Birth of a Regiment: The 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment in Sicily and Salerno

Birth of a Regiment is an authoritative account of the 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment's role in Sicily and Italy during World War II,based on hundreds of eye-witness testimonies and new archival sources. It recounts the first two U.S. airborne drops in the European Theater of Operations, which had a significant impact on Allied strategy and tactics. The book includes nearly 200 veterans' memories of combat, providing a unique perspective on the battles and the birth of Allied airborne operations.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 512 pages
Publication date: 13 October 2022
Publisher: Permuted Press

Birth of a Regiment, the first book in the campaign history of the 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, delves into the regiment's pivotal role in Sicily and Italy during World War II. Authored by Frank van Lunteren, the book offers an authoritative and action-packed account of the 504th's significant contributions to the European Theater of Operations. Drawing on hundreds of eye-witness testimonies, van Lunteren brings readers to the forefront of historic battles, as described in the words of the men who fought them.

New archival sources in English, German, and Italian further enrich the narrative, alongside fresh maps and previously unpublished photographs from archival sources and the veterans' private collections.

Activated in May 1942, the 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment earned widespread praise for its first mission, which involved the first mass regimental combat jump of World War II in the invasion of Sicily. German General Kurt Student commended the Allied airborne forces for preventing the Hermann Göring Division's tanks from reaching the beachhead, which ultimately saved the initial seaborne forces from being driven back into the sea.

Led by Colonel Reuben Tucker, the 504th subsequently dropped into the endangered Fifth U.S. Army beachhead at Salerno, where fierce fighting ensued. Despite the challenges, the regiment achieved significant success at Altavilla and Hill 424, earning the regimental motto "Strike and Hold."

Birth of a Regiment is the first book-length account of the birth of U.S. airborne forces and the first to fully capture the details, danger, and crucial stakes of the initial 504th missions in the unforgettable voices of the newly minted paratroopers who fought the first Allied battles in the ETO up through the victorious entry into Naples.

These initial missions held immense significance as they would shape future Allied strategy, planning, and tactics. The 504th's bravery and resilience in the face of adversity played a pivotal role in paving the way for Allied victory in Europe.

In conclusion, Birth of a Regiment is a must-read for anyone interested in the history of World War II, particularly the contributions of the 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment. Through vivid storytelling and extensive archival research, van Lunteren brings the reader closer to the action, allowing them to experience the trials and triumphs of the paratroopers who fought in the European theater.

Weight: 651g
Dimension: 229 x 152 x 30 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781637583807