Full Description
In late November 1944, after 71 days on the line in Holland, the 506th PIR was withdrawn having suffered heavy losses during Operation Market Garden, and each paratrooper was looking forward to three months rest, recuperation, and restructuring. However, this was not to be. On December 16, 1944, the Germans launched a huge offensive. The Battle of the Bulge had begun and the 101st Airborne were deployed to halt the German onslaught in the most incredible chapter of their wartime experiences. Bitter fighting in dreadful conditions saw the Third Battalion 506th PIR reduced to the size of a company before its eventual relief on January 17. The division as a whole was awarded a Unit Citation for its heroic defense of Bastogne - a first in the history of the US armed forces. With little time to recuperate, the battalion then fought on across Europe, taking part in the reduction of the Colmar Pocket, the Ruhr Pocket, and assisted in the liberation of several concentration camps in Germany. The Third Battalion finished the war occupying Hitler's mountain retreat of Berchtesgaden, held on readiness for deployment to the Pacific until Hiroshima and Nagasaki precipitated the Japanese surrender. Based on extensive interviews and first-hand accounts, and with the support of Ed Shames and other veterans, No Victory in Valhalla is the final dramatic part of the combat story of the Third Battalion 506th PIR. Using the words of "Screaming Eagles" themselves, it gives the reader a frank portrayal of the realities of the toughest fighting of World War II.
Contents
Foreword by Ed ShamesPreface by George KoskimakiAcknowledgements Introduction by James "Pee Wee" Martin 1. "Johnny, we hardly knew you" Camp Chalons, Mournmelon-le-Grand - November 28-December 18, 19442. "Ghost front" December 17-19, 19443 "Today is the only reality" December 20, 1944 4. "Epitaph for a generation" December 21-24, 1944 5. "The deep six" The worst winter in 50 years6. "Steel whirlwind" Post-Christmas breakthrough7. "Hell night" Clearing the Falzone Woods - January 9, 19458. "Salute the new dawn" The final attacks on Foy and Noville - January 13-17, 1945 9. "After the storm" Alsace Lorraine and the Colmar Pocket - January 21-February 25, 1945 10. "Home alive in 45" Return to Mournmelon - February 26-April 2, 1945 11. "Setting sons" The Ruhr, western Germany - April 3-24, 1945 12. "Striking back" The plight of the 3rd Battalion POWs - June 1944-May 194513. "Candle for the dead Southern Bavaria - April 28-May 3, 1945 14. "The roaring silence"Berchtesgaden, Austria, and France - May 4-November 30, 1945 Epilogue Bibliography Glossary IndexChapter 2 "Into the Abyss - Bastogne"December 17 - 19, 1944Chapter 3 "Today is the only Reality"December 20, 1944Chapter 4 "Thin Blue Line"December 21 - 24, 1944Chapter 5 "The Deep Six"The Worst Winter in Fifty Years - Christmas to New YearChapter 6 "Hell Night"The Fazone Woods - January 9, 1945Chapter 7 "Stars and Stripes"The Battered Bastards of BastogneChapter 8 "Home Alive in 45"Alsace Lorraine, Jan 21 - February 25, 1945Chapter 9 "Redemption Day"The Plight of the POW'sChapter 10 "A Walk in the Sun"Return to Mourmelon, February 26 - April 1, 1945Chapter 11 "The Last Stand"The Battle of the Ruhr Pocket, Germany - April 1945Chapter 12 "War The Ultimate Experience"Berchtesgaden & Austria - Summer 1945Chapter 13 "The Last Jump"Joigny, France - August 1945Chapter 14 "Welcome Home"September/October 1945
