This book is a little gem. Not about a paratrooper this time, but about an 18 year old tank gunner at the end of the war. The author Jack Irwin recounts his experience with a tank crew. He arrived in … Continue reading →
The third book on my summer reading list, again about the 82nd Airborne Division. Not the 508th PIR this time, but Division Headquarters. Written by Len Lebenson, who served with the division from the very beginning, but didn’t earn his … Continue reading →
In the run up to the 80th Anniversary in September, and after a lot of research, I finally did it. I decided to buy this reproduction of the T-5 Modified as used in Operation Market Garden, and I’m very happy … Continue reading →
The second book from my summer reading list is another one about the 508th PIR. This book is not as big as the previous one and is told from the perspective of one paratrooper, the author Dwayne T. Burns. He … Continue reading →
Yes, I am actually reading that big stack of books I posted in June. First is this book by Phil Nordyke about the 508th PIR, all the way from its formation until leaving from Germany at the end of 1945 … Continue reading →
On our trip to the Middle Rhine area, we stopped by the remains of the famous Remagen Bridge, or the Ludendorff Bridge, as it was called. The bridge is gone, but the towers are still there, and on the Western … Continue reading →
And well into the fall too… It’s a big stack of unit history books that landed on my doorstep last week. It started while looking for a used copy of ‘Put Us Down in Hell’ by Phil Nordyke. I received … Continue reading →
This book was originally published in 2007, but I only read it just recently, in preparation of my latest battlefield tour of the Ardennes. I can highly recommend that you read this if you are interested in the Battle of … Continue reading →
Adrian Davies kindly sent me this photo of 3 gas detection brassards. All came from a British lightweight respirator bag. On of the markings was already in the list, which is the first time I have come across an identical … Continue reading →
I’m looking for accounts of US paratroopers who earned the Soldier’s Medal. I recently bought an original WWII slot brooch Soldier’s Medal and case, and I thought it would be interesting to create a kind of ‘hall of fame’ of … Continue reading →