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Full Description
Most modern books and films glamorize World War II airborne soldiers as troopers leaping into the night to descend by parachute into combat. Much less often considered is the role of glider forces. Glider troops lacked the panache and special distinctions of paratroopers, despite their critical role in airborne warfare. Likewise, World War II ground combat is characterized as a combined arms fight of infantry and armor, backed up with field artillery; by comparison the role played by specialized, supporting arms has received scant attention. The 80th AAA Battalion was a glider outfit, providing anti-aircraft defense and anti-tank capability to the division's three infantry regiments as battlefield conditions dictated. Elements of the battalion fought in Italy, Normandy, Holland and the Battle of the Bulge, making combat glider assaults during both Operation Neptune and Operation Market Garden. The exploits of the men of the 80th tend to be obscured as commanders maneuvered the batteries wherever their special skills were needed on the battlefield, with no regiment to call a permanent home.The 80th AAA battalion was a hybrid unit. While its members were considered Coast Artillery (the branch responsible for defending ground formations from air attack during WWII), they fought alongside parachute and glider infantry, most often providing direct fire, anti-armor support with 57mm/6 pounder cannons. While field artillery, both parachute and glider, established their gunlines some distance behind infantry units to provide indirect fire support, the men of the 80th fought face to face with the enemy, alongside their infantry brothers.
Contents
Preface
Acknowledgements
Organization Chart & Maps
Introduction
1. Forming and Training the Team, Camp Claiborne LA / Fort Bragg NC / Laurinburg-Maxton Air Base, NC
2. Learning From Experience, North Africa / Sicily / Salerno / Naples
3. Adapting to the Environment, Northern Ireland and England / Normandy
4. Doing Routine Things Routinely, Holland
5. Rising to the Occasion, The Bulge
6. Maintaining the Standard, Germany / VE Day
Afterword
Appendix A: 80th Airborne Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion Distinguished Service Cross Recipients
Appendix B: The Combat Infantryman's Badge
Endnotes
Bibliography
Index
