Darby's Rangers: We Led the Way

This book is based primarily on the memoirs of William O. Darby, the founder and commanding officer of "Darby's Rangers," who dictated the original draft shortly before he was killed in action on April 30, 1945. Perhaps, if he hadn't been killed his story and that of Darby's Rangers would be better known today. To summarize the book: The 1st Ranger Battalion was activated on June 19, 1942. It consisted of 600 men who had been selected from a group of 1500 volunteers. These "Rangers" were sent to Achnacarry, Scotland where they were subjected to intensive training by British commando instructors. Fifty of the 500 men who survived this training then went on to see action in the ill-fated Dieppe Raid, where three of the participating rangers were killed. The 1st Battalion then went on to spearhead the invasion at the Port of Arzew in Algeria, during the invasion of North Africa, by executing a surprise night landing. Later, in 1943, they executed behind-the-lines night-raids in Tunisia, in one of which they surprised the Germans from the rear, took two hundred prisoners, and opened the way for General Patton's advance through North Africa. The Battalion then went on to fight at El Guettar where the Battalion won the Presidential Unit Citation. The success of the 1st Ranger Battalion prompted the creation of the 3rd and 4th Battalions, which were formed in part from elements of the 1st. Taken together, these three Battalions were to become known as Darby's Rangers. Following some additional training in North Africa, the Rangers participated in the invasion of Sicily. There, near the town of Cisterna, Italy, the 1st and 3rd Ranger Battalions were virtually annihilated while on a night infiltration mission. Surrounded by an overwhelming German force of which they had no prior knowledge, they fought until their ammunition ran out. Then, the survivors were forced to surrender. The 4th Battalion also suffered severe casualties in an unsuccessful attempt to rescue them. Although this book starts out rather slowly, probably because it was for the most part dictated by a soldier, when it picks up steam it is hard to put down. And the culmination of the book, the action at Cisterna, is an unsurpassed study of courage and bravery.

This book in a indepth lok at the struggles of the Darby Rangers and their missions during WWII. Should be required reading for every basic trainee in the armed forces today.