Home Was Never like This

Colonel Doyle R. Yardley wrote "Home Was Never Like This" during his World War II military service, including 16 months spent in Oflag 64, a German POW Camp in Szubin, Poland. Yardley, a soldier in the 503rd Parachute Infantry Regiment (later renamed the 509th Parachute Infantry Battalion) was involved in "Operation Torch," America's first use of paratroopers in warfare. This remarkable undertaking - a 1,500-mile, 11-hour flight from England to North Africa - was the most hazardous airborne operation of World War II. Yardley commanded the 509th during the Invasion of Italy, the first parachute battalion used in the European war effort. After being dropped behind German lines, Yardley was wounded and taken prisoner. From 1942-1945, Yardley detailed his WWII experiences in hand written diaries. He wrote: I hope to put down in black and white, in simple, frank language what the men of the battalion thought and did while overseas, in or out of combat. And how, as typical Americans, they always found something funny to do - in spite of hardships and handicaps. The Yardley diaries reveal a heart-wrenching and often humorous look into his life and the lives of hundreds of others involved in World War II. "I hope to put down in black and white, in simple, frank language what the men of the battalion thought and did while overseas, in or out of combat. And how, as typical Americans, they always found something funny to do - in spite of hardships and handicaps."Yardley, Doyle R. is the author of 'Home Was Never like This', published 2002 under ISBN 9780971743908 and ISBN 0971743908.