Strike and Hold: A Memoir of the 82nd Airborne in World War II

by T. Moffatt Burriss

This fast-moving memoir of T. Moffatt Burriss shows his extraordinary role as a platoon leader and company commander with the 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment in Europe and North Africa during World War II. He saw a great deal of combat on Sicily, at Salerno, on Anzio Beach, in Holland during Operation Market Garden, and during the drive into Germany. This book portrays World War II as seen vividly through the eyes of the young American citizen-soldier.

Genres: Nonfiction, World War II, Military Fiction

254 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2001

Reviews

[Lee Murray · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have had this book and one other on glide pilots in WW II for some time and never read them. Imagine my surprise when I read them back to back and discovers that they had both been in the same battle, just in different portions.

Moffat Burris wrote a very engaging, well written account of the role of the 82d Airborne’s actions in Anzio, Market-Garden, and the Battle of the Bulge on into the last days of the war. It was a grim eye-opening account of battle in WW II and gave me great respect for those who fought, bled, and died for the cause.

There is. It a great deal of respect for the British decision makers l, and after reading the book, it is easy to see why. Some of the combat decisions are still being debated today, 70 years after the fact.

Highly readable, well written, entertaining in some places, sobering and sad in others, I would recommend this book to anyone interested in military history, or simply wanting to learn more.

[Aloysius Teng · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book contains the recollections of the men who had fought in the 504th Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division. The author only included some detail about his experience in combat and a large chunk of the book was made up of accounts from the other men in the unit. I would have preferred if the author had given more detail about his experience during WWII instead.

[Michael Linton · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a memoir book about WWII. It's not anything different from any other WWII in which veterans tell their amazing stories. Side note, the author really didn't have a good opinion of the British soldiers.

[Doyle · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a new generation of former paratroopers from the 82nd, really enjoyed this historical work from those who were there. Especially, the perspective of Market Garden and really appreciate the exercises named after this operation and the drop zones named after the battles from this era. A must read for military historian and definitely today's paratroopers of the 82nd.

[Harold Martinez · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the privilege of serving with this Division while with the Army. Great history of the division during WWII.

[E.C. Pollick Byrnes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let me preface my rating: I'm totally biased because I had the privilege and honor of meeting this man. At 96 years old (In 2015), he can recall events that happened over 80 years ago with utter clarity. Moffatt is a wonderful speaker, full of anecdotes that both break your heart and make you laugh til you cry.

If you're a big World War II buff and you like calculated, tactical, strategy reads, well, this book probably isn't for you. But if you like the human stories, the recollections and folksy humor, I strongly recommend this book.

I bought this book because I was unaware of the 82nd's involvements before D-Day -- In Sicily and Anzio. His account of Anzio was particularly gripping. He also involves his fellow serviceman and includes their account of similar battles he describes. I love the camaraderie that these men felt towards each other lasted years after the war.

Very good read -- Moffatt is one hell of storyteller.

[Ruppert Baird · Rating 5 out of 5]

T. Moffatt Burriss was a young Army Reserve lieutenant teaching high school when he was called to active duty prior to the US' entry into WWII. His decision to join the new, unproven 82nd Airborne Division would lead to a life that can only be described as a triumph.
This book was written after years of encouragement by his family and is a tour de force of a life of a man thrust into combat and who fought in North Africa, Sicily, France, the Netherlands and Germany. His stories of jumping into Sicily and making triumph from fiasco, reading his version of the incident made famous by Robert Redford in "A Bridge Too Far," all the way to single-handedly capturing a German Panzer Corps in the waning days of the war, make for gripping reading.
Highly recommended.

[Mark Lathrop · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well written memoir by Moffatt Burriss. This book contains one of the more vivid descriptions of the famous crossing of the Waal River and Nijmegen Bridge by the 82nd Airborne, and eventually the British XXX Corps. An excellent and must read.

[Jerry Mrizek · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice behind the scenes look at war, not the battles so much as the interactions between soldiers during day to day activities.