A Foot Soldier for Patton, Michael C. Bilder
A Foot Soldier for Patton, Michael C. Bilder
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A Foot Soldier for Patton
The Story of a "Red Diamond" Infantryman with the US Third Army

Author: Michael C. Bilder, James Bilder

Narrator: Johnny Heller

Unabridged: 9 hr 32 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Tantor Media

Published: 06/19/2018


Synopsis

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 listener 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.

Incidents common to the ordinary GI, but which seldom see the light of day in histories, are routinely related in this book, enriching the listener's sense of the true reality of World War II combat.

About Michael C. Bilder

Michael C. Bilder was inducted into the the Infantry Division in April 1941 and in 2006 was awarded the Legion of Honor, France's highest decoration, for his WWII service. A retired carpenter, he lived in the house he built himself in 1960 and where he and his late wife raised five children, until his passing in Spring 2010.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Bryant on January 08, 2020

an absolutely astounding, profound, emotionally trying book that I had to stop reading a few times to absorb what we truly being described. I lump this work in with such greats as all quiet on the western Front, because although it at times comes off as immature or lacking in sincerity, telling of t......more

Goodreads review by Alex on March 18, 2021

Chronicle teminiscing the various wartime experiences of an average Joe in This Man’s Army. The author, not a professional writer, tells his story in a simple, unselfconscious style reflected in the honest, energetic, taken-at-face-value-few-deep-dark-spaces manner of American Army GIs caught occasio......more

Goodreads review by Joe on May 31, 2018

I enjoyed this book and recommend it. It provides perspectives and insights that most WWII in Europe material does not provide. I rated it a 4 rather than 5 because of the stream of consciousness style throughout the book. Rather than reading, it often feels like you are sitting down with Mike Bilde......more

Goodreads review by Tom on April 24, 2021

Michael Bilder joined the US Army before Pearl Harbor and was in the initial group that entered Europe days after DDay when General Patton flew in to start his assault on the German Army. His diary is detailed and gives the reader a great feel for what it was like to win the war in Europe as a membe......more

Goodreads review by EDWARD L SEMLER on July 16, 2021

Very interesting and up front biography I really enjoy reading military autobiographies and have even written my own. I also served in the 5th Infantry Division, although many years later. What's different about Mr. Builder's book from most is his willingness to expand on sensitive issues that most a......more