No Victory in Valhalla: The untold story of Third Battalion 506 Parachute Infantry Regiment from Bastogne to Berchtesgaden (General Military)

Based on extensive interviews with the survivng veterans, " No Victory in Valhalla" relives the dramatic struggle of the famed "Screaming Eagles" paratroopers in some of the toughest fighting of World War II. Famously profiled in "Band of Brothers," the division as a whole was awarded Unit Citation for its heroic defense of Bastogne - a first in the history of the US armed forces. It's late November 1944, after 71 days fighting in Holland, and the 506th Parachute Infantry are withdrawn having suffered heavily during Operation "Market-Garden," and are looking forward to three months R&R. However, this is not to be. On December 16, 1944, the Germans launched the offensive which came to be known as the Battle of the Bulge and the 101st Airborne Division was rushed into action to stem the German tide. The ensuing large-scale combat operation would write the most dramatic chapter in the history of the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment and Third Battalion in particular. Bitter fighting in unbearable conditions saw the battalion reduced to the size of a company before its relief on January 17. Following this the battalion took part in the reduction of the Colmar Pocket, the Ruhr Pocket, and the liberation of the concentration camps in Germany itself, with Ed Shames being the first Allied soldier to cross the gates of Dachau. The Third Battalion finished the war occupying Hitler's mountain retreat of Berchtesgarden, held on readiness for deployment to the Pacific until Hiroshima and Nagasaki precipitated the Japanese surrender. This book is the final book in a gripping trilogy which includes "Tonight We Die as Men" and "Deliver us from Darkness." In late November 1944, after 71 days on the line in Holland, the 506th PIR was withdrawn having suffered heavy losses during Operation Market Garden, and each paratrooper was looking forward to three months rest, recuperation, and restructuring. However, this was not to be. On December 16, 1944, the Germans launched a huge offensive. The Battle of the Bulge had begun and the 101st Airborne were deployed to halt the German onslaught in the most incredible chapter of their wartime experiences. Bitter fighting in dreadful conditions saw the Third Battalion 506th PIR reduced to the size of a company before its eventual relief on January 17. The division as a whole was awarded a Unit Citation for its heroic defense of Bastogne – a first in the history of the US armed forces. With little time to recuperate, the battalion then fought on across Europe, taking part in the reduction of the Colmar Pocket, the Ruhr Pocket, and assisted in the liberation of several concentration camps in Germany. The Third Battalion finished the war occupying Hitler's mountain retreat of Berchtesgaden, held on readiness for deployment to the Pacific until Hiroshima and Nagasaki precipitated the Japanese surrender. Based on extensive interviews and first-hand accounts, and with the support of Ed Shames and other veterans, No Victory in Valhalla is the final dramatic part of the combat story of the Third Battalion 506th PIR. Using the words of “Screaming Eagles” themselves, it gives the reader a frank portrayal of the realities of the toughest fighting of World War II. In late November 1944, after 71 days on the line in Holland, the 506th PIR was withdrawn having suffered heavy losses during Operation Market Garden, and each paratrooper was looking forward to three months rest, recuperation, and restructuring. However, this was not to be. On December 16, 1944, the Germans launched a huge offensive which came to be known as the Battle of the Bulge and the 101st Airborne Division was rushed into action to stem the German tide. The ensuing large-scale combat operation would write the most dramatic chapter in the history of the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment and Third Battalion in particular. Bitter fighting in unbearable conditions saw the battalion reduced to the size of a company before its relief on January 17. Following this the battalion took part in the reduction of the Colmar Pocket, the Ruhr Pocket, and the liberation of the concentration camps in Germany itself, with Ed Shames being the first Allied soldier to cross the gates of Dachau. The Third Battalion finished the war occupying Hitler's mountain retreat of Berchtesgarden, held on readiness for deployment to the Pacific until Hiroshima and Nagasaki precipitated the Japanese surrender. This book is the final book in a gripping trilogy which includes Tonight We Die as Men and Deliver us from Darkness The final volume of Gardner's critically acclaimed biography of the Third Battalion 506 Parachute Infantry Regiment – the sister company to the famed Band of Brothers – this book traces the battalion's actions in the frantic final days of the war in Europe.Exhausted and battered following the disastrous Market-Garden campaign, the 506th were due three months of R&R, but were rushed back in to halt the desperate German attack during the Battle of the Bulge. When the offensive was finally halted after months of fighting the 506th pushed on into Germany where Ed Shames was the first Allied soldier to enter Dachau before the unit were sent to occupy Hitler's mountain retreat at Berchtesgarden.Based on extensive interviews and first-hand accounts, this volume relives the struggles of the paratroopers of the renowned'Screaming Eagles'in some of the toughest fighting of World War II, bringing the story of their defiant unit to its conclusion. The final volume of Gardner's critically acclaimed biography of the Third Battalion 506 Parachute Infantry Regiment - the sister company to the famed Band of Brothers - this book traces the battalion's actions in the frantic final days of the war in Europe. Exhausted and battered following the disastrous Market-Garden campaign, the 506th were due three months of R & R, but were rushed back in to halt the desperate German attack during the Battle of the Bulge. When the offensive was finally halted after months of fighting the 506th pushed on into Germany where Ed Shames was the first Allied sold