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.

Peacetime introduction --Basic training and southern maneuvers -- Goodbye Mary, Hello Iceland -- The "FBI" occupies the rock -- Underpaid, undersexed, and over there -- "Layayette, We Are Here," again! -- Patton, and the dash across France -- Metz the meat grinder -- The forgotten 5th in the Battle of the Bulge -- The push into Germany -- War's end.