Customer Reviews

Battling Buzzards: The Odyssey of the 517th Regimental Parachute Combat Team

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is an excellent book about one of WWII's special forces-an Airborne Regimental Combat Team. The accounts range from gruesome to humorous, and cover both the combat and the non-combat parts of this unit's history. Military veterans will appreciate the real life view of life in the service, and others will get a look into this unique world. If you read "Band of Brothers" by Stephen Ambrose, you will appreciate the differences. Different places, different units (it includes the engineers, artillery and medical corps for example, not just infantry), and a different style of history. It's very engaging, and you get to know the people in the book. This should have been made into a movie. My dad, Robert Dahlstrom, was a 517th vet. He told very few stories about his experience. This book did a great job of telling the rest of the story, a very unique story in the annals of army history.

I grew up listening to the oral history of my Dad's (Don Eugene) experiences in the 517th. From parachuting off course into the vinyards of southern France, to the wild rides on scooters through Rome, Gerald Astor captured, in exqusite detail, every account of the war my father passed on to me. As I reflect on his humble accounts, I now know the significance of the 517th in WWII. Anyone who had a father, son, friend, relative, or interest in WWII must read this book. Anyone who has more information on the 517th and/or knows where to find more copies of the book, pleaseemail me. Thanks!

Gerald Astor has done a marvelous job in detailing the formation, exploits and termination of the 517th. My brother joined the unit in June 1943, and was with them until he was killed in September 1944, when was only 9 years old. Among my mother's possessions I ran across every letter he wrote to our family from the time he was on the train to Georgia until a week before his death. The "Battling Buzzards" gave me a more complete view of what he went through from boot camp to battle. This narration filled in some of the details that my brother couldn't write about. His letters added that personal touch for our family and also complemented the book's story. I highly recommend this book to those who served in the 517th, their families and friends, and history buffs. I treasure my copy.

This is a special book about special men. My father was one of them and mentioned in the book. I have met many of the men of the 517th and they are all first class. This unit was overlooked for far too many years. Mr. Astor has truly done this unit the belated justice it richly deserved. This is a great book and deserves another printing.

A well written and extraordinarily researched work concerning one of the US Army's elite, yet unknown units of WWII. I couldn't put it down as the story was told in the trooper's own words. The full history of the Combat Team from when they were first established to their final dissolution. A victim of their own successes, the 517th was the subject of jealousy from other airborne units which didn't train nor fight as well. A must read for any military enthusiast.

a vewry good book which gives the day to day activities of the unit. also has photos of unit. well written with visual aids to help follow the action in the campaigns. great read.

This book is an excellent description of a tough fighting force, the 517th. It is written along the lines of Stephen Ambrose's war books, or Tom Brokaw's The Greatest Generation; stories told through interviews with the men who were there & their experiences.
I've read this book before but wanted to own a copy because my brother is mentioned in it, as are many other members of the airborne combat teams.

My grandfather was amember of the 517th and was wounded. He is still alive. My father and I are trying to gather as much as we can about his division. If you know of a copy of this book and are interested in selling it, please contact me at ccamp@mindspring.com.

We are anxiously trying to find a copy of this book for my uncle, who was a part of the 517th in France, 1944. Trying to locate members of this unit. Any information would be appreciated.

Hi. I am looking for this book to assist my wife's family in researching the death of her Uncle who was part of the 517's mission in Italy.

Many thanks!