E-Books →Sojourn in Hell A GI's journey from boot camp to POW camp

Drafted early in 1941, Billy Condon never could have imagined that he would go into combat in a "flying coffin", a combat glider, leading his men into Holland. After boot camp in the 125th Infantry, he was part of Eisenhower's staff during the Louisiana Maneuvers, then after Pearl Harbor, he was sent to California for coast patrol. Not one to miss opportunities, he socialized with celebrities, trained recruits, and explored the highlights of California for two years. But in March of 1944, he and 800 men of his regiment were ordered to England in anticipation of the Normandy invasion. Arriving on the eve of D-Day he was held back, assigned to the 325th Glider Infantry Regiment of the 82nd Airborne Division, and began jump training as a Pathfinder.