Osprey Elite 13 : US Army Rangers and LRRP Units 1942-1987

Ranger - the very word conjures up visions of small, highly trained units executing lightning-fast raids on an unexpecting enemy. It is also synonymous with high esprit de corps and excellence at arms. The US Army Rangers provide units of well-disciplined soldiers who possess the knowledge and courage to operate on their own, deep behind enemy lines. The Rangers provide forward recon for regular Army units as well as counter-guerrilla fighting tactics. These units bring the war to the enemy where they least expect it, deep inside enemy held territory. The Ranger Creed, which every Ranger learns by heart states: 'Acknowledging the fact that a Ranger is a more elite soldier who arrives at the cutting edge of battle by land, sea, or air, I accept the fact that as a Ranger my country expects me to move further, faster and fight harder than any other soldier.'. Gordon L. Rottman explores the history of these unique troops, starting with the original 'Rogers' Rangers' company of 1756, whose daring operations and deep penetrations of enemy-held country laid down the pattern for all subsequent Ranger units to follow. The text is accomapnied by illustrations by Ron Volstad.

Contents

• Introduction
• World War II - Europe
• World War II - The Pacific & Asia
• The Korean War
• Enter the LRRPs
• The 75th Rangers
• The Ranger Course
• The Plates