FROM AMAZON: David Kenyon Webster’s memoir is a clear-eyed, emotionally charged chronicle of youth, camaraderie, and the chaos of war. Relying on his own letters home and recollections he penned just after his discharge, Webster gives a first hand account of life in E Company, 101st Airborne Division, crafting a memoir that resonates with the immediacy of a gripping novel.
From the beaches of Normandy to the blood-dimmed battlefields of Holland, here are acts of courage and cowardice, moments of irritating boredom punctuated by moments of sheer terror, and pitched urban warfare. Offering a remarkable snapshot of what it was like to enter Germany in the last days of World War II, Webster presents a vivid, varied cast of young paratroopers from all walks of life, and unforgettable glimpses of enemy soldiers and hapless civilians caught up in the melee. Parachute Infantry is at once harsh and moving, boisterous and tragic, and stands today as an unsurpassed chronicle of war—how men fight it, survive it, and remember it.
Parachute Infantry – An American Paratrooper’s Memoir
“Parachute Infantry: An American Paratrooper’s Memoir of D-Day and the Fall of the Third Reich” is a gripping firsthand account of World War II by David Kenyon Webster, an American paratrooper. Published posthumously in 1994, the memoir vividly details Webster’s experiences as a member of the renowned Easy Company, part of the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division. The author was one of the characters in the HBO mini-series Band of Brothers.
Webster provides a compelling narrative that spans from the intense and chaotic D-Day landings on June 6, 1944, to the final days of the war in Europe. His memoir offers a unique and personal perspective on the challenges faced by paratroopers, from the brutal combat in Normandy to the bitter winter of the Battle of the Bulge and the eventual triumph of the Allied forces.
What sets “Parachute Infantry” apart is Webster’s keen observational skills and his ability to convey the emotional and psychological toll of war. The memoir delves into the camaraderie among soldiers, the fear and uncertainty on the battlefield, and the impact of loss on individuals and units. Webster’s writing captures not only the physical aspects of combat but also the internal struggles and conflicts faced by those who served.
Webster’s posthumous contribution to the collective understanding of World War II is highly regarded for its authenticity and sincerity. The memoir gained additional recognition through its inclusion in the acclaimed HBO miniseries “Band of Brothers,” based on the book of the same name by historian Stephen E. Ambrose.
“Parachute Infantry” stands as a poignant testament to the courage and sacrifice of the men who served in Easy Company and, by extension, to all those who participated in the monumental events of D-Day and the liberation of Europe. It remains an essential read for those interested in gaining a personal and reflective insight into the experiences of American paratroopers during one of the most pivotal periods in history.
My Goodreads Review:
Parachute Infantry: An American Paratrooper’s Memoir of D-Day and the Fall of the Third Reich by David Kenyon WebsterMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
The author, an actual member of Easy Company 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment 101st Airborne Division, worked as a writer after World War II. Because of his writing style, this is like reading Band of Brothers as if it were fiction. For fans of Band of Brothers (book, TV show and history), this is a worthwhile addition to the library.
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good review. i will check this book out