You need to use extern "C" when including the c-source.
You might try compile the c dll to a regular win32 dll, then calling it from you COM dll through a wrapper. You would need 2 dlls, but if the original DLL will compile fine, you should be able to use it from COM.
I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.