The Filthy Thirteen

From the Dustbowl to Hitler's Eagle’s Nest - The True Story of the101st Airborne's Most Legendary Squad of Combat Paratroopers

By: Jake McNiece

Narrated by: Kaleo Griffith

Since World War II, the American public has become fully aware of the exploits of the 101st Airborne Division, the paratroopers who led the Allied invasions into Nazi-held Europe. But within the ranks of the 101st, a sub-unit attained legendary status at the time, its reputation persisting among veterans over the decades. Primarily products of the Dustbowl and the Depression, the Filthy13 grew notorious, even within the ranks of the elite 101st. Never ones to salute an officer, or take a bath, this squad became singular within the Screaming Eagles for its hard drinking, and savage fighting skill - and that was only in training.

Just prior to the invasion of Normandy, a "Stars and Stripes" photographer caught U.S. paratroopers with heads shaved into Mohawks, applying war paint to their faces. Unknown to the American public at the time, these men were the Filthy 13. After parachuting behind enemy lines in the dark hours before D-Day, the Germans got a taste of the reckless courage of this unit - except now the men were fighting with Tommy guns and explosives, not just bare knuckles.

In its spearhead role, the 13 suffered heavy casualties, some men wounded and others blown to bits. By the end of the war 30 men had passed through the squad. Throughout the war, however, the heart and soul of the Filthy 13 remained: a survivor named Jake McNiece, a half-breed Indian from Oklahoma - the toughest man in the squad and the one who formed its character. McNiece made four combat jumps, was in the forefront of every fight in northern Europe, yet somehow never made the rank of PFC. The survivors of the Filthy 13 stayed intact as a unit until the Allies finally conquered Nazi Germany.

The book does not draw a new portrait of earnest citizen soldiers. Instead it describes a group of hardscrabble guys whom any respectable person would be loath to meet in a bar or dark alley. But they were an integral part of the U.S. war against Nazi Germany. A brawling bunch of no-goodniks whose only saving grace was that they inflicted more damage on the Germans than on MPs, the English countryside and their own officers, the Filthy 13 remain a legend within the ranks of the 101st Airborne.

©2003 Richard Killblane (P)2013 Audible, Inc.

Outstanding & Real

I love this book. I listened to it over & over. One part of WWII told through a terrific lense. I love this book.

Legendary story

Thank you Jake McNiece and team, your service is truly an inspiration. Real leadership is taking action, not following procedures.

Legendary

I liked how the story was told from Jake’s point of view with the views of his fellow soldiers sprinkled in. The story itself was amazing. If you want a short view of the highlights of this book to get a feeling if you want to read it before you buy look up the fat electricians video on YouTube of the filthy thirteen.

Beautiful work and very fun to listen plus educational

Educational and fun, love real good old storytelling. Nothing impacts better than real life stories especially during historical times from a hero

13 Pathfinders

it was interesting to note the changes in the command structure and performance from the victories of World war II to the collapse of troops during the Vietnam war. it's an interesting comparison of what was successful and what doesn't work.