Merrill's Marauders: The Untold Story of Unit Galahad and the Toughest Special Forces Mission of World War II

by Gavin Mortimer

A critically acclaimed historian reveals the heroism and perseverance of a US Army special ops unit during one of the most overlooked campaigns of WWII.In August of 1943, a call went out for American soldiers willing to embark on a “hazardous and dangerous mission” behind enemy lines in Burma. The war department wanted 3,000 volunteers, and it didn’t care who they were; they would be expendable, with an expected casualty rate of eighty-five percent. The men who took up the challenge were, in the words of one, “bums and cast-offs” with rap sheets and reputations for trouble. One war reporter described them as “Dead End Kids,” but by the end of their five-month mission, those that remained had become the legendary “Merrill’s Marauders.”From award-winning historian Gavin Mortimer, Merrill’s Marauders is the story of the American World War II special forces unit originally codenamed “Galahad,” which, in 1944, fought its way through 700 miles of snake-infested Burmese jungle—what Winston Churchill described as “the most forbidding fighting country imaginable.” Though their mission to disrupt Japanese supply lines and communications was ultimately successful, paving the way for the Allied conquest of Burma, the Marauders paid a terrible price for their victory. By the time they captured the crucial airfield of Myitkyina in May 1944, only 200 of the original 3,000 men remained; the rest were dead, wounded, or riddled with disease. This is the definitive nonfiction narrative of arguably the most extraordinary, but also unsung, American special forces unit in World War II.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Military Fiction, Military History, World War II, Asia, War

258 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2013

About the author

For a detailed biography, to learn more about all the books I have written and to discover my forthcoming projects, please visit my website at the above link.

Reviews

[Louise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, wow, wow!! What a book of the horrors of war and the guts and determination of the men who dare to risk their lives for something bigger than themselves. I absolutely never read books like this one but my Dad was a proud Marauder and I literally ran into this book on the "Recent History" shelf display at Barnes and Noble like it was beckoning me to read it. Read it, I did and I was utterly amazed at how engrossing I found it. I had heard stories from my Dad when I was a little girl and through this book, I marched through the humid Burma jungles and trekked up the 6100 feet of the Naura Myket Pass in the Kumon Mountains with him. I saw the mules fall to their death when they lost their footings, I heard the bullets chatter all night long, I saw the enemy running toward my foxhole. This was my father's journey. From basic training in Arkansas, to jungle training in Trinidad onto the Lurline in San Francisco and into the harbor in Bombay, India. I was with him in Ledo and Nhpum Ga and Walawbum. I was at the airstrip in Myitkyina. This book brought me there. It made my Dad's stories come alive. He was with the Khaki Combat team and made it back home to Minnesota. He died on February 13, 1965, from service connected illnesses he contracted in Burma. I am the war orphan daughter of Marauder George F. Ahlfors and couldn't be more proud of my father. Thank you Gavin Mortimer for this wonderful book.

[Dave White · Rating 5 out of 5]

As the son of a Marauder I have read everything available on the subject. This book is by far the best and most accurate account of Merrill's Marauders and their story of struggles and battle in Burma during World War II. Mr. Mortimer has delivered and outstanding book. Many of the details in the book closely mirror stories told by my father.

If you are interested in an insightful look at the character of these men, the time they lived in and the monumental struggles and achievements of Merrill's Marauders, then this is a must read. Extremely accurate and well rendered.

[Tim Jordan · Rating 2 out of 5]

needed an editor, too much detail and characters

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

The CBI Theater (China-Burma-India) is referred to often as the "forgotten" WWII theatre for good reason... you won't find many films, novels, or histories on this aspect of World War II. Although there are a handful of books about Merrill's Marauders (one of the best known US fighting groups of that region), this is probably the best read for those who want a clear, basic understanding of the men and their mission. Be forewarned that if you are searching for information on the men who later reinforced the remaining Marauders (that group was known as the MARS Task Force), you will only find a passing mention of them.

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

My dad's experience

My dad, who passed away this past November at age 98, was a Marauder. I had a general idea of his experience (including the loss of his left eye, which, as he would put it, caught some shrapnel). This book provided context and facts. I am more grateful and in awe of my dad and his fellow Marauders after reading the details of their ordeal.

[Stuart Keating · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very informative, these men went above and beyond, and as in so many cases their commanders were not there in the end. Their ordeals were beyond imagination.
I always thought the Frank Merrell was and extraordinary man, His name as the commander is and insult to the men who served under his command!

[Brian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent account of the Marauders, and I left off the Merrill's on purpose. The book left me with a new perspective on Merrill as well as the injustices suffered by the marauders in their mission to Myitkyina and after...business as usual for Rangers.

[Bethany · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wasn't something I'd typically pick up on my own, and it had a lot of disturbing war scenes, but it made me more aware of the things that my grandfather had to go through during his WWII experiences in Burma. True long-suffering, grit, endurance and perseverance. A miracle he made it out alive.

[Tom · Rating 5 out of 5]

I selected this book based on other books about the Burma Road, the backdoor to helping supply China against the Japanese in WWII. It's an amazing story about well-trained volunteer-soldiers who, against all odds, broke the defensive lines of the Japanese and managed to hold, then rebuild this vital war supply line.

As others summarize, "...This is the definitive nonfiction narrative of arguably the most extraordinary, but also unsung, American special forces unit in World War II."

[Mhorg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

A story that needed to be told if just to reveal what terrible leaders Stillwell and Merrill really were. They put this unit, who they wouldn't give a unit designation to, through hell. That the men did their job had nothing to with the two officers, and everything to do with holding one another up.

[Danny VanVleet · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent read. Another part of WWII that I knew nothing about - the American's fighting the Japanese in insane jungles of Burma. 2,600 volunteers for this 'dangerous mission' that suffered 85% causalities largely to the jungle and disease but with some pretty wild fights in there. If you are into WWII History I recommend this one!

[Roger Rosenberg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Carefully researched story of an unappreciated area of WW II combat. Having spent time in Burma, I can appreciate some of the difficulty of the terrain, extreme heat and rain, and dense jungle. What these men endured is beyond understanding!

[Leith Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

How those men lasted in that hell-hole of a country is beyond me. Ledership once again determines success. The 'grunts' continue to be the ones who suffer from bad decision makers like General Stillwell. This is a must read.

[Terry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Book and a Sad Book

I’m a Vietnam veteran. My unit wasn’t in the jungle that much but enough to feel their pain. War is indeed hell. I went through a lot but nothing like these guys. They have all my admiration and respect. May they all rest in peace. They deserve it.

[Marc · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an excellent book about Merrill’s Marauders. Such amazing accomplishments by a special operations unit in Burma! Sadly, it proved again what a dear Army buddy said: "When nothing is too good for the soldier, nothing is what he will get!"

[George Polansky · Rating 5 out of 5]

The history of the use and abuse of a special group of volunteers. an engaging history.

[Mike Moody · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a solidly written book about a mostly overlooked World War II campaign. The books starts with a good description of the military situation in the China-India-Burma theater that led to the creation of the 5307th Composite Unit. Brief biographies are given of several members, from officers to enlisted personnel. From there the book goes directly to the action and gives a detailed account of the units actions from arrival in India to eventual withdrawal in August of 1944.

The amount of information presented is terrific as nearly the entire book is spent on the details of battles and the conditions the men suffered, from dysentery to pythons. The author also does significant analysis of the commanders of the unit to give the reader what I think is a fair view of the leadership troubles that eventually led to congressional hearings. The writing is solid, if not spectacular and there are a good number of maps included, which I always appreciate. Highly recommended for WWII history fans.

[Erik · Rating 5 out of 5]

f you are looking for the ultimate WWII special ops adventure story, this is the book.

A great introduction to Merrill's Marauders, aka the 5307th Composite, aka Unit Galahad, who from February to May 1944 fought in the hills of northern Burma with the aim of taking Myitkyina, a integral Japanese airfield. Trained by Orde Wingate, the famed British military man who invented jungle warfare, the Marauders are one of WWII"s most interesting stories. Mortimer interviewed many surviving Marauders for this book, as well as researched its long historiography. He ultimately takes the position that it was Charles Hunter, not Frank Merrill, who was the main driving force of this Army special ops mission. Regardless, the march that winter and spring was bloody and the casualties were high - of the 3000 men who entered the jungle in February, only 200 were left by August. Great book.

[Natalie Mitchell · Rating 4 out of 5]

My grandfather was Army 101st Airborne Division and was a member of Merrills Marauders. It is unbelievable what those soldiers went through but I'm very glad I read this book so I know what heroes they all were.