Customer Reviews

The Battalion: The Dramatic Story of the 2nd Ranger Battalion in World War II (Stackpole Military History S.)

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Col Robert Black's story of the 2nd Rangers rivals (and in some ways) eclipses Ambroses' "Band of Brothers." It is an extremely detailed and readable account of the unit from formation and training through the acid-test of the Normandy Invasion to the misery of the Hurtgen Forest campaign. I have read dozens of books on the D-Day operation, and Black was able to come up with information on that battle I had not found in any of them. His account of the pre-invasion preparations is particularly valuable, as well as his almost minute-by-minute summary of the landings and Pointe du Hoc. The chapters on other operations in France (Brest) and the Hurtgen Forest fill a very big void in Ranger history for WWII. He is to be commended for his broad view that battles are not won by individuals alone, but, as in the case of Normandy, by a superb joint-service team. Only criticism of the book would be (and suggestion for revised edition) that it lacks maps of the battle areas beyond Normandy. These are less well know to readers and require some visual help in understanding the terrain involved. But the writing is first-class and it's hard to imagine that any detail concerning the 2nd Rangers was left out! I was lucky enough to meet several Ranger vets at Pointe du Hoc on June 6, 2004 and this book is an excellent tribute to them.

Rangers remain a special breed of warrior. Aggressive, confident, self-starters. The author's description of the small groups (2 to 3) of Rangers reaching the top of Point du Hoc and immediately moving forward to their objectives typifies the traditional Ranger action-spirit and ability. Twenty three Rangers have been awarded the Medal of Honor. The book is an enjoyable read as one learns about the famed 2nd Ranger Battalion in a factual way interspersed with the author's wry humor, insights and honest reporting that flows throughout the book. The cast of characters found in the Rangers is captured - one of whose favorite war cry was "We're heading for pay dirt!" Weapons and their care is given high importance by the Rangers, and their on-going marksmanship training pays off as they aggressively and effectively use their favorite weapons (Thompson, BAR, M-1) to kill the enemy. Respect and appreciation is accorded to the Navy support on D-Day - with a breath-taking description of the gallant and gutsy USS Satterlee (DD626) moving at flank speed parallel to and "so close in shore it appeared to be only a few feet off the beach" off Pointe du Hoc as it effectively blasted the Germans with its 5-inch and 20mm guns. And, toward the end of WWII when the 2nd Battalion teamed up with the Armor (102nd Cavalry) to roll across one objective after another with the enemy only being administered swift death and destruction. Worth its weight in historical-gold are the Appendixes that contain, among other things, a complete roster of the 2nd Battalion. Anyone interested in learning the type of American who volunteers for the Rangers, should read this book. Its author is a fully-credentialed combat veteran Ranger, and is one of 228 select members of the Ranger Hall of Fame.

When you want true, indepth storytelling, you can always depend on Author Col. Robert W. Black. I have read all his books and found them educational as well as entertaining. The war-time accounts of The Battalion are events of historic magnitude and are artisticlly narrated. This book is written for the experienced WWII veteran as well as the young gung-ho soldier and every reader interested in learning about history thu the mind and words of a storytelling genius. Learn about this historic event in Ranger history and get to know some of the great personalities in war-time drama. Here they are brought to life like the characters in a renowned novel. Read the book now, because The Battalion will undoubtedly become an award winning movie and you will want to say...I new that story when...!

This book was certainly worth the price. I had been searching for a book that including the experiences of my battalion and this one was it! It not only including the listing of my fellow soldiers, but my name and rank as well, which made this a great book to pass on to my children and grandchildren. Thanks to Robert Black for another great book about the Rangers.

My uncle was one of the men in Col. Black's book. He was in Fox company, and went up the cliffs at Pont du Hoc. His war ended at Castle Hill where he lost one of his best friends. He also lost most of the use of his right leg.
I never heard him talk about the war. My mom told stories of him climbing cliffs at Normandy and getting wounded so bad they were going to amputate his leg. But the story she told that really gripped me was the story where Uncle Fritz (his name was Fred, but after the war everyone called him Fritz. The family has a slightly morbid sense of humor and highly developed sense of irony) dragged his buddy who had been mortally wounded back to the aid station. His friend died, and Fritz never got over it. He had been trained that if you got the guy back the medics would save him. He would say shake his head and say "He should have made it. I got him back." Hearing that story, even today, makes me incredibly sad.
Reading Col. Black's book really opens the door on what and who these men were. I really had no idea how tough they were, or how special. To me he was my Uncle Fritz. He lived around the corner from us, played croquet (of all things) on Sunday afternoons in his side yard with his brother and their wives. I used to go over and hang around. I loved watching them drink Genessee beer and play vicious, cutthroat croquet. He and I built model airplanes together, and once or twice I got to go out in his boat. We'd stop at a bar on the lakeshore, and sometimes he'd let me drive the boat.
He was a boisterous and kind man, easy to laugh, and lover of toys and gadgets. I had no idea of the pride and pain he carried inside.
The last time I saw him he was old and frail. But he showed me the picture of him shaking hands with President Reagan at Normandy. He was very proud of that.
Thank you for this book Colonel Black.

Rick Ames

This is the best book I've ever read concerning the 2nd Rangers! My father in law was a member of Fox company and is still alive. His name is Walter Borowski and he won a Silver Star,a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart! He confirmed that this book tells the Ranger story like no other! He always told us stories about how hard the Rangers trained and how tough they were and this book is testament to that! This book gives the reader a true sense of the sacrifice that common men were willing to endure to help save the world from tyranny! Rangers lead the way!

In this book, Col. Black provides a detailed history of one of America's greatest fighting units - the 2nd Ranger Battalion during WWII. Rudder's Ranger's as they are commonly known fought some truly heroic battles in the ETO to include storming the cliffs at Point Du Hoc during the D-Day invasion, and defending Hill 400 during the Huertgen Forest campaign. This book is worth reading to gain insights about how this unit trained, fought, died, and lived together. The men who comprised this unit achieved some amazing results against terrific odds, and truly displayed what a small combat unit can accomplish when properly led.

I have read several books about elite American fighting units from WWII, and this is one of the best. Colonel Black's research is extensive, and he does a nice job describing the action in detail without getting the reader lost with too much information. I was really struck by the personal details about the Rangers. I highly recommend this book if you have an interest in Ranger unit history, or elite units from WWII. If you liked Band of Brothers, then you will enjoy this book as well. It is well worth the read. Rangers Lead the Way!

Very well written story of the Rangers - based on solid factual research, uncovering many detailed stories of this outstanding unit and putting them in context in an excellent, compeling, narrative about the men who attacked and secured the most dangerous front-line positions and opened the way for victory in WW2.

I was very disappointed in this book. Facts that i felt important to the chapter about the cliff were not included.

This book tells the true stories of gallent men who did so much and asked for so little in return.A generation of men that has no equal, may we never forget their sacrifices.