Foot Soldier For Patton The Story Of A "Red Diamond" Infantryman With The U.S. Third Army

The Story of a "Red Diamond" Infantryman with the U.S. Third Army

Nonfiction, History, Military, World War II
Cover of the book Foot Soldier For Patton The Story Of A "Red Diamond" Infantryman With The U.S. Third Army by Michael Bilder, James G. Bilder, Casemate
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Michael Bilder, James G. Bilder ISBN: 9781935149620
Publisher: Casemate Publication: November 17, 2008
Imprint: Casemate Language: English
Author: Michael Bilder, James G. Bilder
ISBN: 9781935149620
Publisher: Casemate
Publication: November 17, 2008
Imprint: Casemate
Language: English

A brutally honest depiction of day-to-day combat in World War II . . .A rarely frank account of the U.S. infantry experience in northern Europe, A Foot Soldier for Patton takes the reader from the beaches of Normandy through the giddy drive across France, to the brutal battles on the Westwall, in the Ardennes, and finally to the conquest of Germany itself.Patton's army is best known for dashing armored attacks, its commander combining the firepower of tanks with their historic lineage as cavalry. But when the Germans stood firm the greatest fighting was done by Patton's long undersung infantry the foot sloggers who were called upon to reduce enemy strong points, and who took the brunt of German counterattacks.Michael Bilder, a member of the 5th Infantry ("Red Diamond" division), played a unique role in the Third Army's onslaught. A rifleman foremost, he was also a German-speaker, called upon for interrogations and special duties. Also a combat lifeguard, he played a key role in successive river crossings. An astute observer, he relates dozens of fascinating insights into the campaign, from dealing with German snipers to intoxicated Frenchwomen, as well as relaying the often morbid humor of combat. Laughter, for example, erupts among Bilder's unit when a hated Graves Registration officer, known for robbing the pockets of the dead, gets his hand blown off by a German booby trap.When the 5th Infantry comes up against the fortress of Metz, the battle is detailed in all its horror, as is the sudden drive into the flank of the Bulge, where the Americans face their first winter battle against enemy veterans of Russia. Incidents common to the ordinary GI, but which seldom see the light of day in histories, are routinely related in this book, enriching the reader's sense of the true reality of World War II combat.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

A brutally honest depiction of day-to-day combat in World War II . . .A rarely frank account of the U.S. infantry experience in northern Europe, A Foot Soldier for Patton takes the reader from the beaches of Normandy through the giddy drive across France, to the brutal battles on the Westwall, in the Ardennes, and finally to the conquest of Germany itself.Patton's army is best known for dashing armored attacks, its commander combining the firepower of tanks with their historic lineage as cavalry. But when the Germans stood firm the greatest fighting was done by Patton's long undersung infantry the foot sloggers who were called upon to reduce enemy strong points, and who took the brunt of German counterattacks.Michael Bilder, a member of the 5th Infantry ("Red Diamond" division), played a unique role in the Third Army's onslaught. A rifleman foremost, he was also a German-speaker, called upon for interrogations and special duties. Also a combat lifeguard, he played a key role in successive river crossings. An astute observer, he relates dozens of fascinating insights into the campaign, from dealing with German snipers to intoxicated Frenchwomen, as well as relaying the often morbid humor of combat. Laughter, for example, erupts among Bilder's unit when a hated Graves Registration officer, known for robbing the pockets of the dead, gets his hand blown off by a German booby trap.When the 5th Infantry comes up against the fortress of Metz, the battle is detailed in all its horror, as is the sudden drive into the flank of the Bulge, where the Americans face their first winter battle against enemy veterans of Russia. Incidents common to the ordinary GI, but which seldom see the light of day in histories, are routinely related in this book, enriching the reader's sense of the true reality of World War II combat.

More books from Casemate

Cover of the book Fighting with the Filthy Thirteen: The World War II Story of Jack WomerRanger and Paratrooper by Michael Bilder, James G. Bilder
Cover of the book The Battle of the Bridges by Michael Bilder, James G. Bilder
Cover of the book The Battle for Tinian by Michael Bilder, James G. Bilder
Cover of the book Cushing’s Coup by Michael Bilder, James G. Bilder
Cover of the book Zeebrugge by Michael Bilder, James G. Bilder
Cover of the book Battle Yet Unsung: The Fighting Men of the 14th Armored Division in World War II by Michael Bilder, James G. Bilder
Cover of the book The Black Prince and the Capture of a King by Michael Bilder, James G. Bilder
Cover of the book Blood Money by Michael Bilder, James G. Bilder
Cover of the book Hitler's Wave-Breaker Concept by Michael Bilder, James G. Bilder
Cover of the book Sky My Kingdom by Michael Bilder, James G. Bilder
Cover of the book The Falaise Pocket by Michael Bilder, James G. Bilder
Cover of the book The D-Day Training Pocket Manual 1944 by Michael Bilder, James G. Bilder
Cover of the book Victory Was Beyond Their Grasp by Michael Bilder, James G. Bilder
Cover of the book Battle of Britain by Michael Bilder, James G. Bilder
Cover of the book Jump: Into The Valley Of The Shadow The War Memoires Of Dwayne Burns Communications Sergeant-508th P.I.R. by Michael Bilder, James G. Bilder
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy