NOTE: Free essay sample provided on this page should be used for references or sample purposes only. The sample essay is available to anyone, so any direct quoting without mentioning the source will be considered plagiarism by schools, colleges and universities that use plagiarism detection software. To get a completely brand-new, plagiarism-free essay, please use our essay writing service.
One click instant price quote
... The endless existence of front-line soldiers in foxholes isolated them from partners and friends. Constant exposure to weather effected the health of these units. The inadequacies of the Army supplied equipment and the lack of empathy on the part of leadership only intensified these conditions. Soldiers faced constant vigilance having a toll on their mental states.
Ambrose quotes Grays fitting statement in the tyranny of the present. Soldiers passed the time by creating games or stretched simple tasks as much as possible for fear of having nothing to do. Ambrose quotes a Sargent who keenly grasps the chapter in his single statement Holding the line didnt mean just sitting in foxholes waiting for something to happen. It meant a continual battle against trench foot and mental depression, sweating out artillery barrages which the enemy habitually sent in at chow time and nights which were lighted with flares and flashes, fighting off enemy patrols... [but most of all] it meant hours and days of deadly boredom An essential part of the soldiers ability to deal with these difficulties was his buddy. These men bounded like no other friends. They learned of each others histories, desires for the future and fears of the present.
The necessity for these bonds comes at a cost since war brings death at a random pace. Friendships are broken in gruesome ways having long and lasting effects on those unfortunate to experience such devastation. As one interviewed soldier put it You have to keep going... There was no time to mourn the dead, even if they were good friends. Through all of this, soldiers continued, fully aware of the consequences if the failed to do so.
As with many beuracracies the Army was entrenched with certain method, many of which were not logical or efficient. The Army's method of replacement and reinforcement was one such system of inefficiency. In-theater forces became drastically reduced in number. Replacements came from rear echelon units or from new recruits from states-side. The training for these new combat soldiers was largely incomplete and inadequate. Many soldiers were inexperienced with their weapons even as they arrived on-line.
Eisenhower's method of dispersing these new soldiers was to deal them out individually, sacrificing any comradery established as well as introducing these outsiders to already cohesive units. These inexperienced and lost soldiers were not afforded the tools and knowledge needed to last through such conditions. Many were killed due to details or combat they did not know. Ambrose gives us an example the benefits of this greenness, at least in one case. A new platoon leader (PL) was given the assignment of capturing a home. The PL proceeds to simply walk up to the house, knock on the door and seemingly explain his request to the German sergeant who answers the door.
The German sergeant gathers his men as well as the Americans in the area, and without a shot being fired, the Germans formally surrenders to the American commander. Ambrose points to leaderships emphasis on quantity ahead of quality as the reason for the needless loss of many lives. The failure to train, the lack of R&R afforded to frontline units as well as the failure to promote communication between those with and without experience are key reasons behind such needless losses. In this chapter Ambrose reminds us that there were others who suffered through this war and here he highlights those involved with the Air War. Many may see pilots and aircrew as having a somewhat easier time than the foot soldier but the reality is that they too faced the horror of combat. The torment aircrews went through may not have been similar to that of ground warriors but they were none-the-less were tormented.
Each bombing mission or escort mission had to face an enemy who was not eager to let such missions continue. The Germans would send up their own fighters or screens of flack to try and knock the planes from the air. With such opposition many aircrew were mentally tortured, as they had to fly a required number of missions. Cases of 109 jitters and stress took their toll on this group of men. Flying thousands of feet up in cold, cramped and sometimes lonely positions only added to their stress. The continuous torture of not knowing who would return seems very similar to the ground soldiers unknowing ness.
Ambrose later asks the question of the benefits of this war and finally concludes, the war could not have been won without them. I agree completely the air war quickly gain a superior advantage which enabled the Army to carry on with out fear of the German air threat. The work of medical personnel is often overlooked to the success of the military. From the front line medic to the psychiatrist in the rear they each had an essential role in returning men to the lines. As the fighting raged field medics often faced dangerous situations motivated only by their desire to help.
Many medics, as Ambrose points out, were respected on both sides for their efforts and skills. Medics were often the one individual infantry elements were driven to protect. The destruction war can cause on the human body so effected those who dealt with it that it was interesting to read how many seemed to never want anything to do with the profession again. In one case a medic stated if given the opportunity to do it again he would chose to do a mechanical form of maintenance.
Wartime nurses gave injured soldiers reasons to smile and take their minds of the war. Nurses also had to deal with societies angst of women in combat. Many of these courageous women suffered alienation from friends and family members. Combined with the efforts of the medics and doctors this component of the American war machine succeeded in returning the majority of casualties back to duty. In one astonishing statistic of medical service is the rate of success for Air evacuation. Of 1, 176, 048 transported worldwide only forty-six lost their lives en route.
In addition to the technical advancements within the medical field of the time it seems far more conclusive that the internal drive and motivations of these individuals made the difference in lives saved. With all of its hero and heroines the U. S. military had its share less than honorable persons. In such a large-scale operation there are inevitably those who will pursue personal goal rather than those of the collective group. In a struggle for what is right it is sad to learn that there were those motivated by greed and self-gain.
These profiteers stole supplies and materials aimed at helping soldiers live and defeat their opposition. In one example an entire train and its content destined for front line soldiers simply disappeared. Rear echelon troops often took the best most favored supplies for they completely disregarding the tremendous boost such items may have had on the front line. Ambrose also informs us of those individuals who were so inflated with rank or position that in minor way they added to the difficulties of war.
These individuals placed needless controls on those already burdened with the difficulties of just trying to stay alive. Another example of those who only detracted from the full potential of Americas military are those who worked against integration of black soldiers into all units. As thousands of Black Americans volunteered to serve the country on the front lines, many worked to prevent such a situation. The military was in need of fit young men who were willing to fight bravely yet the Army failed to utilize the potential of these black soldiers. By far it is the bravery of those involved in this conflict that will be remembered generations from now. On some level it is saddening to think of how many those lost would not have had to be if only the team could truly have worked together.
An Army often does not loss most of its soldiers to death and injury many are captured and held by the enemy. Treatment of POWs can be seen as a reflection of the tensions between both sides. Tensions between Americans and Germans was high, there are examples of both sides mistreatment of those surrendering or attempting to surrender. American prisoners were forced to endure inhumane conditions of travel and living. Ambrose gives us examples of men eating maggots as their only source of protein.
By far it seems German prisoners in American hands fared much better than Americans in German hands. To learn Germans were allowed to go to movies unescorted in American cities is amazing. While this practice was beneficial to American farmers it is hard to imagine such treatment of those following the most hated man in history. Ambrose also points that such treatment of these POWs was more humane than the treatment of Black Americans adding to the distaste this leaves me with. The lessons gained from this book were both insightful and encouraging.
I enjoyed reading this book and look forward to reading others by this author. The ease of which he presented this material made this history understandable and allowed for a personal connection to those who lived it. Bibliography:
Free research essays on topics related to: black soldiers, black americans, front line, air war, one case
Research essay sample on Front Line Black Soldiers
