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

Length: 10 hrs and 18 mins

Publisher's summary

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.

A fine story of history

i have enjoyed this book very much. I could not put it down. the narrator did a wonderful job.

the best world war 2 book i ever read

having jake mcneice reading his own words was amazing. best book i have listen to

Amazing story of an amazing group of men

It's impossible for those of us who didn't endure the hell of WWII to imagine what these men accomplished.

I have greatly enjoyed this book

I’m mostly listen to War memoirs and some fictional.  This is one of of the most enjoyable, I have listened to.

One of the best

I'm a huge lover of World War 2 books, and this is by far one of the best. told by the members of the group it's fascinating to listen to them discuss the same events from different points of view. And the laughter so many years later is amazing to listen to. You can tell these guys really went through it, but the fact that they could laugh about it so many years later is incredible. One of my favorite books

Great stories with a satisfying end!

I'm amazed at what they were able to get away with then! Being a paratrooper from the modern era, similarities and differences are interesting. The description of British troops still matches British troops today!

Required reading for any paratrooper!

If you are a paratrooper, or just enjoy great stories about WWII, you owe it to yourself to pick this book up! Phenomenal story about a bunch of badass paratroopers with a few sections that’ll have you laughing out loud!

When boys were men

Amusing stories about young boys and young men’s triumphs and tragic events that our nation suffered to ensure freedom and hope for the world. Jake was one of thousands hero’s. He certainly had a great mind and endless work ethic when it was needed.