Phil Stern - Snapdragon: The World War II Exploits of Darbys Ranger and Combat Photographer Phil Stern

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This electronic edition published in 2018 by Bloomsbury Publishing Plc

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First published in Great Britain in 2018

Liesl Bradner, 2018

Liesl Bradner has asserted her right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act, 1988, to be identified as Author of this work.

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ISBN: 978-1-4728-2850-7 (HB)
ISBN: 978-1-4728-2851-4 (eBook)
ISBN: 978-1-4728-2852-1 (ePDF)
ISBN: 978-1-4728-2853-8 (XML)

Originated by PDQ Digital Media Solutions, Bungay, UK

Front cover and title page: From a strategic vantage point above the port town of Arzew, Ranger Corporals Robert Bevan and Earl Drost engaged snipers barricaded in warehouses along the waterfront. (Phil Stern)

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C ONTENTS

DEDICATION

For Greg, Mia and Sonny for their constant support. Thanks to the Stern family, David Fahey and staff at Fahey/Klein Gallery, the descendants of World War II Rangers, and my editor Kate Moore whose shared vision made this book possible.

To Phil, thank you for leaving me those little gems along the way that filled in the missing links to your story.

PHIL STERN

19192014

In war and in peace, he always remained a Ranger at heart.

PREFACE

On November 14, 2014, I received a voice mail from my dear friend Phil Stern. He was on a rant. The former Ranger was still cursing Old Blood and Guts, 70 years after General Pattons death. The 95-year-old snapper had been reading Killing Patton, and wanted to discuss some discrepancies. Liesl, call me. This guy OReilly doesnt know what the hell hes talking about! he fumed. Stern should know. As a member of Darbys Rangers, the elite Army unit, the World War II vet had a few run-ins with the colorful general in North Africa and Sicily. The S.O.B. got me on the rear lines in Tunisia without a helmet, fined me $25 bucks and a night in the military slammer!