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When Angels Fall: From Toccoa to Tokyo: The 511th Parachute Infantry Regiment in World War II, MacArthur’s Secret Weapon & Heroes of Los Baños
THE PACIFIC THEATER'S “BAND OF BROTHERS”
Why have so few Americans heard the remarkable story of the 511th Parachute Infantry Regiment?
From the training grounds of Camp Toccoa and Camp Mackall to the jungles and mountains of New Guinea, Leyte and Luzon—and ultimately the occupation of Japan—the paratroopers of the 511th PIR fought their way across the Pacific as part of the legendary 11th Airborne Division.
In When Angels Fall, 11th Airborne Division historian Jeremy C. Holm tells the story of these extraordinary young men through extensive archival research and the firsthand experiences of the Angels themselves, including interviews with veterans of the regiment and Holm's grandfather, 1st Lieutenant Andrew Carrico of Company D.
Their remarkable story
The formation and training of the 511th Parachute Infantry RegimentBrutal combat through the mountains and jungles of LeyteThe 11th Airborne Division's campaign to liberate southern LuzonThe daring Los Baños Raid that liberated more than 2,000 civilian interneesThe fight toward Manila and the Division's costly battles across LuzonThe 511th's arrival in Japan and service during the opening days of the Allied occupationThe personal experiences, friendships, humor, hardships and losses of the paratroopers who lived itThese were not simply names in after-action reports. They were sons, brothers, husbands and friends—young Americans whose average age was just 21.
General Douglas MacArthur regarded the 11th Airborne Division as one of his most valuable fighting forces. Sixth Army commander General Walter Krueger described the 511th as the “fightingest outfit” he had seen, while Eighth Army commander General Robert L. Eichelberger declared that no one could have asked for finer fighting men.
After enduring months of some of the Pacific War's most difficult combat, the Angels of the 511th emerged with an extraordinary record of service and sacrifice. Yet their story remains far less known than those of America's more famous airborne units.
When Angels Fall preserves the story of the 511th Parachute Infantry Regiment—the men who came Down From Heaven and helped write one of the most remarkable chapters in American airborne history.
Why have so few Americans heard the remarkable story of the 511th Parachute Infantry Regiment?
From the training grounds of Camp Toccoa and Camp Mackall to the jungles and mountains of New Guinea, Leyte and Luzon—and ultimately the occupation of Japan—the paratroopers of the 511th PIR fought their way across the Pacific as part of the legendary 11th Airborne Division.
In When Angels Fall, 11th Airborne Division historian Jeremy C. Holm tells the story of these extraordinary young men through extensive archival research and the firsthand experiences of the Angels themselves, including interviews with veterans of the regiment and Holm's grandfather, 1st Lieutenant Andrew Carrico of Company D.
Their remarkable story
The formation and training of the 511th Parachute Infantry RegimentBrutal combat through the mountains and jungles of LeyteThe 11th Airborne Division's campaign to liberate southern LuzonThe daring Los Baños Raid that liberated more than 2,000 civilian interneesThe fight toward Manila and the Division's costly battles across LuzonThe 511th's arrival in Japan and service during the opening days of the Allied occupationThe personal experiences, friendships, humor, hardships and losses of the paratroopers who lived itThese were not simply names in after-action reports. They were sons, brothers, husbands and friends—young Americans whose average age was just 21.
General Douglas MacArthur regarded the 11th Airborne Division as one of his most valuable fighting forces. Sixth Army commander General Walter Krueger described the 511th as the “fightingest outfit” he had seen, while Eighth Army commander General Robert L. Eichelberger declared that no one could have asked for finer fighting men.
After enduring months of some of the Pacific War's most difficult combat, the Angels of the 511th emerged with an extraordinary record of service and sacrifice. Yet their story remains far less known than those of America's more famous airborne units.
When Angels Fall preserves the story of the 511th Parachute Infantry Regiment—the men who came Down From Heaven and helped write one of the most remarkable chapters in American airborne history.
- GenresWorld War IIHistory
349 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 28, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
February 7, 2022
An engaging historical account of the history of the 511th Parachute Infantry Regiment of the 11th Airborne Division in World War II-a unit that was no less a "band of brothers" than the 506th with exploits no less amazing or hard-fought. While I would love to see more maps, an index, and a glossary (perhaps in a future edition?), this was a very enjoyable read. Ultimately, though, what gives this book 5 stars for me is my own family's connection to this unit. My great-uncle was a member of the 511th PIR, D Company and was killed in action in the siege of Manila. His loss is recounted along with so many other personal stories. Needless to say, I really appreciated this excellent book.
April 30, 2020
It took me a while to read this book, because from about half-way through, nearly every page made me cry and I had to stop and get a grip on myself.
For a while now I've been reading up on the Pacific operations of WWII. As a Pole, from the youngest of ages we are taught mainly of our own war struggles and the "bad guys" Germans who invaded us in 1939. God knows, there's plenty to tell. But as I've been living in Australia for the past 15 years, I'm now catching up on the equally heart-wrenching and bloody history of my current neck of the woods. It's a strange feeling to have the long-standing villains of the story replaced with another nation, but it gives me a new, much-needed perspective. It's a good thing.
I've had some great laughs and spilled many, many tears reading this book. I love how personal all the stories feel. I've marked many pages to go back to.
For a while now I've been reading up on the Pacific operations of WWII. As a Pole, from the youngest of ages we are taught mainly of our own war struggles and the "bad guys" Germans who invaded us in 1939. God knows, there's plenty to tell. But as I've been living in Australia for the past 15 years, I'm now catching up on the equally heart-wrenching and bloody history of my current neck of the woods. It's a strange feeling to have the long-standing villains of the story replaced with another nation, but it gives me a new, much-needed perspective. It's a good thing.
I've had some great laughs and spilled many, many tears reading this book. I love how personal all the stories feel. I've marked many pages to go back to.
May 31, 2021
As a history teacher that teaches WW2 it is not every day you get to read a book about your grandfather’s unit during WW2. This book gave me a whole new appreciation of the paratroopers of WW2 that don’t get talked about and my family and I are truly thankful for this book. It’s a wonderful read and if you want to read about the hero’s that Hollywood doesn’t mention I highly recommend this book.
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February 16, 2022I appreciate the history of the 11th Airborne Division as recounted by Mr.Holm. My father served with the Angels at the battle for Nichols field and was seriously wounded. This book helped me to understand what my father went through. Thanks for filing in my knowledge of this phase of his life.
July 27, 2020
An outstanding history of the 511th and a great tribute to this man's grandfather.
April 23, 2022
When Angels Fall
Good history read. Full of facts and you actually get very good descriptions of the soldiers this book is abpu.
Good history read. Full of facts and you actually get very good descriptions of the soldiers this book is abpu.
October 2, 2023
Most excellent accounting of a seriously badass bunch of warriors
My father always lamented, People think it was the damn Marines who fought the Pacific war. Or that the only airborne to note were 82nd and 101st. THIS books helps set the record straight. Saying they gave the last full measure of devotion minimizes their feat.
Only complaint is the words are all bunched up on the Kindle version, making it a challenge to read. So get the hard or soft backs. It will be worth your time.
My father always lamented, People think it was the damn Marines who fought the Pacific war. Or that the only airborne to note were 82nd and 101st. THIS books helps set the record straight. Saying they gave the last full measure of devotion minimizes their feat.
Only complaint is the words are all bunched up on the Kindle version, making it a challenge to read. So get the hard or soft backs. It will be worth your time.
February 18, 2023
This is an important story and while it has been well told elsewhere, it is obvious that this is not the work of a professional writer / editor / publisher but rather it is an amazing and detailed labor of love from a grandson to his grandfather.
I see there aren’t many readers/reviewers yet so I hope that a publishing house gets wind of this remarkable story and can do what needs to be done to bring this to the masses.
I see there aren’t many readers/reviewers yet so I hope that a publishing house gets wind of this remarkable story and can do what needs to be done to bring this to the masses.
July 12, 2026
great accounting of the 11th I never knew
Been airborne my whole career and have heard all the 101st and 82nd stories, never about 11th. Must read for any paratrooper
Kindle format is a little funky, but the book is great
Been airborne my whole career and have heard all the 101st and 82nd stories, never about 11th. Must read for any paratrooper
Kindle format is a little funky, but the book is great
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews