All the Way to Berlin: A Paratrooper at War in Europe

Up front I have to say that this book was extraordinary in one incredible respect, Megellas relished killing Germans! Many veterans are coy on this topic for a host of legitimate reasons. Megellas is a clear exception, as he writes, "Our `Military Occupational Speciality' (MOS) became clear: kill our enemy, the German soldier; the alternative was to be killed by our enemy. To become successful in our MOS, we had to develop a profound hatred for certain other human beings". (pg 345) He also includes what he submitted to Cornelius Ryan (for his book `A Bridge too Far'), "We recognised that a job had to be done", by this he meant a grim one, a view he felt typified the airborne, before continuing with, "I found the business of killing and destruction an agreeable accomplishment". Later he regrets that the war in the Pacific ends, as he doesn't get to kill any Japanese! Given the usual tone on this issue, it was astounding to read such forthright statements. So no doubts about it - this is a combat memoir indeed!Megellas, like Moffat Burriss (Strike & Hold), is a member of the 3rd Bn of the 504th Para Regt and his war starts in Italy. He covers a few of the same themes, including the failure of British forces and his company being cut off, yet holding off large numbers of Germans. Megellas writes from his role as an officer, directing fire and breaking up attacks. It was all a bit general, until he mentioned writing to his brother, stating how many Germans he had killed!The 504th, after being rested during Normandy, was involved in Market Garden and Megellas crossed the Waal in that epic action. He includes a few recollections from others and this section reads more like a unit history rather than a memoir. His strongest stuff here though is during the later defensive phase. There is quite a bit on close quarter fighting (killing) and some hair raising night patrols. Indeed, there is some very good stuff on the mechanics of planning and conducting patrols from the point of view of an officer. Again Megellas writes of killing a number of Germans. The most astonishing story though concerns his involvement in the capture of Heeresbach following (during?) the Bulge. It seems his column of two companies was marching in, just as two German columns came marching out - essentially either side of the Americans. Rather than consider themselves surrounded (or outnumbered), the paratroopers attack and completely rout the Germans! It is an incredible action for which Megellas wins the Silver Star.The stunning part of this was that later he corrects an error on his citation by pointing out he actually killed more! Another trooper recalls Megellas running about counting out loud! It is scintillating stuff! Megellas is not boasting though. There is no long winded, blow by blow listing, but it is still one hell of a battle. The other really intriguing thing that was revealed, was Megellas' note that he thought that this now made him the leading `living' killer of enemy soldiers in his regiment. Implying that some sort of semi-official tally was being kept - something quite new to me. I know I've focused on the issue of killing here but the emphasis was just so different in this book compared to other memoirs. Killing is Megellas' business. At times he is quite brutal in how he expresses this. There is no reflecting on the humanity of the enemy or poignant descriptions of how their bodies came to lie. He keeps count but he doesn't mull over it. He just gets the job done and moves on. In mind, as well as body.As I said above, Megellas also includes a lot of accounts from comrades. These are much shorter than those in Burriss' book and don't interrupt the flow of the story as much. They still have the affect of shifting attention away from what Megellas is doing himself though. Again though, the inclusion of all these stories speaks loudly of the camaraderie that existed in the airborne. There is also the point that these men are actually carrying out Megellas' orders, so they do inform the reader of things that Megellas is closely involved in. Overall, these inclusions, usually just paragraphs and passages don't disrupt the flow of Megellas own narrative - indeed in the way he has used them, they mostly enhance it.This is one heck of a war book. Megellas' openness about killing really makes it stand out from the pack. It is well written and engaging and though it lacks the sensitive contemplation of Gantter for instance, there is a different emphasis and tone, it is an utterly compelling memoir of battle. And you are left in no doubt, that if you were a German soldier occupying your part in the line, the last person you would want coming for you, would be James Megellas! Highly recommended.

It's a bit troubling to see a couple of reviewers here complaining about Jim "Maggie" Megellas being "self-serving" and a "blowhard" because he's honest about the 82nd Airborne Division's WWII mission. That mission was to kill Germans and win the war. Maggie was very good at this as was his platoon, the 504 PIR and the 82nd, the greatest Airborne division of all. How else were we to win the war?"All the Way to Berlin" is the best Airborne book I've read and I've read a lot of them including S. Ambrose's "Band of Brothers". I've never understood why Ambrose, who taught at the University of Wisconsin passed up Wisconsin's greatest Airborne hero, Jim Megellas.Not to take anything away from the 101st Airborne, another bunch of terrific, fighting paratroopers, but no one fought harder and longer with less against formidable opposition than the 82nd. And within the 82nd, the 504PIR, 3rd BN, H Company was one of the best.My friend Bill Hannigan from St. Paul went all the way from Africa to Berlin with the 82nd. He became a squad leader in Maggie's platoon and is one of those paratroopers who knows Maggie best. Bill says Maggie was not only the best and bravest at killing Germans. "He cared about all of us. He did things for us. He's been a good man all his life."Bill is one of the dwindling numbers of Maggie's platoon who continues to work for the Medal of Honor which Maggie was originally put in for after his heroism at Herresbach. The platoon killed and captured 100's of Germans during that battle and as they moved into the town, Maggie single-handedly attacked and took out a Mark IV tank that threatened his platoon. This part of the action was somehow deleted from the paperwork as it moved through channels. Maggie then received the Silver Star instead of the requested MOH. Several years ago, Maggie's platoon friends resurrected the original MOH request and it is now the subject of a bill in the House of Representatives.Next month, Maggie - who is now 90 - starts a tour in Iraq where he will begin to deliver thousands of his books to the troops. Last year he visited his beloved 504 in Afghanistan where the troopers gave him and AR and 50 rounds of ammo and took him on patrol.You will see in this great book how Maggie holds paratroopers in special regard. And if you understand paratroopers and the famed 82nd Airborne Division you will know why we love Maggie and this book about our WWII Brothers.Tom Laney, EditorBadger Airborne NewsBadger State Chapter82nd Airborne Division Assoc.

This book is exactly as advertised. The seller went to great lengths to protect the dust jacket and to package the book for shipping. Thank you ! I am very happy to have a signed copy of this WWII hero’s book.

See the headnote.

A decent enough account of a frontline combat trooper in WWII, it could have been better if he despite acknowledging the role played by rear echelon troops, didn’t continually bitch about them being behind the lines while he was on the cutting edge, it is a good account of his time, however do be aware he and his unit didn’t drop in Normandy so if you’re expecting this to be covered you’ll be disappointed.

A fitting tribute to the front line troops who fought and died for freedom democracy Magellas is inspirational and a brave a courageous individual whose leadership was paramount in leading his platoon in all the battles. A real insight into the existence of the fighting soldier I feel privileged to read their accounts and feel indebted to one an all for the sacrifices they made for us , up there with band of brothers great read

At first I found the book a trifle heavy going but pleased I persevered. A great read for those interested WWII. The writer takes you there.

Fascinating

This book is well written and is very detailed with regards to life for the 82nd Airborne. If one wants to learn about the war in Europe this is a most welcome change and provides a fresh perspective to the experiences of other divisions such as the 101st Airborne. I highly recommend this book!