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Hell's Highway: A Chronicle of the 101st Airborne in the Holland Campaign, September-November 1944
September 17, 1944. Thousands of Screaming Eagles–101st Airborne Division paratroopers–descend from the sky over Holland, dropping deep behind German lines in a daring daylight mission to seize and secure the road leading north to Arnhem and the Rhine. Their success would allow the Allied army to advance swiftly into Germany. The Screaming Eagles accomplish their initial objectives within hours, but keeping their sections of “Hell’s Highway” open takes another seventy-two days of fierce round-the-clock fighting against crack German troops and tank divisions.
Drawing on interviews with more than six hundred paratroopers, George E. Koskimaki chronicles, with vivid firsthand accounts, the dramatic, never-before-told story of the Screaming Eagles’ valiant struggle. Hell’s Highway also tellsof the Dutch citizens and members of the underground who were liberated after five years of Nazi oppression and never forgot America’s airborne heroes. This renowned force risked their lives for the freedom of a small country . . . and the world.
Drawing on interviews with more than six hundred paratroopers, George E. Koskimaki chronicles, with vivid firsthand accounts, the dramatic, never-before-told story of the Screaming Eagles’ valiant struggle. Hell’s Highway also tellsof the Dutch citizens and members of the underground who were liberated after five years of Nazi oppression and never forgot America’s airborne heroes. This renowned force risked their lives for the freedom of a small country . . . and the world.
576 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published August 31, 1989
61 people are currently reading
326 people want to read
About the author
George Koskimaki
6 books17 followersGeorge E. Koskimaki is a former paratrooper who jumped into Normandy on June 6, 1944, as General Maxwell Taylor’s radioman. He went on to become a preeminent historian of the 101st Airborne Division, having interviewed hundreds of fellow veterans for their firsthand accounts. He currently lives in Northville, Michigan.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
January 24, 2018
Fun game with 101st Airborne books: have a drink every time "Wild Bill" gets shot in the ass.
You shall never go sober again by the time you switch to the zillionth Band of Brothers DVD viewing.
Mr. Koskimaki is honest enough to warn the reader he needs to either have read up on the Screaming Eagles' efforts to keep open XXX Corps' corridor to their beleaguered brothers-in-arms around Arnhem, or to keep a thumb-friendly companion at hand.
He has a point. It's not oral history at it's most disjointed, but it's hardly serviceable to get the 'big picture'.
As far as the small picture goes: he RULES. Hundreds of American ànd Dutch participants' recollections sandwich the citations from battle reports in a rough chronological and geographical order. Here war breaks down to the invisible enemy, the few men around you & the second's difference between death and life. No matter how many ribbons you sport after Normandy, a single stupid piece of mortar shrapnel will get you.
The most haunting passages do not concern the uniforms. A trooper who, against Normandy-honed instinct, does not haul a grenade down a cellar presumably sporting an MG42 but peeks inside first, finds only a very terrified Dutch family of seven. There's not a dry eye among the Airborne veterans when a 3 year old girl asks for a drink of water after the doctor stems her bleeding neck wound. For all they know it was her father who - earlier that day - had already covered their fallen comrade's face with a coat and flowers by the time they marched back from battle over that stretch of dyke.
The Germans are mostly present in neverending 88mm form, corpses and the occassional comic relief when a column of German infantry and American vehicles pass eachother at a crossroads, with the Pfenning dropping very slowly.
You shall never go sober again by the time you switch to the zillionth Band of Brothers DVD viewing.
Mr. Koskimaki is honest enough to warn the reader he needs to either have read up on the Screaming Eagles' efforts to keep open XXX Corps' corridor to their beleaguered brothers-in-arms around Arnhem, or to keep a thumb-friendly companion at hand.
He has a point. It's not oral history at it's most disjointed, but it's hardly serviceable to get the 'big picture'.
As far as the small picture goes: he RULES. Hundreds of American ànd Dutch participants' recollections sandwich the citations from battle reports in a rough chronological and geographical order. Here war breaks down to the invisible enemy, the few men around you & the second's difference between death and life. No matter how many ribbons you sport after Normandy, a single stupid piece of mortar shrapnel will get you.
The most haunting passages do not concern the uniforms. A trooper who, against Normandy-honed instinct, does not haul a grenade down a cellar presumably sporting an MG42 but peeks inside first, finds only a very terrified Dutch family of seven. There's not a dry eye among the Airborne veterans when a 3 year old girl asks for a drink of water after the doctor stems her bleeding neck wound. For all they know it was her father who - earlier that day - had already covered their fallen comrade's face with a coat and flowers by the time they marched back from battle over that stretch of dyke.
The Germans are mostly present in neverending 88mm form, corpses and the occassional comic relief when a column of German infantry and American vehicles pass eachother at a crossroads, with the Pfenning dropping very slowly.
June 12, 2019
This book represents a scrupulous and faithful account of the combat experience of the U.S. 101st Airborne Division in the Holland Campaign --- on the part of the author, himself a veteran of the 101st. The reader is also made aware --- through eyewitness accounts --- of the contributions made by Dutch civilians, the Dutch underground, and some British units during this bitter and protracted campaign. This is a good book for any serious student of the Second World War.
July 13, 2021
Nice history book. well laid out and a good enjoyable read. Recommended
December 8, 2020
I’ve owned this book for a LONG time and in the interests of decreasing a book stack on my pool table, I finally read it.
Most of us have seen the movie, “A Bridge Too Far,” about trying to secure the bridge over the Rhine at Arnhem, Holland. Before that action, the 101st Airborne would land on fields a few miles south of Arnhem, in order to secure the bridges along a corridor, soon to be known by GI’s as “Hell’s Highway,” for reasons that become very clear while reading. The author interviewed 90+ individuals in 1987-88 who were involved in this liberation campaign. This campaign began w/ paratroops and gliders dropping off men and materiél on Sept 17, 1944. These men would go through intense fighting for the next 72 days, aided by the Dutch Underground. It sounds like the Dutch Resistance were even braver than the “Screaming Eagles” Airborne Division.
Several take-aways from reading this: 1) war is just so RANDOM; when your number is up, it’s up. There were so many stories of GI’s being killed right next to interviewees or helmets being creased only for the soldier to keep on fighting. 2) Again, the Dutch were amazingly brave and selfless. And they were grateful. Sept. 17 is still celebrated as a holiday in The Netherlands. 3) The destruction of the area was just godawful. 4) The 101st EARNED their nicknames of the “The Battling Bastards of Bastogne” even BEFORE they reached Bastogne and the Battle of the Bulge later in the year.
Mostly, I read this book in honor of
One of those “Battling Bastards,” my second cousin Olin Tilley, a paratrooper in Holland who spent the rest of his life disabled from German gunfire in one of these battles. He lost a kidney and most of a lung, and was “shell shocked,” particularly bothered by Independence Day fireworks thrown by us kids. He was one of the lucky “bastards;” he came home and raised a family.
I rounded down to four stars b/c I’m not
Great w/ maps of military unit movements, names of the units, etc.
Most of us have seen the movie, “A Bridge Too Far,” about trying to secure the bridge over the Rhine at Arnhem, Holland. Before that action, the 101st Airborne would land on fields a few miles south of Arnhem, in order to secure the bridges along a corridor, soon to be known by GI’s as “Hell’s Highway,” for reasons that become very clear while reading. The author interviewed 90+ individuals in 1987-88 who were involved in this liberation campaign. This campaign began w/ paratroops and gliders dropping off men and materiél on Sept 17, 1944. These men would go through intense fighting for the next 72 days, aided by the Dutch Underground. It sounds like the Dutch Resistance were even braver than the “Screaming Eagles” Airborne Division.
Several take-aways from reading this: 1) war is just so RANDOM; when your number is up, it’s up. There were so many stories of GI’s being killed right next to interviewees or helmets being creased only for the soldier to keep on fighting. 2) Again, the Dutch were amazingly brave and selfless. And they were grateful. Sept. 17 is still celebrated as a holiday in The Netherlands. 3) The destruction of the area was just godawful. 4) The 101st EARNED their nicknames of the “The Battling Bastards of Bastogne” even BEFORE they reached Bastogne and the Battle of the Bulge later in the year.
Mostly, I read this book in honor of
One of those “Battling Bastards,” my second cousin Olin Tilley, a paratrooper in Holland who spent the rest of his life disabled from German gunfire in one of these battles. He lost a kidney and most of a lung, and was “shell shocked,” particularly bothered by Independence Day fireworks thrown by us kids. He was one of the lucky “bastards;” he came home and raised a family.
I rounded down to four stars b/c I’m not
Great w/ maps of military unit movements, names of the units, etc.
April 14, 2017
In war, major battles are filled with lots of little events which make up the big picture. In George Koskimaki's second book on the 101st Airborne Division in World War II, he chronicles the division's actions during Operation Market Garden. The narrative is primarily personal accounts from paratroopers, glider troops and Dutch civilians who were there and witnessed the greatest airborne operation in history. I found the action to be very compelling, although it does bounce around a bit and can be hard to follow chronologically at times. If you've ever watched "Band of Brothers" or "A Bridge Too Far", you'll enjoy this book for it's firsthand look at what the 101st went through during their struggle to seize the bridge at Nijmegen and subsequently to hold the stretch of ground known as "Hell's Highway."
July 25, 2025
Definitely one of my favorite books I've read so far. very easy to follow writing and the firstvhand accounts kept me turning the page wanting to know what happens next.
January 2, 2013
George Koskimaki was 101st Airborne Division commanding general, General Maxwell Taylor’s radio operator. He wrote the three-book history of the 101st Airborne during World War Two. Hell's Highway: Chronicle of the 101st Airborne Division in the Holland Campaign, September - November 1944 is the second book in the series.
I had previously read Cornelius Ryan’s “A Bridge to Far”, Stephen Ambrose’s “Band of Brothers” and “Citizen Soldiers”, Robert Kershaw's “It Never Snows in September: The German View of Market-Garden and the Battle of Arnhem, September 1944”, Martin Middlebrooks’s “Arnhem 1944: The Airborne Battle” (focusing on the British specifically at the Arnhem sector), and James Gavin’s “On to Berlin”. All of the books gave good presentations and different points of view of Operation Market Garden. George Koskimaki’s book is based on interviews with more than six hundred paratroopers journals the soldiers intense personal accounts. It gives the vivid previously untold versions of the Screaming Eagles' valiant struggle.
Hell's Highway gives us something not covered in the other books. It tells of the Dutch people and members of the underground and their liberation after five years of oppression by the Nazis. It shares how they have never forgotten America's airborne heroes and how the 101st endangered and even sacrificed their lives for the freedom of the Netherlands and Europe.
While some readers may find the book hard or even tedious to get through because of the detail, I did not. The personal accounts gave vitality to the story. It kept it flowing instead of reading like a military after action report. Mr. Koskimaki did a superb job of telling the history the 101st Airborne Division during Operation Market Garden.
The book is just right for beginners and experts of the 101st Airborne Division. The three books George Koskimaki wrote on the 101st Airborne Division are 1) D-Day with the Screaming Eagles, 2) Hell's Highway: Chronicle of the 101st Airborne Division in the Holland Campaign, September - November 1944, and 3) Battered Bastards of Bastogne. I highly recommend the book.
I had previously read Cornelius Ryan’s “A Bridge to Far”, Stephen Ambrose’s “Band of Brothers” and “Citizen Soldiers”, Robert Kershaw's “It Never Snows in September: The German View of Market-Garden and the Battle of Arnhem, September 1944”, Martin Middlebrooks’s “Arnhem 1944: The Airborne Battle” (focusing on the British specifically at the Arnhem sector), and James Gavin’s “On to Berlin”. All of the books gave good presentations and different points of view of Operation Market Garden. George Koskimaki’s book is based on interviews with more than six hundred paratroopers journals the soldiers intense personal accounts. It gives the vivid previously untold versions of the Screaming Eagles' valiant struggle.
Hell's Highway gives us something not covered in the other books. It tells of the Dutch people and members of the underground and their liberation after five years of oppression by the Nazis. It shares how they have never forgotten America's airborne heroes and how the 101st endangered and even sacrificed their lives for the freedom of the Netherlands and Europe.
While some readers may find the book hard or even tedious to get through because of the detail, I did not. The personal accounts gave vitality to the story. It kept it flowing instead of reading like a military after action report. Mr. Koskimaki did a superb job of telling the history the 101st Airborne Division during Operation Market Garden.
The book is just right for beginners and experts of the 101st Airborne Division. The three books George Koskimaki wrote on the 101st Airborne Division are 1) D-Day with the Screaming Eagles, 2) Hell's Highway: Chronicle of the 101st Airborne Division in the Holland Campaign, September - November 1944, and 3) Battered Bastards of Bastogne. I highly recommend the book.
November 7, 2023
Filled with action, the fog of war, chaos, valor, courage, blood, sweat and tears, "Hell's Highway" is a gripping read. The whole work is packed with 1st-Person accounts drawn from the soldiers who were there. It harvests their words from journals, letters, after-action reports and interviews. The author himself was involved in the whole Operation, but doesn't make himself the centerpiece.
From start to finish, the reader follows the Screaming Eagles (101st Airborne Division) as they jumped and flew and glided into Operation Market Garden, which was intended to liberate Holland from Nazi subjugation and control. But the 82nd Airborne division and the British XXX Corps, and others show up in their parts. Hell's Highway was the main highway that connected many towns and hamlets in the region, and was essential in pushing the Nazis back on their heels. Many of the units lost more soldiers in this operation than they lost in Normandy on D-Day. After this meat-grinder that lasted from September to November of 1944, many of these units then moved on to what would become the Battle of the Bulge.
On the surface the book feels slightly disjointed as you move from one area of operation to another. The reason is that, just like the soldiers in their ditches and slit trenches, you only have eyes and ears for this part of the operation, unconscious of how the rest of it is unfolding in other places. And just like the G.I. in the middle of a fire fight in one place is so wrapped up in that death-defying experience that he was unaware of how his actions were part of the larger purpose, the reader will easily slide into the same mindset. But the whole operation was purposeful and prepared the way for the final surrender of Germany and the end of the war. I highly recommend the book.
From start to finish, the reader follows the Screaming Eagles (101st Airborne Division) as they jumped and flew and glided into Operation Market Garden, which was intended to liberate Holland from Nazi subjugation and control. But the 82nd Airborne division and the British XXX Corps, and others show up in their parts. Hell's Highway was the main highway that connected many towns and hamlets in the region, and was essential in pushing the Nazis back on their heels. Many of the units lost more soldiers in this operation than they lost in Normandy on D-Day. After this meat-grinder that lasted from September to November of 1944, many of these units then moved on to what would become the Battle of the Bulge.
On the surface the book feels slightly disjointed as you move from one area of operation to another. The reason is that, just like the soldiers in their ditches and slit trenches, you only have eyes and ears for this part of the operation, unconscious of how the rest of it is unfolding in other places. And just like the G.I. in the middle of a fire fight in one place is so wrapped up in that death-defying experience that he was unaware of how his actions were part of the larger purpose, the reader will easily slide into the same mindset. But the whole operation was purposeful and prepared the way for the final surrender of Germany and the end of the war. I highly recommend the book.
April 9, 2018
Koskimaki, himself part of the 101st US Airborne Division, descibes the landings and operations of the division during the Market-Garden operation. His descriptions of the actions are highly detailed, and can often be seen through the eyes of different participants. Not only the soldiers tell their stories, but also many Dutch civilians that ended up in the battle.
Since the book covers the operations of a whole division, the many stories might be a bit confusing at times, but overall Koskimaki keeps it a coherent story.
Not only the Market-Garden operation sees coverage, but also the weeks that followed it, and which kept the unit in the frontline. This prolonged stay, in bad weather and with a German enemy that kept the men occupied, is often forgotten. It left an impression on the men that lived through it.
Overall a great book.
Since the book covers the operations of a whole division, the many stories might be a bit confusing at times, but overall Koskimaki keeps it a coherent story.
Not only the Market-Garden operation sees coverage, but also the weeks that followed it, and which kept the unit in the frontline. This prolonged stay, in bad weather and with a German enemy that kept the men occupied, is often forgotten. It left an impression on the men that lived through it.
Overall a great book.
May 22, 2017
This book was a slow read. I have always been interested in Operation Market-Garden so I looked forward to reading this book. Mr. Koskimaki has collected a wealth of anecdotes, interviews and personal recollections. This book is a valuable resource for what it was like for the individual paratroopers and Dutch civilians. Unfortunately, I found it repetitive and confusing to read. I did not find the maps very helpful which may be due to their size within the paperback edition I read. I had trouble following along on what was happening in the various battles.
January 1, 2024
One of three book Koskimaki wrote about the battles of the 101st Airborne Division in World War II. Very detailed and technical in content, Koskimski was the chief radio for operator for the commanding general of the 101st so he had an inside window on the actions of all the battalions and companies. It can be difficult reading for the average reader.
May 25, 2017
Good Detailed chronicle of the 101st in Holland
I enjoyed the detailed narrative of the liberation of Holland by the 101st airborne in 1944. Great read. I highly recommend.
I enjoyed the detailed narrative of the liberation of Holland by the 101st airborne in 1944. Great read. I highly recommend.
November 14, 2011
The book that I read is titled,"Hell's Highway" by George E. Koshimaki. What initially attracted me to this book is, the fact that I'm a real war geek so I like reading and expanding my knowledge about wars. What made this book more attracting was the fact that it was about World War II and that it is mainly about the 101st Airborne Division of the U.S army.
As I mentioned before this book focuses on the the 101st Airborne during their campgain in Holland during World War II. Since this book is the second part of a trilogy of books about the 101st Airborne during World War II, the story picks up after the first book after D-Day had occured. The book just mainly focuses on how the 101st Airborne successfully drove off Germany from Holland. The book illustrates the strategic plans used from both the 101st Airborne and from the German Werchmacth. In the end this book sets up the last part of the trilogy in which the 101st Airborne are in Bastogne Belgium and how that was one of the turning points of the war.
What I believe was really successful about this book as I had mentioned before were the battle plan and strategic illustrations. Most of the time I was reading and analyzing each of the illustations. Another thing that I thought that the book did really good was that it did not use any sort of dialogue rather it stated quotes from high ranking officers as well as soldiers who where on the battlefied who wrote battle diaries which emphesize just how destructive the war was.
As I mentioned before this book focuses on the the 101st Airborne during their campgain in Holland during World War II. Since this book is the second part of a trilogy of books about the 101st Airborne during World War II, the story picks up after the first book after D-Day had occured. The book just mainly focuses on how the 101st Airborne successfully drove off Germany from Holland. The book illustrates the strategic plans used from both the 101st Airborne and from the German Werchmacth. In the end this book sets up the last part of the trilogy in which the 101st Airborne are in Bastogne Belgium and how that was one of the turning points of the war.
What I believe was really successful about this book as I had mentioned before were the battle plan and strategic illustrations. Most of the time I was reading and analyzing each of the illustations. Another thing that I thought that the book did really good was that it did not use any sort of dialogue rather it stated quotes from high ranking officers as well as soldiers who where on the battlefied who wrote battle diaries which emphesize just how destructive the war was.
September 11, 2013
George Koskimaki writes from the perspective of the Screaming Eagles, the 101st airborne division and from the Dutch underground in the second world war. The purpose of the book is no surprise. He wants to portray the experiences of the men and women in operation Market Garden. The sentence are short and clear. George also includes diaries from the men and women about the events throughout the story. It is about the rapid initial success of the operation and then the seventy-two day struggle to keep the highway open.
The glossary for military terms and rankings were included in the book and it allowed the readers to understand the events in the book. The pictures, maps and descriptions helped the reader visualize what happens and make the one feel that they are in it. One can understand what the paratroopers went through to liberate a small nation, Holland. The Dutch citizens never forgot the Americans who risked their lives to liberate their country. Although some parts are disturbing, it is a great book for those interested in either action, war and historical fiction.
The glossary for military terms and rankings were included in the book and it allowed the readers to understand the events in the book. The pictures, maps and descriptions helped the reader visualize what happens and make the one feel that they are in it. One can understand what the paratroopers went through to liberate a small nation, Holland. The Dutch citizens never forgot the Americans who risked their lives to liberate their country. Although some parts are disturbing, it is a great book for those interested in either action, war and historical fiction.
October 18, 2012
An outstanding history of Market-Garden from the perspective of members of the 101st Airborne division and numerous Dutch civilians.
If you are looking for an overall, operational level survey of Market-Garden, this book isn't it; for that, take a look at "A Bridge to Far" by Cornelius Ryan. This book is an in the mud look at the experiences of individual soldiers during the campaign.
The book is comprised mostly of snippets from interviews, diaries and journals of the soldier and civilian participants and it provides a wonderful, first hand look at what happened and how it affected those involved. If you aren't familiar with the campaign, you might have a hard time following what is happening, but for me that is part of the appeal. No front line soldier has the overall picture of what's going on, all he knows it what is happening off the end of his rifle barrel and the book brings this point home.
If you are looking for an overall, operational level survey of Market-Garden, this book isn't it; for that, take a look at "A Bridge to Far" by Cornelius Ryan. This book is an in the mud look at the experiences of individual soldiers during the campaign.
The book is comprised mostly of snippets from interviews, diaries and journals of the soldier and civilian participants and it provides a wonderful, first hand look at what happened and how it affected those involved. If you aren't familiar with the campaign, you might have a hard time following what is happening, but for me that is part of the appeal. No front line soldier has the overall picture of what's going on, all he knows it what is happening off the end of his rifle barrel and the book brings this point home.
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February 25, 2015This author is a military historian not a mainstream writer and while I'm sure this book holds a lot of meaning to the people who fought in the Market-Garden campaign (or who understand current military jargon), as a lay person I struggled to relate to it and finally gave up. I want to learn the history of the screaming eagles but will try my luck with some of the other books written about it. This author collected a large amount of dense, detailed information which is pasted together chronologically with abundant, rather jarring transitions. I can see how this scrapbook of memories from hundreds of people (military and civilian) are valuable historically but they are too roughly organized to make for a clear, mainstream read.
August 9, 2015
I give Hell's Highway a chronicle of the 101'st airborne in the Holland campaign 5 stars. What I really liked about the book is how he wrote it because not only was he a veteran of the war he divided them up into small accounts or small stories. I have read Battered Bastards of Bastogne and I will soon read D day. I am sure the book will keep you reading because he has accounts from over 600 soldiers and civilians from the Holland campaign.
June 26, 2011
This was a very hard book to get through - just like D-Day with the Screaming Eagles by Koskimaki. The material was very dense and detailed which was great but it was hard to get a grasp on all of the things going on at the same time. It makes for an awesome historical reference! I plan to read The Battered Bastards of Bastogne soon - I just need a bit of a break from this level of depth.
July 11, 2013
I could not finish this book. It was basically a series of narratives about specific actions during the Holland Campaign in WWII. There was no overall framework presented. It was just a summary of interviews. Further, if several people were involved in an action, the story about the action was repeated by interviewing different people who were there. Not a great effort.
May 21, 2013
Very easy read. Regardless of your knowledge or lack of understanding you will walk away with a wonderful accurate depiction from the author George Kosamski who served with the 101st airborne during WWII.
June 15, 2014
Great book. Lots of great accounts from the men that were actually there and put together very nicely by the author. It's the second time I've read this book, as I truly enjoy this series by George Koskimaki.
April 5, 2009
Book jumped around too often. Hard to get into the story.
November 12, 2011
amazing novel
August 13, 2012
This is a must read for those who read about our history.
March 13, 2013
It's no dispatches
November 3, 2014
This book does good at covering the 101st during operation Market Garden in Holland. Lots of first hand accounts I've never read before. Great book.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews