A colorful collection of oral histories offered in their entirety, this book begins with the circumstances leading up to World War II and an overview of the African, European, and Pacific theaters of operation.

A complete examination of Patton's campaign to take the fortified city of Metz. General George Patton's most controversial campaign was the series of battles in autumn 1944 battles along the German frontier which centered on the fortified city of Metz. In part, the problem was logistics. As was the case with the rest of the Allied forces in the European Theatre, supplies were limited until the port of Antwerp could finally be cleared. Also problematic was the weather. The autumn of 1944 was one of the wettest on record, and hardly conducive to the type of mechanized warfare for which Patton was so famous. However at the heart of the problem was the accretion of sophisticated fortifications. Metz had been fortified since ancient times, heavily rebuilt by France in the post-Napoleonic period, modernized by Germany in 1870–1914, and modernized by France during the Maginot effort in 1935–40. The Germans hoped to hold Metz with a thin screen of second-rate troops, counting on the impregnable fortifications. This book covers the entire campaign from beginning to end, offering an unbiased assessment of the success and failures of both the Allied and Axis efforts.

""All these young Americans sacrificed in the spring of their lives, all the inhuman suffering which wounded their bodies and their souls...we are so indebted to you."" -Elisabeth Gozzo, Association THANKS GIs, Corny, France Some experiences are defining moments. Some events change the world. WWII made the United States the super power that it is today. It defined a generation: "the greatest generation." It influenced and affected for better and worse the lives of countless men, their spouses, and families for generations to follow. As we finally hear the stories of our fathers and grandfathers, we listen with awe and respect. We hear what we had not heard and learn what we did not know. What they tell us becomes more than a captivating story, it teaches us who our fathers were and are and in the process we understand more about ourselves. It has been my pleasure to work closely with my father to make sure that his story gets told. Ever the saver and collector, I was privileged to search through the amazing collection of personal letters, documents, memorabilia, and "stuff." We spent endless hours talking face-to-face and over the phone to piece his story together. He was ever gracious to my never-ending barrage of questions. He wanted the correct places and dates, and I wanted to know if he was scared and how he felt. Together I think we have succeeded in providing an accurate account, a vivid picture, and a testament to my dad, Ronald Bleecker. -Deb Kaylor

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.

Includes the lineages and honors for all armies, corps, divisions, and separate combined arms brigades in order to perpetuate and publicize their traditions, honors, and heraldic entitlements, organized under Tables of Organization and Equipment that have been active in the Regular Army, Army Reserve, and Army of the United States since the beginning of World War II. Included in this edition is the 12th Infantry Division (formerly the Philippine Division), which did not appear in the earlier one. The lineages are current though 1 October 1997. Brigade headquarters and headquarters companies or headquarters, except for aviation and engineer brigades, organic to the above-mentioned combat divisions since ROAD (Reorganization Objective Army Divisions) in the early 1960s have also been incorporated. (Divisional aviation and engineer brigades are branch specific and therefore have been omitted.) The lineages and honors for Army National Guard divisions and separate combined arms brigades that were active on 1 October 1997 are also included.--Preface.