General Peckem

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General P.P. Peckem is a character in Joseph Heller's classic novel Catch-22.

Spoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details follow.

He is General Dreedle's rival, and is a "suave and very precise" and "with whom neatness definitely counted". He is based in Rome, from where he sends out commands that are too ceremonial and pompous. These directives affect General Dreedle's operations in Pianosa, who says that he is "running a fighting outfit" and that these directives "seemed a lot of crap". General Peckem shows an excellent example of bureaucracy, ordering notices that parades and USO shows will be delayed, when really there was none scheduled in the first place.

Many of their disputes are settled without their knowledge by ex-PFC Wintergreen, a "lowly" mail clerk. When Peckem finally succeeds in taking Dreedle's place as head of combat operations, he is thwarted by the fulfilment of his other goal: the placement of combat operations under special services. Scheisskopf, whom Peckem has constantly abused, is placed in charge of special services, and thus above him.

[edit] Directives

  • Sending out ever increasingly numbers of USO troupes.
  • All tents to pitched along parallel lines with entrances facing Washington Monument.
  • Ordering that soldiers be sent up in full dress uniform (to make a good impression on the enemy)
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