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

by James Megellas and North Callahan

Book Overview

In mid-1943 James Megellas, known as "Maggie" to his fellow paratroopers, joined the 82d Airborne Division, his new "home" for the duration. His first taste of combat was in the rugged mountains... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0891418369
• Release Date: March 2004
• Publisher: Presidio Press
• Length: 400 Pages
• Weight: 0.45 lbs.
• Dimensions: 6.8" x 0.9" x 4.2"

Customer Reviews

Must Read American History

My wife and I had a few minutes to kill in Dallas/Ft. Worth before catching a connecting flight to our spring vacation destination. The airport was full of people. As we were cruising hte terminal for a bite to eat, I observed a distinguished-looking old man in full military dress uniform sitting quietly at a small card table precariously positioned between the throngs of traveling traffic and a tiny bookstore. On top of the table beside his folded hands was a small stack of books. The chaotic masses appeared oblivious to his presence. I noticed his chest full of medals. Lt. James "Maggie" Megallas was the most decorated officer of the 82nd Airborne Division following World War II. From the rugged mountains of Naples in winter, and the beaches at Anzio, to the Battle of the Bulge, few men have survived more combat. 'All the Way to Berlin' is a sobering account of his experiences. I was awestruck by the daring and heroic crossing of the Waal River and the capturing of the bridges at Nijmegen as part of Montgomery's "vainglorious" Market Garden operation. I pray that for the sake of the future of our nation you will remember these men and share their story with someone you love.

Just an honest paratrooper

Some may say Megellas is self-congratulatory, brutal, tasteless.Others will say he is an ultimate hero. His own account indicatesto me he is like many men, somewhere between hero and villain.And his account is above all else, frank and honest.Megellas was not a cook, senior officer, engineer. HisMilitary Occupational Specialty was as he says plainly to "killGermans". Megellas makes it clear that persevering amidst somuch death required an unpleasant "kill or be killed", "war ishell" mentality. Megellas admits he was brutal but that so werethe Germans and that killing can get personal if a buddy is killed.If you like the clean Patton, Ike, Hollywood portrayals of D-Dayand Market Garden, this book is not for you. He doesn't hide hisgrunt's contempt for higher-ups (Colonels and higher) or rearechelon support types. Nor does he hide the savage behavior ofwar-hardened troopers: looting dead Germans, his own stealing of wine from a church.The book is good for authentic accounts of patrols, army jargon,equipment (US and German), tactics, etc. Those who liked Band ofBrothers may like this. I sure did.Is this book a glorification of war or a condemnation of itsbrutality?? It's hard to tell! The author disliked patriots athome who had an innocent view of war but he says clearly thatthe Germans and Italians deserved what they got.

One from Ripon

As one of the six Ripon College Grads who went to Ft. Knox with Jim mentioned in the book, I appreciated the Authors story. I am proud of Jim and all of his accomplishments. It was a great book, and greater story of many young men who saved the World.

A first-hand account from a man who was there

I am an avid reader of WWII history and have been especially interested in the ETO. I have read all of the late Stephen Ambrose's WWII offerings and particularly liked the way Ambrose would quote the soldiers so that the reader could get a better understanding of what it was like to really be there. As much as I respect Ambrose's writings, he wasn't there. Maggie was. James Megellas (Maggie) tells it like it was, and pulls no punches. Through his writing, I was able to gain insight into his thoughts and emotions before, during and after battle in a way that no third party author could convey to a reader. I had the pleasure of meeting James Megellas recently in Dallas and am proud to say that I shook the hand of a true American hero. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to know what it really like to fight in the ETO in WWII.