Generals Dreedle and Peckem Character Analysis in Catch-22

Generals Dreedle and Peckem are commanders of distinct units of the Italian campaign in the US Army Air Force. Each spends most of the novel trying to get the upper hand on the other, but to the surprise of each, Scheisskopf, brought over from the United States, is made commanding officer of all their units.

Generals Dreedle and Peckem Character Timeline in Catch-22

The timeline below shows where the character Generals Dreedle and Peckem appears in Catch-22. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

The narrator briefly describes a feud between General Peckem and General Dreedle, two commanders competing for influence in the Army Air Force. Peckem is... (full context)

...money? Wintergreen, a man working in the Rome headquarters, answers “T. S. Eliot,” and General Peckem and Cargill, not knowing who Eliot is, assume Wintergreen is speaking in code. (full context)

Peckem calls General Dreedle and his assistant and son-in-law, Moodus, to see if they know anything... (full context)

...with his paddle. An enormous fight breaks out, and Chief White Halfoat accidentally punches Moodus, Dreedle’s loathed assistant and son-in-law, in the face. (full context)

...he should increase the mission requirements forever. Cathcart wishes to court the affection of General Peckem, commander of Special Services, and Peckem wishes to replace Dreedle as commander of combat units. (full context)

Dreedle is always accompanied by his son-in-law, Moodus, and a beautiful young nurse. Dreedle enjoys taunting... (full context)

Cathcart recalls the time Dreedle came to observe the troops and came upon Yossarian, in formation with no clothes on.... (full context)

Cathcart promises to punish Yossarian for his nakedness, but Dreedle argues that punishment is unnecessary, and makes Cathcart look like a fool for his unfeeling... (full context)

Another flashback takes place: Cathcart recalls the time Dreedle, Moodus, and the nurse stood in the briefing room before a mission. Yossarian began cooing... (full context)

Dreedle is informed by Moodus that, as general, he cannot order men shot. Dreedle seems surprised... (full context)

...use of some of their planes to get tangerines, melons, and other exotic goods. General Dreedle, who enjoys eating Milo’s food, supports this plan, and demotes officers who don’t comply with... (full context)

Later on, the chaplain begins going to the officers’ club more. Dreedle sees this and remarks on it to Cathcart, who assumes Dreedle is angered by it.... (full context)

Dreedle goes on to get drunk at the club and, while making fun of Moodus, he... (full context)

Peckem is excited, because Scheisskopf has been promoted to colonel and placed under his command. Peckem... (full context)

Scheisskopf meets with Peckem. Peckem hopes to impress his new subordinate with his wit and erudition, but Scheisskopf, who... (full context)

Peckem nevertheless reaches a deal with Scheisskopf. Although the latter cannot schedule parades, he can be... (full context)

Peckem explains his concept of bomb patterns to Scheisskopf: Peckem doesn’t care if the bombs hit... (full context)

It is revealed that Peckem doesn’t care at all about the small village: he only views it as a prime... (full context)

...will take the issue of the men’s number of missions all the way to General Dreedle if necessary. Korn retorts, smugly, that Peckem is now in charge of things—he has outmaneuvered... (full context)

Peckem is not able to celebrate his victory for long, however. He learns that Scheisskopf has... (full context)

Peckem also learns, to his great dismay, that combat command has been placed under the control... (full context)