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Informationen zum Autor Gordon L. Rottman entered the US Army in 1967, volunteered for Special Forces, and completed training as a weapons specialist. He served in the 5th Special Forces Group in Vietnam in 1969-70 and subsequently in airborne infantry, long-range patrol, and intelligence assignments until retiring after 26 years. He was a Special Operations Forces scenario writer at the Joint Readiness Training Center for 12 years and is now a freelance writer, living in Texas. Mark Stacey was born in Manchester in 1964 and has been a freelance illustrator since 1987. He has a lifelong interest in all periods of history, particularly military history, and has specialised in this area throughout his career. He now lives and works in Cornwall. Klappentext From North Africa, Sicily, and Italy, to Normandy and Holland, the Battle of the Bulge, into the heart of Nazi Germany, and also in jungle battles in the Pacific the parachute infantry regiments were among the most highly decorated US Army units of World War II, and between them they saw action right across the world. The elite nature of these units led to their being committed to action not only in the way that had been intended; their quality tempted commanders to keep them in the line longer than their light armament justified, and they were tested to the limit. This engaging study traces the story of each of the 17 regiments, from their creation and training in the USA, through their deployments overseas, to their combat jumps and all their battles. It explains their structure and organization, and records their commanding officers and other notable personalities, such as their Medal of Honor recipients. The book is illustrated with wartime photographs, many previously unpublished, and with eight full-color plates detailing the specifics of their uniforms, insignia, and equipment practices - which often differed from unit to unit. Together, these plates offer a comprehensive study of the special clothing and gear worn throughout the US Army's parachute forces. This unit-by-unit study tells the stories of the 17 US Army parachute infantry regiments raised during World War II, detailing differences of uniforms, insignia both official and unofficial, specialized equipment, and practices between the regiments. Zusammenfassung The parachute infantry regiments were among the most highly decorated US Army units of World War II, and between them they saw action right across the world. This study traces the story of each of the 17 regiments, from their creation and training in the USA, through their deployments overseas, to their combat jumps and all their battles. Inhaltsverzeichnis The US parachute infantry regiment, 1942: recruitment - organization - training The US airborne division, 1942-45: organization Non-divisional regiments Regimental development, 1942-45: organization - equipment - employment - tactics Unit histories: 188th PIR - 501st PIR - 502nd PIR - 503rd PIR - 504th PIR - 505th PIR - 506th PIR - 507th PIR - 508th PIR - 509th PIR - 511th PIR - 513th PIR - 515th PIR - 517th PIR - 541st PIR - 542nd PIR - 551st PIR (in each case, entry includes activation, sources of personnel, training, overseas deployment, assignments, operations, combat jumps, commanders and other noted individuals e.g. Medal of Honor recipients, plus particular interesting aspects of that unit) Bibliography Plate commentaries: detailed identification of uniform items, insignia, personal and auxiliary equipment items, etc. Index ...
