More Than Courage: Sicily, Naples-Foggia, Anzio, Rhineland, Ardennes-Alsace, Central Europe: The Combat History of the 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment in World War II
The list is incredible and includes Sicily, Salerno, Naples (Chiunzi Pass), Anzio Beach, Nijmegan (Holland), the Battle of the Bulge, the Siegfried Line and the push to secure areas around the Rhine & Elbe rivers. Citizen soldiers, with a world at war. Citizen soldiers, the men of the 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment. Citizen soldiers, real heroes. Through research, which includes a bevy of interviews, oral histories, unpublished accounts by veterans and the analysis of archival materials, historian Phil Nordyke delivers a definitive history of the remarkable men who fought for the 504th. The story travels through the period before America's entry into World War II to the massive victory parade in New York City. The scholarship is impressive and truly honors those who answered the call when democracy was teetering on the brink of ruin. It is an enlightening salute and a story that must be remembered and appreciated by future generations. ---Military dot comThis is an in depth study of the actions of the 504th in combat in WW II. It helps to have a background in WW II as the author does not attempt to give the reader an idea as to the "larger picture". It does give an excellent view of actions of the 504 men without any varnish. A German prisoner laughed when a Private knelt and covered his dead Lieutenant's body with a shelter half, so the trooper straightened up and shot the prisoner twice, killing him(good thing the Press and JAG lawyers weren't present). A Major was shot through the chest, causing the right lung to fill up with fluid, but the officer stayed on the line with his men for two days of fighting. He only evacuated after that fire fight was won. The book does a good job of covering the part of the war that involved the 504th ----military review dot comMr. Nordyke must be one of the foremost authorities on the 82nd Airborne Division. This is a very impressive and comprehensive account of the 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment. Mr. Nordyke has done an incredible job of detailing the entire history of the 504th PIR beginning before the start of WWII through their victory parade in New York City. His ability to provide context by weaving in the individual accounts from the soldiers yet maintain the overall chronology and flow of the war was excellent. The soldier's personal testimonies are so vivid it makes you feel like you're right there with them. It makes for a revealing and exciting account of WWII. Being the son of a WWII veteran, it reminded me again of the tremendous suffering, deprivation and sacrifices these proud men endured. However, if you asked any of them, they wouldn't describe themselves as heroes. They were just doing their jobs. What a debt of gratitude current generations owe the brave men and women of WWII. --By J. Newby