CURRAHEE!

by Donald R. Burgett ‧ RELEASE DATE: June 6, 1967

This is a tremendously gripping first person account of the first U.S. paratroops who landed in Normandy the day before D-Day to soften up and confuse the Nazi reserve troops behind Utah Beach. Burgett was eighteen when he Joined the paratroops and his story is in three parts: the incredibly tough training program; waiting for jump-off day in Ireland; and combat. The title refers to a mountain in Ireland, Mt. Currahee, which the troops had to run up and down (twelve miles) every morning before breakfast. They adopted the name for their cry as they leaped into battle. Most of Burgett's buddies were his age and despite the blood and filth, their humor runs high. So does the grim tragedy. One remembers a pistol-packing lad on a captured white horse who repeatedly attacks a German machine-gun nest while crying ""Hi ho, Silver!"" On his fourth charge he was cut in half....Paratrooper Burgett's worm's-eye view of the fighting and horror is as graphic as anything in print while sufficiently and compellingly human enough to earn deepest respect.

Pub Date: June 6, 1967

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Houghton Mifflin

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 1, 1967

Categories: NONFICTION