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Jump Into The Valley Of The Shadow: The War Memories Of Dwayne Burns Communications Sergeant-508th P.I.R.
When Dwayne Burns turned 18 during World War II, he decided that he wanted to fight alongside America’s best. He joined the paratroopers and was assigned to the 508th Regiment of the 82d Airborne Division. Little did he suspect that a year later he’d be soaring in a flak–riddled C–47 over Normandy, part of the very spearhead of the Allied drive to seize back Europe. Burns landed behind German lines during the dark, early hours of D–day, and gradually found other survivors of his division. The paratroopers fought on every side in a confused, running battle through the hedgerows, finally making a stand in a surrounded farmhouse. With one room reserved for their growing piles of corpses, the paratroopers held their ground until finally relieved by infantry advancing from the beaches.
After being pulled out of Normandy, the airborne troops were said to be “burning a hole in SHAEF’s pocket,” and thus were launched into Holland as part of Montgomery’s plan to gain a bridgehead across the Rhine. This daytime jump was less confused than the nocturnal one, but there were more Germans than expected and fewer Allied forces in support. It was another maelstrom of pointblank combat in all directions, and though the 82d achieved its objectives, the campaign as a whole achieved little but casualties.
The 82d had hardly refilled with replacements when the Germans broke through the U.S. front in the Ardennes. The 82d’s paratroopers were put aboard trucks and hastened to stand in the way of the panzer onslaught. Passing through Bastogne they went farther north to St. Vith, where the U.S. 7th Armored and other divisions were reeling. The 82d held its own with quickly assembled defense perimeters, allowing other units to escape. After beating off massive attacks by German SS, the paratroopers were disgusted to hear that they, too, had been ordered to retreat. They didn’t feel they needed to, but Monty was determined to “tidy up the battlefield.” On January 3 they counterattacked through the freezing hills, sealing off the Bulge and pursuing the Germans back into the Reich. In this work, Dwayne Burns, assisted by his son Leland (U.S. Army, 1975–79), not only relates the chaos of combat but the intimate thinking of a young soldier thrust into the center of several of history’s greatest battles. His memories provide a fascinating insight into the reality of close-quarters combat.
After being pulled out of Normandy, the airborne troops were said to be “burning a hole in SHAEF’s pocket,” and thus were launched into Holland as part of Montgomery’s plan to gain a bridgehead across the Rhine. This daytime jump was less confused than the nocturnal one, but there were more Germans than expected and fewer Allied forces in support. It was another maelstrom of pointblank combat in all directions, and though the 82d achieved its objectives, the campaign as a whole achieved little but casualties.
The 82d had hardly refilled with replacements when the Germans broke through the U.S. front in the Ardennes. The 82d’s paratroopers were put aboard trucks and hastened to stand in the way of the panzer onslaught. Passing through Bastogne they went farther north to St. Vith, where the U.S. 7th Armored and other divisions were reeling. The 82d held its own with quickly assembled defense perimeters, allowing other units to escape. After beating off massive attacks by German SS, the paratroopers were disgusted to hear that they, too, had been ordered to retreat. They didn’t feel they needed to, but Monty was determined to “tidy up the battlefield.” On January 3 they counterattacked through the freezing hills, sealing off the Bulge and pursuing the Germans back into the Reich. In this work, Dwayne Burns, assisted by his son Leland (U.S. Army, 1975–79), not only relates the chaos of combat but the intimate thinking of a young soldier thrust into the center of several of history’s greatest battles. His memories provide a fascinating insight into the reality of close-quarters combat.
256 pages, Hardcover
First published September 1, 2006
About the author
Leland Burns
3 booksLeland Burns served in the U.S. military 1975-79 and while stationed in Europe visited many of his father’s battlefields. The gratitude he encountered from local civilians for the American liberation of their countries inspired him to assist his father with his wartime memoir. A sports car, as well as exotic bird enthusiast, he has written for several national magazines.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
May 22, 2019
This is the memoirs of a 82nd division paratrooper with the aid of his Son. The author is a Texan. I bought this from the Son -- at the Austin Armor Builders show Oct of 2007.
I enjoyed the book. It is a true man on the spot account -- he tells the war from what he saw. The book jumps back and forth between combat and training.
I enjoyed the book. It is a true man on the spot account -- he tells the war from what he saw. The book jumps back and forth between combat and training.
March 3, 2017
Amazing book
I chose this book to know more history on the Red Devils as my first unit in the army. Must I say, outstanding.
The author did an amazing job.
This book does 2ND BCT justice. Job well done.
I chose this book to know more history on the Red Devils as my first unit in the army. Must I say, outstanding.
The author did an amazing job.
This book does 2ND BCT justice. Job well done.
September 23, 2011
Jump into the valley of the death was a very good book. It is told by Dwayne Burns he is the narrator and he is the main character. I like this book because it is not anything false it is a true and it's not a documentary it's a war story told by a hero. The one thing that paints a good picture in the readers mind is his descriptive words that Paint a very descriptive picture into the persons head. I would highly recommend this book to my friends or others because if you like non fiction or war stories I believe this would be a very good book for them to read
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews