Down From Heaven - The 11th Airborne Division in World War II & Beyond · Jeremy C. Holm
The Rat's Ass Charge: 35 Paratroopers vs. 150 Japanese Soldiers in World War II
September 18, 2025·39 min·3 clips
John Batori stood on the crest and shouted 'bonsai, rat's ass, who's with me' before charging 150 Japanese soldiers.
As heard by us
A close-quarter airborne battle story that links tactical chaos with family memory.
The episode centers on a surprise assault against an enemy position, following 35 11th Airborne paratroopers as they push uphill and run into a withdrawing Japanese column of about 150 soldiers.
Why you'd press play
You get a ridge-line firefight where 35 paratroopers run into about 150 Japanese soldiers during a surprise assault.
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