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Highlights
- The Road to Cisterna is the story of Darby's Rangers, an elite American army unit in World War II, selected for toughness and specially trained in beach landings and lightning raids deep behind enemy lines.
- About the Author: David Lyle Williams is a former U.S. Army officer (1967-1969).
- 424 Pages
- History, Military
Description
Book Synopsis
The Road to Cisterna is the story of Darby's Rangers, an elite American army unit in World War II, selected for toughness and specially trained in beach landings and lightning raids deep behind enemy lines. Commanded by Colonel William Orlando Darby, the 1st Ranger Battalion spearheaded landings in North Africa and helped defeat German general Erwin Rommel--the Desert Fox--in Tunisia. Its success inspired the creation of two more battalions led by Darby in the invasions of Sicily and the Italian mainland. The Rangers' record of victories ended in central Italy at the Battle of Cisterna, where a force of almost sixty thousand Germans wiped them out. The German forces captured all but a few of the survivors, but many Rangers made daring escapes from prisoner-of-war camps. Of the Rangers who fought that battle, forty-six tell their stories in this book.
David Lyle Williams spent over two decades collecting the memories of Darby Rangers, enabling him to compile an unprecedentedly thorough history of the unit. Unlike previous accounts, more than 160 Rangers speak here in their own words and voices, giving an intimate picture of their combat experiences, enabling the reader to know them as individuals.Review Quotes
"The Road to Cisterna is a fascinating, 'soldier's level' account of the World War II exploits of one of America's most storied military units--the U.S. Army Rangers. Formed in the months following Pearl Harbor, the Rangers were comprised of audacious volunteers, forged into warriors by seasoned British Commandos, and ultimately set a standard for unorthodox tactics and stunning courage. David Williams's account reflects his exhaustive research and intuitive understanding of these elite warriors. More than simple history, it is pure inspiration."--Stan McChrystal, General, U.S. Army (Retired); former commander, 2nd Ranger Battalion and 75th Ranger Regiment
"Extensively researched, exceptionally detailed, and meticulously documented, The Road to Cisterna will be the definitive account of the 1st Ranger Battalion in World War II and will far eclipse anything previously written."--William J. Leszczynski Jr., Brigadier General, U.S. Army (Retired); former commander, 75th Ranger Regiment
About the Author
David Lyle Williams is a former U.S. Army officer (1967-1969). He has a PhD in wood science and worked for fifty years in the forest products industry.