Most of us who are interested in military history are well aware of the heroic efforts of our Airborne soldiers in WWII. But less well-known is the actions of the Pathfinders of both the 82nd and the 101st Airborne Divisions, how they came into being and the role they played during the period between D-Day, Operation Market Garden, and the Battle of the Bulge. Author Jerome Preisler investigates and reveals how these brave units were formed and details the actions they undertook during these three key battles. He focuses on the 101st Pathfinders (in his own words) "... in order to tell the tale most clearly, a narrative line had to be drawn, and staying with the 101st seemed the best and straightest course.".
Lt Col Joel Crouch was the pilot who developed and pushed for the Pathfinder concept after General James Gavin's disastrous experience with the 82 ABN drop into Sicily in 1943. Crouch and a handful of Army paratroop officers and NCOs developed the initial doctrine and procedures which were used in the D-Day jump. You had to be tough and dedicated to be Airborne. Many of the Pathfinder "volunteers" were considered ""bad" garrison soldiers" and were often pushed into the units by commanders who did not want to deal with the disciplinary problems. But once they were in the unit they learned and performed their missions with the skill and dedication that military legend are often made of. Yet few of them are remembered today, casualties perhaps of the heroic and more well-known deeds they helped make possible.
In any case I highly recommend this as an interesting and fascinating read of a little-known chapter of history.
First to Jump:
http://www.militarybookclub.com/first-to-jump.html
Here is an excellent synopsis of the subject:
http://www.airspacemag.com/daily-planet/pilot-who-led-d-day-invasion-180951679/?no-ist
Lt Col Joel Crouch was the pilot who developed and pushed for the Pathfinder concept after General James Gavin's disastrous experience with the 82 ABN drop into Sicily in 1943. Crouch and a handful of Army paratroop officers and NCOs developed the initial doctrine and procedures which were used in the D-Day jump. You had to be tough and dedicated to be Airborne. Many of the Pathfinder "volunteers" were considered ""bad" garrison soldiers" and were often pushed into the units by commanders who did not want to deal with the disciplinary problems. But once they were in the unit they learned and performed their missions with the skill and dedication that military legend are often made of. Yet few of them are remembered today, casualties perhaps of the heroic and more well-known deeds they helped make possible.
In any case I highly recommend this as an interesting and fascinating read of a little-known chapter of history.
First to Jump:
http://www.militarybookclub.com/first-to-jump.html
Here is an excellent synopsis of the subject:
http://www.airspacemag.com/daily-planet/pilot-who-led-d-day-invasion-180951679/?no-ist
