Onward We Charge: The Heroic Story of Darby's Rangers in World War II

by H. Paul Jeffers

Describes the exploits and accomplishments of charismatic commander Colonel William Darby and his elite battalion of Army Rangers, from North Africa, to southern Italy, to Darby's tragic death eight days before V-E day and his posthumous honors. 25,000 first printing.

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

320 pages, Hardcover

First published July 3, 2007

About the author

H. Paul Jeffers was an established military historian and author of seventy books. He worked as an editor and producer at ABC, CBS and NBC, and is the only person to have been news director of both of New York City's all-news radio stations. He taught journalism at New York University, Syracuse University, and Boston University.

Reviews

[Patrick Belair · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is about the founding of one of most iconic units in the history of the U.S. military. The brainchild of General George C. Marshall,implemented by General Lucian K.Truscott,organized and chosen by Col William O. Darby.Based on the British Commandos this story follows the selection process, training and finally the combat record of this unit from North Africa thru Sicily onto the Italian mainland until the destruction of the First and Third battalions by massive German force of tanks and infantry at Cisterna di Littoria. This unit lives on in The 75th Ranger regiment today and is a testament to the legacy of General Darby(Posthumously)that lives on today!!

[carl theaker · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you could get a degree in Darby's Rangers this book would be the
101 Intro text for it. Author Jeffers mixes a high level view of the
events of war with individual's stories, mostly quoted from other books,
of the Ranger victories, and defeats.

As Jeffers notes in his prologue- this book is not intended to be
an in depth military analysis... but an exploration for general
readers of (William Orlando Darby).

I found it an easy read and good for piquing your interest into
reading more on the Rangers.

An interesting tidbit was the naming of the unit. Eisenhower
was sensitive to the British and their attachment to their
Commandos, while creating a similar unit, in fact initially
trained by the British, he had Darby and company come up
with an American name, thus the Rangers.

[Jerome Otte · Rating 4 out of 5]

An serviceable and well-paced history of Darby’s Rangers from 1942 to 1944.

Jeffers begins with Darby’s early days and ends with his death at the Po River in 1945. He describes Darby’s assignment to train with British commandos in Ireland, their first battle at Dieppe, and their more successful operations in North Africa and their more mixed success in Italy. He also describes how the unit gained publicity through the photographer Phil Stern, how the Rangers were used as frontline shock troops rather than in unconventional operations, and how the group scattered, with various units serving in the Pacific and northwestern Europe.

For some reason, there are no maps The narrative is a dramatic but a bit uneven, and Jeffers devotes details to trivia like Darby’s high school. You also don’t really get to know Darby as a person.

Still, a readable work.

[Cindy Bonner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Darby's Rangers were a famous commando unit used primarily at the Italian front during WWII. This well-written, fast-paced history of William Darby and his ranger unit will hold the attention of anyone interested in WWII. We don't read as much about the Italian campaign, and this book fills in a lot of gaps. Darby's rangers led the way in four invasions and fought in twelve major battles. Contemporary press reports put them right up there with the likes of Merrill's Marauders and Doolittle's Raiders, but history tends to overlook the North African and Italian fronts in favor of the more popular recounting of the European invasion and the Pacific war. Worth the read with a lot of information new to me.

[David Hill · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a biography of William O. Darby, the first commander of the Rangers. It differs from a general history of the Rangers only by including a couple of chapters of Darby's life before joining the Army and by not covering the actions of Ranger units not directly associated with Darby himself (the action at Point du Hoc in the Normandy invasion, for example).

For readers wanting a more thorough history of the Rangers, I might recommend Robert W. Black's book Rangers in World War II.

[Roger · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a new piece of WWII history to me. William Darby was the developer and leader of a new concept for Army soldiers who were highly trained for specialized and difficult assignments. The fought in North Africa, Sicily, Italy and in Europe. Their dynamic leader was killed by a piece of shrapnel just days before VE Day in 1945. Darby’s Army Rangers live on in today’s military, somewhat akin to the Green Berets and the Navy Seals special operations forces.

[William DuFour · Rating 5 out of 5]

Darby who help create and lead a highly trained special ops unit in WWII and near the end of the war was KIA and his legacy lives on.

[Anna Franchi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Would have been much better if the book had included maps showing the Rangers’ movements. This was a 2007 edition so perhaps later reprints include them.

[Jim Kelsh · Rating 2 out of 5]

Most guys in my generation have seen the movie "Darby's Raiders" with a very young James Garner.
Readers of European Theater WWII history will read about this early version of the Green Berets. William Darby set the Rangers up as a fast special force to raise hell behind enemy lines before major battles.
This disappointing volume reads like a "Boy's Life" version of Darby's life and actions. Each battle is straight forwardly descibed in the simplest of terms with each ; and I mean each, wound and fatality noted.
Very pedestrian stuff and not at all satifying.

[Jay · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great read with a sad ending.

At times the author went into a little too much detail about units involved in a campaign or operation but not provide as much detail about the actual battle.

But overall this was an excellent account of the Ranges part in North Africa and Italy.

[Harold Hough · Rating 3 out of 5]

Military history books that describe battles should be forced to include maps so the reader can track what is happening.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good book. Will give you great insight on BGen William Darby, and the founding of the rangers.

[Billy Collins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very immersive in fact

[Art · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good biography of William Darby and the Rangers in formation and action in WWII Africa and Italy.

[Shiloh Reynolds · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story about the early days of the Army Rangers. Also great accounts from those that were there! Great read and will keep any wartime history buff going

[Gregory M. Bacher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Story of a great leader and the men he led

If you want to know the real General Darby, read this book!! Easy to read and easy to understand. You won't want to put it down.

[Stevie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think I am tired of reading about war.