Whatever It Took

An American Paratrooper’s Extraordinary Memoir of Escape, Survival, and Heroism in the Last Days of World War II

By: Henry Langrehr, Jim DeFelice

Narrated by: Mike Ortego

Published to mark the 75th anniversary of VE Day, an unforgettable never-before-told first-person account of World War II: the true story of an American paratrooper who survived D-Day, was captured and imprisoned in a Nazi work camp, and made a daring escape to freedom.

Now at 95, one of the few living members of the Greatest Generation shares his experiences at last in one of the most remarkable World War II stories ever told. As the Allied Invasion of Normandy launched in the pre-dawn hours of June 6, 1944, Henry Langrehr, an American paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne, was among the thousands of Allies who parachuted into occupied France. Surviving heavy anti-aircraft fire, he crashed through the glass roof of a greenhouse in Sainte-Mère-Église. While many of the soldiers in his unit died, Henry and other surviving troops valiantly battled enemy tanks to a standstill. Then, on June 29th, Henry was captured by the Nazis. The next phase of his incredible journey was beginning.

Kept for a week in the outer ring of a death camp, Henry witnessed the Nazis’ unspeakable brutality—the so-called Final Solution, with people marched to their deaths, their bodies discarded like cords of wood. Transported to a work camp, he endured horrors of his own when he was forced to live in unbelievable squalor and labor in a coal mine with other POWs. Knowing they would be worked to death, he and a friend made a desperate escape. When a German soldier cornered them in a barn, the friend was fatally shot; Henry struggled with the soldier, killing him and taking his gun. Perilously traveling westward toward Allied controlled land on foot, Henry faced the great ethical and moral dilemmas of war firsthand, needing to do whatever it took to survive. Finally, after two weeks behind enemy lines, he found an American unit and was rescued.

Awaiting him at home was Arlene, who, like millions of other American women, went to work in factories and offices to build the armaments Henry and the Allies needed for victory. Whatever It Took is her story, too, bringing to life the hopes and fears of those on the homefront awaiting their loved ones to return.

A tale of heroism, hope, and survival featuring 30 photographs, Whatever It Took is a timely reminder of the human cost of freedom and a tribute to unbreakable human courage and spirit in the darkest of times.

Supplemental enhancement PDF accompanies the audiobook.

Powerful!

Such a well told account of an amazing life. I enjoyed Henry’s story so much. It fills me with pride to be an American and floods me with gratitude for the sacrifices of men like Henry. Thank you!

The details were amazing

All of it was amazing the details made you feel like you were there. One of my favorite books.

Love the way this war hero told his story.

Very real and well told and somewhat positive if there is such a thing as. These were great men . Wish things like what told here could be taught to all of our young men of today without fighting a war

fantastic

Really great book. I was completely engaged the entire time, really created a full picture of what it must have been like for Henry. Mike Ortego is the best narrator I've heard so far. highly recommend.

Great introduction read

it's a great introduction read if you are getting interested in learning more about WWII. The writing style provides fast facts and general information behind the way, plus quick first hand experience stories. But the author doesn't get very deep into the details and you don't connect to people or situations the way you do with other books by the 101st airborne or Pacific theater veterans.