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The Spearheaders: A Personal History of Darby's Rangers
The outlook for a victory by the Allied Powers was in doubt in 1942. When only two untested American divisions arrived in the European theatre, Gen. Lucien K. Truscott conceived the plan of organizing an American commando unit to be known as the "Rangers." Maj. William O. Darby was placed in command of the first Ranger Battalion and proved himself an officer of such extraordinary leadership that his unit became known as "Darby's Rangers." The Spearheaders is an account from an enlisted man's point of view of the intensely dramatic career of the Rangers.
- GenresWorld War II
344 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1960
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
November 22, 2013
A very good book, fun read!
April 6, 2018
Great book History of the Rangers and William Darby from their commando training to the finish of their missions.
May 31, 2013
" 'The outfit that can choose the most inaccessible route of approach under cover of darkness; the outfit that can arrive on the scene of battle after a grueling march still fresh for battle; the outfit that can slip up on the enemy and stun him with shock and surprise--that is the outfit that will win battles--and that is the outfit I want,' Darby repeated to us again and again." (from chapter 33; page 157 in paperback edition)
December 18, 2016
A phenomenally inspiring read
Whether you served as a Ranger or not Altieri's account of the Rangers from their formation in Northern Ireland through the devastating losses at Cisterna will inspire. A tremendous tribute to men who sacrificed everything.
Whether you served as a Ranger or not Altieri's account of the Rangers from their formation in Northern Ireland through the devastating losses at Cisterna will inspire. A tremendous tribute to men who sacrificed everything.
June 21, 2015
A darn entertaining first-person narrative by James Altieri of the early history of "Darby's Rangers." Highly recommended for lovers of action-packed war accounts.
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November 16, 2017Read this in High School.
The thing I remember is what has come to be called "The Three Mile Run": three miles to the mountain, three miles up the mountain, three miles down the mountain, three miles home.
My memory is that is an oddly flat narrative. I probably need to read it again with the advantage of experience.
Camp Darby was the Country Phase of the Harmony Church Ranger Campus. One of my favorite memories of Ranger School was Thanksgiving at Camp Darby. They gave us the day off until about 1500 for turkey dinner. I took a shower on a concrete slab with maybe 20 shower heads in the middle of the woods. It was wonderful! The day was cloudy and somewhere around 50 degrees with no wind. We had turkey and then had some patrolling exercise until probably 2100 and then to sleeping bags on the ground for sleep.
About 0300, we were awaken by 5 or 6 M-60s chattering and our TAC officers yelling at us to low crawl around until the sun came up, when we could see to low crawl a little more before breakfast. I understand SEALs do a similar exercise on sand dunes, organized misery being a common dimension of the training.
I always thought Bill Darby enjoyed the sight of 300 worms squirming around his namesake camp.
The thing I remember is what has come to be called "The Three Mile Run": three miles to the mountain, three miles up the mountain, three miles down the mountain, three miles home.
My memory is that is an oddly flat narrative. I probably need to read it again with the advantage of experience.
Camp Darby was the Country Phase of the Harmony Church Ranger Campus. One of my favorite memories of Ranger School was Thanksgiving at Camp Darby. They gave us the day off until about 1500 for turkey dinner. I took a shower on a concrete slab with maybe 20 shower heads in the middle of the woods. It was wonderful! The day was cloudy and somewhere around 50 degrees with no wind. We had turkey and then had some patrolling exercise until probably 2100 and then to sleeping bags on the ground for sleep.
About 0300, we were awaken by 5 or 6 M-60s chattering and our TAC officers yelling at us to low crawl around until the sun came up, when we could see to low crawl a little more before breakfast. I understand SEALs do a similar exercise on sand dunes, organized misery being a common dimension of the training.
I always thought Bill Darby enjoyed the sight of 300 worms squirming around his namesake camp.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews