The Longest Winter: The Battle of the Bulge and the Epic Story of World War II's Most Decorated Platoon - Softcover

Kershaw, Alex

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0306814404 ISBN 13: 9780306814402

Publisher: Da Capo Press, 2005

Synopsis

On the morning of December 16, 1944, eighteen men of the Intelligence and Reconnaissance platoon attached to the 99th Infantry Division found themselves directly in the path of the main thrust of Hitler's massive Ardennes offensive. Despite being vastly outnumbered, they were told to hold their position "at all costs." Throughout the day, the platoon repulsed three large German assaults in a fierce day-long battle, killing hundreds of German soldiers. Only when they had run out of ammunition did they surrender to the enemy. But their long winter was just beginning. As POWs, the platoon experienced an ordeal far worse than combat-surviving in wretched German POW camps. Yet miraculously the men of the platoon survived-all of them-and returned home after the war. More than thirty years later, when President Carter recognized the platoon's "extraordinary heroism" and the U.S. Army approved combat medals for all eighteen men, they became America's most decorated platoon of World War II. With the same vivid and dramatic prose that made The Bedford Boys a national bestseller, Alex Kershaw brings to life the story of these little-known heroes-an epic tale of courage, duty, and survival in World War II and one of the most inspiring episodes in American history. The Longest Winter is an intensely human story about young men who find themselves in frightening wartime situations, who fight back instinctively, survive stoically, and live heroically.

About this title

Review

"This book is a must-read for anyone who wants a renewed sense of patriotism."
--Roanoke Times

"Kershaw is a fantastic storyteller and excels at describing small-unit action. Anyone who enjoyed The Bedford Boys would like this book."
--Army Magazine

"America's enemies would do well not to underestimate this [platoon's] sense of courage3 and duty."
--Wall Street Journal

"Gripping and unsentimental...Shows that valor comes in many forms."
--New York Sun

"Kershaw handles both combat and internment skillfully and respectfully. A good read for observing the 60th anniversary of the Bulge."
--Booklist

"Kershaw has written a concise and winning account, one based largely on interviews with the platoon members. He vividly depicts the battlefield heroism and subsequent survival of these valiant American troops. Those interested in military history will find much here that is pleasing and heretofore uncelebrated."
--San Francisco Chronicle

"A gripping, true life saga."
--Midwest Book Review

"Kershaw...once again has succeeded in producing a fascinating, little known story. Amazing."
--Topeka Capital-Journal

"Kershaw skillfully tells the vivid and inspiring story."
--Military Officer Magazine

"This is a well-written book detailing the individual exploits of both American and German combatants. I required a second reading to better grasp the details of the individual experiences. I think that perhaps a third or fourth reading will be necessary to fully appreciate the impact of this incredible true story."
--Curled Up With a Good Book

Synopsis

From the author of the best-selling The Bedford Boys comes the remarkable story of America's most decorated platoon that miraculously halted Hitler's massive offensive at the Battle of the Bulge On the morning of December 16th 1944, eighteen men of the Intelligence and Reconnaissance platoon attached to the 99th Infantry Division found themselves directly in the path of the main thrust of Hitler's massive Ardennes offensive. Despite being vastly outnumbered, they were told to hold their position "at all costs". Throughout the day, the platoon repulsed three large German assaults in a fierce day-long battle, killing hundreds of German soldiers. Only when they had run out of ammunition did they surrender to the enemy. But their long winter was only just beginning. As POWs, the platoon experienced an ordeal far worse than combat - surviving in wretched German POW camps. Yet miraculously the men of the platoon survived - all of them - and returned home after the war.

More than thirty years later, when President Carter recognized the platoon's "extraordinary heroism" and the US Army approved combat medals for all eighteen men, they became American's most decorated platoon of World War II. With the same vivid and dramatic prose that made The Bedford Boys a best-seller, Alex Kershaw brings to life the story of these little-known heroes - an epic tale of courage, duty and survival in World War II and one of the most inspiring episodes on American history. The Longest Winter is an intensely human story about young men who find themselves in frightening wartime situations, who fight back instinctively, survive stoically and live heroically.

About this edition

• Publisher: Da Capo Press
• Publication date: 2005
• ISBN 10: 0306814404
• ISBN 13: 9780306814402
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 344