Heavy Duty

The introductory chapter of the book considers 'heavy duty' and 'light duty'. Light duty was that wartime experience the American public anticipated—gallant young men in light new military equipment dashing about in a spirited war of mobility. Heavy duty was that wartime experience the American soldier actually experienced—frightened young men being blown apart or suffering traumatic amputation in stinking mud-filled holes. The transition from light to heavy duty was especially shocking to the American public.

Blunders

Much of the book considers military blunders, from simple ineptness in supply to catastrophic failures of command. Numerous examples are described, including several egregious 'friendly' fire incidents. Because of the chaotic and fluid nature of warfare, the book argues that military blunders are largely unavoidable.

Rumors

During the war years, media was tightly controlled by the government and military hierarchies. This left most people—especially...