online: www.rihumanities.org email: info@rihumanities.org phone: 401-273-2250
Hessian troops made up a significant portion of the occupying force under British leadership from 1776-1778. Often demonized as mercenaries and hirelings this talk offers a view of these troops as more human and matter of fact. Using 18th century German-language sources to reveal new insights, Mr. Schroder offers informative analysis of German military involvement in our War of Independence.
Walter K. Schroder was born in Rhode Island, the son of German immigrants. He spent his youth in Germany, where he attended school and was drafted to serve with an antiaircraft battery at age fifteen near the end of WWII. As a prisoner of war he functioned as an interpreter until discharged in West Germany in 1946. He enlisted in the U.S. Army of Occupation in 1948 and received his basic training at Marburg, Germany.
Following his discharge in America, he completed a civilian career with the Defense Department, retiring in 1989 after thirty-one years of service. At that time he was awarded the Navy 's Superior Civilian Service Medal. He has special interest in Rhode Island 's military history and has authored five books in that field, including Defenses of Narragansett Bay in World War II and The Hessian Occupation of Newport and Rhode Island, 1776-1778.
Needs: Lighted lectern/water; Slide projector and screen; Books available for sale upon request
Availability: will accept evening programs as far north as Warwick. Areas farther north, prefer daytime bookings.