A Foot Soldier for Patton

The Story of a "Red Diamond" Infantryman with the US Third Army

By: Michael C. Bilder, James Bilder

Narrated by: Johnny Heller

A brutally honest depiction of day-to-day combat in World War II...

A rarely frank account of the US 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.

©2008 Michael C. Bilder and James G. Bilder (P)2018 Tantor

A good be listen.

Honest and straight forward perspective from an average guy who saw terrible things and lived to tell about it.

Great audio biography

One of the best audio tracks about WW2. Very realistic analysis of one’s emotions and feelings of combat. Especially good details about life of an infantry soldier with Patton 3rd.

Well done

Well done. Story kept going and they did well to explain where they were but not so much to bore you.

good story

at first I found the narrator a little annoying but then I got used to his voice all in all a great story

good 1st person recounting

the narrative was very good and the story great. The author didnt pull any punches and told his remembrances well.

Excellent

I've read mang many books on Ww2 and many on Patton. This is one of the best! i especially liked the way its ended and the fact that the author took the time to finish the book by bringing everything full circle. I've read few better books on Ww2. You'll enjoy this one!

James Bilder, a beuatiful memoir for ones Dad!

I know the author, and in passing one day he shared that he wrote a book about his fathers life and exploits during WWII. As someone from the Chicago region, having the context of a local son off to war is lovely. The human experience is so complex and simple, sad and happy, ugly and beautiful. We are a dichotomy of events and war demonstrates this in ones life with magnification.

Thank you for sharing that you had a book for me to listen to, thank you for writing this memoir. Ed

Good first hand biography from a WW2 Vet!

If you like reading first hand accounts from WWII Veterans then don’t miss this one. A good read about the experiences of a Veteran from the Red Diamond Division. A unit that you don’t here too much about but has one extensive battle record. No punches pulled either. He lets you know how he stood with the army & it’s chain of command and all things associated with his experiences of the war. Also a good soldiers eye view of what it meant to be one of Patton’s Foot Soldiers.

Not a dull moment from start to finish

A story well worth reading. Very informative and very entertaining. I loved the writing style

Wonderful book

Awesome book, wonderfully well written. My grandfather also served in the 5th division during the war, seeing all of the same campaigns and also being transferred into the 103rd division to be sent home upon conclusion of the war.