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St Vith: Lion in the Way : 106th Infantry Division in World War II [Illustrated Edition]
Includes more than 25 maps, diagrams and photos
The 106th was the last of 66 US Infantry Divisions to be activated during WWII. Before leaving for its first active service abroad in Europe it lost many of the most experienced men and officers to drafts to other divisions and units. Partly trained, inexperienced and green the 106th Division took over from the 2nd Division in the Schnee Eiffel, a rugged hilly, densely wooded area of the Ardennes. The line was over 26 miles long, five times the recommended length for a division, but the higher command were unconcerned as they believed that the German Army was a spent force.
Five days after taking over the line the 106th Division found that they were directly in the line of advance for the last great German offensive of the war, their struggle had just begun in what was later known as the Battle of the Bulge. The 106th fought with great determination and courage, but faced overwhelming odds of heavily tank-supported Wehrmacht units, two of its regiments surrendered en masse having being surrounded. The remaining units of the 106th fought many numerous delaying engagements and at the vital crossroads of St. Vith were involved in the valiant stand that did much to unhinge the timetable of the entire German advance. Having done much to stop the German’s last roll of the dice, they were pulled out of the line having suffered horrendous casualties.
Colonel Dupuy writes with justified pride in the conduct of the 106th but unlike other writers is scrupulously honest and unbiased. Accounted by many veterans as the most accurate account of the Battle of the Bulge in this area, the 106th tale needs no exaggeration of their heroic actions during the Ardennes offensive.
The 106th was the last of 66 US Infantry Divisions to be activated during WWII. Before leaving for its first active service abroad in Europe it lost many of the most experienced men and officers to drafts to other divisions and units. Partly trained, inexperienced and green the 106th Division took over from the 2nd Division in the Schnee Eiffel, a rugged hilly, densely wooded area of the Ardennes. The line was over 26 miles long, five times the recommended length for a division, but the higher command were unconcerned as they believed that the German Army was a spent force.
Five days after taking over the line the 106th Division found that they were directly in the line of advance for the last great German offensive of the war, their struggle had just begun in what was later known as the Battle of the Bulge. The 106th fought with great determination and courage, but faced overwhelming odds of heavily tank-supported Wehrmacht units, two of its regiments surrendered en masse having being surrounded. The remaining units of the 106th fought many numerous delaying engagements and at the vital crossroads of St. Vith were involved in the valiant stand that did much to unhinge the timetable of the entire German advance. Having done much to stop the German’s last roll of the dice, they were pulled out of the line having suffered horrendous casualties.
Colonel Dupuy writes with justified pride in the conduct of the 106th but unlike other writers is scrupulously honest and unbiased. Accounted by many veterans as the most accurate account of the Battle of the Bulge in this area, the 106th tale needs no exaggeration of their heroic actions during the Ardennes offensive.
- GenresWorld War II
355 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 1, 1986
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74 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
June 21, 2019
Dupuy does an excellent job describing the fate of the 106 Infantry Division’s baptism of fire during Operation “Grief.”
Many of the previous books I’ve read talk about how the entire line collapsed. This is not the case. Yes, where the 14th cavalry was placed, the line was decimated and also farther south. But the group from St. Vith to Bastogne held their ground and fought gallantly upsetting the entire German time table and allowing the allies to regroup and counter the thrust. The heroism of our men in this critical battle is well documented. Many sacrificed themselves so others would live to carry on the fight.
The recounting puts the reader in the heat of the battle and shows that even though the 106th was badly outnumbered and outgunned, the horrible weather, untenable terrain and at best, two lane roads were the greatest defense we could hope for. Single units and commanders would venture to the front in an effort to destroy or disable tanks and call in extremely accurate artillery fire to break up Detrick’s 6th Panzer Army.
In the end, the units were slowly called back to augment Ridgeway’s XVIII Corps which would form the northern shoulder of our elastic defense keeping the Germans from breaking out towards Liege and open tank country.
The main problem as many have pointed out is the lack of any maps to follow the action. I went to Google Earth to understand this complex battle. It cleared up a lot of the confusion.
There is also a smattering of grammatical issues that drive me nuts. There is no place in non-fiction for such travesties and laziness on the part of the editors.
Many of the previous books I’ve read talk about how the entire line collapsed. This is not the case. Yes, where the 14th cavalry was placed, the line was decimated and also farther south. But the group from St. Vith to Bastogne held their ground and fought gallantly upsetting the entire German time table and allowing the allies to regroup and counter the thrust. The heroism of our men in this critical battle is well documented. Many sacrificed themselves so others would live to carry on the fight.
The recounting puts the reader in the heat of the battle and shows that even though the 106th was badly outnumbered and outgunned, the horrible weather, untenable terrain and at best, two lane roads were the greatest defense we could hope for. Single units and commanders would venture to the front in an effort to destroy or disable tanks and call in extremely accurate artillery fire to break up Detrick’s 6th Panzer Army.
In the end, the units were slowly called back to augment Ridgeway’s XVIII Corps which would form the northern shoulder of our elastic defense keeping the Germans from breaking out towards Liege and open tank country.
The main problem as many have pointed out is the lack of any maps to follow the action. I went to Google Earth to understand this complex battle. It cleared up a lot of the confusion.
There is also a smattering of grammatical issues that drive me nuts. There is no place in non-fiction for such travesties and laziness on the part of the editors.
May 12, 2018
THIS REVIEW IS THE KINDLE EDITION
Ok now that we have that out of the way, this is a very well written book that through the text and appendices, covers the story of the American 106th Infantry Division in World War 2. The book is well written, plenty of operational information and anecdotes to make most anyone happy. I would highly recommend this book in a printed format, that is why it is a two star. Why? You ask. Well it would have easily been four stars if it had maps and pictures like most normal books on WW2. Nary a one in this edition, which in my opinion almost completely ruins the book. Amazon, if you are going to go to the trouble of making a Kindle book, include the freaking maps and pictures! I did get it for .99 but still, its not really worth that without the maps.
Ok now that we have that out of the way, this is a very well written book that through the text and appendices, covers the story of the American 106th Infantry Division in World War 2. The book is well written, plenty of operational information and anecdotes to make most anyone happy. I would highly recommend this book in a printed format, that is why it is a two star. Why? You ask. Well it would have easily been four stars if it had maps and pictures like most normal books on WW2. Nary a one in this edition, which in my opinion almost completely ruins the book. Amazon, if you are going to go to the trouble of making a Kindle book, include the freaking maps and pictures! I did get it for .99 but still, its not really worth that without the maps.
January 22, 2019
The high price of freed
An amazing story of selfless personal sacrifice to stop the unstoppable Pazer armies of Germany desperately fighting to save their country. The 106th showed the world how the abdominal American spirit with arms is nearly impossible to overcome. Despite terrible weather conditions and lack of supply, they held their sector vital to the seccess of their foe and likely saved the western front from innialation by Hitlers best armies, but not without horrifying losses. Every patriot should honor them by reading this volume.
An amazing story of selfless personal sacrifice to stop the unstoppable Pazer armies of Germany desperately fighting to save their country. The 106th showed the world how the abdominal American spirit with arms is nearly impossible to overcome. Despite terrible weather conditions and lack of supply, they held their sector vital to the seccess of their foe and likely saved the western front from innialation by Hitlers best armies, but not without horrifying losses. Every patriot should honor them by reading this volume.
July 31, 2019
This book is a very involved recounting 0f the 106th division's involved in the St. Vith portion of the Battle of the Bulge. I suggest having a good map of the area available to look at as you read. I found Google Maps quite helpful for maintaining a basic idea of where things were happening. As a result of the authors attempt to give a close account of the movements and battles of the units in focus the book can be a bit stilted but it remains excellent in its detail.
January 3, 2018
Good book
This was a good book. I liked that it centered on one unit during the battle of the bulge. Definitely worth it.
This was a good book. I liked that it centered on one unit during the battle of the bulge. Definitely worth it.
Read
January 30, 2018Tremendous Details
Nothing was left out.
What a waste of men and materials for both sides. Nothing was gained for the Germans.
Nothing was left out.
What a waste of men and materials for both sides. Nothing was gained for the Germans.
January 20, 2018
Good account but you need a map
Very thorough, lots of detail, but without a map, it's hard to keep things straight and no map is included.
Very thorough, lots of detail, but without a map, it's hard to keep things straight and no map is included.
February 15, 2018
A detailed account of the Division's actions during the battle. Just wish there were maps to follow the movements of the various elements of the Division.
February 22, 2018
What a story of a combat unit.
This was a very interesting story. One I had not heard. Just goes to show how in hard time you can only push America soldier so far.
This was a very interesting story. One I had not heard. Just goes to show how in hard time you can only push America soldier so far.
December 22, 2018
Good book and a great partner to Death of a Division.... telling story about the Golden Lions.....
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews