THERE'S THE HOLLYWOOD VERSION OF WAR. THEN THERE'S THE REAL THING...Robert Mercy and his twin brother, Richard, grew up watching Hollywood's idealized depictions of the glory of war. Fueled by the action and on-screen heroism of movies like Dawn Patrol, Beau Geste, and The Four Feathers, Robert dreamed of the day when he would be old enough to take up arms in the defense of his country. He wanted to go 'ove ...Täielik kirjeldus
THERE'S THE HOLLYWOOD VERSION OF WAR. THEN THERE'S THE REAL THING...Robert Mercy and his twin brother, Richard, grew up watching Hollywood's idealized depictions of the glory of war. Fueled by the action and on-screen heroism of movies like Dawn Patrol, Beau Geste, and The Four Feathers, Robert dreamed of the day when he would be old enough to take up arms in the defense of his country. He wanted to go 'over there,' where the fighting was. Where there was glory to be had, and the heroes of America's military would welcome him into their ranks with open arms.There was never a more willing soldier, but the physical demands of 'the line' were unimaginable. Worse was the onset of disillusionment upon witnessing, as the campaigns wore on, egregious military transgressions that would never be shown on film: The breakdown of discipline, failings in officer and NCO leadership, cowardice, desertions, robberies of the wounded and the dead, and the shattering reality that in extremely tight combat situations, it became "every man for himself." How different from the movies...