Overview
The Road to Cisterna is the story of Darby's Rangers, an elite American army unit in World War II, selected for toughness and specially trained in beach landings and lightning raids deep behind enemy lines. Commanded by Colonel William Orlando Darby, the 1st Ranger Battalion spearheaded landings in North Africa and helped defeat German general Erwin Rommel—the Desert Fox—in Tunisia. Its success inspired the creation of two more battalions led by Darby in the invasions of Sicily and the Italian mainland. The Rangers' record of victories ended in central Italy at the Battle of Cisterna, where a force of almost sixty thousand Germans wiped them out. The German forces captured all but a few of the survivors, but many Rangers made daring escapes from prisoner-of-war camps. Of the Rangers who fought that battle, forty-six tell their stories in this book. David Lyle Williams spent over two decades collecting the memories of Darby Rangers, enabling him to compile an unprecedentedly thorough history of the unit. Unlike previous accounts, more than 160 Rangers speak here in their own words and voices, giving an intimate picture of their combat experiences, enabling the reader to know them as individuals.
Full Product Details
Author: David Lyle Williams
Publisher: Louisiana State University Press
Imprint: Louisiana State University Press
Dimensions:
Width: 15.20cm
, Height: 2.70cm
, Length: 22.90cm
Weight: 0.708kg
ISBN: 9780807185032
ISBN 10: 0807185035
Pages: 424
Publication Date: 26 September 2025
Audience:
General/trade
,
General
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Active
Availability: Out of stock
The supplier is temporarily out of stock of this item. It will be ordered for you on backorder and shipped when it becomes available.
Reviews
""Extensively researched, exceptionally detailed, and meticulously documented, The Road to Cisterna will be the definitive account of the 1st Ranger Battalion in World War II and will far eclipse anything previously written."" - William J. Leszczynski Jr., Brigadier General, U.S. Army (Retired); former commander, 75th Ranger Regiment ""The Road to Cisterna is a fascinating, 'soldier's level' account of the World War II exploits of one of America's most storied military units—the U.S. Army Rangers. Formed in the months following Pearl Harbor, the Rangers were comprised of audacious volunteers, forged into warriors by seasoned British Commandos, and ultimately set a standard for unorthodox tactics and stunning courage. David Williams's account reflects his exhaustive research and intuitive understanding of these elite warriors. More than simple history, it is pure inspiration."" - Stan McChrystal, General, U.S. Army (Retired); former commander, 2nd Ranger Battalion and 75th Ranger Regiment
""The Road to Cisterna is a fascinating, 'soldier's level' account of the World War II exploits of one of America's most storied military units--the U.S. Army Rangers. Formed in the months following Pearl Harbor, the Rangers were comprised of audacious volunteers, forged into warriors by seasoned British Commandos, and ultimately set a standard for unorthodox tactics and stunning courage. David Williams's account reflects his exhaustive research and intuitive understanding of these elite warriors. More than simple history, it is pure inspiration.""--Stan McChrystal, General, U.S. Army (Retired); former commander, 2nd Ranger Battalion and 75th Ranger Regiment ""Extensively researched, exceptionally detailed, and meticulously documented, The Road to Cisterna will be the definitive account of the 1st Ranger Battalion in World War II and will far eclipse anything previously written.""--William J. Leszczynski Jr., Brigadier General, U.S. Army (Retired); former commander, 75th Ranger Regiment
Author Information
David Lyle Williams is a former U.S. Army officer (1967–1969). He has a PhD in wood science and worked for fifty years in the forest products industry.
