A film about young Jewish men who fled Nazi-controlled areas during World War II, then returned to Europe to fight as U.S. soldiers, will be shown Thursday at the Minnesota History Center.

After the screening, two of those "Ritchie Boys" will speak about the film and their experiences.

The 2005 film "The Ritchie Boys" shows how the men, trained in intelligence and psychological warfare at Camp Ritchie, Md., served as interrogators, soldiers and researchers, using their understanding of the psychology and the language of the enemy to save lives and help win the war.

Walter Schwarz, of St. Paul, is a surviving "Ritchie Boy" who showed the film last winter at a St. Paul community center. Publicity about that event led to a string of events that will bring another Ritchie soldier, Guy Stern, of Michigan, to Minnesota for a reunion with Schwarz at Thursday's History Center event. 

The film screening was planned to commemorate Veteran's Day and the 60th anniversary of Kristallnacht, the 1938 coordinated attack on Jewish people and their property by Nazis.

"The Ritchie Boys," film plus discussion to follow. Thursday, Nov. 12, at the Minnesota History Center, 345 Kellogg Av. W., St. Paul. Free and open to the public; there is a $5 parking fee. Refreshments will be served. Details:

• 5:30 viewing of the special exhibit, "Minnesota's Greatest Generation."
• 6:45 film "The Ritchie Boys" and discussion by Dr. Guy Stern and Walter Schwarz.