Wilhelm's War

<I>Wilhelm's War</I> is a World War II novel based on the experiences of its author who in December 1944 fought in the so-called Battle of the Bulge.</p><p>Corporal Jimmy Wilhelm a boy of nineteen and proud of his German descent hopes in his nerdy peace-loving way to avoid injuring least of all killing a cousin or an uncle in the war. Shooting a fleeing German prisoner he solves that dilemma on his first day at the front.</p><p>Combat and capture come just a few days later followed by frozen feet a starving belly and a boxcar ride across Germany to Stalag IIIB. Later when the Russians approach the camp he takes a week-long forced march across Germany to Stalag IIIA near Berlin.</p><p>Besides kicking up a Bouncing Betty mine that kills a buddy his sergeant is lost when he helps Wilhelm off a barbwire fence during the bombing of Limburg. Wilhelm wonders if there is a God and why if he is watching he allows such wholesale slaughter.</p><p><I>Wilhelm's War</I> is also a coming-of-age novel. It tells the story of a boy's transformation into a mature man and soldier who is capable of killing an enemy with his bare hands.</p>