Jim Bach: WWII Revisited

Historian Jim Bach takes us back to a time when his “older” New Canaan High School “brothers” participated in World War II. On Monday, August 15 at 7:30 pm at the New Canaan Historical Society Townhouse, Jim will revisit June of 1944 largely by way of historian Stephen Ambrose books and his own personal trips in later years to the beaches of Omaha, Utah, and the British and Canadian landing areas. Attendees will undoubtedly recall some of these events and even want to chime in. Jim promises and “untold” tale of New Canaan’s legendary Chet Hansen, who was there as an aid to General Omar Bradley, Invasion Chief. Jim has another family-related story involving Bradley and Walter Cronkite on the 25th Anniversary of the Invasion.

Jim’s original speech was given to the Society’s members on D-Day– June 6, and is now being repeated for the general public on the date in 1945 that Japan surrendered and marked the end of World War II. Refreshments will be served following the lecture.

Jim Bach was born and raised in New Canaan. His family dates back in town three generations to 1916. After graduating from New Canaan High School in 1947 and then from Columbia University, Jim proudly served for two combat years during the Korean War. After the war, he worked on Wall Street for 40 years and then retired to New Canaan with his wife, Vona. Jim has been very involved with the Historical Society, including serving many years on the Society’s Board of Governors, researching and lecturing on Town history, as well as teaching young students.

For more information, please contact The New Canaan Historical Society at newcanaan.historical@gmail.com, or call (203) 966-1776.

The New Canaan Historical Society is located at 13 Oenoke Ridge, New Canaan, CT 06840.