Description
Book SynopsisWars never run according to plan, perhaps never more so than during the Italian campaign, 1943-45, where necessary coordination between the different armies added additional complexity to Allied plans. Errors in the strategies, tactics, the coalition tensions, and operations at campaign command level can be clearly seen in first-hand accounts of the period. This new account examines the Italian campaign, from Sicily to surrender in 1945, exploring the strategy, intentions, motives, plans, and deeds. It then offers a detailed insight into the five commanders who led the battles in Italy - the two British commanders: Montgomery and Alexander; two American: Patton and Clark; and the leading German commander, Field Marshal Kesselring. Their personal notes and accounts, taken alongside archival material, provides some surprising conclusions - Montgomery was not quite the master of war he is portrayed as; Patton had serious flaws, exposed by wasting men’s lives to save a relative and overlooking the shooting of prisoners of war; Clark lost lives to bolster his image; Alexander the gentleman was far too vague to be effective as a senior leader. Meanwhile, condemned war criminal Kesselring appears to be the most efficient and also, like Alexander, one of the most popular leaders.
Trade ReviewCompelling arguments and interesting characters make for a good read. * Goodreads *
[A]n iconoclastic study that is a remarkable work of seminal scholarship. * Midwest Book Review *
[C]auses you to consider alternate options for the invasion of Sicily and Italy. * Historical Miniatures Gaming Society *
The authors offer a very different perspective on this campaign and are very frank in their assessment of the performance of the Allies and Germans on many levels. * New York Journal of Books *
[A] well-done piece of historical writing – incisive if contentious at times, and stimulating as a thought piece on contemporary military leadership styles. * Author Robert Forczyk *
Table of ContentsPreface Introduction Western Allied Strategy German-Italian Strategy Operation Husky and Sicily Patton Italy Invaded Montgomery To Rome Mark Clark The D-Day Dodgers After Rome Alexander The End of the War In Italy Kesselring Conclusion Bibliography Endnotes Index
