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A Screaming Eagle #3
Seven Roads to Hell: A Screaming Eagle at Bastogne
The author, a member of the Screaming Eagles of the 101st Airborne Division, describes his experiences in Bastogne during the Battle of the Bulge and the close combat under difficult winter conditions and a lack of supplies. Reprint.
271 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1999
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518 people want to read
About the author
Donald R. Burgett
15 books27 followersDonald R. Burgett was a writer and a former World War II paratrooper. He was among the Airborne troopers who landed in Normandy early on the morning of June 6, 1944 (D Day). He was a member of the 101st Airborne Division (United States), ("The Screaming Eagles"), and the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment. Burgett served in 'A' Company, 1st Battalion, 506th PIR as both a rifleman and a machine-gunner.
Burgett parachuted into Holland, his second combat jump, as part of Operation Market-Garden, and fought for 72 days behind the German lines. After just a few weeks rest, he was again sent into combat, this time at the Battle of the Bulge, where the 101st, along with Combat Command B of the U.S. 10th Armored Division (United States) and the all African American 969th Field Artillery Battalion successfully held out against nine German armored divisions during the siege of Bastogne. Burgett went on to fight through Operation Nordwind, on into Germany to the Ruhr Valley, the Rhineland, and Bavaria. While in action with the 101st, Burgett was wounded three times and had his M1 rifle shot out of his hands at least twice. He was one of only eleven men out of the original 200 in his company to survive from D-Day in Normandy to the war's end.
In addition to writing four books, he has also appeared in a number of History Channel specials on World War II.
Burgett's books are first-hand accounts of his time spent in the United States Army during World War II. Some were based on unpublished accounts he wrote immediately after the war, while others were compiled in later years.
Burgett parachuted into Holland, his second combat jump, as part of Operation Market-Garden, and fought for 72 days behind the German lines. After just a few weeks rest, he was again sent into combat, this time at the Battle of the Bulge, where the 101st, along with Combat Command B of the U.S. 10th Armored Division (United States) and the all African American 969th Field Artillery Battalion successfully held out against nine German armored divisions during the siege of Bastogne. Burgett went on to fight through Operation Nordwind, on into Germany to the Ruhr Valley, the Rhineland, and Bavaria. While in action with the 101st, Burgett was wounded three times and had his M1 rifle shot out of his hands at least twice. He was one of only eleven men out of the original 200 in his company to survive from D-Day in Normandy to the war's end.
In addition to writing four books, he has also appeared in a number of History Channel specials on World War II.
Burgett's books are first-hand accounts of his time spent in the United States Army during World War II. Some were based on unpublished accounts he wrote immediately after the war, while others were compiled in later years.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
September 10, 2012
The victory at Bastogne was very likely won at the battle of Noville. When Combat Command B of the 10th Armored Division was posted to Noville to blunt the onslaught of the 2nd Panzer Division, it seemed like too little too late. But when Burgett’s 1st Battalion of the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment reinforced them, they were able to make a fight of it.
Seven Roads To Hell recounts the bloody 2 day battle for Noville where out manned and outgunned American forces held off vastly superior German forces giving precious time for the defenders of Bastogne to dig in. American tank destroyers made the German Panzers pay dearly for every inch of ground while the paratroopers and armored infantry engaged the Germans at close quarters, sometimes hand-to-hand, fighting.
While to book goes on to recount the fighting in the Bois Jacques Woods, the lifting of the siege of Bastogne and the reclaiming of lost territory, the battle and withdrawal from Noville are the most illuminating and compelling parts of this book.
Burgett is as graphic and explicit in Seven Roads to Hell as he is in his other books and this lends a gripping sense of realism to his writing. The book contains some period photographs and very good maps, which help explain the dispositions of the forces involved.
The withdrawal from Noville is featured prominently in my historical novel and Seven Roads To Hell contributed substantially to the background of that section of The Last Jump.
Seven Roads To Hell recounts the bloody 2 day battle for Noville where out manned and outgunned American forces held off vastly superior German forces giving precious time for the defenders of Bastogne to dig in. American tank destroyers made the German Panzers pay dearly for every inch of ground while the paratroopers and armored infantry engaged the Germans at close quarters, sometimes hand-to-hand, fighting.
While to book goes on to recount the fighting in the Bois Jacques Woods, the lifting of the siege of Bastogne and the reclaiming of lost territory, the battle and withdrawal from Noville are the most illuminating and compelling parts of this book.
Burgett is as graphic and explicit in Seven Roads to Hell as he is in his other books and this lends a gripping sense of realism to his writing. The book contains some period photographs and very good maps, which help explain the dispositions of the forces involved.
The withdrawal from Noville is featured prominently in my historical novel and Seven Roads To Hell contributed substantially to the background of that section of The Last Jump.
September 23, 2009
This is a memoir of the author’s days in the 101st Airborne Division during WWII. It focuses on the battle for Bastogne where a critical junction of seven roads was seized and held until they were relieved many days later by Patton’s 3rd Army. The battle for Bastogne was one part of the overall Nazi offensive in the winter of 1944 when the Germans made an all out effort to break through the Allied lines in what is now known as the Battle of the Bulge. This is a sanguine account of the terror and degradation of personal combat. It underscores the necessity for combatants to concentrate on survival skills if they are to succeed in the dirty business of war. In spite of it all, humor keeps these numb soldiers from going insane. This is definitely a grunt’s eye view of war.
August 23, 2019
Absolutely fantastic
June 12, 2020
The Battle of the Bulge was a HUGE turning point in World War II . . . if you like reading about that sort of thing. And I do!
The author, Donald Burgett, is a WWII veteran with the 506th Regiment, 101st Airborne Division with A Company. He wrote down his thoughts after returning from the war, which were compiled into short narrative books. This is book two.
"My mind's eye could see hoards of WWI troops . . . their ghosts were restless. Theirs had been the Great War to End All Wars. They had died in vain. We were still at war."
Seven Roads to Hell are the seven roads leading in an out of Bastogne, Belgium, that the allies were defending from the largest German offensive of WWII. I'll admit, I've become partial to the stories of 506th PIR Easy Company's WWII campaign. However, Burgett's is well worth the read. All soldiers have stories to share. We can't even imagine they things they did and survived. Friends they had lost. And at 19-years-old, Burgett was considered one of the "old guard."
Burgett's Battle of the Bulge wasn't as much a freezing cold narrative of holding the line, although that's certainly what A Company did. He shares memories of short offensives. Crossing over the enemy line, not realizing it, and attacking while the Nazi's were sleeping -- with only 3-4 men.
He recalls how the Germans had the allies surrounded on three sides and also had the higher ground. However, an usually amount of fog kept the American forces hidden, so that they Germans never felt confident how many men they were up against. A Battle of the Bulge narrative is never complete without a soldier recalled General McAuliffe's request for surrender from the Nazi's: "NUTS!"
I won't believe that there was a guiding hand that allowed the Allies to push back this Nazi offensive. And, I certainly can't read about it enough.
The author, Donald Burgett, is a WWII veteran with the 506th Regiment, 101st Airborne Division with A Company. He wrote down his thoughts after returning from the war, which were compiled into short narrative books. This is book two.
"My mind's eye could see hoards of WWI troops . . . their ghosts were restless. Theirs had been the Great War to End All Wars. They had died in vain. We were still at war."
Seven Roads to Hell are the seven roads leading in an out of Bastogne, Belgium, that the allies were defending from the largest German offensive of WWII. I'll admit, I've become partial to the stories of 506th PIR Easy Company's WWII campaign. However, Burgett's is well worth the read. All soldiers have stories to share. We can't even imagine they things they did and survived. Friends they had lost. And at 19-years-old, Burgett was considered one of the "old guard."
Burgett's Battle of the Bulge wasn't as much a freezing cold narrative of holding the line, although that's certainly what A Company did. He shares memories of short offensives. Crossing over the enemy line, not realizing it, and attacking while the Nazi's were sleeping -- with only 3-4 men.
He recalls how the Germans had the allies surrounded on three sides and also had the higher ground. However, an usually amount of fog kept the American forces hidden, so that they Germans never felt confident how many men they were up against. A Battle of the Bulge narrative is never complete without a soldier recalled General McAuliffe's request for surrender from the Nazi's: "NUTS!"
I won't believe that there was a guiding hand that allowed the Allies to push back this Nazi offensive. And, I certainly can't read about it enough.
December 6, 2023
I've lost the count of how many times I needed to take a break while reading, because the story told was so enormously devastating.
One of the best WWII's memoirs I've read, just not sure "the best" defines my feelings.
One of the best WWII's memoirs I've read, just not sure "the best" defines my feelings.
February 9, 2020
This was an incredible, heart-wrenching personal account of what these troops went through. As I read, I couldn't help but wonder how in the world any of these guys survived...but somehow they did.
I have always had tremendous respect for what our military personnel have endured for our country-after reading this, I truly can't put that respect into words.
These were a bunch of kids that had to become men so quickly, and they stared hell right in the face and never backed down...unbelievably commendable.
I have always had tremendous respect for what our military personnel have endured for our country-after reading this, I truly can't put that respect into words.
These were a bunch of kids that had to become men so quickly, and they stared hell right in the face and never backed down...unbelievably commendable.
August 22, 2012
Best book about combat I've ever read. Disturbing, but a must read for anyone with an interest in what combat is like.
Though tank destroyers played a minor roll in WWII, apparently they played a major roll in the fighting just north of Bastogne. The M18 Hellcat availed itself, with the skill of their operators of course, during a tactical retreat and other fighting.
Though tank destroyers played a minor roll in WWII, apparently they played a major roll in the fighting just north of Bastogne. The M18 Hellcat availed itself, with the skill of their operators of course, during a tactical retreat and other fighting.
January 25, 2021
Although not published until 1999, the author wrote his account shortly after the war. It, therefore, doesn't suffer (or is much less likely to suffer) from the inaccuracy of memory.
It tells the story of roughly a month in combat in the encircled area around Bastogne during the Battle of the Bulge. His unit was rushed in to defend the town in the first days of the campaign and he wasn't relieved until mid-January, 1945.
They fought in fog and snow and freezing rain, marched through snow sometimes up to their shirt pockets, sometimes covering the same ground two or three times, always outnumbered and typically outgunned. At times the story gets somewhat repetitive, but there are only so many ways to describe combat. What the author and his brothers in arms experienced is almost unimaginable. That's why it's important for them to tell their stories, and for us to read them.
For the most part, this book is a personal narrative. He tells us what he saw and did. But he also manages to give us a little bit more than that. In many places, he tells us what the units adjacent to his were doing. Surely, this information had to come from other sources, as he was not an eye-witness to it.
As I'd expect in a memoir, there are no source notes, no bibliography, and no index. There are about twenty photographs and several clearly drawn maps to aid the reader in following the action.
He has written a few other books about his experience. They are now on my to-read list.
It tells the story of roughly a month in combat in the encircled area around Bastogne during the Battle of the Bulge. His unit was rushed in to defend the town in the first days of the campaign and he wasn't relieved until mid-January, 1945.
They fought in fog and snow and freezing rain, marched through snow sometimes up to their shirt pockets, sometimes covering the same ground two or three times, always outnumbered and typically outgunned. At times the story gets somewhat repetitive, but there are only so many ways to describe combat. What the author and his brothers in arms experienced is almost unimaginable. That's why it's important for them to tell their stories, and for us to read them.
For the most part, this book is a personal narrative. He tells us what he saw and did. But he also manages to give us a little bit more than that. In many places, he tells us what the units adjacent to his were doing. Surely, this information had to come from other sources, as he was not an eye-witness to it.
As I'd expect in a memoir, there are no source notes, no bibliography, and no index. There are about twenty photographs and several clearly drawn maps to aid the reader in following the action.
He has written a few other books about his experience. They are now on my to-read list.
May 1, 2025
The 101st Airborne Division, also known as the Screaming Eagles, is a light infantry division of the United Stated Army. The Screaming Eagles have participated in some very well known and serious engagements from World War II up to the present day. This book is the person account of one such member who served during World War II and found himself in Bastogne, Belgium during the Battle of the Bulge. This book is very direct and does not embellish any wartime activities. The author just recounts his experiences as they were. This is a book with tremendous importance to the historical record, as personal accounts give all of the figures and statistics a soul. I enjoyed reading this book.
April 15, 2023
A surprisingly well-written and interesting account of a soldier's experiences in WWII, in this case particularly on the battle for Bastogne. Apparently it is part of a 4-book memoir, and now I have to read the others. It is at times repetitive and often describes pretty rough events, but it is one of the better memoirs I've tried. I was also happy with one section in which he applauds the efforts of an African American artillery unit, which often gets short-shrift in the histories. I would recommend this to young adults interested in military history.
January 21, 2019
This is the well written memoir of Donald Burgett of Company A of the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment of the 101st Airborne Division that fought at he the Battle of Bastogne during the German Ardennes Offensive of December 1944. He was part of the 2 day holding action at Noville that allowed the rest of the Division to dig in and prepare their defenses for the ensuing fight. His account is graphic and you see the fighting as it occurred through his eyes.
June 26, 2020
I thought this book was great. It was cool to see how it all aligned with “Band of Brothers.” In most cases these soldiers were just 18 and 19 years old. It’s hard to imagine such insurmountable achievements even being possible in today’s world. I would still say “Killing Patton” is the better book but your going to want to pick this one up as well. Hats off to Donald Burgett. This world is a better place because of him and the rest of the paratroopers.
September 13, 2017
I found this an excellent account of the authors experiences during the battle of the Bulge. As usual with first person accounts, the author's writing style isn't particularly polished and his voice falters when discussing strategic matters beyond his personal experience. But as an account of the courage and fortitude of soldiers in combat, the book stands tall.
May 7, 2018
This was an impulse pick up of a book donated to the library book sale. I rate it highly for its realistic depiction of battle and what it does to the soldiers who participate. Well written and always interesting, but the amount of detail that the author remembers borders on the unbelievable, and one does wonder if some of the events are simply recreated. I'd like to think not.
January 5, 2021
A thrilling first person account of the Battle of the Bulge. His descriptions make you feel as if you are there with him in the subzero conditions of Belgium from 19 December to 19 January. The author was one of only 11 men out of the 200+ men of Company A 506th PIR, that survived from D-Day to the end of the war.
April 24, 2022
Gran libro sobre las experiencias en combate durante la Segunda Guerra Mundial de Donald Burgett.
Muy detallado, fácil de leer y muy dinámico....asombrosamente realista sobre los duros combates en Bastogne.
Muy detallado, fácil de leer y muy dinámico....asombrosamente realista sobre los duros combates en Bastogne.
October 9, 2020
the small unit battles that help make the great victory.
June 24, 2023
This is another entry by Burnett about his life during WW2. This time he survives Bastogne and the Battle of the Bulge. Amazing detail and feeling for what he went through.
July 14, 2025
Another good book of a Screaming Eagles personal experience in the Battle of the Bugle. Not a member of Easy company although in the 506.
August 11, 2025
An indepth and graphic account of the fighting at Bastogne from one of the men of the 101st Airborne who was there for it all.
February 5, 2016
Some episodes of history are more than unforgettable, they are thrilling every time one thinks of them. One such is the battle of the bulge, when the allied forces were further out than could be logistically supported and German forces unexpectedly turned around to strike back, and the allies were surrounded on almost all sides with almost no option but to surrender or be massacred - and yet the commander famously replied "nuts" to the proposal of surrender from the Germans, barely taking the cigar out of his mouth for saying that much calmly, immediately, nonchalantly.
Patton was in Italy and was informed of the bulge and the urgency - and he drove his army in an impossible drive across to the battlefront in Ardennes near Belgian border in time to save the situation, the men, the battle and the war.
Patton was in Italy and was informed of the bulge and the urgency - and he drove his army in an impossible drive across to the battlefront in Ardennes near Belgian border in time to save the situation, the men, the battle and the war.
August 28, 2025
The best of Trooper Burgett’s three memoirs* and apparently the first one he wrote — immediately after the war, he says, but not dragged out and published until many years later. I’m guessing his books on Normandy and Holland were generated to capitalize on the success of this Bastogne account.
Nicely anecdotal and detailed without being a slog. Incredible suffering and hardship and a true testimony to training and esprit de corps. Useful maps and some amateur photos by camera-carrying GIs.
*5/8/25: oops — in making sure that this WAS the first memoir Burgett wrote/published, I see that there’s a fourth memoir about his service after Bastogne. So I guess I might as well find that one, too … although that is probably REALLY an attempt to capitalize on the success of Seven Roads to Hell.
Nicely anecdotal and detailed without being a slog. Incredible suffering and hardship and a true testimony to training and esprit de corps. Useful maps and some amateur photos by camera-carrying GIs.
*5/8/25: oops — in making sure that this WAS the first memoir Burgett wrote/published, I see that there’s a fourth memoir about his service after Bastogne. So I guess I might as well find that one, too … although that is probably REALLY an attempt to capitalize on the success of Seven Roads to Hell.
January 13, 2025
The best of his books (so far... I'm reading them in order).
Its easier to follow and one gets a better sense of where he is and who he's with. The story telling is much better too, with far less, "we went here and did this, then we went there and did that". The characters stand out as people rather than just guys who are described by their height, weight and hair colour.
Its a gripping story of survival in the face of man and nature and one is left with the impression that Burgett is an amazingly lucky fellow to have made it so far.
Its easier to follow and one gets a better sense of where he is and who he's with. The story telling is much better too, with far less, "we went here and did this, then we went there and did that". The characters stand out as people rather than just guys who are described by their height, weight and hair colour.
Its a gripping story of survival in the face of man and nature and one is left with the impression that Burgett is an amazingly lucky fellow to have made it so far.
January 18, 2014
I loved reading this book. I felt like the Author was very honest in his remembrance of the events as they took place. There is no need to dress up a story like this, it is real life and it is fascinating. You can read a lot of books about the overall battle of the bulge but it is great to just get a single soldiers perspective. It makes you feel like you know, at least a tiny bit, what it was like to be there.
August 14, 2015
There aren't a lot of wasted words in this book. Burgett doesn't use flowery language or embellish anything. He's very direct. It's a lot of simple description and most of it is not of pretty things. I can't think of a single reason this should be a good book. It doesn't have the happiest of endings. It's not set anywhere you'd want to go. But it's still an amazing story.
October 9, 2007
When encircled, don't give up! The broken nails you suffer from the choke hold on the enemies supplies will soon be forgotten.
Although the shape that Germany was in at this point in the war would not have stopped the allies, only slowed them down.
Although the shape that Germany was in at this point in the war would not have stopped the allies, only slowed them down.
July 1, 2011
Book 3 of 4 detailing Burgett's World War 2 experiences in the 101st Airborne Division. This one recounts being trapped at Bastogne during the Battle of the Bulge. Caution: This is hard core military history and Burgett cuts no corners. Not for the squeamish.
October 22, 2018
Fantastic! There is nothing quite like a first-hand account of military action, and this story doesn't disappoint. It opens the reader to a horrific view of a history conflict as experienced by a single soldier. Sobering and heavy, but action packed and informative at the same time.
February 19, 2013
Excellent first hand account of what the Para Troopers went through during this epic battle. This should be required reading in our schools so that our younger generations can gain a better perspective of the greatest generation.
July 27, 2014
Up-close and personal account of an enlisted man and his unit of the 101st Airborne at Bastogone during WWII's Battle of The Bulge. Not elegantly written but it drips with authenticity. A good read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews