William GuarnereRezensionen

William „Wild Bill” Guarnere and Edward „Babe” Heffron patřili k výsadkářům americké armády – příslušníkům elitního útvaru 101. výsadkové divize zvaného rota Easy. Tuhle prvotřídní jednotku nasazovali za války do každé riskantní operace včetně dne „D“, operace Market Garden v Holandsku, Bitvy v Ardenách a obsazení Hitlerova Orlího hnízda v Berchtesgadenu.

Guarnere svými slovy poutavě popisuje den „D“ z pohledu výsadkáře. Oba muži pak živě líčí výsadek v Holandsku, kde měli obsadit silnici a mosty mezi Eindhovenem a Arnhemem, které se říkalo Pekelná silnice. Po většinu roku 1944 bojovali oba muži bok po boku, dokud Guarnere nepřišel v Bitvě v Ardenách o pravou nohu a neposlali ho domů. Heffron pokračoval v osvobozování koncentračních táborů a obsazení Hitlerova úkrytu v Orlím hnízdě.

Oba muži přežili některé z nejbrutálnějších bojů druhé světové války a nemine ani jeden den, aby nemysleli na své přátele, kteří padli. Textem také občas probleskne suchý humor obou mužů a na jedné stránce se člověk hystericky směje, aby mu na druhé kanuly slzy z očí. Guarnere opakovaně zdůrazňuje, že vítězství ve druhé světové válce bylo dosaženo týmovým úsilím všech druhů zbraní a že on a Babe byli jen dvěma jednotlivci v tom ohromném týmu.

Ti dva, spojeni svými zážitky, se po skončení války zase sešli, a až do své smrti byli nerozluční. Kniha je holdem trvalému poutu vzniklému pod palbou mezi bratry ve zbrani a všem odvážným mužům, kteří neohroženě bojovali za svobodu.

Well I finished a another book related to the Band of Brothers—members of the 506 Parachute Infantry Regiment of the 101st Airborne Division. The story is about two paratroopers who originated from Philadelphia: "Wild Bill" Guarnere and "Babe" Heffron. With each story, I seem to get to know each of the members of Easy Company more in depth. This story added pieces to the puzzle and muddied others. Parts of their story didn't match some of the other stories. Nonetheless, Brothers in Battle, Best of Friends: Two WWII Paratroopers from the Original Band of Brothers Tell Their Story was enjoyable from cover to cover. Read more

In World War II, a group of men trained together and then were deployed together--those that survived continued to meet at reunions. Their stories inspired "Saving Private Ryan" and "Band of Brothers".

Bill Guarnere and Babe Heffran both grew up in Philadelphia, but didn't meet until during WWII when Babe was assigned to the same company as Bill. That began a long friendship between the two men.

It was interesting to hear their real, first-hand experience of the war. And, as they note, war then was much different than it is today. I think I was most struck by their friendship though.

Really enjoyed reading this dual biography of two boys from the same town that didn't meet each other until the war started and they ended up being best friends. Having seen Band of Brothers here these two veterans relate what happened in their experience with the Screaming Eagles. They reference the show occasionally as they were consulted during production. And they give some additional details.

I enjoyed their brief description of what life was like growing up lower middle class in America and how things have changed so drastically here.

Poignant, their sense of humor shines through often but so does the pathos of their experience in the war. Their story of revisits to Europe after the war has some pretty funny moments too.

Europe 1944

Written by and about a couple of friends from the 101st Airborne Band of Brothers about their experiences during WWII. It's mostly told in their words, and it makes for a great story.

This was an excellent story about two men and their friends in the 101st Airborne. The story is told by William "Wild Bill" Guarnere and Edward "Babe" Heffron of "Band of Brothers" fame. At times it was hilariously funny, at others it was exceedingly sad. The book was extremely interesting and held my attention the entire way through. The men told of their experiences beginning with their childhood growing up in Philadelphia during the depression, through the time of their enlistment with the 101st Airborne, their experiences during World War II, and it concluded with the tale of their continuing friendship which has lasted over sixty years.

These men experienced a lot of things during the war and it took many years before they were able to speak about their experiences. After hearing their story, I can understand why. My father was in World War II and traveled some of the same places that these men did. However, my father would never talk about his experiences there. Now that he is gone, I can never know what he went through. Being a person who loves to study history, I wish that I would have been able to get him to open up about it while he was still with us. But, as I said before, I can understand his desire not to speak of it. I really appreciate all the soldiers who have fought for our nation throughout its history. They deserve our heartfelt gratitude. Thanks to all of them.½

Reading this book was like sitting around listening to your favorite uncles telling you thrilling stories of their past. Great read!

We have yet another perspective on the history of Easy Company, 506th Regiment, 101st Airborne during WWII from two of its combat veterans. Their stories are given orally to Robyn Post, a journalist from the Philadelphia area, who retaining their original language, organizes the stories into a chronological and orderly presentation. The two men are unusually forthright about their combat experiences which tells us something about the skill of the interviewer. Originally made famous by the Stephen Ambrose book, Band of Brothers, Easy company received even more attention from the filming of a TV series based upon the Ambrose book. Several other books including a well-written one by a company veteran, David Kenyon Webster, have added to the history and lore of Easy Company. Brothers in Battle, Best of Friends centers upon the exceptional friendships formed by men who share combat and in particular the relationship of the two authors, Bill Guarnere and Babe Heffron who grew up in the same environment of south Philly, fought together, returned to south Philly and have maintained a lifelong friendship. It's interesting to note the differing versions of incidents as viewed and remembered by men sharing in the action. In the Normandy drop a group of paratroopers came upon some carts with ammo being drawn by Germans toward the frontlines. The group who informed Ambrose remembered taking prisoners and some carts getting away. Guarnere remembers all men being shot along with the horses and no prisoners taken. Guarnere and Heffron are very good at relating the life-long effects of battle. They say there's not a day that goes by that they don't think about their buddies that didn't come back. A good presentation of how natural leaders emerged at every level and how men from every walk in life, under the pressures of shared training and combat formed a cohesive, effective fighting force.

One of the best books I have read in a long time. I have been a fan of the mini series since 2004, read the book, and read Major Dick Winters' memoirs. I have been waiting anxiously since long before the book came out to get a copy and dive in because I greatly admire both "Wild Bill" Guarnere and Babe Heffron.

This book is beautifully written, a very personal account from the point of view of two men who grew up practically next door and never met until World War II and Easy Company brought them together.

The affection the two men feel for each other and the company is evident, the stories are sometimes heartbreaking and always inspiring, and wonderful as a stand alone or a companion to the mini series and other books.

If you are a fan of the mini series or the book, interested in World War II, or just looking for a great book I highly recommend this one.

Also, if you need any more convincing, Tom Hanks wrote a lovely foreward and the actors who played Guarnere and Heffron in the mini series (Frank John Hughes and Robin Laing, respectively) close the book.