World War II in honor of Armed Forces Day on May 21.

Dr. John McLaughlin, founder and director of the New Jersey Word War II Book Club, opened the program, which also featured a performance of songs from the era, by speaking about a mostly unknown yet important general.

McLaughlin's talk was entitled “General Albert Wedemeyer: Architect of Victory in World War II.”  McLaughlin said that he spent years traveling the world, reading books about Wedemeyer and even befriending the general's descendants to learn about this key World War II authority. 

According to McLaughlin, Wedemeyer was responsible for drafting the “Victory Plan” — a document that mapped out the defeat of Germany in Europe. Wedemeyer was also instrumental in planning D-Day, McLaughlin said.

McLaughlin’s interest and knowledge of World War II is far-reaching and includes scholarly work on the general.

“I wrote a dissertation about General Wedemeyer and I just wrote a biography [of the general] that will be published sometime this year," he said.

In addition to his writings, McLaughlin also reaches out to communities with presentations like the one given in Manchester.

"I give talks to senior citizens and grade school children," he said. "I also started a book club that meets monthly in Milbourne, N.J., where we have authors and historians talk to us. I really am just trying to perpetuate and generate interest in World War II.”

Some of those in attendance said that they appreciated how McLaughlin brought the general to their attention. 

“I thought he was excellent," said Audrey Long, who attended the talk with her husband, a Korean War veteran. "I thought he gave us a lot of really good information."

Another audience member, Daniel Calvo, said that McLaughlin's presentation was "informative and interesting."

“I learned so much about this historical figure that I did not really know much about," he said. "Wedemeyer was a very strategic man."

To close the program, the Angeltones sang songs from the 1940s such as “Moonlight Serenade, “In The Mood” and other big band standards made popular during World War II. 

Elana Pamm, member of The Angeltones, said that this was the first time the group performed most of these songs.  

“Normally we sing oldies, such as early 60s," she said. "But we were contacted by the library and asked to do something special for the WWII tribute. So, we learned a lot of new music, just for today.”

Manchester's branch of the Ocean County Library can be contacted by calling 732-657-7600.