Guest of Adolf: Author Visit with Michael Zang

Join author Michael Zang for a discussion of his 2024 book Guest of Adolf: The War of SSG Ernest V. Focht, 805th Tank Destroyer Battalion, a biography of Ernest Focht. Focht, a long-time resident of the Dillsburg area prior to his 2003 passing, served during World War II in North Africa and was a prisoner of war for 27 months – a guest of Adolf. During these 27 months he was held in five different POW camps and was forced to march between camps in the depths of the 1944-1945 winter. Using his wartime diaries and letters home, this book offers an insight into the 805th Tank Destroyer Battalion, and the experiences of prisoners of war.

Michael H. Zang is a retired Elementary Principal and US Army Colonel. He married Ernie’s daughter, Karen, and listened as Ernie spoke often about his World War II prisoner of war experiences. These stories, in combination with his personal interest in military history, led to his desire to memorialize SSG Focht’s experiences.

Books will be available for purchase for $20 (cash, Venmo, Paypal). No registration required.