A Review Of Citizen Soldier Essay Research — страница 4

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 unknowingness. 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. Chapter 13 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. Chapter 14 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 America?s 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. Chapter 15 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