"War throws people together and tears people apart, and that is the stuff of stories. This unusual and true story is that of a young, white, southern, Jewish officer in charge of African American troops in New Guinea during World War II. Hyman Samuelson's diaries and letters give us unprecedented insights into race relations during the war in a segregated labor battalion and into the important but unsung role of the noncombatant engineers. In addition to this unique perspective on military history, Love, War, and the 96th Engineers (Colored) is a moving tale of personal sacrifice during difficult times. Although military personnel were not allowed to keep diaries during the war, and correspondence was censored, Samuelson - an excellent writer and keen observer - kept his diary regularly. In addition to revelations about military bureaucracy, the morale of enlisted men and officers, attitudes toward the Japanese, and all-too-human accounts of tropical diseases, relations between officers and nurses, and drinking and sexual deprivation, a poignant - and ultimately tragic - love story between the young officer and his stateside wife shines from these pages."-- From the book jacket.

Leaving home: September 17, 1941-March 5, 1942 -- The voyage to Australia: March 10-April 21, 1942 -- Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea: April 23-June 17, 1942 -- Establishing an air base, Milne Bay: June 18-July 15, 1942 -- The Japanese land offensive: July 16-September 17, 1942 -- Outflanking the Japanese: September 18-October 26, 1942 -- On leave in Australia: November 5-29, 1942 -- Colonel Derby takes command: December 2, 1942-March 16, 1943 -- The Hood Point Airdrome: March 17-April 22, 1943 -- Malaria: April 24-May 21, 1943 -- Taking command of Company A: May 22-December 5, 1943 -- Moving forward: December 14, 1943-August 19, 1944 -- Coming home: August 19, 1944-January 19, 1945.