On To Berlin

by James M. Gavin

Book by Gavin, James M.

Genres: History, Military History, World War II, Military Fiction, Nonfiction, Memoir, Biography

396 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 1978

About the author

Lieutenant General James Maurice "Jumpin' Jim" Gavin

US Army veteran of World War II (during which he commanded the famous 82nd Airborne Divison) and the Korean War. Ambassador to France (1961-1962).

Recipient of the Distinguished Service Cross, Distinguished Service Medal, Silver Star, Purple Heart, Companion of the Distinguished Service Order (United Kingdom), and the Legion of Honor (France).

Reviews

[Liam · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm certain that I actually read this before, but if I remember correctly it was sometime between 1981 and 1984- in other words, a damn long time ago! It is really a shame that this book is such a dry read (even for someone who reads almost nothing but military history!), because the events that it covers were not boring by any stretch of the imagination. General Gavin was a great man, and both a talented combat leader & skillful peacetime commander. He came up from poverty and ultimately became U.S. Ambassador to France and a potential candidate for President of the United States. I remember as a schoolboy seeing a picture in the newspaper of him visiting the 82nd Airborne Division (which he had commanded at the end of WWII) and reviewing the troops, although he was quite elderly by then and walked with a cane. Although many thought that his rival, General Taylor (who commanded the 101st Airborne Division and became U.S. Ambassador to South Viet-Nam), was a more glamorous individual, I always respected General Gavin more.

[Mike Wigal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Airborne all the way! Maybe 4.5 stars. Interesting how the decisions about and use of the 82nd Airborne Division we’re still relevant to my service I
in the 82nd in the 1970s.

[Jay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jim Gavin was the youngest division commander in the US Army in World War II, and I've never read any opinion to contradict his reputation as one of the best. To the degree that one can trust his own account in this excellent book, one of the reasons he was so effective was his propensity to lead from the front. Indeed, he recounts personally scouting far in front of his own division's lines in the Huertgen Forest as well as during the Battle of the Bulge--so much so that it could fairly be considered reckless. But therein lies the roots of his only real criticism for Dwight Eisenhower, whom he otherwise greatly admired: that he tried to manage battles and campaigns from too far in the rear.

Gavin's career really is amazing to reflect upon. He got into the Army's nascent airborne program early, and through his effectiveness as a staff officer was put made the first commander of the 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, part of the 82nd Airborne Division. Before long his boss, General Matt Ridgway (also an excellent commander) was promoted to command the XVIII Airborne Corps, composed of the 82nd and its sister division, the 101st Airborne, so Gavin was raised to command the 82nd, which post he held for the remainder of the war. The 101st's activities during the war in Europe has gotten more coverage in the popular media in recent years, particularly with HBO's series Band of Brothers (2001), but the 82nd was right there with them in all the major campaigns in the ETO: the Normandy D-Day invasion, Operation Market-Garden in Holland, and the desperate defense during the Battle of the Bulge. After the Bulge the 82nd even took a turn in the horrible Huertgen Forest, succeeding where the 4th, 8th, and 28th Infantry Divisions had failed before them. Gavin describes all these battles in fascinating detail from his point of view as a commander, though the reader may wish to read other histories for additional context of his division's activities during these episodes (e.g., MacDonald's A Time For Trumpets for more information about the situation in which the 82nd found itself, and about its German opponents).

Gavin includes an interesting coda about the postwar deterioration of the Western Allies' relationship with the Soviet Union over Berlin, as well as about the chaos surrounding EIsenhower's eventual decision to leave Berlin to the Soviets while focusing on destroying the remnants of the German Army in southern Germany. This is an aspect of the war's late history that is not often discussed.

Gavin's amazing abilities as a leader and a diplomat (which any high-level military commander must be in part) are evidenced by his postwar assignments, including eventually being named US ambassador to France. Add to that his ability to write a ripping good yarn and you have a very admirable American hero.

[William Troy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a re-read for me. I originally read this book way back in 1980. General Gavin is famous for being the youngest General officer in WWII among other accomplishes. He exhibited outstanding leadership qualities throughout his distinguished career. This book is primarily about the exploits of the 82nd Airborne Division in WWII in which he started as a regimental commander and eventually became the division commander. It begins with his story about how he came to command the 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment and concludes with his command of the division in occupation duty in Berlin. It is insightful especially about some of the senior leaders he encounters and worked for during the war. It is especially informative about his perspective on why the US did not drive on and capture Berlin. The last chapter puts forth his perspective. Gavin is also critical of staff officers in many of the commands in which he served. He feels that they in relative safety had little or no idea of what the combat infantry man was doing and the conditions in which he was fighting and living. There are other times where I felt that Gavin feigned helplessness when he sought assistance from additional corps assets or neighboring units. He expressed frustration that his calls and pleas for support went unanswered or completely dismissed. Gavin also expressed frustration over the British XXX Corps lack of aggression and sense of importance in pushing on to Arnhem after the 82nd captured the Nijmegen bridges during Market Garden. It turned into a four month stalemate defensive front. Rather than moving forward to relieve the British 1st Airborne Division fighting for survival in Arnhem, the XXX Corps stopped for tea and established a defense. That decision by Field Marshal Montgomery is still being debated. Like all memoirs, the accomplishments of the 82nd Airborne Division eclipse all other units in his mind- it certainly is a record to be proud of. This is a good read for all enthusiasts of WWII.

[Kit · Rating 4 out of 5]

An engrossing account of one officer's view of the utilization of a heretofore unrealized type of infantry deployment behind enemy lines: airborne infantry. General Gavin gives a good history of the 82nd Airborne Division in action through Africa, Sicily, Italy, France, Holland, and Germany. Originally published in 1978, most are personal recollections of events Gavin participated in, but he brings in many histories of other important players, cited with footnote annotations, who were never near his command post. So it often reads more like a general survey of World War Two in Western Europe than a personal retelling of immediate events. Gavin is an apt writer and easily keeps the reader engaged throughout. He reports on the rising tensions between British and American strategic policymakers, while both treating Montgomery with the utmost respect and admiration, and lionizing Patton for his unflinching pursuit of victory. At times Gavin seems impersonal and lacking pathos in summarily glossing over the loss of comrades in and off the battlefields they strode together. I felt that way until the closing chapter wherein Gavin decries America's over-reliance on military solutions and not nearly enough time, resource, and efforts spent on diplomatic solutions. Written as a reflection of America's military humiliation in Vietnam General Gavin's comments are today still apropos.

[Ran Barton · Rating 4 out of 5]

He loves Patton, not so keen on Ike, and finds Montgomery pretty awful. He looks so young in all the pictures.

An interesting account, both of the establishment of airborne troops in WW2, and also in the Allied dynamics that complicated the prosecution of the war in Europe.

It’s dated by now, but it gives a good account of Sicily, Anzio, Normandy, Market Garden, and then the closing stages of the war.

[Steve Dedier · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great firsthand account from this legendary man. It is an easy-to-read book limiting the tactical detail and not going into too much depth but giving you a great overview from training to Berlin.
I found is criticism of Eisenhower interesting, but he did mute it with an understanding of the political complexities the man was working with.

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

Call it 3.5 stars. Lots to like here — candor is part of it. Some useful maps and unusual photos

[Frederick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Surprisingly well-written. Great resource for student's of WW2 and the 82nd Airborne.

[Rob · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best world war II general memoirs. 👍😁👌

[Gavin · Rating 3 out of 5]

James Gavin started the war as a colonel or lt. colonel in the 82 airborne division, and at the end he was a general commanding the same division. He dropped into Sicily, Italy, Normandy and Holland, and observed the drop over the Rhine from a plane. As a higher level officer, he writes a great deal about regimental level actions. But he was also the type of general who dressed like a front-line soldier and walked up to the front lines to get a feel for combat and also to urge troops forward, so he does write about smaller, battalion and company level actions. There are plenty of good maps.

[Fredrick Danysh · Rating 3 out of 5]

General Gavin writes of his experiences as commander of the 82nd Airborne Division as they fought in Sicily and Italy and then France and Western Europe.

[patrick Lorelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

My father fought with the 82 air borne during ww2. He had spoken very highly of gen Gavin. It took me years to find this book and I am glad I did. Excellent!