NO VICTORY IN VALHALLA: THE UNTOLD STORY OF THIRD BATTALION 506 PARACHUTE INFANTRY REGIMENT FROM BASTOGNE TO BERCHTESGADEN. by Gardner, Ian. Foreword by Ed Shames. Introduction by James "Pee Wee" Martin - 2014

Oxford: Osprey, 2014. 352 pp, 9 1/2" H. B&w photographs, maps. "In late November 1944, after 71 days on the line in Holland, the 506th PIR was withdrawn having suffered heavy losses during Operation Market Garden, and each paratrooper was looking forward to three months rest, recuperation, and restructuring. However, this was not to be. On December 16th, the Germans launched a huge offesnive. The Battle of the Bulge had begun and the 101st Airborne were deployed to halt the German onslaught in the most incredible chapter of their wartime experiences. Bitter fighting in dreadful conditions saw the Third Battlion 506th PIR reduced to the size of a company before its eventual relief on January 17. The division as a whole was awarded a Unit Citation for its heroic defense of Bastogne - a first in the history of the US armed forces. With little time to recuperate, the battalion then fought on across Europe, taking part in the reduction of the Colmar Pocket, the Ruhr Pocket, and assisted in the liberation of several concentration camps in Germany. The Third Battalion finished the war occupying Hilter's mountain retreat of Berchtesgaden. Using the words of 'Screaming Eagles' themselves, (this book) gives the reader a frank portrayal of the realities of the toughtest fighting of World War II." Light browning to the edges of the text block (text pages only), a few very tiny light marks on the boards. Dust jacket has light to moderate edge wrinkling - mainly at the top edge.. Not Signed. First Edition. Hard Cover. Very Good/Very Good-.