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A Screaming Eagle #4
Beyond the Rhine: A Screaming Eagle in Germany
"I was nineteen years old and now had three major campaigns under my belt. I had been wounded three different times, and, in seniority, was one of the oldest of the old men..."
In 1945 the paratroopers of the 101st Airborne came staggering out of the frozen killing fields of Bastogne. Tired, ragged, and hungry, the Screaming Eagles had proven their valor from D-day through horrendous battles in France, Holland, and Belgium. Now it was time for a lethal strike against the Nazis, and an all-out assault on Germany itself.
This powerful memoir chronicles the death throes of World War II in Europe as witnessed by a young soldier grown old before his time. From daring night raids behind enemy lines to river crossings and assaults on die-hard pockets of resistance, Burgett recounts acts of courage, cowardice, and anger in the face of a splintered but still dangerous enemy. Most of all, Beyond the Rhine is an unforgettable portrait of war’s aftermath. For as the Screaming Eagles fought on through sniper-infested towns, through the Black Forest in Bavaria to Hitler’s famous mountaintop retreat, they would come face-to-face with the unspeakable horrors the Nazis left behind...Beyond the Rhine.
In 1945 the paratroopers of the 101st Airborne came staggering out of the frozen killing fields of Bastogne. Tired, ragged, and hungry, the Screaming Eagles had proven their valor from D-day through horrendous battles in France, Holland, and Belgium. Now it was time for a lethal strike against the Nazis, and an all-out assault on Germany itself.
This powerful memoir chronicles the death throes of World War II in Europe as witnessed by a young soldier grown old before his time. From daring night raids behind enemy lines to river crossings and assaults on die-hard pockets of resistance, Burgett recounts acts of courage, cowardice, and anger in the face of a splintered but still dangerous enemy. Most of all, Beyond the Rhine is an unforgettable portrait of war’s aftermath. For as the Screaming Eagles fought on through sniper-infested towns, through the Black Forest in Bavaria to Hitler’s famous mountaintop retreat, they would come face-to-face with the unspeakable horrors the Nazis left behind...Beyond the Rhine.
208 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2001
2 people are currently reading
313 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 - 13 of 13 reviews
July 31, 2009
Sadly, this was the last book in the series by Burgett. While I have thoroughly enjoyed reading a number of the other autobiographies of WWII troopers, the detail Burgett went into really took the telling of the experiences to a new level, and to a new level of respect from me. Without any unnecessary embellishment or overstated gory details, Burgett provides a glimpse into the horrors he experienced throughout the war; this time discussing the experience up to the end of the war. I would highly recommend this series for anyone who wishes to gain some level of understanding as to what the frontline soldiers witnessed and endured on a daily basis.
July 16, 2018
Ervaringen van een Amerikaanse soldaat in de Tweede Wereldoorlog.
Dit boek heeft een grote indruk op mij gemaakt, ik heb het in 2 dagen gelezen en ook al weet ik als student geschiedenis wat er allemaal gebeurt is. Hoe het hier beschreven is is nog gruwelijker dan ik me ooit had voor kunnen stellen.
Dit boek heeft een grote indruk op mij gemaakt, ik heb het in 2 dagen gelezen en ook al weet ik als student geschiedenis wat er allemaal gebeurt is. Hoe het hier beschreven is is nog gruwelijker dan ik me ooit had voor kunnen stellen.
April 26, 2016
As dull as a report to HQ. I'm not a fan of first person narratives. Our view of the battlefield is myopic, at the platoon level. The only time the story even touches the Strategic picture is when soldiers discuss rumors that are no more than "neighborhood gossip." The book is a linear and dry report of the facts that might be found sitting on a General's desk. Here are some comments from well known WWII author Stephen Ambrose that are printed on or inside the cover....".....writes with unforgiving honesty..... carries you through a day or week in combat..... a deep desire for food, a yearning for sleep, praying for more ammunition, wondering if and when the doctors will arrive". In other words....DULL. The author views everything dispassionately. Even the horrors of the concentration camps they liberate are recorded as though he was comparing the specs of a standard Browning Automatic Rifle with a water-cooled .30 Cal HMG. If you're looking for Action and Drama you'd better get out your magnifying glass. The Best thing I can say for the book is it's ONLY 191 Pages.
February 21, 2025
Probably the least gripping book of his 4 book series, but maybe the most interesting. Not many bullets fly, but Burgett is in at the kill of Nazi Germany. Big picture history in the making. He sees first hand the horrors of the Concentration Camps, he makes it to the Eagles Nest, he participates in the dismantling of the German war machine... and he makes it home in one piece, something many of his companions did not.
I also feel it worth noting that Burgett's writing skills improved over the course of the books. Book One seemed very detached and I never really got a feeling for the troopers he served with or even, sometimes, a clear idea what was going on. By Book Four he is much more adept at fleshing out scenes and characters. It was interesting seeing this element of his story progress.
I also feel it worth noting that Burgett's writing skills improved over the course of the books. Book One seemed very detached and I never really got a feeling for the troopers he served with or even, sometimes, a clear idea what was going on. By Book Four he is much more adept at fleshing out scenes and characters. It was interesting seeing this element of his story progress.
January 19, 2019
As par for the course, Burgett gets off to a slow start here. His hyperbole abounds, particularly when discussing events beyond his realm of experience. And yet, as the narrative progresses, his anecdotes come to the fore and we're reminded why this is the fourth book of his that we've enjoyed.
A must read for anyone who has read Burgett's accounts of more popular campaigns or those interested in the closing stages and immediate aftermath of world war II.
A must read for anyone who has read Burgett's accounts of more popular campaigns or those interested in the closing stages and immediate aftermath of world war II.
November 10, 2018
Burgett's personal account of serving in the 101st Airborne Division is riveting. In this volume, he discusses his experiences from liberating concentration camps to being part of the occupation army. While Beyond The Rhine is interesting, it covers much of the same ground that Ambrose does in Band Of Brothers.
August 19, 2023
What an incredible WW2 memoir. Incredibly readable, enjoyable and explained. If you like WW2, this 4 book series is a must.
January 7, 2025
His writing takes you there.
March 23, 2011
The final book of Burgett's Screaming Eagle series didn't disappoint. The only reason I couldn't give it 5 stars had more to do with a slow and passive time in the war. Even with the lack of significant battles and unbelievably heroic acts, the book is very interesting. Burgett is very honest. I have not come across many accounts that talk about the "legal looting" that American soldiers took part in quite like Burgett does. Burgett also describes the liberation of a Nazi concentration camp specializing in medical experiments. There are also several interesting stories about his interactions with Nazi soldiers after the fighting was officially over and one great story about being in a town when several Nazi soldiers were returning home. Interesting and unique, just like the books that preceded this one.
May 19, 2013
This is a really good war novel, and doesn't really sugar coat much.The Holocaust section, as mentioned by another user, is very graphic. My grandfather helped to liberate Auschwitz, and refused to talk about the details for over 50 years. After reading,it is easy to understand why someone who personally witnessed such things had such a hard time telling of their experiences. I've always been intrigued and fascinated by war, and Burgett does a great job of putting together mental images. I really liked the story because it was the story of the final leg of the war: Taking Germany. I also liked it because I usually hear about other famous battles and from people who were in bombers. This is the first book of Burgett's that i have read, and should definitely take the time for his others. I would recommend this book to who can handle a good and detailed story about a very awful war.
November 21, 2011
Book 4 of 4 in Burgett's memoirs of his WW2 experiences as a paratrooper with the 101st Airborne Division. This one takes you up through the end of the war in the European theater. Exciting, but not for the squeamish as he cuts no corners in detailing what he saw: War as it actually is. NOTE: One section detailing what they found at a concentration camp is graphically horrific and may wish to be skipped by the reader.
August 10, 2011
Donald Burgett gives first hand accounts of the Screaming Eagles movement to & through Germany. The sections on concentration camp liberations were quite moving.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 8, 2018
Burgett's descriptions of Bavarian concentration camps and the atrocities committed by the SS should be required reading, especially in this day and age. Never forget.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews