Left for Dead at Nijmegen

The True Story of an American Paratrooper in World War II

De: Marcus A. Nannini

Narrado por: Shawn Compton

When Metcalfe boarded the C-47 which would drop him at Groesbeek Heights, just outside of Nijmegen, Holland, he was handed a box of twelve dozen condoms by an overconfident British lieutenant. He was to be among the first to jump into what should have been a picture-book meadow, free of German troops. Instead, it was defended by three German antiaircraft cannon emplacements.

As he jumped into a hail of bullets and exploding shells, he watched his plane roll over and plummet into the ground. It was at that moment he realized the condoms had either been a bad joke or the planners of Operation Market Garden had seriously underestimated German resistance. Gene was listed as KIA and left for dead by his patrol, who presumed the worst when they saw his injuries from a shell explosion.

The rest of his story is equally gripping, as he became a POW held outside Munich, being moved between various camps ridden with disease and a severely undernourished population. Eventually, after making an escape attempt and being captured within sight of the snow-capped Swiss mountains, his camp was liberated by American troops in April 1945.

©2019 Marcus A. Nannini (P)2019 Tantor

Amazing Story

Metcalf lead an amazing & charmed life! His story just goes to prove that it’s not about the tragedies & misfortunes you face in life, but your attitude and how you deal with them! Great story.

Disappointing

Didn’t really like our hero. Flat delivery of reader? The way it was written? Just didn’t convey a personality I could like. Newport News is not in Rhode Island.

Paratrooper Gene Metcalfe

Gene Mercalfe lived a fascinating life to say the least. He was almost forced to forgo WWII service due to blood pressure problems. Thank goodness that didn’t happen. The only problem with the book is the desire to almost slip into first person but then immediately goes back to third. Rather like the author is talking in third person. Other than that it’s very good. Great narration as always by Shawn Compton.

Great detailed story and narrative.

I found the sequence of events riveting. Because the great majority of events occurred post capture, the point-of-view of the narrative is unique and refreshing. As is the case with stories such as this, I always find myself thinking how could so much happen to one individual? Considering the aspects of war, it all stands to reason.


I recommend reading, “Left for Dead at Nijmegen,” because it’s an incredible story, and ignites my strong appreciation for what he and his generation sacrificed for those of us who followed.

BTW While the narrator does a good job, and is easy to listen to, I had to tag him for miss pronouncing some key terms. Call it nit-picking.

Great Story

For someone who likes WWII history this is a must to have. What a story. Thank you for your Service

My sixth grade teacher was a war hero!

I loved this book. Metcalf was my sixth grade teacher! Amazing story. He was a foreboding presence when I was 11 years old. Now with adult eyes, I see so much more; I can see through his eyes the experience that shaped him.

Great story

So many stories of enlisted men go untold This was a fascinating story of perseverance through the trials of war

It was a great tale and i praise him for his courage and service

Nothing it’s a stirring of a fantastic story and life
Affirmation of a desire for peace

No war story like it

The main character takes us on adventures while occurring during World War Two. The things that happen run from happy to unbelievably sad. This book is well worth the listen.

How much of his “story” didn’t seem to fit too many facts

I’ve read dozens of WW2 biography/auto biography/first person account books as well a hundreds of books on the subject, it was obvious this man could tell quite the “story”. He certainly put himself on a pedestal with his telling his superiors what to do, getting blown up into the air with relatively minor injuries, getting interrogated by none other than Himmler himself to telling his prison guard what to do, didn’t mention the name of the Sargent he was initially imprisoned with(not to mention giving HIM his take on trying to escape), the Dutch girls ogling over him and and asking the P-51 pilot why he bailed out of “a perfectly good airplane”, why was he dressed the way he was and then looking at him with disdain upon hearing his answer. This was supposedly a man who was kicked out of the Airborne, spent time in a “spotlight” company only to be welcomed back into the Airborne with open arms who didn’t want ANYTHING to do with promotions yet practically making himself out to be the soldier that Captain America was based on. Many of my Father’s friends who served and saw combat action,NEVER bragged about ANYTHING they did and were quick to say that those who bragged didn’t see S**t in the way of combat. Completely disrespectful to those who saw and were exposed to the worst of the worst of humanity. Oh I forgot about the time in the Stalag when he defied the orders of four guards with weapons trained on him, to stop helping a man that was shot up to the hospital and THEY ended up standing aside so he could help save the man’s life. I have never read or heard or read of a single soldier who was as “brave” and “valuable” to the cause in their own mind🤦‍♂️