AMERICANS SQUEEZE GERMAN SALIENT TIGHTER; PATTON’S ADVANCE CUTS ITS WAIST TO 13 MILES (12/30/44)

Microfilm-New York Times archives, Monterey Public Library | 12/30/44 | Drew Middleton, John MacCormac, Clifton Daniel, A.C. Sedgwick, Dana Adams Schmidt, George Horne

[henkster]

I need to read it, too. I’m always open to a new perspective, especially if it sheds light on an unknown facet of the war. In this case, so little is written about 6th Army Group, any information would be enlightening. Plus, it’s interesting that Ike’s treatment of Devers, first really discussed in “Riviera to the Rhine”, is starting to get some attention.

I should probably read Pogue’s “Supreme Command” for comparison purposes to the “official line” on relations with 6th AG.

[henkster]

PS: I checked Pogue’s “Supreme Command.” He does not mention Ike’s conference with Devers at all. The only mention of 6th Army Group is its surprising advance to Strasbourg. Then it skips to Ike’s orders to have 7th Army support Patton’s Dec. 19 Saar offensive. No mention about how that decision came about.

[occamrzr06]

I stumbled upon Ike Library and the was quite a few documents about his correspondence with Devers during the war. The links only took you to a very thin reading of what was contained. I didn’t have time to explore how to actually get the documents.

[colorado tanker]

Back in the day (if my day can still be considered "the day"!) I was on NATO maneuvers in that area. We war gamed between Stuttgart and Munich. It is beautiful country, forested and hilly, ideal defensive terrain. Of course, that's what we wanted back in the Cold War. Stuttgart has some big auto plants, but there's not much else of value.

Devers was artillery. He was one of the men who modernized fire control at Ft. Sill, which paved the way for the devastating effectiveness of American artillery in WWII.

I can't figure out what the problem was leading to the Ike personality dispute. During the North Africa and Sicily campaigns, Devers replaced Ike as commander of the ETO, which at that time was just the British Isles. Maybe Ike thought he was trying to steal his command?

Marshall really liked Devers, so it seems a little odd that Ike took such a dislike to him.

[M Kehoe]

Bttt.

5.56mm

[henkster]

Devers was in the running for SHAEF command. I think Ike saw him as a rival. Maybe it was nothing more than a personality conflict. There are guys I know who are generally well-liked but I personally can’t stand to be in the same room with them. And I know some guys who most people think are a$$holes but I get on with them all right.

It’s just how we’re put toghether.

Strange as it seems, from what I’ve read I think I would probably have gotten along reasonably well with both Monty and Patton, but would have had no use for Bradley.

[colorado tanker]

Maybe it’s just me, but Bradley’s aw shucks, I’m just a plain ol’ soldier routine really grates.

[PA Engineer]

Thanks for the link. Ordered the book. Will take some time to arrive, but offers a fresh perspective.

[henkster]

Yes, because I thought he was a cold-hearted aloof back-stabbing SOB, and the whole “GI’s General” thing was a bunch of crap. If there's one thing that rubs me the wrong way, it's phoniness and I catch more than a whiff of it from Bradley. I don't much care for hypocrites either. Liars I can handle; I've been lied to so often I just assume it's the natural human condition.

[colorado tanker]

Well, Bradley sure threw Patton in the ditch, but George made it easy.

I've been lied to so often I just assume it's the natural human condition.

LOL! Yep, working in law can make you cynical.

[fso301]

Very little information of this action but it looks like he was a POW in Germany and died as a POW in Korea?

He survived the nazi b@stards only to be murdered by even greater b@stards. An obituary for him is in the middle of column 2.

http://fultonhistory.com/newspaper%208/Niagara%20Falls%20NY%20Gazette.pdf

[fso301]

Is no damage being done or are the japs rebuilding the airfield?

Bombed airfields and railroads can be put back into operation very quickly.

[fso301]

I disagree, the airfield HAS been the target because it was from IWO the b29 air base was bombed.

The Iwo airfield is being bombed because it is being used to launch bombing raids against the B-29 bases on Saipan. Any Japanese aircraft lost are replaced by flying in replacements from Japan. Cratered runways are quickly filled in.

[TalonDJ]

I have an interest in Iwo Jima, with my uncle from the 5th Marines injured there. First general purpose bombs from 50 b29’s, then delayed fuse and now fragmentation bombs. Is no damage being done or are the japs rebuilding the airfield?

Sorry this one is late. Still catching up on the thread from the holiday. Delayed fuse bombs are usually to put deep holes in a run way (or something) and in this case I would bet the frags the next day were to wipe out repair crews and equipment filling in those craters.