A Foot Soldier for Patton: The Story of a "Red Diamond" Infantryman with the US Third Army

Michael C. Bilder · James G. Bilder

Nov 2008 · Casemate

About this ebook

This candid memoir of a GI serving under Gen. Patton offers a rare glimpse into the realities of life and combat in Europe during WWII.
 
Though Gen. Patton’s army is famous for dashing armored attacks, some of the most intensive fighting of World War II was done by Patton’s infantry—the foot sloggers who were deployed to reduce enemy strong points. This candid account of the US infantry in the European theater takes the reader from the beaches of Normandy to the conquest of Germany—all through the eyes of an infantryman who had the unique perspective of speaking the enemy’s language.
 
A fluent German speaker, Michael Bilder was called upon for interrogations and other special duties. As a combat lifeguard, he also played a key role in successive river crossings. Here, Bilder relates his experiences of infantry life, from German snipers to intoxicated Frenchwomen, to the often morbid humor of combat. He also describes the Battle of Metz in all its horror, as well as the 5th Infantry’s drive into the Bulge, where they faced their first winter battle against enemy veterans of Russia.

Ratings and reviews

My father served in the 334th railsplitters 84th infantry div. I could see my father walking beside Michael all the way to Germany , .This was a well written account of our nations best men[and women}....."The Greatest Generation" ! My Father never had much good to say about Patten though, "he was brutal he used the infantry for cannon fodder!" Excellent reading of our nations history , from a working mans point , not a historian! Mr Bilder , you are a true hero!

what a book! I lived the second world war. A MUST read

A great read

About the author

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.Johnny Heller, a Golden Voice Lifetime Achievement Award Winner, has recorded over 800 audiobooks spanning every genre. He is a four-time Audie Award winner; an AudioFile Best Voice, Booklist Editor's Choice List, and Publishers Weekly Listen Up Award winner; and the winner of over thirty Earphones Awards. His national and international audiobook coaching workshops are called game changing by attendees. AudioFile magazine named him one of the top fifty voices of the twentieth century.