What do you think?
Rate this book
The Dead of Winter: How Battlefield Investigators, WWII Veterans, and Forensic Scientists Solved the Mystery of the Bulge's Lost Soldiers
Honor can never be left behind.
Sixty years ago, as Allied forces pushed across Europe, the Nazis launched a desperate, overwhelming attack that caught them unprepared, setting off what would become known as one of the bloodiest, most brutal battles in human history: the Battle of the Bulge. Then, more than half a century after the last shots of World War II were fired, a team of forensic scientists and relic hunters enlisted the aid of several veterans of the Bulge for one last mission: to return to the battle site and recover the lost remains of their brothers-in-arms, to ensure they would be buried with all the honors they deserve. Written by a member of the expedition, this is a story of loyalty and the bonds of war, a compelling scientific mystery, and a long-awaited homecoming for families who waited decades for the return of their loved ones. Also included is a CD/DVD with additional images from the expedition, as well as other supplemental materials.
CD-ROM INCLUDES:
Slideshow image collection of the search for missing soldiers from the Battle of the Bulge, including recovered artifacts, wartime photos, and profiles of the missing soldiers.
Sixty years ago, as Allied forces pushed across Europe, the Nazis launched a desperate, overwhelming attack that caught them unprepared, setting off what would become known as one of the bloodiest, most brutal battles in human history: the Battle of the Bulge. Then, more than half a century after the last shots of World War II were fired, a team of forensic scientists and relic hunters enlisted the aid of several veterans of the Bulge for one last mission: to return to the battle site and recover the lost remains of their brothers-in-arms, to ensure they would be buried with all the honors they deserve. Written by a member of the expedition, this is a story of loyalty and the bonds of war, a compelling scientific mystery, and a long-awaited homecoming for families who waited decades for the return of their loved ones. Also included is a CD/DVD with additional images from the expedition, as well as other supplemental materials.
CD-ROM INCLUDES:
Slideshow image collection of the search for missing soldiers from the Battle of the Bulge, including recovered artifacts, wartime photos, and profiles of the missing soldiers.
288 pages, Hardcover
First published October 25, 2005
1 person is currently reading
46 people want to read
About the author
Bill Warnock
1 book2 followersAside from authoring THE DEAD OF WINTER, Bill created ETO History, a website dedicated to preserving soldier stories from the European Theater of Operations in World War II. As an award-winning author and historian, he has spent thirty years investigating U.S. Army combat operations in Northwest Europe from D-Day to VE-Day.
The website delves into his books and articles plus the research behind them. You’ll find untold stories and rare primary-source material from libraries, government archives, and private collections around the world. By joining this site, you’ll gain unlimited access to his online archive with free, downloadable files.
Bill's next book will be a history of the 741st Tank Battalion in World war II
The website delves into his books and articles plus the research behind them. You’ll find untold stories and rare primary-source material from libraries, government archives, and private collections around the world. By joining this site, you’ll gain unlimited access to his online archive with free, downloadable files.
Bill's next book will be a history of the 741st Tank Battalion in World war II
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
March 27, 2014
What a powerful book! I have done genealogical research on my family’s World War II soldiers, almost all of whom died in service. I have worked with military records (IDPFs, Morning Reports, After Action Reports, and Unit Histories to name a few.) I have seen some X-files, the files for those soldiers who were unidentified at the time of burial. I have never worked on a MIA case ……yet. I suspect this is in my future.
This book is an excellent example of the research conducted by historians, genealogists, forensic scientists, veterans, and those who live in Europe who dig for artifacts and those who were declared Missing. Every genealogist researching WWII ancestors should read this book because it provides an excellent storyline while incorporating the research conducted, the process of locating the Missing, the records used, and the timeline of events. Just as genealogy is not easy, neither is researching the lives, deaths, and burial locations of our Missing.
One thing that struck me as I finished the book was that there is no central repository of information. The government has JPAC and other organizations dedicated to various components of this search, recovery, and identification process. There are numerous historians, battlefield investigators (many of whom do this research on their own time and dime), genealogists, and others who request and analyze data in the search for the Missing. Can you imagine how much faster the process could become if there was a way for everyone to work together? What a concept right? Cooperation? Sharing of information? I’m no expert on what the U.S. government is doing currently with the location, recovery, and identification of the Missing, but from what little I have read, things are not quite the way some would wish them to be. Long delays and inadequate funding are a few issues.
One of the best things about this book I feel, are the stories. The author not only explained the research, recovery, and identification process, but brought to life the soldiers that were Missing. He brought to life the stories of the soldiers who survived and helped in the research process. The STORIES are so important. It is something I strive to teach people when I lecture and through my soon to be released books. Write those family stories even if you have only that. A story. Write it. The research will come of course and you’ll add and modify the family story according to records. But you must start somewhere.
I challenge you in 2014 to WRITE the stories of your military ancestors.
This book is an excellent example of the research conducted by historians, genealogists, forensic scientists, veterans, and those who live in Europe who dig for artifacts and those who were declared Missing. Every genealogist researching WWII ancestors should read this book because it provides an excellent storyline while incorporating the research conducted, the process of locating the Missing, the records used, and the timeline of events. Just as genealogy is not easy, neither is researching the lives, deaths, and burial locations of our Missing.
One thing that struck me as I finished the book was that there is no central repository of information. The government has JPAC and other organizations dedicated to various components of this search, recovery, and identification process. There are numerous historians, battlefield investigators (many of whom do this research on their own time and dime), genealogists, and others who request and analyze data in the search for the Missing. Can you imagine how much faster the process could become if there was a way for everyone to work together? What a concept right? Cooperation? Sharing of information? I’m no expert on what the U.S. government is doing currently with the location, recovery, and identification of the Missing, but from what little I have read, things are not quite the way some would wish them to be. Long delays and inadequate funding are a few issues.
One of the best things about this book I feel, are the stories. The author not only explained the research, recovery, and identification process, but brought to life the soldiers that were Missing. He brought to life the stories of the soldiers who survived and helped in the research process. The STORIES are so important. It is something I strive to teach people when I lecture and through my soon to be released books. Write those family stories even if you have only that. A story. Write it. The research will come of course and you’ll add and modify the family story according to records. But you must start somewhere.
I challenge you in 2014 to WRITE the stories of your military ancestors.
March 12, 2022
There are really a couple stories being told in this book, 60 years apart. In the (then) present day of the late 1990s, we learn of locals in Europe who scour the lost battlefields of WWII. Using metal detectors and shovels to unearth everything from rusty US helmets, to shells. In the latter case we find out that even old muntions can still kill, when one of the detectorists dies in an accident.
The other story is that of a particular group of men serving in the US Army in 1944. We learn about them, and how they came to be where they are now fighting, in freezing foxholes dug hastily. The Germans have launched a surprise counteroffensive, which would become known as the 'Battle of the Bulge'. Many American units have been caught off guard.
Flashing back to the present day, one of the metal detectors starts buzzing, it has found something. After some digging, German items from WWII are found. A little more examination reveals the remains of a soldier. Authorities are contacted about the discovery. Many of the detectorists are cooperative of informing authorities when they locate remains of missing soldiers.
Back in 1944 the Germans overrun the position held by the soldiers. Some of the soldiers are dead, some are missing, possibly captured.
In the present once again, there is a suspicion that they have found a promising spot to search. They find empty shell casings, ammunition clips, and other indications a battle had long ago been fought there. Digging down they find a helmet, and then what they find next is heart-stopping, the body of a US soldier.
The author explains what happened next, and how the remains were ultimately recovered, but the story does not end there. A fountain pen is found in the soldier's pocket, it has the owner's name on it. Research leads them the man, one of the men who fought there in 1944, but he is alive. He recalls that he loaned it to a buddy, but never saw his buddy again after the battle began.
Finally through research and an investigative process, the story of what happened is pieced together. It was an interesting book, and not your usual WWII story. This one has a forensic focus, which sets it apart I think. That the missing war dead were found and identified even after 50 (then) years is nothing short of astonishing, and hopefully led to some closure for the families and friends of the recovered soldiers.
The other story is that of a particular group of men serving in the US Army in 1944. We learn about them, and how they came to be where they are now fighting, in freezing foxholes dug hastily. The Germans have launched a surprise counteroffensive, which would become known as the 'Battle of the Bulge'. Many American units have been caught off guard.
Flashing back to the present day, one of the metal detectors starts buzzing, it has found something. After some digging, German items from WWII are found. A little more examination reveals the remains of a soldier. Authorities are contacted about the discovery. Many of the detectorists are cooperative of informing authorities when they locate remains of missing soldiers.
Back in 1944 the Germans overrun the position held by the soldiers. Some of the soldiers are dead, some are missing, possibly captured.
In the present once again, there is a suspicion that they have found a promising spot to search. They find empty shell casings, ammunition clips, and other indications a battle had long ago been fought there. Digging down they find a helmet, and then what they find next is heart-stopping, the body of a US soldier.
The author explains what happened next, and how the remains were ultimately recovered, but the story does not end there. A fountain pen is found in the soldier's pocket, it has the owner's name on it. Research leads them the man, one of the men who fought there in 1944, but he is alive. He recalls that he loaned it to a buddy, but never saw his buddy again after the battle began.
Finally through research and an investigative process, the story of what happened is pieced together. It was an interesting book, and not your usual WWII story. This one has a forensic focus, which sets it apart I think. That the missing war dead were found and identified even after 50 (then) years is nothing short of astonishing, and hopefully led to some closure for the families and friends of the recovered soldiers.
March 25, 2018
I absolutely loved this book!
May 21, 2008
A great book I hadn't considered at first. A friend put a copy in my hand and said to read it, so I did :) I'm glad too. While I enjoy detailed accounts of WWII soldiers, this book delved deeper. It manages to take you from past to present and back again, making incredible links all along. You can't help but admire the people in it and want to jump right in.
May 19, 2008
Very interesting.
I'm a WWII history buff so of course this book appeals to me. Great story about searching the Ardennes for the remains of US soldiers who were killed during the Battle of the Bulge.
I'm a WWII history buff so of course this book appeals to me. Great story about searching the Ardennes for the remains of US soldiers who were killed during the Battle of the Bulge.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews