The Battered Bastards of Bastogneis the product of contributions by 530 soldiers who were on the ground or in the air over Bastogne. They lived and made this history, and much of it is told in their own words. The material contributed by these men of the 101st Airborne Division, the Armor, Tank Destroyer, Army Air Force, and others is tailored meticulously by the author The Battered Bastards of Bastogneis the product of contributions by 530 soldiers who were on the ground or in the air over Bastogne. They lived and made this history, and much of it is told in their own words. The material contributed by these men of the 101st Airborne Division, the Armor, Tank Destroyer, Army Air Force, and others is tailored meticulously by the author and placed on the historical framework known to most students of the Battle of the Bulge. Pieces of a nearly 60-year-old jigsaw puzzle come together in this book, when memoirs from one soldier fit with those of another unit or group pursuing the battle from another nearby piece of terrain. Koskimaki is a demanding companion: since his spokesmen can't see further than their foxhole, it pays off to be familiar with the battle he chronicles. Which proves that I know more about the geography of the Ardennes battlefields than the 101st on Hell's Highway. Or that the former simply got a better Band of Brothers episode.
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Every minute of that hour is scattered throughout these pages, from the young nurse (blown inward) to the assault on Foy and the defence of the Bois De Jacques, whi Koskimaki is a demanding companion: since his spokesmen can't see further than their foxhole, it pays off to be familiar with the battle he chronicles. Which proves that I know more about the geography of the Ardennes battlefields than the 101st on Hell's Highway. Or that the former simply got a better Band of Brothers episode. Every minute of that hour is scattered throughout these pages, from the young nurse (blown inward) to the assault on Foy and the defence of the Bois De Jacques, which rank among the veteran's most hellish experiences of the whole war.Best read in small but intense doses at a time. Find this and other reviews at:First published in 1994, George Koskimaki's The Battered Bastards of Bastogne is a remarkable volume and I'm not just saying that because I have a thing for WWII.Unlike a lot of volumes on Bastogne, Koskimaki's work is a collective memoir. It is not told by scholars who examined combat movements after the dust had settled, but by those who experienced it firsthand.
Together these stories create a unique portrait of trench-le Find this and other reviews at:First published in 1994, George Koskimaki's The Battered Bastards of Bastogne is a remarkable volume and I'm not just saying that because I have a thing for WWII.Unlike a lot of volumes on Bastogne, Koskimaki's work is a collective memoir. It is not told by scholars who examined combat movements after the dust had settled, but by those who experienced it firsthand. Together these stories create a unique portrait of trench-level combat and result in a unique and comprehensive eyewitness account with incalculable historic value for future generations.There are no assumptions over the importance of this incident or that skirmish, no overblown supposition on politics or strategy. Koskimaki's focus is on the men in the field. How they were affected by the loss of comrade, the moments that defined their involvement in the Battle of the Bulge and the private trials and tribulations they faced on the front lines.The Battered Bastards of Bastogne isn't easy reading and I'm not sure I'd recommend it someone just starting to understand the campaign, but that said, I enthusiastically believe the book one of the best available resources on the market. I was really looking forward to reading this book mainly because this would be one of the first books about Bastogne, which also had individual testimonies of what was going on. Each man always looks at situation a little different than next man.
This book goes into great detail of just how close they were to running out of ammo, medical supplies, food and just about anything else you can think of. But like so many of the troops and especially the paratroopers or WWII, they would not give in or I was really looking forward to reading this book mainly because this would be one of the first books about Bastogne, which also had individual testimonies of what was going on. Each man always looks at situation a little different than next man. This book goes into great detail of just how close they were to running out of ammo, medical supplies, food and just about anything else you can think of.
But like so many of the troops and especially the paratroopers or WWII, they would not give in or give up. Sure there was a story in the book of a man here or there that did not fight, but as a hole they fought. The 101st like the 82nd were taking a much needed rest after France and Holland.
When the call came they went not really in the book the 82nd was further north of Bastogne (my father’s unit fighting the Germans). The 101st along with all of their support was stopped there at Bastogne. Cooks became riflemen, along with truck drivers and so forth.
This was a good book and I am glad that these men are remembered for what they accomplished and that some of the other units are talked about as well. What most people don’t know is that most of that fighting was also fought for during world war one.
This is a fantastic book. I got this book from net galley. A powerful collection of first-hand accounts of the 'Battle of the Bulge'.
It details a division exhausted and battered by the meat-grinder of campaigns in France and Holland forced to fight without preparation or even enough equipment. Men breaking under the stress, cruelty and compassion, courage and cowardice, told without judgement by men who were there.The only weakness with the book was its editing. Gripping and personal accounts often broken by odd typos or repeats of lines. It may have b A powerful collection of first-hand accounts of the 'Battle of the Bulge'. It details a division exhausted and battered by the meat-grinder of campaigns in France and Holland forced to fight without preparation or even enough equipment. Men breaking under the stress, cruelty and compassion, courage and cowardice, told without judgement by men who were there.The only weakness with the book was its editing.
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Gripping and personal accounts often broken by odd typos or repeats of lines. It may have been the edition I read. I would still recommend it, for anyone interested in military history, modern history or simply how men react under the most extreme of circumstances.
I especially recommend it for anyone who thinks war is a glorious adventure - usually teenage boys - it will open their eyes. In this third part of Koskimaki's coverage of the 101st US Airborne Division, he tells us how the division had to leave their barracks, and sometimes even their glass of champagne in Paris, and board truck to head for the Ardennes. Often without sufficient clothing and weapons.
On their arrival their they had to go to Bastogne in a hurry to block the unexpected German advance.On their way there, they encountered the bruised and battered soldiers that were confronted by the German attack. This at In this third part of Koskimaki's coverage of the 101st US Airborne Division, he tells us how the division had to leave their barracks, and sometimes even their glass of champagne in Paris, and board truck to head for the Ardennes.
Often without sufficient clothing and weapons. On their arrival their they had to go to Bastogne in a hurry to block the unexpected German advance.On their way there, they encountered the bruised and battered soldiers that were confronted by the German attack. This attack came out of the blue for them.The weather, icy cold and often with snow, hit the men by surprise.
Some had left their overcoat behind, regretting this soon already. Surrounded by an overwhelming German force, the men stood their ground and held Bastogne. This would not have been possible without the support of several tank destroyer units and remnants of other forces. Koskimaki makes this quite clear in this wonderful book.As in the other two books, Koskimaki tells the stories in high detail. When I opened this military treasure trove,a complimentary read from the fine folks at Net Galley, I expected to see what had been described, which is the story of Bastogne during World War II. Two other World War II memoirs had been written by the same author, but I have not yet read them. The teaser that advertised The Battered Bastards of Bastogne claimed that this recounting was the result of many, many letters, interviews, and other primary documents collected from the participants themselv When I opened this military treasure trove,a complimentary read from the fine folks at Net Galley, I expected to see what had been described, which is the story of Bastogne during World War II.
Two other World War II memoirs had been written by the same author, but I have not yet read them. The teaser that advertised The Battered Bastards of Bastogne claimed that this recounting was the result of many, many letters, interviews, and other primary documents collected from the participants themselves; it is a researcher’s dream to run across something like this, and Mr. Koskimaki deserves a great deal of credit for sorting through it all and then piecing it together in a readable, generally interesting narrative. Nearly all of the veterans of World War II are gone now, and not all of the remaining veterans are reliable resources anymore.
To be able to come up with the whole story, impeccably documented, is a real achievement.The writer says that he wrote this third volume, the completion of a trilogy, because other old soldiers urged him to do it, and this is the audience to whom he appears to be speaking much of the time. The informative lists and charts provided at the front of the book, with a glossary, list of maps, key to ranking, and photographs, is useful for those of us who have not served in the military, or perhaps even to those who have, but may have forgotten bits and pieces.If anything is missing here, it is a more descriptive narrative, admittedly a very tricky business when writing nonfiction.
Perhaps to add the feelings, scenery and sensations that would make this tale a bestseller would be considered unprofessional or unmilitary to those who are in a position to do so. I can think of just two nonfiction titles in which the narrative is as well done as a good novel, a compelling read with rising action and a climax: The Guns of August, by Barbara Tuchman, and The Warmth of Other Suns, by Isabel Wilkerson. The Battered Bastards, though colorfully titled, loses its fifth star because the writing is dry in places, transitions sometimes bumpy. Though it becomes more colorful as one reaches further into the text, there are other lengthy sections that feel like quotations that have been hurriedly shoved together.In addition, assumed knowledge, despite the excellent resources earlier mentioned, left me scratching my head. Why would parachutists consider themselves superior to those who used gliders?
A lot is left to the imagination of the general, nonmilitary public.For World War II veterans, a waning target audience, this might well merit five stars. For the general reading public—even those who teach or have taught American history, as I have—it is a four star read, important and informative, and very useful to researchers and scholars, but a little dry around the edges.Still, a good read in my book, and recommended.
George Koskimaki wrote three books on the 101st Airborne Division. They are 1) D-Day with the Screaming Eagles, 2) Hell's Highway: Chronicle of the 101st Airborne Division in the Holland Campaign, September - November 1944, and 3) Battered Bastards of Bastogne. This is a review of book three, Battered Bastards of Bastogne. George Koskimaki offers unique insights, as he was 101st Airborne Division commanding general, General Maxwell Taylor’s radio operator.Battered Bastards of Bastogne fleshes ou George Koskimaki wrote three books on the 101st Airborne Division. They are 1) D-Day with the Screaming Eagles, 2) Hell's Highway: Chronicle of the 101st Airborne Division in the Holland Campaign, September - November 1944, and 3) Battered Bastards of Bastogne. This is a review of book three, Battered Bastards of Bastogne. George Koskimaki offers unique insights, as he was 101st Airborne Division commanding general, General Maxwell Taylor’s radio operator.Battered Bastards of Bastogne fleshes out in vivid detail the entire story of the Screaming Eagles' valiant struggle.
It gives us information not covered in the other books by interweaving the stories of 530 soldiers interviewed who were on the ground or in the air over Bastogne. They lived, made this history and much of it is told in their own words.The story of the Battle of the Bulge is amazing. We learn how little time had passed from the Holland Campaign before the 101st is pulled from being their reserve role. We see ill-equipped they were in terms of weapons. We find out their equipment and uniforms had not been replenished after Market Garden/Holland Campaign. We hear the often-told story of the lack of winter weather gear. Master of orion doom star.
We see how stupid some were in tossing their limited cold weather gear like over shoes when the weather was a little less cold at the beginning of the battle. We see circumstances with General Taylor being called back to the USA for a staff conference, the shifting of key senior NCO's due to enjoying their time off line too much, and how the division moved into combat via ground transportation for the first time.I especially enjoyed the detail and interweaving of the soldiers stories. It is amazing to view moments on the battlefield through multiple points of view. Some readers may find the book hard or even tedious to get through because of the detail. I found it added to the story. As in the author's two previous works on the 101st I find the personal accounts gave vitality to the story. It kept it flowing instead of reading like a military after action report.
Once again, Mr. Koskimaki did a superb job of telling the history the 101st Airborne Division. I appreciated the way the book is both descriptive and detailed. It gives you a feel that you are there with the men.
The author did an outstanding job in this area. This is must reading for any student of World War II history. I admit that I usually rate books to a pretty tough standard. There is no doubt that this is one of the most comprehensive books about the Battle of the Bulge and the actions of the 101st in Bastogne during that part of World War 2. (I compare it to Alan Guelzo's recent volume about Gettysburg). Whenever possible Koskimaki presents an event from the battle from one, two, three, and even four different perspectives. It is just as interesting when they are all in agreement as it is when they are dI admit that I usually rate books to a pretty tough standard.
There is no doubt that this is one of the most comprehensive books about the Battle of the Bulge and the actions of the 101st in Bastogne during that part of World War 2. (I compare it to Alan Guelzo's recent volume about Gettysburg). Whenever possible Koskimaki presents an event from the battle from one, two, three, and even four different perspectives. It is just as interesting when they are all in agreement as it is when they are different.While most of his accounts are quotations from primary and secondary sources, when he does resort to prose it is both beautiful and informative.
There are times when I actually started to feel tense as I read an account of a soldier hunkered down in a frozen fox hole enduring an endless barrage of German 88s.The fault that I ultimately found with this book that it had insufficient maps to keep the big picture in perspective. There was so much detail about scattered battles that it was hard to keep that picture of the town proper and the surrounding villages in my head as they proceeded. I think that it is in regard to maps that the ebook becomes deficient in the reading experience. In a printed book I can flip back to a bookmarked map very easily.
It is a bit more awkward (but admittedly possible) with an ebook.I would still heartily recommend this book to those who enjoy reading about World War 2. It is an excellent expansion on the experiences of the Band of Brothers, the E company of the 506th Parachute regiment of the 101st Airborne. Many of the Easy Company characters that we have come to know from the television mini series and the book by Stephen Ambrose are quoted here, but they are not made out to be the 'Stars' by any measure.
They are merely another segment of a large battlefield.I cannot imagine a more definite picture of this famous and important historical event. Another great book by George Koskimaki about the 101st Airborne division in WWII. This one actually seems to read more easily and clearly than 'Hell's Highway' (his book about the 101st's participation in Operation Market Garden in Holland). What these men did - staving off crack German divisions and holding onto the strategic road and communications hub of Bastogne, Belgium is amazing. As everyone knows, they not only had to contend with being surrounded by the Germans but also with shortages i Another great book by George Koskimaki about the 101st Airborne division in WWII. This one actually seems to read more easily and clearly than 'Hell's Highway' (his book about the 101st's participation in Operation Market Garden in Holland). What these men did - staving off crack German divisions and holding onto the strategic road and communications hub of Bastogne, Belgium is amazing.
As everyone knows, they not only had to contend with being surrounded by the Germans but also with shortages in everything from food, medicine, and ammunition and to top it off a very brutal and cold winter. Koskimaki, once again, does an excellent job in detailing the actions of as many parts of the division including the medical unit, the Field Artillery Group, as well as the tank destroyer (TD) squadron that was attached to the 101st in Bastogne.If you are a World War II history aficionado or just enjoy a good detailed history book, this one is definitely for you. Read this book over the Holidays, it was a bit of a reality check to read these soldiers stories, often describing their harrowing experiences of fighting better equipped, better armored and better clothed Germans almost 69 years to the day as I sat in comfort reading in my chair.Although not the most heralded of battles, Bastogne definitely is in the Top 10 for World War II as far as importance. By holding the small village of Bastogne for 3 weeks in the middle of a brutal winter by soldiers wi Read this book over the Holidays, it was a bit of a reality check to read these soldiers stories, often describing their harrowing experiences of fighting better equipped, better armored and better clothed Germans almost 69 years to the day as I sat in comfort reading in my chair.Although not the most heralded of battles, Bastogne definitely is in the Top 10 for World War II as far as importance. By holding the small village of Bastogne for 3 weeks in the middle of a brutal winter by soldiers without winter gear, isolated and out-manned the soldiers somehow overcame the odds to hold back a brutal Panzer-led attack and prevent Hitler's last gamble of the war. The book is a testament to the men who fought fiercely to stave off the German Counter-Offensive known as the Battle of the Bulge.The stories of the soldiers, most told 40-50 years after the fact, still have a powerful resonance and Koskimaki captures it well. Although his writing is rather basic and the maps in the book are a bit confusing or of poor quality, nothing can take away from the power of the tales.
Men losing limbs, their friends, going days without food, howitzer units down to their last shell.it's all here. Acts of bravery and cowardice, luck-both bad and good and the daily tension these men endured all come across.Anyone curious about the details of the battle can look here, be it the casual curious reader or the hard-core WWII buff-it will deliver. Some episodes of history are more than unforgettable, they are thrilling every time one thinks of them.
One such is the battle of the bulge, when the allied forces were further out than could be logistically supported and German forces unexpectedly turned around to strike back, and the allies were surrounded on almost all sides with almost no option but to surrender or be massacred - and yet the commander famously replied 'nuts' to the proposal of surrender from the Germans, barely taking the ci Some episodes of history are more than unforgettable, they are thrilling every time one thinks of them. This collection of first hand accounts of the Battle of the Bulge should be on any WW2 History buff's shelf, but I'd go further and make it available to the younger generations who won't get the chance to interact with those that lived the stories. It would make an excellent book club selection as it is so well organized and contains so much material that would lend itself to interesting discussion.
Was it an easy read? No, but the author's attention to detail and the accompanying well researche This collection of first hand accounts of the Battle of the Bulge should be on any WW2 History buff's shelf, but I'd go further and make it available to the younger generations who won't get the chance to interact with those that lived the stories. It would make an excellent book club selection as it is so well organized and contains so much material that would lend itself to interesting discussion. Was it an easy read?
No, but the author's attention to detail and the accompanying well researched material puts it all into perspective.I received my copy from NetGalley.com in exchange for an hones review.
'Nyaman juga pakai batik saat manggung. Siapa paling ganteng di film inuyasha. 'Anak muda harus peduli dengan musik dan budaya Indonesia. Ternyata batik sangat fleksibel sekali, bukan cuma buat kondangan saja, manggung pun bisa,' kata Iman sang vokalis.J-Rock melalui wartawan yang hadir, juga menyampaikan pesan-pesannya terhadap anak muda sekarang, bahwa kita boleh saja terinspirasi dari bangsa lain, tapi jangan sampai lupa dengan bangsa sendiri.
We’re writing this on purpose during the summertime because it’s important. It’s important to think about how good it feels outside right now compared to the frigid winter that many have experienced. Certainly, heat can be uncomfortable, but for crying out loud San Antonio, Texas got snow before Chicago, Illinois this past winter. It was a brutal cold hard winter.
Still, it doesn’t compare to the winter that Battered Bastards of Bastogne endured. This is a special edition of our American Grit Stories, recognizing this unit for the biting frozen hell they endured.Winters in Bastogne weren’t necessarily cold like say Siberia or Alaska, but with temperatures hovering right around 30 degrees Fahrenheit and without proper winter clothes or boots, the Battered Bastards of Bastogne were literally freezing their asses off. Fun fact about the cold. The human body is more inclined to resist permanent physiological damage when body temperature rises as opposed to body temperature dropping.
You can get a fever of 101 or 102 and feel like crap, but you won’t die. However, when body temperature (normally around 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit) drops to 96 degrees, you are legitimately cold, shivering thinking you’re going to die. So these guys, without proper winter equipment, surrounded, outlasted and held out against a superior German force that had artillery on call all while getting trench foot and various cold-related maladies. Despite numerous shellings, bitter fighting, the men of the 101st Airborne fought like hell despite being cut off from friendly forces. Troops pinned down in the Ardennes by German troops – December 1944U.S. ArmyActing commander of the 101st Airborne Division, Brigadier General Anthony McAuliffe, received a note from the German commander surrounding Bastogne, the note asked for the surrender of the American forces. Well, “Old Croc” wasn’t having any of that shit and he said “Nuts”which we roughly believe to be the modern-day variant of “F.!” (McAuliffe said “Nuts!” instead, as he had a tendency to not swear) as he realized they were asking for the Americans to surrender.
Minnesota, United States ROBERT S. MILLER is a writer, teacher and lawyer who enjoys the outdoors and lives in Minnesota.
He’s worked at many additional jobs through the years while paying off his student loans including warehouse, factory and janitorial work, and clerking in a liquor store. He is an avid reader and is in the process of writing a book about his reading experiences. He has written four novels and a number of short stories.His reviews also appear in Movie Review Query Engines (MRQE):http://www.mrqe.com/.