[March 20, 2022] Today officially begins Spring as the trees begin to sprout their leaves, and the Robins migrated back to the north as they fit in with other such birds hunting for their next meal. Our past Winter had far more snow and lower temperatures, making more time available to read. I failed to get much reading done, even as my friend Bob Simms dropped off several books for me. His favorite is “The Winter Army” by Maurice Isserman. Bob is the kind of guy who is quickly taken by good writing about a good story. And that is one description of Isserman’s book. I most liked this book because it showed the thinking inside the development of the 10th Mountain Division, from ski lodge discussions by a handful of civilians to its implementation and training to its employment in combat during WW2.
The Winter War: The World War II Odyssey of the 10th Mountain Division, America’s Elite Alpine Warriors, Maurice Isserman, 2019
Maurice Isserman’s book is the story of the origins of the 10th Mountain Division from the 1940s before America entered the war to the end of World War II. The origins of the “ski troops” and the influence of “Mini” Dole in bringing the unit into being is of considerable interest (and my favorite part). The use of ski troops was born out of the Finnish resistance to the Soviet invasion of their country during the winter of 1939-40. Isserman does a great job of detailing the logic of the U.S. Army’s decision to provide the resources for this unique division. The author gives us a blow by blow of how Dole and others fought the Army’s bureaucracy and lack of creativity that eventually acquiesced and allowed the idea of “ski troops” to take hold. Ultimately, it directly appealed to Gen. George Marshall, that pushed the idea forward.
The 10th Mountain Division has a history unique to other Army divisions. Surprisingly, the unit was not in the war until the end. However, Isserman uses letters, diaries, and newspapers to reveal how the division fought. For example, following the attack on Italy’s Mount Belvedere, he quotes from Private Robert Ellis’ diary: “…Counterattack surrounded us. Prayed in my foxhole and read my Bible. Shrapnel dropped on my stomach. Can’t take it any longer.” The 10th Mountain’s motto, “Sempre Avanti,” which means “Always Forward.
Most of the 10th’s fighting and most of the casualties occurred during the spring offensive that began in mid-April 1945 when the war’s outcome was no longer in doubt. The book ends with Isserman telling how wartime skills were used to create a civilian pastime; recreational skiing.
Great book. Highly recommended.
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10th Mountain Division, my old grandpop served in it during WWII. Wanted me to know he was in combat and not back in the states where all the wussies were located.
Good book. I went on line to find out more about this book and plenty of folks love it. My library has a copy and I ordered it to check out. Not sure I’ll purchase they book unless I really like it. Thank goodness for libraries.
I recommend you go ahead and buy the book. Gen. Satterfield is very careful in his selection of books to recommend.
Well written review of a good book that we should all read. It’s now on my list and, not unlike Gen. Satterfield, I’m several books behind in my reading schedule.
This is the best of several books about the “ski troopers” in World War II, the Tenth Mountain Division, that fought in Italy in 1945. It is the most detailed of books about the 10th, making much use of correspondence between 10th soldiers, typically to family and depicting the reality of combat.
As an avid skier, I can understand the devotion to this “sport” that was so useful during wartime. 😊
Spring time is hear and time to renew our faith in reading good books. I ordered my copy of “The Winter Army” today and look forward to reading it with my dog at my side and a hot cup of coffee to keep my hands warm.
Isserman makes use of letters, diaries and newspapers, including the “Blizzard,” the newspaper of the 10th. But it is diaries and letters that are most revealing.
Much of the fighting and most of the casualties occurred during the spring offensive that began in mid-April 1945, when the outcome of the War was no longer in doubt – the Soviets had crossed the Oder by the end of January and the Americans and British had crossed the Rhine by the end of March. Professor Isserman notes the motto of the 10th, Sempre Avanti, and wonders, “…had the time arrived in Italy when always forward ceased to make sense?” The question is rhetorical, but one asked by those whose loved ones died in the waning weeks of the war. However, it is impossible, from a perspective of seventy-five years, to place ourselves in the position of those then in command. They did not have the benefit we have of knowing their future.
Excellent narrative Qassim.
Yes, the 10th Mtn Div did get in at the end of the war but as they noted, thru the US army, there is only so much thru-put to get men and material into the war.
Happy Spring !!!!!! FINALLY !!!!
Excellent recommendation. My granddad was in the 10th Mountain Division during WWII at the end. He has lots of memories from that time that he only shared with me because of my service.
You were fortunate he shared his experiences with you. The 10th Mtn Div, was unique in many ways. I’m a bit surprised it was not sent to world war 2 sooner.
You were fortunate.
Anyone who has a relative who was in a war and has discussed what went on with that person is very fortunate. Too many of us miss out on what they did; often doing more and seeing more by the time they were 19 years old than many of us do in a lifetime. And, they are most often humble about their experiences and yet sometimes unwilling to talk about it. I for one am lucky my uncle talked about his time in Vietnam. Others aren’t so lucky.
I especially enjoy all your book reviews, Gen. S. and have printed them each and put into a binder on my bookshelf. I’m slowly getting around to reading them all. Normally I get them on Kindle (it’s cheaper that way) and so my wife can also read them. 👍
Yes, but if you are studious and careful, you can often pick them up on sale at a local book store.
If the book store is any longer in business. No one goes there any more. Sad.
Good book from what you write Gen. Satterfield. Thanks for the highlight.