Synopses & Reviews
The U.S. Army Pathfinders. The vanguard of the Allied forces in World War II Europe. Countless times they preceded invasions and battles vital to bringing the enemy to its knees.
Because before the front lines could move forward, the Pathfinders had to move behind enemy lines . . .
The first into combat, and the last out, their advance jumps into enemy territory were considered suicide missions by those who sent them into action. World War Twoand#8217;s special operations commandos, they relied on their stealth, expert prowess, and matchless courage and audacity to set the stage for airborne drops and glider landings throughout Europe.
They were born of hard necessity. After the invasion of Sicily almost ended in disaster, General Jim Gavin was determined to form an all-new unit of specialized soldiers who would jump ahead of the airborne forcesand#151;including the now legendary Easy Companyand#151;without any additional support, stealing across enemy terrain to scout and mark out drop zones with a unique array of homing equipment.
Sporting Mohawk haircuts, war paint, and an attitude of brash confidence, they were the best of the best. Their heroic feats behind the lines were critical to nearly all of the Alliesand#8217; major victories from Normandy to snowy Bastogneand#151;where they saved the day for thousands of besieged American troops in an operation almost forgotten by historyand#151;to the attack on the Ruhr River in Germany.
This is the story of the U.S. Army Pathfindersand#151;their training, bonding, and battlefield exploitsand#151;told from the perspectives of the daring men who jumped and the equally bold transport crews who risked everything to fly them into action.
INCLUDES PHOTOS
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Review
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Code Name Caesar weaves together a wide-ranging series of incidents to paint an in-depth picture of submarine warfare in the frigid north Atlantic and its role in the secret transfer of technology between Germany and Japan during World War II . . . Highly recommended for anyone interested in World War II, or submarine warfare in general.and#8221;and#8212;Jim DeFelice, bestselling author of
Omar Bradley: General at War and
Rangers at Dieppe and#160;
and#8220;Reads like a tense thrillerand#160;.and#160;.and#160;. the authors also keep a steady course on the human aspect of their tale as they reconstruct the events behind this little known WWII incident and its aftermath.and#8221;and#8212;Publishers Weekly
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and#8220;For the history buff whoand#8217;s read it alland#160;.and#160;.and#160;.and#8221; and#8212;New York Post
Review
and#8220;
Code Name Caesar weaves together a wide-ranging series of incidents to paint an in-depth picture of submarine warfare in the frigid north Atlantic and its role in the secret transfer of technology between Germany and Japan during World War II . . . Highly recommended for anyone interested in World War II, or submarine warfare in general.and#8221;and#8212;Jim DeFelice, bestselling author of
Omar Bradley: General at War and
Rangers at Dieppe and#160;
and#8220;Reads like a tense thrillerand#160;.and#160;.and#160;. the authors also keep a steady course on the human aspect of their tale as they reconstruct the events behind this little known WWII incident and its aftermath.and#8221;and#8212;Publishers Weekly
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and#8220;For the history buff whoand#8217;s read it alland#160;.and#160;.and#160;.and#8221; and#8212;New York Post
Synopsis
As the Allies pressed forward both in Europe and the Pacific in the waning days of World War II, a little-known battle took place under the frozen seas off the coast of Norway…and changed the course of the war. By February of 1944, both Germany and Japan were falling back under constant attack from Allied forces. The end would have been inevitable, if not for a desperate, audacious plan by the German High Command.
The Germans would pack a submarine—boat U-864—with their most advanced rocket and jet aircraft technology, a group of Japanese and German scientists, and tons of mercury for use in missile and torpedo detonation systems. With this, Japan could re-establish air superiority in the Pacific, forcing the Allies to divert troops and material long enough for Germany to re-group and prepare a final defense of the Fatherland.
Unknown to them, British codebreakers, working hand-in-hand with the Norwegian underground, had discovered what the Axis powers were up to. Chasing U-864 and her cargo throughout the North Atlantic, the British bombed German naval bases and hidden installations in an attempt to destroy the submarine and her hidden cargo. But in the end, she was able to head out to sea and attempt to complete her mission.
The British submarine HMS Venturer was waiting for her. In a cat-and-mouse silent battle beneath the waves, they hunted one another, each waiting to strike. The Venturer won the game, sinking U-864 and becoming the only submarine in history to sink another sub in underwater combat.
This is the action-packed, dramatic account of one of the unsung greatest victories in military history, and of a historical moment in the annals of naval warfare.
Synopsis
In the waning days of World War II, a little-known battle took place under the frozen seas off the coast of Norwayand#160;.and#160;.and#160;. and changed the course of the war. and#160;
In February of 1944, Germany and Japan devised a desperate plan to escape defeat. The Germans would send Japan a submarineand#151;boat U-864and#151;packed with their most advanced rocket and jet aircraft technology. Japan could then reestablish air superiority in the Pacific, drawing the attention of Allied forces long enough for Germany to regroup.
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Meanwhile, British code breakers, working with the Norwegian underground, had discovered the plan. But even though they were unable to stop the submarine from embarking, the British submarine HMS Venturer was waiting for it at sea. In a cat-and-mouse battle beneath the waves, they hunted one another, each waiting to strike. The Venturer won the game, becoming the only submarine in history to sink another sub in underwater combat.
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This is the dramatic, action-packed account of one of the greatest unsung victories in military history, and of a historical moment in the annals of naval warfare.
About the Author
Jerome Preisler is the author of thirty books including the New York Times bestselling series Tom Clancyand#8217;s Power Plays. His most recent nonfiction includes All Hands Down: The True Story of the Soviet Attack on the USS Scorpion, Code Name Caesar: The Secret Hunt for U-Boat 864 During World War II, and Danieland#8217;s Music: One Familyand#8217;s Journey from Tragedy to Empowerment Through Faith, Medicine, and the Healing Power of Music.