The Longest Winter: The Battle of the Bulge and the Epic Story of WWII's Most Decorated Platoon

My father-in-law was a member of the Greatest Generation and served as a trooper of the 99th Cavalry Reconnaissance Troop, 99th Infantry Division, from its formation in late 1942 through the end of WWII. Part of his Recon Troop provided support to elements of the 394th Infantry Regiment, forward of Elsenborn Ridge in the opening days of the Battle of the Bulge. He never talked about the war with his family until he reached age 75 and then I heard WWII stories from this WWII veteran that later came to life as I read this book. He once described the 394th I&R Platoon as "about 20 guys, and they were cut off, and they held out, and they held up the whole German advance". That was all I knew until read this book.As I was reading some other sections of this book I knew what was about to come next because I had already heard it from someone who was there while it was happening. Bringing in other aspects of the 99th division during WWII was important to the reader. My father-in-law attended nearly every 99th reunion after the end of the war and he spent a lot of time gathering information and stories from his fellow vets - not about the grand strategy of battle but rather about what happened to small units of men. In the late 1990s and early 2000s I personally witnessed aspiring authors and TV crews come to my father-in-law seeking info about the 99th Division and the Battle of the Bulge.So what if maybe the author, Alex Kershaw, did not get every single, minutia historical item 100% technically correct. Other reviewer's criticisms of the author's choice of including additional aspects of WWII is unreasonable. This story is accurate and compelling from a veteran's viewpoint.

Item was accurately described and in very good condition. Shipping arrival date was spot on.

Eloquent narration of the Army Intelligence and Reconnaissance platoon, 394th Infantry Regiment, 99th Division, from its inception to its participation in the infamous WWII Battle Of The Bulge. An engrossing composition of the valiant individuals, training, frontline combat, capture, POW facilities, USA return. For its uncommon herorism, the platoon received the distinguished Presidential Unit Citation for "valorous actions provided crucial time for the American forces to prepare to defend against the massive German offensive" (p. 283). Noteworthy that Hitler's Ardennes offensive was wholly unexpected which resulted in countless deaths: "Complacency ... and plain old incompetence had combined to create the most fatal ignorance in the U.S. Army's history" (p. 63). A profound work.

This is the best-researched and most enjoyable book about WW2 I have ever read. If you want to read about what courageous men can accomplish read this book.

One of the best WW2 books that I've read. I really appreciate Kershaw's writing style and have a few of his books. He knows how to bring a story to life so you can picture it.

Author Alex Kershaw conveys one of the bloodiest battles of World War II—and the consequences afterward. It’s a remarkable tale of a small, smart group of soldiers and how they faced huge firefights, survived hand-to-hand combat, most were left with life-threatening injuries. And they boarded overloaded POW trains that were bombed by their own combat veterans and went to overloaded POW camps and were bombed by the same. What an incredible documentary.

Fifteen years ago I used a Mac simulation of the Battle of the Bulge ("Patton") that allowed me to fight the American side of the battle. Only I knew what was coming. It did not take long to realize that Lanzerath was a key position in the battle, especially in thwarting the early, surprise advantage of the German forces. Plug this hole and you change the entire battle scenario. Kershaw writes a good, often first-hand story of the Battle of the Bulge.Lt. Lyle Bouck and his intelligence and reconnaissance unit -- fewer than thirty men -- occupied that hole or key gap in the American line that fateful December 16, 1944 morning. While they did not stop the Germans, the I & R unit slowed the assault and informed headquarters, delaying the Germans and perhaps making the difference in the battle and the war.Kershaw, along with his very good "Bedford Boys" may make a good successor to David Ambrose. This is a good read, with backgrounds on individual stories, useful "big picture" context for the unacquainted reader, and useful but not numbered maps. Kershaw writes, "See map 2" on p. 62 and you have to guess that the second map in the book -- an unnumbered page 76 -- is 'map 2'. Kershaw does make other irritating mistakes pointed out by others: "Irwin" instead of "Erwin,'" General "Black" and not General "Balck," "army" when he meant "army group". It is hard to tell if this is poor editing, poor research or simply an inattention to detail. The dust cover includes praise from Douglas Brinkley, author of the Kerry 'biography', "Tour of Duty," which has also been questioned for its accuracy or at least for not telling the complete story, so you can draw your own conclusions on both Kershaw's and Brinkley's editors. Even Ambrose's scholarship has generated criticism, including plagiarism charges. Maybe there is something lost when the story is told so much later by men who have little or no direct experience with the war, with the army, or the period.Don't let that stop you from reading and enjoying this book. The first-person accounts make the story real and memorable. And makes me wish I could find that old simulation...