Two News Books that look interesting

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"The Eagles Claw" by Jeff Shaara, A novel of the Battle of Midway - Anyone who knows me knows that I love Shaara's work. This one follows his book  on Pearl Harbor which I really enjoyed. Should be good, and I will report on what I think of it when I get through the new Clancy which I received today.

The second book by Danial Bolger is "The Panzer Killers". Normally I don't like titles like that, but I read the blurb, and much to my surprise it is the story of Major General Maurice Rose, and the 3rd Armored Division in France and Germany, Rose was the only Jewish officer to command a division in World War II. He was killed in the closing days of the war, and probably as a result is not as well known as some of the other armored commanders like Harmon and Wood. To be perfectly honest Rose being Jewish and purposely overlooked and downplayed has been rumored in the Army for as long as I have been around that institution, which will be 60 years come January. Make no mistake, known or unknown, Rose was a kick ass division commander of the first water, His division's record speaks for itself, and Rose was the only commander they ever had in combat.

Dan Bolger is an Infantryman, In one of his earlier works he starts off with the statement - "I Love The Infantry". Mike, who probably knows Bolger, will also know that Bolger is a Mech guy who never walked a step he did not have to. Lieutenant General Bolger, to use the vernacular knows his shit, writes well, and would not have contemplated writing this book if he did not think the Rose story was worth telling, and I might add - It's about time. 

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Actually, I don't know him personally, but I am only separated from him by 1 degree, knowing several people who worked for him. A pretty well regarded officer.

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He has a teaching gig in North Carolina last I heard.

His "Death Ground" is really a great book. I refer to it often.

Bolger commanded a battalion in the 101,so he is really a crossover. His first book details a trip to the NTC, when he was with the 24th out of Stewart. It was and still is a good prep for a trip out west.

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Based on your recommendation, I bought Killing Panzers. Electrifying. I think this is probably his best book. I was not impressed with his "Why We Lost". I'd have to read it again to remember why, but I don't think he identified the cause and it was more of an apology than an analysis. I also bought his book "Death Ground".

LTC Scott Rutter (one of the people dedicated in his book) and I were in the 2nd BDE/1ID(M) together. He was the HHC Commander and I was the S-4. He is/was a fine officer.

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Interesting tidbit from a new book by John C McManus "Island Infernos".

Book arrived yesterday and am into the first chapter on Operation Flintlock, the invasion of Kwajalein". The 7th Infantry Division went ashore on Kwajalein while the Marines assaulted nearby Roi and Namur. Prior to the invasion the 7th Division commander decided to upgrade the number of automatic weapons in each rifle squad to two Browning Automatic Rifles, strictly a field modification of the existing TOE's. They also must have had an inordinate number of 1903A3 Springfield's as well, because the ammunition allocation for that weapon was in excess of 1.15 million cartridges. The author makes the distinction in that rounds for the Springfield were in five round clips, while the M-1 which was the division's primary rifle is packaged in eight round clips. Thought this might be interesting to those folks who think the TO&E is the end all and be all, and that the U S Army is not capable of doing what needs doing, paperwork and bean counters notwithstanding, to meet any situation that confronts them. The 7th Division had in excess of 500 BAR's at Kwajalein, double the authorized amount.

This book like the one by McManus that proceeds it "Fire and Fortitude" tells the story of the U S Army in the Pacific, something not all that well covered. Island Inferno covers operations in 1944, where the first volume covered Pearl Harbor to December 1943. The final volume will cover 1945 and if the interval between the first two is any guide it will probably be in print in about two years.

The first volume was outstanding. This one looks to be just as good and maybe better.

[deadwoodgultch]

As you know Chuck, I do some work for the local American Legion. George I. (Buddy) Scale was one of those ground pounding Army Island hoppers. Buddy is 98 years young. Up until two years ago he helped me with Chicken dinners, his family moved him back to Maryland as he was living on his own down here. Oddly enough he discussed those same BARs, Buddy was only 5'6". I may pick up that book.

Regards,
Tom

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Get both. One leads you to another, and I do not really think you can fully understand how much the 44 army improved unless you read what they had to start with.

I just finished the chapter on Los Negros and Manus in the Admiralty Islands, where the 1st Cavalry Division put at first one squadron ashore (2/5 Cav) against a garrison in excess of 5K Japanese. True to Japanese style they launched unsupported piecemeal attacks against the squadron which held until reinforced the next day by the other squadron of the regiment and Seabee battalion. A day or so later 2/7 Cav came ashore. The Japanese continued those attacks until they literally destroyed themselves.

Keep in mind here, that while these regiments carried the Cavalry name they were for all intents and purposes two battalion Infantry regiments.

If your friend was only 5'6" and carried a BAR through WWII, someone ought to be cooking chicken for him.

PS: Reading further in this book, the Americal Division on Bougainville also allotted each rifle squad two BAR's, one more than the normal TO&E called for. 

[tja]

QC,
Thanks for the recommendations on “Fire and Fortitude” and “Island Infernos.” Picked up at the library and read both. I am not a military strategy and tactics person but these were great historical and eye-opening reads. 
Terry

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I am happy you enjoyed them Terry. Keep a look out for the third and last book of the trilogy, which will cover Luzon and Okinawa. Should be out in a little over a year