Company Commander: The Classic Infantry Memoir of World War II
Presents a graphic account of infantry warfare from the shores of Normandy to the German lines at Leipzig, by a twenty-one-year-old infantry captain. As a newly commissioned Captain of a veteran Army regiment, MacDonald's first combat was war at its most hellish, the Battle of the Bulge.
In this plain-spoken but eloquent narrative, we live each minute at MacDonald’s side, sharing in all of combat’s misery, terror, and drama. How this green commander gains his men’s loyalty in the snows of war-torn Europe is one of the great, true, unforgettable war stories of all time.
Inside the building, the Colonel and the battalion staff were eating breakfast. The sight startled me at first and I said a bad word to myself. The pursuit of the war could not wait long enough for the rifle companies to eat, but there was time for battalion headquarters to breakfast in the luxury of a house that the sweat of the rifle companies had taken. I passed it off as another of the injustices.
Company Commander by Charles B. MacDonald is an exceptional and riveting memoir that vividly captures the brutal realities of war and the unwavering resilience of those who fought on the front lines of World War II. Company Commander takes the reader from the Siegfried Line in the Ardennes, through the Battle of the Bulge, and to the end of the war in Czechoslovakia. MacDonald’s unpretentious and straightforward writing style allows readers to immerse themselves in his experiences, sharing in the chaos, fear, and camaraderie that defined his time as a junior officer.
What sets this memoir apart is MacDonald’s unwavering honesty and refusal to shy away from the grim aspects of war. He vividly describes the atrocities, the flaws of both officers and men, and the constant struggle for survival. MacDonald’s account is a poignant reminder of the human cost of war and the sacrifices made by countless individuals.
The strength of Company Commander lies in MacDonald’s ability to maintain the focus on his own experiences, avoiding unnecessary conjecture or grandiose analysis. Readers are treated to first-hand information, gaining a genuine understanding of the hardships faced by a junior officer in command of an infantry company. MacDonald’s portrayal of sleepless nights, constant hunger, dirt-covered uniforms, and the ever-present danger emphasizes the harsh realities of war and the tremendous burden placed on those at the forefront.
In conclusion, Company Commander stands as a remarkable and significant memoir of World War II. It is a testament to the bravery and leadership displayed by individuals like MacDonald, whose unwavering determination and courage inspired the loyalty of his men. This book serves as a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made by soldiers and the indomitable spirit that carries them through the darkest of times.
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Company Commander
Company Commander presents a graphic account of infantry warfare from the shores of Normandy to the German lines at Leipzig, by a twenty-one-year-old infantry captain.
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