In 1943, 18-year-old Robert Ellis joined the elite U.S. Army Ski Troops of the 10th Mountain Division. This division has been called the most elite and publicized American military unit in World War II. While a member of the unit Ellis maintained a detailed battle diary and conducted extensive wartime correspondence.
Upon their arrival in Italy, the U.S. Army Ski Troops played a major role in the defeat of the Germans in Italy. They also faced some of the bloodiest combat of the war; the 10th Mountain Division suffered the heaviest casualties relative to time-in-combat of any U.S. division in the Italian campaign. While the author details the exceptional service of the unit, he also explores the brutal reality of infantry service and reveals how the battles were falsely represented by the media.

The late Robert B. Ellis, was a retired CIA officer and lived in San Francisco, California.

Robert B. Ellis
Format: softcover (6 x 9)
Pages: 264
Bibliographic Info: photos, maps, notes, index
Copyright Date: 1996
pISBN: 978-0-7864-0190-1
eISBN: 978-0-7864-8342-6
Imprint: McFarland

“honest, graphic and often funny…numerous illustrations and maps…recommended without qualification”—Library Journal; “unflinching look at front-line action”—Stone & Stone Second World War Books; “riveting…unique…well worth reading”—Military Review; “one of the most honest attempts at explaining what it was like to fight in World War II that I’ve encountered…exceptionally fine writing”—War, Literature & the Arts; “unique…provides an understanding of the terrain and nature of combat…Ellis tells his story honestly and directly…chronicles the tragic and grisly nature of World War II”—Marine Corps Gazette.