With the Old Breed (1 Viewer)

[foxmarine2123]

Being a old Marine myself and after watching The Pacific , I went into this book knowing it was going to be a great read. With the Old Breed: At Peleliu and Okinawa by E.B. Sledge (Sledgehammer) is a great Marine Corps story. The difference in combat for the American Allies in Far East compared to the Western theater in Europe had one great difference. When the Axis powers units: (Battalion, Company, platoon, small cut off groups of soldiers) in the Western Europe theater realized that their tactical position was hopeless they would usually surrender except for diehard Nazis. An at the end of the war the Axis power in Europe were trying to surrender to the Western Allies in droves. It is not to say that no combat was still going on in the Western theater, it was. But in the Pacific theater the Marines fought a enemy to the death. This was because of the culture of Bushidō that was still deeply engrained in the minds of men in Japan. It was a great honor to die for the Emperor of Japan, the living God and if you could take 2 or 3 Marines with you, all the better. This fierce combat is brought out by Sledgehammer in this book. It is a great book and Sledgehammer is the kind of Marine all us young boots (when I was young) looked up to as a true American Hero. {sm4}​

http://www.amazon.com/Old-Breed-At-Peleliu-Okinawa/dp/0891419195

 

[DMNamiot]

Great book that I read a long time ago! You should also read Guadalcanal Diary its very interesting especially since the author was a journalist not a combat Marine.

Dave

 

[Terp152]

"An at the end of the war the Axis power in Europe were trying to surrender to the Western Allies in droves. It is not to say that no combat was still going on in the Western theater, it was. But in the Pacific theater the Marines fought a enemy to the death"

Yes, bitter fighting went on in ETO until the final surrender. THe American casualty rate in April 1945 was practically the same as June 1944. Chris

 

[lancer]

I also agree about the Sledge and Tregaskis books. Hard to find better. Also enjoyed the Manchester memoir 'Goodbye, Darkness, but it is different. -- Al

 

[arnhem44mad]

Read it, brilliant book!

Scott

 

[tsukaiban]

3rd Battalion 5th Marines...The Consummate Professionals...Get Some{sm0}

 

[amund]

The book is a "must read" for those interested in learning more about the war in the Pacific. The book provides you with a riveting account of the brutal aspects of combat U.S. Marines engaged in with the Japanese, while at the same time informing the reader about the compassionate accounts of friendships, teamwork, triumphs, tradegies and heartbreak so skillfully detailed by the author, E.B. Sledge. To the men of the 3d Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division: Semper Fi!

Alex