This series looks at the cutting edge of war, and deals exclusively with units capable of operating independently in the forefront of battle. Each volume in the series examines the chosen unit's origins and history, its organisation and order of battle, its battle history theatre by theatre, its insignia and its markings. Also covered are biographies of the most important commanders of each unit. Each title ends with an assessment of unit effectiveness - as seen by the unit itself, by its opponents and in the light of more recent historical research. The books also include a detailed reference section with a critical biography, a listing of relevant museums and web sites, plus information about re-enactment groups and memorials. The oldest continuously serving division in the US Army, the 1st Infantry Division, called the Big Red One because of the red numeral '1' on the uniform shoulder patch, was the first regular army division organised in June 1917 to fight in France with the Allied armies. More than 28,000 men - including soldiers with very familiar names, like George C. Marshall, Theodore Roosevelt Jnr, and Lesley J. McNair - served with the division in World War 1. Following the Armistice on 11 November 1918, the Big Red One occupied a sector near Koblenz, Germany until August 1919 when most of the soldiers returned to the United States. Units of the Division were distributed up and down the eastern seaboard during the interwar years. The Big Red One was re-designated on 15 May 1942 as an infantry division of nearly 15,000 men. It was selected for participation in Operation Torch, the invasion of North Africa, landing in Algeria on 8 November 1942. It then fought through Sicily, leaving the theatre to train for the invasion. It was part of the forces that landed on D-Day and then fought with distinction through Europe. 1st Infantry Division's battle honours are Tunisia, Sicily, Normandy, the Bulge, Germany. Postwar, the division served in Europe, Vletnam, Desert Shield, Desert Storm and Bosnia. It is currently based in Germany.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
Mostly ignores First Division's history prior to WWII,
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This review is from: 1st Infantry Division: The "Big Red One" (Spearhead) (Paperback)
My great-grandfather was a combat veteran with the "Big Red One" in World War I. I bought this book, and several others, because I wanted to learn more about what he experienced as a solider in the "Great War". This book is devoted almost exclusively to the First Division's history from World War II onward. Even the "clothing and equipment" sections are of WWII vintage. There are only a few pages devoted to the First Division's formulation in 1917 and their major campaigns of WWI. What content does appear for WWI is a high-level summation of events. I hope that the other books that I purchased about the "Big Red One" provide a more complete history "from day one". My rating of this book is lower than usual due to to absence of detailed information about the First Division prior to WWII.
3.0 out of 5 stars
Good overview of the 1st Division during WWII,
By James D. Crabtree "Doc Crabtree" (Fort Leavenworth, Kansas) - See all my reviews (VINE VOICE) (REAL NAME)
This review is from: 1st Infantry Division: The "Big Red One" (Spearhead) (Paperback)
This book discusses the 1st Infantry Division (The Big Red One) during its campaigns in North Africa, Italy, France and Germany. It looks at unit organization, equipment, weapons, uniforms and even some personalities in and associated with the 1st Infantry Division. The writing is OK but the book is lavishly illustrated with photographs and drawings. Most of the photographs are period but some are of WWII reenactors and are acknowledged as such. The book also discusses the role of the 1st ID in WWI, Vietnam, Desert Storm and the Balkans. A good pictorial reference mostly.
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good precis,
This review is from: 1st Infantry Division: The "Big Red One" (Spearhead) (Paperback)
A good overall look at the "Big Red One". Much better than the now dated Osprey Vanguard title on the 1st Infantry Division; some good photos and brief historical section, plus some nice surprises. The price is right as well. The Spearhead series is doing some good work, hope to see many more titles in future!
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