Guest of Adolf

Join author Michael H. Zang for an overview of his WWII biography, “Guest of Adolf: The War of SSG Ernest V. Focht, 805th Tank Destroyer Battalion”

"I was a guest of Adolf!" This was how Ernest Focht responded when asked about his wartime experience. Ernest Virgil Focht was born and brought up in Tyrone, Pennsylvania. He was drafted into the Pennsylvania Army National Guard in April 1941 and assigned to the 105th Infantry Battalion (Anti-Tank). After training he participated in the Carolina Maneuvers. The National Guard unit was redesignated as the 805th Tank Destroyer Battalion, being deployed to North Africa in January 1943. Ernie was captured in his first action in February 1943, remaining a prisoner of war until May 1945 when the Russian Army liberated his camp. During these 27 months he was held in five different POW camps, and was forced to march between camps in the depths of the 1944–45 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 was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in 1951. He received his education at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, The Pennsylvania State University, and the United States Army War College. In 1969, he met SSG Ernest V. Focht’s daughter, Karen, and they married in 1973. Over the course of the next 30 years, Michael eavesdropped as Ernie spoke to anyone who would listen to his experiences as a World War II Prisoner of War. These stories, in combination with his personal interest in military history, led to his desire to memorialize SSG Focht’s experiences. Michael retired in 2003 from the United States Army Reserves at the rank of Colonel. During his time in the military, he commanded units at the Company, Battalion, and Brigade levels and was involved in Operation Desert Shield/Storm operating seaports throughout the Eastern Seaboard of the United States, Europe, and Saudi Arabia. In his civilian career, Michael worked in four school districts in Central Pennsylvania as a teacher and administrator. He culminated a 38-year education career in 2011, retiring as an Elementary Principal. Michael and Karen reside in Central Pennsylvania.