NO BETTER PLACE TO DIE: Ste-Mere Eglise, June 1944-The Battle for la Fiere Bridge [Hardcover]

Robert Murphy (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 2009

The you-are-there story of one of the most ferocious small-unit combats in US history . . .

As part of the massive Allied invasion of Normandy, three airborne divisions were dropped behind enemy lines to sew confusion in the German rear and prevent panzer reinforcements from reaching the beaches. In the dark early hours of D-Day, this confusion was achieved well enough, as nearly every airborne unit missed its drop zone, creating a kaleidoscope of small-unit combat.

Fortunately for the Allies, the 505th Regimental Combat Team of the 82nd Airborne Division hit on or near its drop zone. Its task was to seize the vital crossroads of Ste Me're Eglise, and to hold the bridge over the Merderet River at nearby La Fie're. Benefiting from dynamic battlefield leadership, the paratroopers reached the bridge, only to be met by wave after wave of German tanks and infantry desperate to force the crossing.

Reinforced by glider troops, who suffered terribly in their landings from the now-alert Germans, the 505th not only held the vital bridge for three days but launched a counterattack in the teeth of enemy fire to secure their objective once and for all, albeit at gruesome cost. In No Better Place to Die, Robert M. Murphy provides an objective narrative of countless acts of heroism, almost breathtaking in its "you are there" detail.

No World War II veteran is better known in 82nd Airborne circles than Robert M. ("Bob") Murphy. A Pathfinder and member of A Company, 505th PIR, Bob was wounded three times in action, and made all four combat jumps with his regiment, fighting in Sicily, Italy, Normandy, and Holland. He was decorated for valor for his role at La Fie're, and is a Chevalier of the French Legion of Honor. After the war, he was instrumental in establishing the 505th RCT Association.

A selection of the Military Book Club

REVIEWS

"outstanding memior...accounts and memoirs from many of his comrades plus supporting documents that give a fuller picture of what the 82nd accomplished on D-Day and the days after." WWII History, Winter 2009

"...brings readers a precise historical memoir ...Those wanting an up close and personal memoir ...have an opportunity to receive it from an American fighting man who lived to tell the tale." MILITARY, November 2010

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

A Pathfinder and member of A Company, 505th PIR, Robert Murphy was wounded three times in action, and made all four combat jumps with his regiment, fighting in Sicily, Italy, Normandy, and Holland. After the war, he was instrumental in establishing the 505th RCT Association. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 288 pages
• Publisher: Casemate; First Edition edition (April 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1935149083
• ISBN-13: 978-1935149088
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #838,134 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

49 of 50 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars First person accounts of the airborne assault into Normandy, May 13, 2009

By 

J. Rudy "Major, USAF" (Fairfax, VA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: NO BETTER PLACE TO DIE: Ste-Mere Eglise, June 1944-The Battle for la Fiere Bridge (Hardcover)

Robert M. Murphy retells his personal experiences during the 82d Airborne Division's airdrop into the Normandy Peninsula. Between June 6th and June 9th, paratroopers held this bridge against horrific mortar & artillery fire, and fierce German counterattacks. Armed with only what they could carry in the airborne drop & a few anti-tank guns recovered from broken gliders, the paratroopers held off two Panzer attacks supported by 200 infantrymen in each of the attacks. Major General Gavin is attributed as saying when the fighting ended "the [Meredet] causeway - some 500 yards - was so thick with bodies you could have walked from end to end without ever touching the ground." This is the story of the men and women who experienced this fierce battle.

The La Fiere bridge is located about 2 miles west of St Mere Eglise. The men of the 505 Parachute Infantry Regiment (PIR) were assigned the mission of securing this bridge and defending it until relieved. This bridge was one of the few roads that offered a direct path to the exit roads off of Utah Beach. A successful German counter-attack along this road would have delayed the American exit off of this beachhead. The success of the men of the 505 PIR directly contributed to the rapid departure of Utah beach.

The book is laid out into four major sections. First and foremost is an explanation of the battle, written in a proper historical format. The story is laid out in chronological order, using multiple sources to corroborate the actual events of the battle. There are a few interjections of supporting material, such as the mission of the pathfinders. Murphy was a pathfinder, a special paratrooper dropped into a landing zone one day prior to the assault. He carried a homing radar and other signaling aids to mark the correct drop zone for the rest of the paratroopers. This supporting information greatly enhanced the understanding of the book for "legs" [non-paratroopers].

The three subsequent parts of the book are personal recollections of American soldiers; German soldiers; and the French civilians who live through the battle. I emphasize "personal" because in many cases, individuals could only explain what was going on in front of their gun sight, without any understanding of the overall tactical picture.

As a child growing up, my first experience with D Day was the classic movie "The Longest Day (Two-Disc Collector's Edition)". This book sets straight two of the more memorable characters in the movie. Red Buttons portrayed John Steele, a private whose parachute snagged on the steeple of St. Mere Eglise's church. The true story is far more fascinating than what was fictionalized in the movie. The second character was Lt Col Vandervoort, portrayed by John Wayne. Many of the soldiers have fond memories of this outstanding combat commander. These soldiers did not directly fight at La Fiere bridge, but they were all part of the 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment who fought and died in the area surrounding St. Mere Eglise.

The original version of this book was self-published. With the assistance of a great editor, this book is now clearly organized. The book is well supported with photographs on almost every page. The battle narrative also includes official battle maps prepared by the US Army's cartographic division. These maps perfectly explained the layout of the battle as it unfolded.

For a fictionalized account of these events, I highly recommend Jeff Shaara's "The Steel Wave: A Novel of World War II" which includes the exploits of the men of the 505th PIR.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars No Better Place to Die, June 17, 2009

By 

Carl Dominic "Three Panther Two" (Chesapeake, VA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: NO BETTER PLACE TO DIE: Ste-Mere Eglise, June 1944-The Battle for la Fiere Bridge (Hardcover)

Excellent historical account of the fight by 1/505 PIR, 82d Airborne Division at the La Fiere Causeway by a paratrooper who was there. Highly recommended and an easy read compared to other World War II historical writings. All the way - H-Minus!

21 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars WHAT? ANOTHER BOOK OF WW2., May 14, 2009

By 

Kay's Husband (Virginia, U.S.A.) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: NO BETTER PLACE TO DIE: Ste-Mere Eglise, June 1944-The Battle for la Fiere Bridge (Hardcover)

What? Another book of WW2, haven't we had more than enough, they keep rolling off the presses almost daily.

But seriously, wait, you don't need to hold this one in your hand more than a short time to know this is one terrific book. For some length of time I have felt we needed a primary (first person) narrative of someone who was there, and saw it all, and can relate it in a manner we can all pretty much experience. As I've said, this is the one. When I received my copy from the The History Book Club I immediately sat down to absorb it.

You will too, if you have any interest in the pathfinders and Normandy, '44.

Semper Fi.