US Rangers : Leading the Way

The 1st Ranger Battalion was officially activated at Carrickfergus, Ireland, on 19 June 1942, and its first action was at Dieppe. The first major use of Rangers was as a spearhead to the North African invasion. Rangers took part in the invasions of Sicily and Italy, spearheaded the night landings at Anzio, and during the invasion of Normandy the 2nd Ranger Battalion assaulted, captured and held German positions atop the cliffs of Pointe Du Hoc. Later, Rangers distinguished themselves in the battles of Brest, the Bulge, Hurtgen Forest and throughout central Europe. The 6th Ranger Battalion was the first American force to return to the Philippines, landing in advance of the main force. It took part in the landings on Luzon, and on 30 January 1945, a daring raid behind enemy lines to rescue POW survivors of the Bataan Death March. Book jacket.

Ian Westwell has worked in publishing for more than fifteen years and has been a full-time freelance author since 1997