Death of a division

by Charles Whiting

Bearing the proud nickname "The Golden Lions," the U.S. 106th Infantry Division was routed on the night of December 6, 1944 in what was described by the official historian as "the most serious reverse suffered by American arms during the operations of 1944-5 in the European theater." The division historian himself put it more "Panic, sheer unreasoning panic, flamed the road all day and into the night. Everyone, it seemed, who had any excuse, and many who had none, were going west that day." Charles Whiting is a military historian whose books include BLOODY AACHEN and MASSACRE AT MALMEDY, both available from B-O-T.

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

161 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1981

About the author

Charles Whiting was a British writer and military historian and with some 350 books of fiction and non-fiction to his credit, under his own name and a variety of pseudonyms including Ian Harding, Duncan Harding, K.N. Kostov, John Kerrigan, Klaus Konrad, and Leo Kessler.

Born in the Bootham area of York, England, he was a pupil at the prestigious Nunthorpe Grammar School, leaving at the age of 16 to join the British Army by lying about his age. Keen to be in on the wartime action, Whiting was attached to the 52nd Reconnaissance Regiment and by the age of 18 saw duty as a sergeant in France, Holland, Belgium and Germany in the latter stages of World War II. While still a soldier, he observed conflicts between the highest-ranking British and American generals which he would write about extensively in later years.

After the war, he stayed on in Germany completing his A-levels via correspondence course and teaching English before being enrolled at Leeds University reading History and German Language. As an undergraduate he was afforded opportunities for study at several European universities and, after gaining his degree, would go on to become an assistant professor of history. Elsewhere, Whiting held a variety of jobs which included working as a translator for a German chemical factory and spells as a publicist, a correspondent for The Times and feature writer for such diverse magazines as International Review of Linguistics, Soldier and Playboy.

His first novel was written while still an undergraduate, was published in 1954 and by 1958 had been followed by three wartime thrillers. Between 1960 and 2007 Charles went on to write over 350 titles, including 70 non-fiction titles covering varied topics from the Nazi intelligence service to British Regiments during World War II.

One of his publishers, Easingwold-based Rupert Smith of GH Smith & Son said he was a quiet man and prolific writer.

"He's one of a band of forgotten authors because he sold millions of copies and still, up to his death was doing publishing deals.He was the kind of man who was very self-effacing, one of Britain's forgotten authors, still working at 80 years of age, with his nose down and kicking out books."

Charles Henry Whiting, author and military historian died on July 24 2007, leaving his wife and son.

Reviews

[carl theaker · Rating 3 out of 5]

Death of a Divison by Charles Whiting

'Death of a Divison' details the events that befell the unlucky US 106th Infantry during the initial German attack in the Battle of the Bulge. Whiting writes in a casual style, a mix of history with short
insights and quotes from the participants, which makes a readable and compelling tale.

At only 157 pages he does a good job of focusing on the story without the distraction of the details of the larger battle. Though with the constraints of this 'short story', it can also leave you wanting to
know a bit more.

There were interesting tidbits I'd not heard before, one was that as a sign of surrender, a GI would take his helmet off, the Germans found this peculiar.

Whiting points out several officers in the battle, such as Abrams and Westmorland that were involved in Vietnam (with the book published in 1979).

Andrew (Andy) Rooney of the US Army newspaper 'Stars and Stripes' is also quoted. The book was published before Andy became well known for his '60 Minutes' TV show contributions.

With regiments in untenable positions, the commanding officers thought best to surrender than incur further casualties, well this did not earn them any respect when later as POWS junior officers
would no longer obey them and indeed literally spit in their direction.

Many of the 106th captives were interred in the German POW camp at Hammelburg, which not coincidentally, the last chapter of this book provides a segue to the story of a General Patton expeditionin that direction, and to Whiting's book '48 Hours to Hammelburg'.

There are 4 basic maps, 8 pages of black & white photos, and an index.

[Art Keen · Rating 3 out of 5]

A rather clinical treatment of the annialation of the 106th infantry division during the Battle of the Bulge . I was hoping it was a more human interest treatment but alas is was not. For those researching the battle or the unit it might make a good minor source.

[Ronald · Rating 3 out of 5]

Actually, a reread. This time was for background for another book I read for one of my book clubs. It was "No Surrender", by Christopher Edmonds. His father was in the 422nd Regt, of the 106th Division, and became a POW.

This was a very detailed story of the battle between the green American divisions and the weathered German divisions, but I was really interested in why the author (Edmonds) did not reference this book in his bibliography. I wondered why.

Whiting was very candid and critical of the American commanders above battalion level, particularly divisions and corps.

[Nate Hendrix · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book closely documents the destruction of the first unit to come into contact with the German army in what would come to be called The Battle of the Bulge. A prime example of American arrogance and the sacrifice caused by that arrogance.

[IKO · Rating 3 out of 5]

Belle édition, beaucoup de photos, bien écrit. Par contre quelque fois la traduction n'est pas top.