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Rangers at Dieppe: The First Combat Action of U.S. Army Rangers in World War II
After Pearl Harbor, the United States was struggling to bring itself up to fighting strength for World War II when a specially-trained force-based upon the famed British commando squads-was formed. It would become known as the Rangers.
Before their training was complete, the Rangers were thrust into battle, taking part in an assault on the German-held French port of Dieppe. Plagued by politics and inter-service rivalry, the raid would become one of the greatest debacles of the war. Allied losses included several Rangers killed or wounded-the first American blood spilled on European soil in the war.
Here, drawn from historical records and personal recollections by those who were there, and illustrated with photographs, is the story of the baptism of fire of what would become the U.S. Army Rangers.
Before their training was complete, the Rangers were thrust into battle, taking part in an assault on the German-held French port of Dieppe. Plagued by politics and inter-service rivalry, the raid would become one of the greatest debacles of the war. Allied losses included several Rangers killed or wounded-the first American blood spilled on European soil in the war.
Here, drawn from historical records and personal recollections by those who were there, and illustrated with photographs, is the story of the baptism of fire of what would become the U.S. Army Rangers.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2008
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73 people want to read
About the author
Jim DeFelice
144 books156 followersMy latest book, CODE NAME: JOHNNY WALKER was hailed by Kirkus Review as a “fiery, insightful memoir from the former Iraqi translator who fought alongside U.S. Special Forces during the recent war in Iraq.” They also “a harrowing personal journey of courageous self-empowerment during wartime.” called it an “invaluable insider’s perspective of Iraq.
I wrote it with the real "Johnny Walker," who was born and raised in Iraq. His dream of building a better country after the ouster of Sadaam Hussein was dashed by religious and sectarian violence. He risked his own life to help US military track down religious terrorists who targeted innocent Iraqi civilians and American military installations. I first heard about him from Navy SEAL Chris Kyle (who I wrote AMERICAN SNIPER with, who credited Johnny with saving many American and Iraqi lives. Chris noted that Johnny had an uncanny knack for defusing volatile situations, uncovering the right perpetrators who might be hiding in plain sight, and saving several American team member’s lives under fire. With the help of concerned SEALs, Johnny and his family were safely relocated to the U.S., where they are now, as Johnny likes to say, “living the dream.”
I wrote it with the real "Johnny Walker," who was born and raised in Iraq. His dream of building a better country after the ouster of Sadaam Hussein was dashed by religious and sectarian violence. He risked his own life to help US military track down religious terrorists who targeted innocent Iraqi civilians and American military installations. I first heard about him from Navy SEAL Chris Kyle (who I wrote AMERICAN SNIPER with, who credited Johnny with saving many American and Iraqi lives. Chris noted that Johnny had an uncanny knack for defusing volatile situations, uncovering the right perpetrators who might be hiding in plain sight, and saving several American team member’s lives under fire. With the help of concerned SEALs, Johnny and his family were safely relocated to the U.S., where they are now, as Johnny likes to say, “living the dream.”
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
December 4, 2016
It started off strong, and then the author made a serious error that a military history nerd like me can't forgive.
DeFelice discusses the Rangers transition from the Springfield 1903 bolt action to the semi-automatic M-1 Garand. In describing the latter weapon he incorrectly gives the specs of the M1 carbine. This is a totally different rifle and unlike the Garand, wasn't a main battle rifle. The Rangers likely received both around the middle of 1942--but for the author not to know the differences of each is just sloppy research.
Sorry for the nerdiness, but a small detail like that shows a lot about the author's reading interests over the years.
The lack of maps makes it difficult to understand the geography of the battle. It is difficult to understand the tactical play of the battle.
The focus of the role of the Rangers in the event is interesting, but they're somewhat lost in the larger narrative.
DeFelice's italicized reflections of his visits to the battlefield aren't as compelling or as poignant as I think he'd like them to be.
DeFelice discusses the Rangers transition from the Springfield 1903 bolt action to the semi-automatic M-1 Garand. In describing the latter weapon he incorrectly gives the specs of the M1 carbine. This is a totally different rifle and unlike the Garand, wasn't a main battle rifle. The Rangers likely received both around the middle of 1942--but for the author not to know the differences of each is just sloppy research.
Sorry for the nerdiness, but a small detail like that shows a lot about the author's reading interests over the years.
The lack of maps makes it difficult to understand the geography of the battle. It is difficult to understand the tactical play of the battle.
The focus of the role of the Rangers in the event is interesting, but they're somewhat lost in the larger narrative.
DeFelice's italicized reflections of his visits to the battlefield aren't as compelling or as poignant as I think he'd like them to be.
May 11, 2017
A very enjoyable read. The author gives us the tic-toc of the Minute American contribution to the Dieppe Raid of August 1942. In a largely Canadian Army and British Commando show, a few American Rangers participated as soldier-observers. They suffered casualties and learned a great deal from the experience. DeFelice is great at giving you every detail of the action. Unfortunately, its a little bit of giving excellent footnotes on a footnote of history, that is itself a footnote of the war. But once you deal with that- he does a great job. Military enthusiasts and gamers/modellers will love the addeed detail, others may find it overkill. The Authors constant harping on the foolhardy nature of the raid, is clear in 20/20 hindsight, but his understanding of period thinking is not strong enough for his thesis.
May 7, 2014
I picked this one up based on a previous reading of DeFelice's, "Omar Bradley: General at War," and an interest in early Army Ranger history.
While "Rangers at Dieppe: The First Combat Action of U.S. Army Rangers in World War II" is a passable piece of history, it's no "Omar Bradley: General at War" and would have been better served with fewer interstitial, personal anecdotes from the author and more... well, history.
If you're looking for a history of the raid on Dieppe, there are other, better books out there. If you're simply wanting to put flesh on the bones of early Army Ranger history, I suppose you'll need to add this to your list, despite its shortcomings.
While "Rangers at Dieppe: The First Combat Action of U.S. Army Rangers in World War II" is a passable piece of history, it's no "Omar Bradley: General at War" and would have been better served with fewer interstitial, personal anecdotes from the author and more... well, history.
If you're looking for a history of the raid on Dieppe, there are other, better books out there. If you're simply wanting to put flesh on the bones of early Army Ranger history, I suppose you'll need to add this to your list, despite its shortcomings.
June 27, 2015
Months before D-Day in France, a joint British-American commando raid was conducted on the French port of Dieppe which resulted in a stunning defeat. DeFelice examines the creation and training of the American Ranger force that took part in the raid as well as the conduct of the raid itself. He attempts to draw lessons from the action.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews