Patton's Shadow


Book Description

General George S. Patton’s legendary image was carefully crafted during World War II and continues to shape our understanding of American history and culture today. Historian Nathan C. Jones explores the creation of the Patton legend and its enduring legacy in Patton’s Shadow.




Patton's Lucky Scout


Book Description

A fascinating, intelligent, often humorous memoir of World War II by a remarkable soldier, a scout working behind enemy lines for Patton's famed Third Army on the move.




Patton's War


Book Description

George S. Patton Jr. lived an exciting life in war and peace, but he is best remembered for his World War II battlefield exploits. Patton’s War: An American General’s Combat Leadership: November 1942–July 1944, the first of three volumes, follows the general from the beaches of Morocco to the fields of France, right before the birth of Third Army on the continent. In highly engaging fashion, Kevin Hymel uncovers new facts and challenges long-held beliefs about the mercurial Patton, not only examining his relationships with his superiors and fellow generals and colonels, but also with the soldiers of all ranks whom he led. Using new sources unavailable to previous historians and through extensive research of soldiers’ memoirs and interviews, Hymel adds a new dimension to the telling of Patton’s WWII story.




I Was with Patton


Book Description




A Foot Soldier for Patton


Book Description

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.




Fighting Patton


Book Description

DIVIn Fighting Patton, noted historian Harry Yeide is the first to examine legendary U.S. General George S. Patton Jr. through the eyes of his enemies: the opposing German commanders of WWII./div




World War II Snipers


Book Description

"Gary Yee takes what is already a well-researched deep dive into the specifics of sniper training, employment and equipment to a new level." - American Rifleman Magazine Thousands of volumes have been published about World War II but relatively little attention has been given to the sniper. Drawing from memoirs, government documents and interviews, World War II Snipers incorporates eyewitness accounts to weave a comprehensive narrative of snipers in World War II. While certain common traits were shared among belligerents, each had its unique methodology for selecting and training snipers and, as casualties were high, their replacements. Drawn from hunters, competitive shooters, natural marksmen, outdoorsmen, city dwellers, farmers and veteran soldiers, they fought to assert local battlefield dominance and instill among their enemy a paralyzing fear. Sometimes admired and other times reviled by their own comrades because of the retaliation they drew, they were always too few in number. Their battlefield role, their victories and their defeats are retold here from neglected or forgotten sources. The scope of World War II Snipers is extensive with three chapters each on the major theaters of the war including Western Europe, Eastern Europe and the Pacific. This is supported by a lengthy chapter on the sniper rifles used by the snipers and their equipment.




The Patton Papers


Book Description

One of World War II's most brilliant and controversial generals, George S. Patton (1885-1945) fought in North Africa and Sicily, as commander of the Third Army, spearheaded the Allies' spectacular 1944-1945 sweep through France, Belgium, and Germany. Martin Blumenson is the only historian to enjoy unlimited access to the vast Patton papers. his many books include Masters of the Art of Command (available from Da Capo Press) and Patton: The Man Behind the Legend.




Lucky Davis


Book Description

This is a true story of Charles Davis, an American soldier in WWII. He was assigned to motorcycle reconnaissance scouting forward enemy positions. He participated in three major amphibious invasions in North Africa, Sicily and Italy. He was named "Lucky Davis" by the men in his unit because of the many times he almost got killed. Davis was shot in the head by a German soldier in Tunisia, run over by an enemy tank at Kasserine Pass and was the lone survivor of a disastrous motorcycle attack on a German occupied Arab city. Davis tells his story in an interesting first-person account of his time in combat from enlistment until war's end. Unbelievable events of his arguments with General Patton, his personal friendship with Joe Louis, and his body-snatching assignment to get Mussolini. From Casablanca to the liberation of Rome, Davis tells of encounters with enemy booby-traps, mine-fields, taking prisoners, dangerous patrols and heart-warming stories of meeting civilians caught up in a terrible war. This book is a fast-moving, action-packed true war story for everyone interested in WWII combat. Bradford Boggs was born in Pontiac, Michigan. At an early age, his father became a Foreign Service officer with the U.S. State Department. He experienced a unique childhood growing up in diplomatic assignments in Asia. He attended international schools in Jakarta, Beirut and Ankara. He was an artillery gunner with the Second Armored Cavalry Regiment, U.S. Army Europe. He settled in Richmond, Virginia and earned a BS degree from Virginia Commonwealth University. Lucky Davis is his first book. He is working on three novels, a children's book and historical documentary of Richmond.




The Fighting Pattons


Book Description

Many German officers would later say Patton was the most important weapon in the American arsenal. A complex man driven by his knowledge of history and warfare, the elder Patton was compassionate and easily moved to tears. He was a professional soldier who loved the art of war and hated war itself. The younger Patton has also lived a most exciting life, having been acquainted with many of the famous names in political and military history. Together, father and son logged.