Jun 28, 2016 listen to company commander audiobook by charles b. Macdonald was still in his 20s when company commander was published just two years after the end of world war ii, so his memories about his stint as an infantry captain in the 23rd infantry regiment, 2nd infantry division during the campaign in northwest europe were still fresh in his mind when he started writing the book. His first book, company commander, was published in 1947, while his wartime experiences were fresh in his mind. Its hard and scary to imagine what those infantry solders had to go through to survive. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Company commander by macdonald, charles brown, 1922publication date.
In addition to detailed descriptions of terrain, weather and military procedures, macdonald relayed his feelings during each episode, not just saying i was frightened, but saying my body began to shake uncontrollably. He wrote several of the armys official histories of world war ii. Company commander by macdonald, charles brown, 1922publication date 1978 topics united states. Macdonald november 23, 1923december 4, 1990 was a former deputy chief historian for the united states army. Reliable information about the coronavirus covid19 is available from the world health organization current situation, international travel.
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. He served as deputy chief historian for the united states army, writing several of the armys official histories of world war ii. After retiring in 1979 as deputy chief historian, u. I read this many years ago and it stayed with me for a long time. He knows what it was like to fight in that bitter cold battle with units widely spread out. Army in october 1944 takes over a company in belgium.
Company commander 0553270559 by macdonald, charles b. Imo, it is one of the best books relating to first hand combat i have ever read about ww2. Spector nowhere is there a more honest, unassuming portrayal of the hopes and dreams and fears of a young infantry captain. Details the up close personal experiences of a company commander, from the battle of the bulge, on to the invasion of the german fatherland. Macdonald was a 19 year old ocs graduate captain when he took over a infantry company in the 2nd infantry division. As a newly commisioned captain of a veteran army regiment, macdonalds first combat was war at its. After the war, he wrote company commander, regarded as a world war ii classic. Charles macdonalds company commander is one of the classic books of ww2. Company commander is a stark view of one of the most brutal battles of the second world war. Company commander is the personal memoir of 20 year old captain charles macdonald s wartime experiences while serving as commander officer co of i and latter g company, 23rd infantry regiment, 2nd division, us army during the final year of world war two ww 2. Macdonald was the author of the siegfried line campaign and coauthor of three battles. American personal narratives, biography, campaigns, regimental histories, soldiers, united states, united states. American personal narratives, biography, campaigns, regimental histories.
A day by day account of battle action as experienced by the two companies charles macdonald captained. Serving as a combat company commander is the pinnacle of many soldiers. Macdonald 19221990 served in four european campaigns and received the purple heart and the silver star. The classic infantry memoir of world war ii new ed by macdonald, charles b. Company commander book by charles b macdonald 3 available. Macdonald, 9781580800389, available at book depository with free delivery worldwide. Macdonald november 23, 1922 december 4, 1990 was a former deputy chief historian for the united states army. Macdonald, who was a company commander in the western european theater during 194445. Sep 30, 2015 in reading company commander by charles b.
Numerous and frequentlyupdated resource results are available from this search. Nowhere is there a more honest, unassuming portrayal of the hopes and dreams and fears of a young infantry captain. Stream and download audiobooks to your computer, tablet or mobile phone. Dec 15, 2012 company commander chronicles macdonalds experiences as the leader of combat infantrymen, first as the commander of i company from october of 1944 to january 1945, then, after recovering from wounds he suffered at the tail end of the battle of the bulge, g company of the 23rd infantry regiment from march of 1945 to the end of the war. Macdonald as a newly commisioned captain of a veteran army regiment, macdonalds first combat was war at its most hellishthe battle of the bulge.
Company i meet company i into the lines eleven men in a pillbox shooting war one. As a newly commissioned captain of a veteran army regiment, macdonalds first combat was war at its. 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. In this plainspoken but eloquent narrative, we live each minute at macdonalds side. Click to read more about company commander by charles b. Arnaville, altuzzo, and schmidt, both in the official series united states army in world war ii. After the war, he wrote company commander regarded as a world war ii classic. Macdonald read 11 apr 1995 this begins when the author, a 21yearold captain in the u. Charles macdonald s company commander is one of the classic books of ww2. Company commander charles b macdonald 9781580800389. Signin to download and listen to this audiobook today. Listen to company commander audiobook by charles b. The classic infantry memoir of world war ii by charles b. The book, written right after war in 1946, is a very honest account of macdonald s experience as an infantry officer in europe with.
As a newly commissioned captain of a veteran army regiment, macdonalds first combat was war at its most hellish the battle of the bulge. Librarything is a cataloging and social networking site for booklovers. Find company commander 0553270559 by macdonald, charles b. An incredible first person account of a company commander in a world war ii. Macdonald was a 19 year old ocs graduate captain when he took over a infantry company in the. Infantry regiment, 23rd, world war, 19391945 publisher. 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. Company commander chronicles macdonalds experiences as the leader of combat infantrymen, first as the commander of i company from october of 1944 to january 1945, then, after recovering from wounds he suffered at the tail end of the battle of the bulge, g company of the 23rd infantry regiment from march of 1945 to the end of the war. 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. Macdonald, 68, a military historian who specialized in the battle of the bulge, died dec. Open library is an open, editable library catalog, building towards a web page for every book ever published. After graduating from presbyterian college, macdonald was commissioned as a us army officer through the army rotc and deployed to europe.
Macdonald 2006, hardcover at the best online prices at ebay. As a newly commissioned captain of a veteran army regiment, macdonald s first combat was war at its. The classic infantry memoir of world war ii 9781580800389 by macdonald, charles b. Army, he devoted the next five years to writing a time for trumpets. Discover book depositorys huge selection of charles b. Macdonald also wrote a time for trumpets and other books. He goes thru the battle of the bulge, fighting near the rhine, and the drive to czechoslovakia in 1945. Get this book free when you sign up for a 30day trial. Company commander has 3 available editions to buy at half price books marketplace. 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.
Within a short time he was to know action, the repulse of a largescale the more monotonous foxhole fighting, and finally an offensive in which he. He served as deputy chief historian for the united. The book, written right after war in 1946, is a very honest account of macdonalds experience as an infantry officer in europe with. Young, modest, inexperienced, and with a real concern the men under him, macdonald was first assigned to company i, stationed on the siegfr line. Oclcs webjunction has pulled together information and resources to assist library staff as they consider how to handle coronavirus.
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