Macdonalds wartime memoirs were originally published in 1949, so his recollections were still fresh, and it does read better than most of the ww2 vets stories written 30, 40 or more years after the fact. If youre writing a company commander essay and need some advice, post your charles b. He served as deputy chief historian for the united states army, writing several of the armys official histories of world war ii. Macdonald served in four european campaigns and received the purple heart and the silver star. Sep 30, 2015 in reading company commander by charles b. Nowhere is there a more honest, unassuming portrayal of the hopes and dreams and fears of a young infantry captain. Company commander is a stark view of one of the most brutal battles of the second world war. After the war, he wrote company commander regarded as a world war ii classic. Dec 15, 2012 lest i give you the impression that company commander is a dark and depressing account of world war ii from one veterans viewpoint, i must say that macdonald balances the tone of the book by including some lighthearted moments. Macdonald, who was a company commander in the western european theater during 194445. From the first landings at casablanca straight through to the crossing of the elbe river and ve day, this book tells the gripping story of the european theater of operations. As a newly commissioned captain of a veteran army regiment, macdonalds first combat was war at its most hellish the battle of the bulge. Lest i give you the impression that company commander is a dark and depressing account of world war ii from one veterans viewpoint, i must say that macdonald balances the tone of the book by including some lighthearted moments. Macdonald 19221990 served in four european campaigns and received the purple heart and the silver star.
After the war, he wrote company commander, regarded as a world war ii classic. As a newly commissioned captain of a veteran army regiment, macdonalds first combat was war at its. Arnaville, altuzzo, and schmidt, both in the official series united states army in world war ii. Serving as a combat company commander is the pinnacle of many soldiers. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading company commander. The citation for macdonalds silver star reads as follows. Macdonald, 68, a military historian who specialized in the battle of the bulge, died dec. The book, written right after war in 1946, is a very honest account of macdonald s experience as an infantry officer in europe with. Macdonald essay question on our facebook page where fellow bookworms are always glad to. In its two parts and 26 chapters, macdonald tells a personal story, an authentic story.
American personal narratives, biography, campaigns, regimental histories. In this plainspoken but eloquent narrative, we live each minute at macdonalds side, sharing in all of combats misery, terror, and drama. As a newly commissioned captain of a veteran army regiment, macdonald s first combat was war at its. Company commander charles b macdonald 9781580800389. Macdonald as a newly commisioned captain of a veteran army regiment, macdonalds first combat was war at its most hellishthe battle of the bulge. Its hard and scary to imagine what those infantry solders had to go through to survive. After retiring in 1979 as deputy chief historian, u.
Most of these occur, as you might expect, during his stint as the commander of g george company in the spring of. A day by day account of battle action as experienced by the two companies charles macdonald captained. Signin to download and listen to this audiobook today. Macdonald was a 19 year old ocs graduate captain when he took over a infantry company in the 2nd infantry division.
Charles macdonald s company commander is one of the classic books of ww2. Details the up close personal experiences of a company commander, from the battle of the bulge, on to the invasion of the german fatherland. The classic infantry memoir of wwii kindle edition by macdonald, charles b download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. Company commander by macdonald, charles b abebooks. Jun 28, 2016 listen to company commander audiobook by charles b. The classic infantry memoir of world war ii by charles b. As a newly commisioned captain of a veteran army regiment, macdonalds first combat was war at its. He wrote several of the armys official histories of world war ii. Macdonalds bestselling audiobooks and newest titles. Young, modest, inexperienced, and with a real concern the men under him, macdonald was first assigned to company i, stationed on the siegfr line. He knows what it was like to fight in that bitter cold battle with units widely spread out. Macdonald also wrote a time for trumpets and other books. Charles macdonalds company commander is one of the classic books of ww2.
Macdonald was the author of the siegfried line campaign and coauthor of three battles. He served as deputy chief historian for the united states army, writing several of. I read this many years ago and it stayed with me for a long time. The book, written right after war in 1946, is a very honest account of macdonalds experience as an infantry officer in europe with. The classic infantry memoir of world war ii new ed by macdonald, charles b. Macdonald was a former deputy chief historian for the united states army. Macdonald s wartime memoirs were originally published in 1949, so his recollections were still fresh, and it does read better than most of the ww2 vets stories written 30, 40 or more years after the fact. Spector nowhere is there a more honest, unassuming portrayal of the hopes and dreams and fears of a young infantry captain.
Click to read more about company commander by charles b. Book club edition of book originally published in 1947. Book is in fine, as new, giftgiving condition, crisp and clean, with tight binding and sharp corners. Macdonald november 23, 1923december 4, 1990 was a former deputy chief historian for the united states army. Army, he devoted the next five years to writing a time for trumpets. Company commander 0553270559 by macdonald, charles b. The classic infantry memoir of world war ii 9781580800389 by macdonald, charles b. A war memoir by the commander of companies i and g, 23rd. The american war in europe, this book focuses on the limited point of view of a smallunit commander. The classic infantry memoir of world war ii macdonald, charles b. Macdonald, 9781580800389, available at book depository with free delivery worldwide. Listen to company commander audiobook by charles b. Macdonald first commanded i company, 3 battalion 23rd infantry, 2nd infantry division from october 1944 to january 1945 and later g company, 2 battalion 23rd infantry, 2nd infantry division from.
Macdonald on december 17, 1944, in the krinkelter wald, belgium, company i, 23rd infantry, in a defensive position was being attacked in waves supported by heavy nebelwergers and artillery barrages. Macdonald 2006, hardcover at the best online prices at ebay. After graduating from presbyterian college, macdonald was commissioned as a us army officer through the army rotc and deployed to europe. Company commander has 3 available editions to buy at half price books marketplace. The untold story of the battle of the bulge and the mighty endeavor. Unlike his later works as an army historian and the author of such popular history books as a time for trumpets. On december 16, 1944, the vanguard of three german armies, totaling half a million men, attacked u. Macdonald i discovered incredibly rich detail about his combat experience. An incredible first person account of a company commander in a world war ii. Stream and download audiobooks to your computer, tablet or mobile phone. Get this book free when you sign up for a 30day trial. Macdonald fought in the battle of the bulge as a company commander and wrote his personal account of the european theater of war, company commander. After the war in which he was awarded the purple heart and the the silver star he became and official army historian, retiring as deputy chief historian in 1979. Macdonald was a 19 year old ocs graduate captain when he took over a infantry company in the.
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