Warriors of the 106th: The Last Infantry Division of World War II

Description

The 106th were fresh, green and right in the pathway of the 5th German Army when the Battle of the Bulge began at 0530 hours on December 16, 1944. This book covers the history along with the individual stories of the incredible heroism, sacrifice and tenacity of these young Americans in the face of overwhelming odds. From this division 6,800 men were taken prisoner but their story didn't end there. For the ones who miraculously escaped, there was a battle to fight, and fight it they would with every ounce of strength and courage they could muster. They would fight debilitating weather conditions more reminiscent of Stalingrad than the Belgian Ardennes. They would fight a determined enemy and superior numbers and despite all adversity they would eventually prevail. One 106th GI waged his own personal war using guerilla tactics that caused serious consternation amongst the German troops. For another GI his main concern was recovering his clean underwear. These stories are heartwarming, heartbreaking, nerve-wracking and compelling. They aim to put the reader right there in the front lines, and in the stalags, during the final months of WWII.

Martin King is an Emmy Award winning British military historian, lecturer, and author. He spends his time writing, lecturing, working with veterans' organizations, and visiting European battlefields, where he's had the honor of reintroducing many veterans to the sites where they fought. He has traced the individual histories of veterans for almost 20 years. He has lectured at universities, and British and US military bases around the world. In 2007 he became Historical Consultant and writer on the hit series Greatest Tank Battles. His previous books include The Tigers of Bastogne and The Fighting 30th. Ken Johnson received his PhD in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Clarkson University. He has been based in Los Angeles for 30 years, working for several aerospace companies in a variety of R&D, organizational, and project leadership roles. In late 2008 he learned that his uncle had served with the 106th Infantry Division in the Battle of the Bulge and was KIA the first night of the battle. That was all he needed to get hooked on the study of history.

Many accounts have that rich vein of humour that soldiers so often show. * Miniature Wargames * This book uses personal reminiscences to tell the 106th's heroic story...the tale of those Golden Lions who fought like tigers. * The Armourer * King and Johnson's stirring account of the 106th is the stuff that legends are made of... * Books Monthly * An invaluable contribution to the growing library of World War II military histories, memoirs and biographies... highly and unreservedly recommended. * Midwest Book Review * I highly recommend this book to anyone with even a slight interest in the Bulge offensive. It gives a unique perspective often missed by histories trying to give a more broad brush picture. * Army Rumour Service *