Review of "Nobody Comes Back: A Novel of the Battle of the Bulge," by Donn Pearce

Review of

Nobody Comes Back: A Novel of the Battle of the Bulge, by Donn Pearce ISBN 0765310848

Four out of five stars

 In some sense, this is another “supersoldier” novel, where the lone man takes on large numbers of the enemy and survives while others do not. Toby Parker is the main character and as we learn when he experiences flashbacks, his was a difficult childhood. There was not a lot of money and the relationships between many of his closest relatives were very strained. Of course, most of this was during the Great Depression, where every aspect of life was strained.

 As soon as he can effectively lie about his age, Toby signs up for the U. S. military and is a foot soldier sent to France. It is late in 1944 and to many it appears that Germany is on the verge of defeat. Allied forces are closing in on the eastern and western borders and Toby is like many others, believing that he may not even get into the fighting.

 All of that changes in December, 1944 when the Germans launch their last major offensive in the west, catching the Allied forces by surprise. Toby is captured by the Germans, escapes and then captured again, joining and leading rag-tag units of men that found themselves isolated, yet surrounded by Germans. These ad hoc units are called Team Snafu and they conduct themselves as best they can, the best phrase to describe them is as “ants in the underwear of the Germans.”

 The problem is that while he is seriously wounded, Toby manages to survive all the battles while the others are killed. The Germans shoot straight when aiming at his companions, but always manage to miss when shooting at him. Some of this is acceptable, but there comes a point when there is too much. That line is slightly crossed in this novel. However, it is well written.