Sent by the Iron Sky: The Legacy of an American Parachute Battalion in World War II

(Hardback)

Publishing Details

Classifications

Physical Properties

Description

Following on from the success of Ian Gardners critically acclaimed trilogy on the exploits of the 3rd Battalion, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division in World War II, Sent by the Iron Sky tells their exhilarating story for a new readership. From the moment they entered the war in June, 1944, the men of 3rd Battalion were faced with brutal fighting against horrendous odds. Later in the year, nearly five months in combat with no relief lead to heavy losses that reduced them to the size of a company. Their heroic defence of Bastogne saw their division awarded a Unit Citation, a first in the history of the US armed forces, and they subsequently fought on across Europe, finishing the war occupying Hitlers mountain retreat of Berchtesgaden. Drawing on years of research and interviews with veterans of some of the toughest battles of World War II, together with maps and over 200 vintage images, Ian Gardner brings to life some of the most bitter fighting of the war in Europe, laying bare the horrors of war, the deprivations of day-to-day living and the chaos of the front line. Additional material includes a chapter on the fate of the men captured in Normandy and a foreword by Lee Wolverton, the grandson of the commander of 3rd Battalion, Col Robert Wolverton.

Reviews

Drawing on years of research and interviews with veterans of some of the toughest battles of World War II, the author brings to life the legacy of an American parachute battalion in World War II. If you are looking for a great read, or a gift for the military buff in your life, or simply want this powerful publication in your reference library, Sent by the Iron Sky is a must-have book. - Flight Journal

Sent by the Iron Sky is an engrossing story of men at war and, particularly, of an airborne unit heretofore not well known, except, perhaps, by those with a personal connection. Gardner has done a noteworthy job in telling the tale of a fine battalion and its soldiers--true representatives of the "the greatest generation. - Army Magazine

Author Bio

Ian Gardner served for five years in Support Company, 10th Battalion, The Parachute Regiment as a medic before leaving the Territorial Army in 1993 due to injury. Always enthusiastic about military history, several years after leaving 10 Para Ian became interested in World War II US Paratroopers. After a visit to Normandy in 2000 he decided to focus on the 101st Airborne Division, and in particular the 3rd Battalion of the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, which led to the critically acclaimed trilogy Tonight We Die As Men, Deliver Us From Darkness and No Victory in Valhalla. He is also the author of Airborne: The Combat Biography of Ed Shames of Easy Company. Currently self-employed, he is married with two grown-up children and lives near Aldershot in Hampshire.