Abandoned in Hell

The Fight for Vietnam's Fire Base Kate

De: William Albracht, Marvin Wolf

Narrado por: Brian O'Neill

In October 1969, Captain William Albracht, the youngest Green Beret in Vietnam, took command of a remote hilltop outpost called Fire Base Kate, held by only 27 American soldiers and 150 Montagnard militiamen. He found their defenses woefully unprepared. At dawn the next morning, three North Vietnamese Army regiments - some 6,000 men - crossed the Cambodian border and attacked. Outnumbered three dozen to one, Albracht's men held off repeated ground assaults by communist forces with fierce hand-to-hand fighting, air support, and a dangerously close B-52 strike. For days, the NVA blanketed Kate in a rain of rockets, mortars, artillery, machineguns, and small arms, blocking efforts to resupply, reinforce, or evacuate the outpost. Albracht continually exposed himself to enemy fire to direct air strikes, to guide re-supply helicopters, to distribute ammunition and water to his men, to retrieve the dead and to rescue the wounded, often shielding men with his own body. Wounded by rocket shrapnel, he refused medical attention or evacuation. Exhausted from days without sleep, he continued to rally his men to beat off each new enemy attack.

After five days, Kate's defenders were out of ammo and water. Aerial resupply was suicidal, and reinforcements were denied by military commanders who had written off Kate. Albracht refused to surrender or die in place. Refusing to allow his men to surrender, Albracht led his troops, including many wounded, off the hill and on a daring night march through enemy lines.

Abandoned in Hell is an astonishing memoir of leadership, sacrifice, and brutal violence, a riveting journey into Vietnam's heart of darkness, and a compelling reminder of the transformational power of individual heroism. Not since Lone Survivor and We Were Soldiers Once, and Young has there been such a gripping and authentic account of battlefield courage.

©2015 William Albracht and Marvin Wolf (P)2015 Recorded Books

Bravery beyond me

I’m a Vietnam vet, parts of the book reminds me of the arrogance of some junior officers but it also shows me some of their piss and vinegar. Fascinating story, but brought back some painful memories. You never know what people will do in combat!

courageous but puzzling

for the most part the book is interesting and an accurate recollection of a battle that has largely been overlooked. I am confused as to the author's title of capt. retired as I don't believe he completed 20 years of service. Although the author's opinion of the ARVN is low, painting them with so with a broad brush does, in my experience with them, a great disservice. Many ARVN fought with bravery and distinction. The quotes from Kipling et al, add nothing to the narrative.

Good read!

If you’re into Vietnam Spec Ops books, you won’t be disappointed. Nicely detailed, but doesn’t get bogged down in the details.

Great story from Vietnam

This was a good book. Not as captivating as I thought. Author didn't give a lot of detail in first half in order to draw a good mental picture. These men went through hell and the book describes that fairly decently.

Fantastic Read.

One of the best books out there. Capt. Albracht writes about fire base Kate in such a way that you are there with him during his time there. Exhilarating, and horrified of the many dangers he and his men faced each day. The camaraderie and brotherhood that was exhibited during their war time battles is a thing of beauty that most do not understand unless one was in the Military or L.E. As an American, whether you believe in war or not, we should be thankful everyday for the sacrifices these men gave in a cause they themselves they may or may not have believed in, but honor them for the courage they exhibited and the sacrifices they made during their time of combat. Captain Albracht style of writing is honest and captures the frantic moments of battle but also acknowledges the heroism of each man while under combat. The other wonderful thing Captain Albracht did at the end of his book (Story) was to give an update of their personal lives of the men he served with which is a touching way to end the book. Captain Albracht and all the men and women who serve in our military, thank you for your service and welcome home......