Product Description

The exploits of the 3rd Battalion, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment (PIR) have been long overshadowed by those of Easy Company, 2nd Battalion. Yet the actions of the 3rd Battalion during the D-Day landings were every bit as incredible and this is the astounding story of how, after suffering many immediate casualties on landing, the surviving paratroopers fought on towards their objectives against horrendous odds. Using fascinating first-hand accounts of the soldiers and the French civilians who witnessed the Normandy campaign, and illustrated with black and white photographs and maps throughout, the authors offer a unique, comprehensive account of the experiences of the 3rd battalion from training through to D-Day and beyond.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #45341 in Books
• Published on: 2009-04-10
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 344 pages

Customer Reviews

Highly recommended - Airborne all the way
I am amazed that it has taken 65 years to pull this human story out of the bag, demonstrating how ordinary young people can bond to achieve extraordinary things.

'Tonight We Die as Men' is the most detailed and enlightening web of personal accounts I have ever read of the invasion of Europe - placing the period from D-Day to the end of WW2 in a new, wider context for me.

I was particularly impressed by the quality of the first hand accounts as experienced by real people, both military and civilian. The way the two are spliced not only reinforces the accuracy of the account but better explains how it felt to be there. It was refreshing to see new relevant pictures too.

Most importantly, as a (peacetime) ex-paratrooper I could taste and feel the fluidity of momentum and purpose that comes from shared experience - and the unconditional iron loyalty of true friends. This unspoken bond is something veterans keep to themselves and always find impossible to explain. So good job.

an "essential read" for those that want a full story of the 506th
Ramsbury at WarI found, once started, I could not put this book down. We all know of Stephen E. Ambrose and "Band of Brothers." This added a valuable dimension to timeline historical writing. I have travelled the same modern roads that are the pre D-Day roads in Wiltshire around Ramsbury and Aldbourne, and in Devon around Exeter and Upottery. I have travelled the roads in Normandy around St.Come-du-Mont and St.Mere-Eglise. I say this book is worthy of accolades. Buy it.

A great unit history
As the editorials say, this is a brilliantly written WWII history. The story of Colonel Sink's 3rd battalion 506th from creation to the end of the Normandy campaign is masterfully told by Gardner and Day in this hard-to-put-down book. By combining official wartime archives and data, new "on the ground" research and extensive veterans' accounts this fascinating history is accurately, respectfully and entertainingly told. It's also worth stating that the book is also laid out very nicely and comes with many more photos than you would normally expect from a book of this type.

I expect a lot of books will be released in this D-Day 65th anniversary year, but I doubt any will surpass this one in terms of quality.