Customer Reviews

Battered Bastards of Bastogne

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

 

 

Are you interested in true military stories and/or a military collector of World War II - this book is for you. If you are really interested in the history of this country during WWII - you will not be disappointed.

The battle at Bastogne was one of the greatest American military victories given the conditions they were fighting in, undermanned (in numbers only), not enough ammo or food, they held on against overwhelming odds against their doing so. This is not a book that tells the big story of the battle. This give the readers hundreds of little stories, told by the guys who were there. The author was in the 101st at Bastogne as well. Koskimaki does a great job of putting the stories together in a way that the reader can follow the ebb and flow of this battle. He provides maps and a few pictures as well. The vets talk about not just the battle but many personal things, the hunger, the cold, civilians, the joy when supplies arrived, some weapons dod or didn't work, etc.

If you really want to understand the battle at Bastogne, I'd recommend that you do some reading on the big picture, much is available on line or read one of the many good books on this, then read this book and it will mean much more to you. I have read several books about this battle and I have visited Bastogne. I am not an expert but an informed amateur. I greatly enjoyed this book about some amazing men who won a battle that would have been lost by lesser men.

This was a pleasure to read...you see my Dad wrote part of it. Richard V. Bostwick has writings taken from his journal he wrote on daily basis while out on the battle field. He, as all the rest are remembered as hero's. My Dad lived on to have 13 children with my mother and all having a copy of the second edition with a note from the author. He's looking down on us now, very proud!

KAB