Fantastic and really difficult to find (1st edition!!) Unit History book of the 101st Airborne Division, without a doubt the most famous US fighting unit. This is a highly detailed account of the operations of this division and includes photos and diagrams, as well as the Honor Roll. This is a fantastic first edition book. Includes countless maps, photo's and descriptions of the combat of the 101st Airborne Division in Normandy, France, Son/Eindhoven, Belgium/Bastogne, Germany, preparation for various batltes AND the honor roll! Almost 800 pages!!! The book is in good condition for its age - it does have wear on the spine /binding near the start as expected for such a book of this age (see specific photo showing this). The Screaming Eagles is one of the most potent and tactically mobile of any army force in the world. During the Second World War the 101st Airborne Division distinguished itself at D-Day, Operation Market Garden, the Battle of the Bulge and during the invasion of Germany. Leonard Rapport and Arthur Northwood Jr.’s brilliant history of this regiment explores their actions from the beaches of Normandy through to Hitler’s Berchtesgaden hideaway. It uncovers the lives of the men and officers who fought their way across German occupied Europe to victory. “The 101st Airborne Division, which was activated on August 16, 1942, at Camp Claiborne, Louisiana, has no history, but it has a rendezvous with destiny…” — Maj.-Gen. William Lee, commanding officer in 1942. Leonard Rapport worked at the National Archives for many years and passed away in 2008. Arthur Northwood Jr. worked for Shell Oil before he retired and passed away in 1997. Their book Rendezvous with Destiny was first published in 1948. 810 pages. Virtually all of the books seen for sale are REPRINTs; this is the original first edition from 1948!