Fighting with the Filthy Thirteen

By Stephen C. DeVito

Deal Ends: Mon 25th May

"Womer reveals his own inside account of fighting as a spearhead of the Screaming Eagles in Normandy, Holland, and the Battle of the Bulge" (Tucson Citizen). In 2004, the world was first introduced to The Filthy Thirteen, a book describing the most notorious squad of fighting men in the 101st Airborne Division—and the inspiration for the movie The Dirty Dozen. Now, Jack Womer—one of the squad's integral members and probably its best soldier—delivers his long-awaited memoir. Originally a member of the 29th Rangers, which was suddenly dissolved, Womer asked for transfer to another elite unit, the Screaming Eagles, where room was found for him among the division's most miscreant squad of brawlers, drunkards, and goof-offs. Beginning on June 6, 1944, however, the Filthy Thirteen began proving themselves more a menace to the German Army than they had been to their own officers and the good people of England, embarking on a year of ferocious combat at the very tip of the Allied advance in Europe. In this work, with the help of Stephen DeVito, Jack provides an amazingly frank look at close-quarters combat in Europe, as well as the almost surreal experience of Dust-Bowl–era GI's entering country after country in their grapple with the Wehrmacht, finally ending up in Hitler's mountaintop lair in Germany itself. "Jack Womer's story is entertaining, honest and forthright, just like the man. He does not shrink from describing what actually happened although occasionally one suspects just a hint of artistic license. However, there is nothing which is unbelievable given the chaotic and random nature of war." —Army Rumour Service Review “In this long awaited memoir by one of the squad’s integral members, Jack Womer reveals his own inside account of fighting as a spearhead of the Screaming Eagles in Normandy, Holland, and the Battle of the Bulge. His induction, unique training, combat experiences, emotional and psychological impact on Womer are all chronicled in this fascinating account.Womer provides an amazing frank look at close-quarters combat in Europe, as well as the almost surreal experience of dust-bowl-era GIs entertaining country after country in their grapple with the Wehrmacht, finally ending up in triumph in Hitler’s mountaintop lair in Germany itself.”Tucson Citizen“Jack Womer's story is entertaining, honest and forthright, just like the man. He does not shrink from describing what actually happened although occasionaly one suspects just a hint of artistic licence. However, there is nothing which is unbelievable given the chaotic and random nature of war.”Army Rumour Service“…provides a frank look at close quarters combat in Europe, as well as the almost surreal experience of Dust Bowl era GI’s entering country after country in their grapple with the Wehrmacht, finally ending up in Hitler’s mountain top lair…”Ponca City News“This is a very personal account of some tough men facing tough combat, giving a good feel for infantry action at squad level.”Miniature Wargame"Co-author Stephen Devito did a great job of interviewing Womer and putting his stories into a first person narrative. The book gives the feel of a veteran telling the actions of his youth… I recommend this well-written and interesting book"Kepler’s Military History About the Author Stephen C. DeVito, born and raised on Long Island, New York, has lived with his family in Chantilly, Virginia since 1989. He has a Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences, and is a scientist by profession. He has over 20 professional publications in the form of peer-reviewed journal articles, and contributions to books.For many years Steve has maintained a strong interest in U.S. military history, particularly the Civil War and World War II. He is currently researching the 29th Ranger Battalion, an elite but often overlooked unit whose men went on to do heroic deeds after the battalion was mustered out of service in October of 1943.