Riflemen: On the Cutting Edge of World War II

Earl A. Reitan, Professor of History Emeritus at Illinois State University, and World War II infantryman, writes a memoir of his service as a rifleman that is consistently modest and altogether good humored. Reitan's honest and straightforward account points out the resourcefulness and resiliency of ordinary young Americans thrust into the maelstrom of war, but it also makes clear some of the shortcomings of the American way of war in World War II.



Though no nation can rival current American military power, someday we may encounter circumstances where the engagement of our ground forces in battle will be required. Then how will we cope with the harsh reality of war? It will help if we educate ourselves to the truths of combat. Here a memoir of war like Earl Reitan's book can offer a national service.



-- from the forward by Russell F. Weigley, Center for the Study of Force and Diplomacy, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania