Ron Stenstrom
So, what is meant by the term “fifth column”? Its origins go back to the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939) when a report circulated that four columns of soldiers were approaching Madrid and a fifth column already existed within Madrid, ready to uprise at the appropriate time. The term has come to mean a group of people who undermine a larger group or nation from within. The more common term is “resistance.”
Our speaker for the November presentation to the Roundtable, Ron Stenstrom, will discuss the fifth columns in countries conquered by the Germans and Japanese. Most of us are familiar with the French resistance, but there was organized resistance to the German occupations in Norway, Austria, Poland, Holland, and the other defeated nations as well.
Ron has had an extensive career in the military, having graduated from West Point and served in Vietnam and two tours in Germany. He then spent 23 years in the aerospace industry. His teaching credentials include instructing ROTC at Eastern Washington College and teaching history at Pima Community College for 22 years.
The Roundtable will meet on Thursday, Nov. 14, at the DesertView Theater at 1 p.m. to hear Ron’s presentation.
The World War II Roundtable is composed of SaddleBrooke residents who enjoy studying all aspects of World War II. Surely, most of SaddleBrooke’s residents and their families were deeply affected by World War II, which Time magazine called the most momentous event of the 20th century.
We meet monthly from October through May (with a break in December) and enjoy lectures by people who have done research into all matters regarding World War II. The Roundtable does not charge dues. We meet on the second Thursday of the month in the DesertView Theater.
If you would like to be added to the Roundtable’s email list, send an email to me at [email protected].