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The Deadly Brotherhood: The American Combat Soldier in World War II
In his book Men Against Fire, [historian S. L. A.] Marshall asserted that only 15 to 25 percent of American soldiers ever fired their weapons in combat in World War II. . . .
Shooting at the enemy made a man part of the “team,” or “brotherhood.” There were, of course, many times when soldiers did not want to shoot, such
as at night when they did not want to give away a position or on reconnaissance patrols. But, in the main, no combat soldier in his right mind would have deliberately sought to go through the entire ear without ever firing his weapon, because he would have been excluded from the brotherhood but also because it would have been detrimental to his own survival. One of [rifle company commander Harold] Leinbaugh’s NCOs summed it up best when discussing Marshall: “Did the SOB think we
clubbed the Germans to death?”
From the Paperback edition.
Shooting at the enemy made a man part of the “team,” or “brotherhood.” There were, of course, many times when soldiers did not want to shoot, such
as at night when they did not want to give away a position or on reconnaissance patrols. But, in the main, no combat soldier in his right mind would have deliberately sought to go through the entire ear without ever firing his weapon, because he would have been excluded from the brotherhood but also because it would have been detrimental to his own survival. One of [rifle company commander Harold] Leinbaugh’s NCOs summed it up best when discussing Marshall: “Did the SOB think we
clubbed the Germans to death?”
From the Paperback edition.
412 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 27, 1998
33 people are currently reading
260 people want to read
About the author
John C. McManus
22 books190 followersJohn C. McManus is an author, military historian and award-winning professor of military history at the Missouri University of Science and Technology. He is one of America’s leading experts on the history of modern American soldiers in combat.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
April 17, 2021
McManus continues to deliver excellent human history in conflict.
April 21, 2018
In 'The Deadly Brotherhood' the author gives the reader a view of the everyday life of the American soldier during WWII. It covers both the European and Pacific theaters of war.
What was it like being in a foxhole under fire? What was it like to get wounded, or see your comrade getting killed or wounded? How did they eat, sleep, make jokes? What about their leaders? Were they any good and how did they see them? What if nature called, or if you were caught in the open answering this call and incoming artillery came in?
Using a great number of interviews with veterans, the reader gets an idea of what these men had to endure. What dangers they had to dodge each and every day. What their equipment and weapons were. What they thought of the German soldiers, or the civilians. What did they think of the Japanse. Did they hate them? And if so, why?
Obviously the climate in the Pacific differed quite a lot from that in Italy of France. How did they cope with this all.
John C. McManus, in my opinion, succeeds in bringing across these facets of war. Many of these things are neglected in the big strategic picture of the war, but it was the GI's and Marines that had to do the dangerous job of closing in on the enemy. This books shows the dirty side of war.
Highly recommended!
What was it like being in a foxhole under fire? What was it like to get wounded, or see your comrade getting killed or wounded? How did they eat, sleep, make jokes? What about their leaders? Were they any good and how did they see them? What if nature called, or if you were caught in the open answering this call and incoming artillery came in?
Using a great number of interviews with veterans, the reader gets an idea of what these men had to endure. What dangers they had to dodge each and every day. What their equipment and weapons were. What they thought of the German soldiers, or the civilians. What did they think of the Japanse. Did they hate them? And if so, why?
Obviously the climate in the Pacific differed quite a lot from that in Italy of France. How did they cope with this all.
John C. McManus, in my opinion, succeeds in bringing across these facets of war. Many of these things are neglected in the big strategic picture of the war, but it was the GI's and Marines that had to do the dangerous job of closing in on the enemy. This books shows the dirty side of war.
Highly recommended!
February 20, 2024
Fascinating stories from our greatest generation! A must read for all history buffs!!
March 24, 2009
An unceasing tome of knowledge; TDB's magnitude & insight easily overcome the occasional bouts of mundane form & amateurish tint. Personally, I think the latter lends greatly to the spirit of the book, which is so clear & authentic because "the author" McManus respectfully limited his voice to a humble narrator. His effort of digging through & pulling out what must have been an absolute expedition of research is richly enhanced by simply letting the notes of the front line play. It is marvelous.
I do not generally like telling people they "must" read or see anything. I prefer sharing my heart & letting the idiocy of not acting speak for itself. Honestly, I found this book on a shelf, used & unfettered. It has brought me closer to &--with respect to those who lived & died upon it--set me farther from the battlefields & jungles of the Second World War than any other book, story, script or segment of film I can remember.
Whatever; if you want the closest you'll ever get to battlefield sanctification, you must read this book. It says what you're grandfather couldn't, what Ambrose didn't, what Patton ignored & America is forgetting. We are the ungrateful blessed of this generation. Praise God for this testament.
I do not generally like telling people they "must" read or see anything. I prefer sharing my heart & letting the idiocy of not acting speak for itself. Honestly, I found this book on a shelf, used & unfettered. It has brought me closer to &--with respect to those who lived & died upon it--set me farther from the battlefields & jungles of the Second World War than any other book, story, script or segment of film I can remember.
Whatever; if you want the closest you'll ever get to battlefield sanctification, you must read this book. It says what you're grandfather couldn't, what Ambrose didn't, what Patton ignored & America is forgetting. We are the ungrateful blessed of this generation. Praise God for this testament.
February 19, 2016
I picked this book up a few years ago and finally got around to reading it this year. It's a highly informative collection of anecdotes from American soldiers during World War II, covering various aspects of combat, training, reviews of weapons and differences between the two main theatres of war. Some of the more mundane parts concern the equipping and feeding of American troops, but overall this book provides quite a bit of insight into many aspects of the lives of American soldiers. If you're looking for a book with nothing but combat, this won't be the book for you. But if you're looking for something which covers a wide range of experiences from soldiers, rangers, paratroopers and marines this is a pretty good read.
July 6, 2022
Like Lee Kennett's book, G.I.: The American Soldier in World War II, John McManus does an excellent job of relaying the experience of the frontline infantry soldier. His understanding of the brotherhood between infantry soldiers gave me a perspective into my father's war experience -- something about which he would never speak. I'm grateful to authors like John McManus for enlightening readers to the experiences and lives of the American combat soldiers. What they witnessed and lived with is unimaginable to those of us who have never served.
December 21, 2015
After reading this from my local library, I ended up buying a copy for myself because I wanted to go back and reference it so much. It delves into the everyday experiences of being a soldier deployed overseas during the war. I learned so much that other "war books" don't bother to go into.
This, along with Lee Kennett's "G.I.: The American Soldier in World War II" are the best reading I've found for the real world, everyday experiences of the soldier.
This, along with Lee Kennett's "G.I.: The American Soldier in World War II" are the best reading I've found for the real world, everyday experiences of the soldier.
May 10, 2010
Okay here's the deal I really tried to dislike this book, I had a hard time getting through the first few chapters and I wasn't really a fan of the college dissertation style feel to the narrative. Despite all that this book turned out really well with some deep points of insight and interesting personal accounts.
June 29, 2012
A good book on the overall experiance of the American infantryman in World War 2. It deals with all the multiple things a Marine; or Army soldier went through. From food all the way to the psychology of their experiances. It contains many first person accounts that tell a lot of the story. I did feel at times the chapters were a bit long on some subjects; but really enjoyed the book overall.
January 9, 2010
He was one of my favorite professors at Rolla. I got my minor under him.
October 5, 2012
I thought this was a good book with insight into both theaters of operations. We learn how much more brutal the Pacific enemy was, and how in Europe, similarties built some mutual respect.
January 11, 2013
Account of WW2 from the common soldier's perspective, all the way down to how he relieved himself.
March 22, 2015
A well-written book that offers an excellent and in-depth insight into what is a Combat Soldier and the tight brotherhood-like bond that they all share. Highly recommended!
March 23, 2012
Haunting. I have no other words for this book. I couldn't put it down.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews