As Allied forces prepare to launch an all-out offensive on the beaches of Normandy, the daring paratroopers and glider pilots of the 101st Airborne Division, the “Screaming Eagles,” make a perilous landing over occupied France, in an oral history of the exploits of the famed group.
Braving a hail of enemy gunfire and mortars, bold invaders from the sky descended into the hedgerow country and swarmed the meadows of Normandy. Some would live, some would die, but all would fight with the guts and determination that made them the most famous U.S. Army division in World War II: the 101st Airborne “Screaming Eagles.”
D-Day with the Screaming Eagles by George Koskimaki is a gripping and detailed account of the 101st Airborne Division’s role in the D-Day invasion during World War II. As a veteran of the division himself, Koskimaki brings a unique and personal perspective to the events of that fateful day.
The book begins with an overview of the 101st Airborne Division, also known as the “Screaming Eagles,” and their training and preparation for the invasion. Koskimaki then takes the reader through the harrowing journey of the soldiers as they board their planes and fly over the English Channel towards France.
One of the strengths of this book is the level of detail that Koskimaki provides. He includes numerous first-hand accounts from soldiers who were there, giving the reader a sense of what it was like to be a part of the invasion. The descriptions of the chaos and confusion that ensued as the soldiers parachuted into enemy territory are particularly vivid and engaging.
Koskimaki also does an excellent job of explaining the strategic importance of the 101st Airborne Division’s mission. The division was tasked with securing key roads and bridges behind enemy lines, paving the way for the larger invasion force to move inland. This mission was crucial to the success of the overall invasion, and Koskimaki makes it clear just how much was riding on the shoulders of these young soldiers.
Another strength of the book is the way that Koskimaki portrays the soldiers themselves. He doesn’t shy away from the harsh realities of war, but he also highlights the camaraderie and bravery that the soldiers displayed in the face of overwhelming odds. The stories of individual soldiers, such as the medic who risked his own life to save his comrades, are particularly moving.
Overall, D-Day with the Screaming Eagles is an excellent account of one of the most significant events in World War II. George Koskimaki’s personal connection to the subject matter, as well as his attention to detail and compassionate portrayal of the soldiers, make this book a must-read for anyone interested in military history.