Posted on 01/22/2008 8:05:42 PM PST by bd476
Reading today about Anzio and the complexity of some of the behind the scenes machinations gives new insight into the extensive planning which goes into implementing any operation of war.
General Eisenhower had approached General Patton about going in to clean up the mess at Anzio. Patton was delighted to accept. Then as quickly as Eisenhower had offered, he then withdrew the offer. Supposedly Patton never learned why the Anzio command offer was withdrawn. The reason Patton was not sent to Anzio was due to the presence of Lt. General Truscott.
Lt. Gen. Lucian K. Truscott was someone Eisenhower had wanted sent to England to help in the invasion at Normandy. When General Mark Clark became Commander of the Allied Army Group, Truscott then assumed command of the Fifth Army.
Senior officers on both sides wanted Patton at Anzio. British Admiral Sir John Cunningham wrote the First Sea Lord "It's a thousand pities we didn't let Patton do the job!"
Patton: A Genius for War
I just posted a little more background information here.
Thanks Rlmorel. Everyday we owe them a huge debt of gratitude.
I think what goofed things up was Clark telling Lucas to be cautious on D-Day off the record at the time. That he had authorization to do what he wanted but to be careful. Lucas took it literally.
God Bless your Grandfather and all men who served.
Cool, thanks!
God Bless your Uncle, NormsRevenge.
You're welcome, Lancey.
While they're still alive it's good to thank them for their service and then ask them what they recall about their time in the service. We need to remember, and it helps to hear their personal perspectives.
God Bless your boss's Father!
Yep, exactly.
There has been a lot of recognition of the veterans of D-Day (and rightly so) but there has been a bit of collective memory loss of the Italian campaign...the Germans still had many of their best troops down there, and they fought a horribly effective retreating campaign.
Anzio was the classic example of how the best plan in the world goes to shit as soon as the shooting starts, no reflection on the valor of the men who fought and died there.
Rock of the Marne, bump!
Regards,
Yes, I have subscribed to S&T since USN was published. You ever hang out at Consimworld?
I have collected WWII books for over 40 years. Those are important for understanding.
But I’ve noticed if you play a given simulation lets say three times, you learn much more, and gain an unique feel for the campaign or battle. Not to mention the names of the terrain, units involved, advantages and disadvantages, what units were strong, or weak.
The Barbarossa, Afrika Korps, Tunisian, Bulge, simulations go a long way to develop understanding of why things turned out as they did.
Haven't tried the PC simulations yet, has anyone on here done that?
***Yes, I have subscribed to S&T since USN was published. You ever hang out at Consimworld?***
Not exactly. The German divisions that were operating in that theatre were NOT operating in Russia. That was the main plan. Hitler paid too much attention to Italy. He could have kept the Allies at bay with fewer divisions by not counterattacking. Losing those divisions on the Eastern Front was devastating to the Germans
The big discussion for the Allies was whether to go in at Anzio or south France or maybe Yugoslavia. It was agreed that taking Rome would help the war the most.
I’m now reading a book called Backwater war : the Allied campaign in Italy, 1943-1945 by Edwin P. Hoyt
It’s different in that it deals with the major decisions and politics throughout the war. Shocking actually.
Most of whats in this book couldn't’t have been told during WWII, and puts things in perspective.
Probably not as popular a read as books dealing with the actual battles, but the decision making at the top levels, and what really happened is amazing. Good example is:
It shows how much of a problem Ike had with Patton behind the scenes, and how they tried to dump him near the end of the war. They evaluated Patton and came to the conclusion he was mentally unstable.
Good Book:
One of my uncles was in the Anzio invasion. He was shot up on his right side. He lived and came home, but he was on 100% disablity for the rest of his life. Uncle Len was always sharp, too. He had a very dry wit, to boot.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.