The Boldest Plan is the Best: The Combat History of the 509th Parachute Infantry Battalion during WWII

by Jim Travis Broumley

In the fall of 1941, as the United States Army scrambled to prepare for the war they knew was coming, a new kind of soldier was training with a new way of getting to the battlefield – the paratrooper. As fate would have it, the fourth battalion of parachute infantry to be activated would be the first to deploy to England and the first to jump into combat, while their more celebrated airborne brothers were still training in the States. This independent airborne unit was designated the 509th Parachute Infantry Battalion, nicknamed the Geronimos. The paratroopers of the 509th PIB were also known as “gingerbread men” for the figure on the unit patch they wore. Lieutenant Colonel Edson Raff, the first combat commander of the Geronimos, believed that in military operations “the boldest plan is the best.” That philosophy was demonstrated over and over again by the 509th PIB on the battlefields of World War II. Read the riveting true story of the first American paratroopers to jump into combat during the invasion of North Africa. Follow these same men as they parachute behind enemy lines in Italy, hold the line against a German onslaught at Anzio, and parachute into southern France. Stay with them until their last fight, during the Battle of the Bulge, where only 55 men walked away. Little has been written about the gingerbread men in WWII. Now the 509th Parachute Infantry Battalion’s combat chronicle is available in one source. In “The Boldest Plan is the Best,” author Jim Broumley has skillfully crafted a narrative of the beginnings of American airborne and the first paratroopers to go into combat. The exploits of this “bastard battalion” are brought to life with the voices of the veterans themselves, seventy photographs, and seventeen original maps. Enough background on WWII is provided for the enjoyment of a general audience, but readers of military history will also relish this story of an often overlooked unit of elite American paratroopers.

336 pages, Paperback

First published August 29, 2011

About the author

Jim Broumley is a former army officer, helicopter instructor pilot, and high school history teacher. He has master’s degrees in applied history and education. He is the author of the nonfiction book The Boldest Plan is the Best: The Combat History of the 509th Parachute Infantry Battalion During WWII and his fiction series The Jack Bell WWII Novels. His works of fiction are inspired by real history. Jim, his wife Sheila, and their corgi Elvis make their home in the Pacific Northwest.

Read about where they have been recently and what Jim is working at the Roving Historian blog.

Reviews

[Maciej Wojtyś · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great reference book. Probably the most complete story of the geronimomen. A strong foundation for anyone who wants to expand knowledge of the forgotten paratrooper outfit

[John Nevola · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kudos to Mr. Broumley for writing this long overdue book chronicling the exploits of the 509th Parachute Infantry Battalion. One of the first airborne units formed during World War II, it was the first deployed overseas and the first to make a combat jump.

The "Geronimos", as they were known, pioneered the tactics used by follow-on airborne units as well as the Pathfinder methodology for which they were never given credit. Broumley corrects these oversights and misconceptions as well as many others as he pays tribute to the men to formed this group and built their legacy. The 509th PIB had some of the most proficient and charismatic airborne leaders of World War II.

They not only stood out at the beginning of the War but they consistently performed above and beyond the call of duty (and beyond what they were tasked and supplied to do) right through the Battle of the Bulge in which they were unfortunately decimated.

Anyone interested in the airborne during World War II should read this book.


John E. Nevola - Author of The Last Jump - A Novel of World War II

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing story of this unsung yet most-highly-decorated unit. Broad battle overviews are made human with intimate stories of comradeship and bravery, personal photos make it real. Clean, line-drawn maps of battle positions help the reader along. Military history buffs should not miss this one.

[Robert D Grimes · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book to remember. My uncle was one of THE GINGERBREAD BOYS. It meant a lot to me to know how brave these men were. I am proud to say Lester Brown was one of these men. Great read.