Extremely interesting book about WWII. Provides information about the campaigns in Sicily and Italy during 1943 and 1944. Is written in the first person from the personal experiences and observations of one man, involved in the war. He devotes separate chapters to the following subjects: (All Sicily): Invasion Prelude; The Armada Sails; D-Day:-Sicily; The Navy Stands By; Medics and Casualties; The Engineers' War; Campaigning; Sicily Conquered. Also (All Italy): Artillerymen; Personalities and Asides; Mountain Fighting; Dive Bombers; The Fabulous Infantry; Light Bombers; LST Cruise; Anzio-Nettuno; Beachhead Fighters; Supply Line; Hospital Ship; This England; Brass Hats; The Flying Wedge; Stand By. Also (all France): The Whistle Blows; On the Road to Berlin; Vive La France; American Ack-Ack; Street Fighting; Reconnoiterings; Ordnance; Break-Through; Hedgerow Fighting; Paris.
Brave Men is a collection of journalist Pyle's newspaper columns from 1943 and 1944, in which he details the fighting in Europe primarily from the perspective of the common U.S. G.I. This angle of reporting brought the front-line war back to the families of those serving in the armed forces and endeared Pyle to the troops. An essential piece of Americana for all collections.
Ernie Pyle was perhaps the most famous of the imbedded correspondents covering US troop movements during WWII. He lost his life in 1945 in the Pacific. This is an excellent primary source, complete with a listing of the men he talked to and about in the back. Someone's grandfather might very well be listed in this book which pays wonderful tribute to The Greatest Generation.
