Angels at Dawn: The Los Banos Raid

by Edward M. Flanagan Jr.

Recounts a mission on which 11th Airborn Division paratroopers freed prisoners of war

Genres: War, World War II, Military History, Military Fiction

320 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published July 1, 1986

About the author

E. M. Flanagan Jr. is America's leading expert on airborne history. He is the author of many books, including "Rakkasans and" Corregidor. A World War II combat veteran with the 11th Airborne Division in the Philippines, he commanded troops at all levels up from company to field army during his thirty-six-year career. Flanagan retired from active duty in 1978 as a lieutenant general. He lives in Beaufort, South Carolina.

Reviews

[Steve · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Joseph · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good book about the rescue of over 2,000 civilians that were captured by the Japanese. This was a first hand account and it was very interesting about the planning that went on and how every just aligned itself just right to be so successful. It was a rather quick read and it went by smoothly. The only downside was the amount of names involved and sometimes they were a blur when reading and you had to check back at the names to see who was who.

But if you like WWII books about rescue missions and so forth I would recommend it. I like WWII books and while most of the books I have read are from the battles in Europe I am enjoy reading battles from the Pacific. It seems the Japanese army were far more cruel in the treatment of the soldiers and civilians then the Germans.

[Debby · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an amazing, wonderful, heartbreaking, nail biting (wich i don't) "story" - knowing that Uncle Willie and Leo and 2 other workers were among the starving internees. The men who co-ordinated the raid were brilliant, brave and kind. It certainly restored my faith in mankind in the midst of evil war!

[Marie Greaney · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the record of the rescue of a group of Philippine and American citizens, prisoners of the Japanese in the Philippines. My Uncle Arthur, a Columban priest, Fr Arthur Price, was amongst them. The 11th Airborne Division, "the Angels" carried out the daring and successful rescue. Has been made into a movie. Worth reading!