Betrayal at Little Gibraltar

A German Fortress, a Treacherous American General, and the Battle to End World War I

By: William Walker

Narrated by: Robertson Dean

Length: 11 hrs and 54 mins

Publisher's summary

A vivid, thrilling, and impeccably researched account of America's bloodiest battle ever - World War I's Meuse-Argonne Offensive - and the 100-year-old cover-up at its heart.

The year is 1918. German engineers have fortified Montfaucon, a rocky butte in Northern France, with bunkers, tunnels, trenches, and a top-secret observatory capable of directing artillery shells across the battlefield. Following a number of unsuccessful attacks, the French deem Montfaucon impregnable and dub it the Little Gibraltar of the Western Front. Capturing it is a key to success for AEF commander in chief John J. Pershing's 1.2 million troops. But a betrayal of Americans by Americans results in a bloody debacle. Now William T. Walker tells the full story in his masterful Betrayal at Little Gibraltar.

In the assault on Montfaucon, American forces become bogged down, a delay that cost untold lives as the Germans defended their lofty positions without mercy. Years of archival research demonstrate that the actual cause of the delay was the disobedience of a senior American officer, Major General Robert E. Lee Bullard, who subverted orders to assist the US 79th Division. The result was the unnecessary slaughter of American doughboys and preclusion of plans to end the war early. Although several officers learned of the circumstances, Pershing protected Bullard - an old friend and fellow West Point graduate - by covering up the story. The true account of the battle that cost 122,000 American casualties was almost lost to time.

Betrayal at Little Gibraltar tells the vivid human stories of the soldiers who fought to capture the giant fortress and push the American advance. Using unpublished first-person accounts, Walker describes the horrors of World War I combat, the sacrifices of the doughboys, and the determined efforts of two participants to pierce the cover-up and solve the mystery of Montfaucon. Like Stephen Ambrose and S. C. Gwynne, Walker writes compelling popular history.

©2016 William T. Walker Jr. (P)2016 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

The Human Dimension

This book expertly describes the human dimension existing at the higher echelons of the US Army. This “element” was often overlooked by past historians. This author honors the memories of the fallen with his strong presentation of a hidden story from an almost forgotten war.

Excellent Book

Goes to places you usually don’t here. A good book for a history buff or genealogist. The Veterans of World War I have all passed & there story should never be forgotten.

Little Gibraltar

Absolutely must read for WWI history enthusiasts. Most excellently covered & written with in-depth information of these events. Narration- excellent! Material excellently researched & presented- highly recommend this book!!

Sacrifice

Tremendously well done story of service, sacrifice, honor, treachery, and betrayal. It would be a great series. I was stationed in Germany twice, I wish I had known about this part of the offensive. Mr. Dean does a great job too.

Compelling narrative, meticulous research

What made the experience of listening to Betrayal at Little Gibraltar the most enjoyable?

A thoroughly researched and a gripping narrative. One of the best WW1 books I have come across. The author lays out his thesis and thoughout the narrative builds a solid case. As a retired Army officer of 31 years I started out looking for the gaps in his analysis but in my experience there were none. The narrative reads like a John Le Carre story as he builds his case. This is a great story as well as an excellent history. The authors detailed research and analysis do not get in the way of his telling a great story. Equally enjoyable to the well read historian and to someone who is new to America's WW1 experience.

Any additional comments?

There is an excellent website to go along with the story with additional details and excellent maps and photographs.

WW1 JEWEL

Got this on a lark and loved the story and the narration. I was never a fan of Gen. Pershing and after this his status is even lower. So sad that so many young soldiers were thrown into a raging conflict without adequate training. Pershing resisted having the new American troops used as replacements for the British and French but after this book I wonder if our casualties would have been lower if he had.

Battle never taught or discussed in Schools

I'm a Retired Vetern of 22yrs and never herd of this heroic Battle would like to know why the Military officials tried to hide the Facts of this battle this documentary sounds like a crime committed against the Doughboys by its Generals

remember and revealing the hypocrisy

This book was a wonderful read. It said that so many lives are sacrificed for careers and perceptions. I'm just glad the story was told. I served with the 37th and got this book because I knew we had history there. I did not realize the betrayal that it happened I'll always remember.

Another example of people we call great being petty.

I am old enough to be interested in the First World War but not old enough to know much about it. This book focused my attention on the horror of war and how people can blame others for their shortcomings and protect their own ego, country be damned. This is an important lesson with the current governmental focus on protecting yourself or your allies with minimal regard for the truth or the good of the country.

Over the top

A riveting story of tragedy, courage, and betrayal that deserves to be made as the next band of brothers for the war to end all wars, and give recognition to heroes of this period who struggled against impossible odds and where unduly punished for their actions.