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Richard E. Killblane
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The Filthy Thirteen: From the Dustbowl to Hitler's Eagle's Nest—The True Story of the 101st Airborne's Most Legendary Squad of Combat Paratroopers Kindle Edition

by Richard Killblane (Author), Jake McNiece (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.3 out of 5 stars 1,628 ratings
The true story of the 101st Airborne Division’s most notorious squad of combat paratroopers—the inspiration for the classic WWII film, The Dirty Dozen.
 
Since World War II, the American public has learned of the exploits of the 101st Airborne Division, the paratroopers who led the Allied invasions into Nazi-held Europe. But within the ranks of the 101st, one unit attained truly legendary status. Known as the Filthy Thirteen, they were the real-life inspiration for The Dirty Dozen.
 
Primarily products of the Dustbowl and the Depression, the Filthy Thirteen became notorious within the elite Screaming Eagles for their hard drinking and savage fighting skills. From D-Day until the end of the war, the squad’s heart and soul—and its toughest member—was a half Native American soldier named Jake McNiece. McNiece made four combat jumps, was in the forefront of every fight in northern Europe, yet somehow never made the rank of PFC.
 
The Filthy Thirteen offers a vivid group portrait of hardscrabble guys whom any respectable person would be loath to meet in a dark alley: a brawling bunch whose saving grace was that they inflicted more damage on the Germans than on MPs, the English countryside, and their own officers.
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  1. Print length
    320 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Casemate
  4. Publication date
    May 19, 2003
  5. File size
    5.0 MB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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Editorial Reviews

Review

“The true story of the Dirty Dozen is fascinating, funny, thrilling, fantastic, and larger than life.”
Books Monthly

About the Author

Richard E. Killblane was raised in Oklahoma where he came to know Jake Mc Niece. Richard graduated from the U.S. Military Academy in 1979 and earned his Master of Arts in history from the University of San Diego in 1992. He served as an officer in the infantry and Special Forces and attained the rank of Captain. He is a veteran of Central American counter-insurgency operations and Operation Just Cause (Panama) He is a published author and currently servesas the Transportation Corps historian.

Jake McNiece, who despite making four combat jumps and displaying tremendous battlefield courage during the war, was consistently bumped back to the rank of private. On D-Day, they were assigned to take a bridge over the Douve River in France, a mission that would cost most of the men their lives. Sadly Jake passed away in early 2013.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00A3HQJPK
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Casemate; Illustrated edition (May 19, 2003)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ May 19, 2003
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 5.0 MB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 320 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 out of 5 stars 1,628 ratings

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Richard E. Killblane

Richard E. Killblane

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Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
1,628 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this book to be a thoroughly engaging read about World War II, praising its honest and unembellished account of the 101st Airborne's most legendary squad. The book features interesting characters and provides valuable insights, with one customer noting how it helped them understand combat in unexpected ways. The writing quality receives mixed reviews, with some customers finding it extremely well-written while others disagree.

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122 customers mention "Readability"118 positive4 negative

Customers find the book highly readable and engaging, particularly as a historical account of World War II, with one customer noting it is a pleasure to read as an integral part of American history.

"If you love history and true stories this is a must! Reading the stories of Jack brings so many emotions...." Read more

"...Nothing was going to kill Jake except old age. Good read." Read more

"...are mostly lost to history, but this tells their, and his story with no punches pulled...." Read more

"...I really draw inspiration from these men and the great work they did and sacrifices they made for our freedoms...." Read more

44 customers mention "Historical accuracy"36 positive8 negative

Customers praise the historical accuracy of the book, describing it as an amazing account of men with courage and ultimate warriors.

"...These guys are true American heroes but they are the kind that would never accept that title...." Read more

"...I was particularly drawn to the toughness, tenacity and perseverance of McNiece and his fellow soldiers...." Read more

"This is a great story about great men who fought an unambiguous enemy and contributed to VICTORY! Bravo!!" Read more

"...They were an elite group of 101st Airborne Division demolition/saboteur explosive experts. Jake must have been one of the luckiest soldiers in WWII...." Read more

20 customers mention "Character development"20 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the character development in the book, describing them as interesting and amazing, with one customer particularly impressed with Jake's common sense.

"The memoirs of Jake McNiece chronicle the exploits of himself, and the demolitions unit of the 506th Parachute Infantry Headquarters Company...." Read more

"This is a great story about great men who fought an unambiguous enemy and contributed to VICTORY! Bravo!!" Read more

"is one of the genuine crazies in the 101st Airborne's family tree...." Read more

"...found it very interesting. I actually went to church with Jake McNiece when I lived in Ponca City, Oklahoma. He was a very interesting individual...." Read more

12 customers mention "Insight"12 positive0 negative

Customers find the book insightful and inspirational, with one customer noting how it helped them understand World War II combat in unexpected ways.

"...story about great men who fought an unambiguous enemy and contributed to VICTORY! Bravo!!" Read more

"Truly inspirational story about the soldier the Army did not want yet became an unsung hero of the Battle of the Bulge." Read more

"This is an excellent book! Well written, poignant and insightful. I never knew about Jake McNiece until hearing about this book...." Read more

"Four stars because this book helped me understand ww2 combat better in unexpected ways...." Read more

10 customers mention "Authenticity"10 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's authenticity, describing it as an honest and unembellished account. One customer notes that it is corroborated by different sources.

"...It was also "true grit" and not made up Rambo crap...." Read more

"...Not politically correct but definitely correct as it is corroborated by different sources...." Read more

"...It was at times hilarious and others brutally real. The narrator did a fantastic job...." Read more

"Truth is stranger than fiction. The story of the filthy 13 is much better than the fictional Dirty Dozen...." Read more

33 customers mention "Writing quality"20 positive13 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the writing quality of the book, with some finding it extremely well-written while others say it isn't the best.

"I never knew about Jake MacNeice, I think this book reads well." Read more

"This book was a tough read for me but given the fact that the main character was ill educated, had total hatred of authority, an alcoholic and thief..." Read more

"...I like that there are footnotes with documentation to back up some of the crazy stuff!! Would recommend to anyone!!!" Read more

"This is an excellent book! Well written, poignant and insightful. I never knew about Jake McNiece until hearing about this book...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • george neat
    5.0 out of 5 stars Wow!!!
    Reviewed in the United States on July 3, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    If you love history and true stories this is a must! Reading the stories of Jack brings so many emotions. Laughs for the shenanigans he does and for the most part gets away with. The shock and awe at the heroics of Jack and his men. These guys are true American heroes but they are the kind that would never accept that title. This is the stuff that should be taught in American History classes. Do yourself a favor, read this book! Jack and his men need dump trucks to haul their nuts around!
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Jimmy James
    4.0 out of 5 stars Good read but not the story you think it is
    Reviewed in the United States on September 10, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Band of Brothers more than Dirty Dozen. Mostly about Jake and his battle buddies. The 101st paratroopers suffered 65% casualty rate during the war. These guys were either too dumb or to brave to blanch in the face of danger. Nothing was going to kill Jake except old age. Good read.
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  • Craig Tx
    5.0 out of 5 stars All The Way!
    Reviewed in the United States on August 20, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    The memoirs of Jake McNiece chronicle the exploits of himself, and the demolitions unit of the 506th Parachute Infantry Headquarters Company.

    Their actions are mostly lost to history, but this tells their, and his story with no punches pulled.

    If you're interested in airborne actions of WWII, it's a must to read this book!
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  • NYC Reviewer
    5.0 out of 5 stars An absolute must-read - an epic story of toughness and perseverance.
    Reviewed in the United States on March 20, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    I wasn't familiar with Jake McNiece. However, I read the book and quickly became in awe of McNiece, his men and their collective effort and bravery during countless WWII battles and skirmishes.

    I was particularly drawn to the toughness, tenacity and perseverance of McNiece and his fellow soldiers. I really draw inspiration from these men and the great work they did and sacrifices they made for our freedoms. I think about them probably a few times each week when I'm feeling my own personal challenges and difficulties. Thank you, McNiece and fellow 506th paratroopers.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Andy D
    3.0 out of 5 stars Tough read
    Reviewed in the United States on May 30, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    This book was a tough read for me but given the fact that the main character was ill educated, had total hatred of authority, an alcoholic and thief I still thank the Lord for combat soldiers like him and the Filthy 13. His commanding officer Col. sink, also an alcoholic, had the wisdom to look the other way much of the time knowing that these boys were going to kill a lot of Germans. I'm glad McNiece finally straightened out later in life and became a Christian.
    The narrative was tough to follow but that's the way these young men talked back in the day.
    4 people found this helpful
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  • Barry Richard Sacks
    4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting Book
    Reviewed in the United States on August 2, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    I never knew about Jake MacNeice, I think this book reads well.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Todd C.
    5.0 out of 5 stars Interesting Read
    Reviewed in the United States on December 31, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    The prose is a little hard to navigate, making the flow of the book slow. However, I would not have wanted it written any other way. If you have the time to read and you are a WWII history buff, this should be on your reading list.
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  • Kindle Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great Historical Accuracy
    Reviewed in the United States on July 23, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    This a great book straight from the soldier's which is always more accurate then just plain historian accounts great reading.
    3 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Oli
    3.0 out of 5 stars Commentaire
    Reviewed in France on August 11, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    Ce livre suit les traces de l'unité de Jake McNiece pendant la Deuxième Guerre Mondiale. Jake McNiece nous parle des exploits pendant leur entrainement : les combats avec d'autres GI, l'insubordination de lui et des membres de son unité,la préparation pour D-day, ... Et cela continue par les champs de bataille en France, Hollande, Belgique et Allemagne. Comment il gère les pertes des membres de son unité, devenus des amis ; comment ils essayent de survivre, pas seulement pendant les combats, mais aussi en dehors : toujours à la recherche d'alcool et de la nourriture. Mais c'est un livre magnifique, vue des yeux de Jake, leader du squad, mais aussi de la bande que son unité était quand-même un peu. Si vous voulez savoir comment fonctionne une unité pendant et en dehors des combats, je vous conseille ce livre.
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  • Dr. Schnabel
    5.0 out of 5 stars Äußerst lesenswert
    Reviewed in Germany on July 20, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    Eins vorweg, hätten die USA mehr Soldaten wie Jake McNiece gehabt, hätten sie wahrscheinlich schon im Herbst '44 Hitler besiegt - in anderen Armeen wäre ein solch eigensinniger Mensch wohl in einer Strafeinheit verheizt worden.

    Der Authot Richard Killblane schreibt in seinem Vorwort, dass ihn der Erzählstil McNiece's so sehr in seinen Bann genommen hätte und lässt auch ihn daher weitestgehend aus der Ich-Perspektive erzählen. Das Buch ist spannend bis zum Schluss und hielt daher bei mir keinen ganzen Sonntag, absolute Kaufempfehlung!

    Auch die Gebrauchsspuren hielten sich, wie beschrieben in Grenzen - mit einer Ausnahme: Der Verkäufer hat mein Exemplar wohl nur höchst oberflächlich durchgesehen. Sonst wäre ihm aufgefallen, dass die Ausgabe, die er mir für 19,80 Euro verkauft hat von Jake McNiece persönlich signiert wurde - signierte Exemplare dieses Buchs gehen auf einschlägigen Seiten sonst für 150 und mehr Dollar weg. Da kann ich nur sagen: Danke lieber Verkäufer für die Schusseligkeit und an alle potentiellen Käufer: Wenn Ihr euch für die 101. interessiert, solltet Ihr das hier auf jeden Fall auch lesen.
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  • Richard Bleasdale
    5.0 out of 5 stars A good look at some of the characters who fought in WW2
    Reviewed in Canada on August 22, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    This book is a good read.
    It seems to deal with the main players personal struggles in this story but does give a bit of an overview of the characters place in the war.
    Overall, it might not be the book you imagined but it is a very good story within a larger conflict.
    Delivery and price of this book was very good in my opinion.
    I heartily recommend this book.
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  • don
    5.0 out of 5 stars A true story that reads like a novel
    Reviewed in Australia on February 15, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    What an unruly group who are part of the reason that “we won the war”
    A breathless read about brave men
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  • Steve White
    5.0 out of 5 stars READ IT AND LEARN
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 17, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    I recommend that everyone should read this book and be proud of what our forefathers endured on behalf of securing our futures.
    Jake McNiece and The Filthy 13 had a great story to tell - and here it is! I only wish everyone would read this and appreciate all that was done for us all those years ago by all those people who would otherwise have remained pretty much anonymous to all but those who knew them.
    We need our heros and here are some who now receive their due recognition.
    Enjoy.
    Report

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