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DARBY'S RANGERS: We Led the Way, Audio
by William O. Darby with William H, Baumer
Random House Audio, August 2003
abridged audio pages
$14.95
ISBN: 0739306723


Buy in the UK | Buy in Canada

The decision to form an American Ranger unit patterned after the British Commandos came to fruition in June 1942 under the command of William O. Darby. Darby's Rangers made their first landing on Nov. 8, 1942 as part of the Central Force invading North Africa, their mission to capture the city of Oran. The 1st Ranger Battalion split into two groups on landing, Darby's men attacking the Vichy French Fort of Batterie du Nord. Under cover of darkness, Darby's assault surprised the French forces, resulting in a quick surrender of the fort after a brief battle that cost the lives of four Rangers and the capture of hundreds of Vichy French prisoners.

Darby's Rangers saw action again in the invasion of Sicily and Italy. After their success in Tunisia, two more Ranger Battalions were formed with the 1st Battalion still under the command of Darby. In the early morning of July 10, 1942, Darby's men attacked the town of Gela, capturing it and the coastal batteries. They then withstood two days of fierce counterattacks until reinforced by regular Army units. From Gela, the Rangers continued their advance to Messina, which fell on August 17. The Rangers fought one of their worst battles at Salerno when, cut off from the main force, they held out against the Germans for three weeks before the Fifth Army broke through enemy lines and came to their rescue.

Told in the words of West Point graduate William O. Darby, DARBY'S RANGERS describes war from an officer's viewpoint. While it captures much of the intensity of battle, it lacks some of the emotional impact contained in stories told by ordinary soldiers. The brief personal asides give a touch of lightness to the tale, such as when Darby thought his landing vessel was under torpedo attack, but the silver forms seen in the water were actually dolphins. In another glimpse of life at the top of the military chain, Darby tells of the time he was sitting in an Italian café with fellow officers and he began to sing a German drinking song. Another officer burst into the café, his gun at the ready, thinking he was about to capture a squad of German soldiers singlehandedly. What makes this book special is the fact that it's written by the man who organized the Rangers and knew them best. It's a first-hand account of one of the most famous units in the American Army, and although an abridgment of the original book, well worth the listener's time.

Reviewed by Mary V. Welk, September 2003

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Contact: Yvonne Klein (ymk@reviewingtheevidence.com)


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