Folly of Generals: How Eisenhower's Broad Front Strategy Lengthened World War II

David Colley's book "The Folly of Generals" explores critical mistakes made by Allied supreme commander General Dwight Eisenhower in the last nine months of the war in Europe. He argues that if Eisenhower had been more adept at taking advantage of potential breakthroughs in the Siegfried Line in 1944, the war could have ended sooner. The book details the American penetration of the Siegfried Line and their advance into Germany, comparing it to Operation Market Garden. It also examines the effectiveness of these operations and the use of troops. Eisenhower later called off another operation to cross the Rhine and destroy the German 1st Army, which generals believe would have shortened the war.

\n Format: Hardback
\n Length: 264 pages
\n Publication date: 15 June 2021
\n Publisher: Casemate Publishers
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The war in Europe could have ended in December 1944, instead of five months later, had the Allied supreme commander, General Dwight Eisenhower, made better decisions in the last nine months of the conflict. David Colley, in his book "The Folly of Generals," examines critical mistakes made by Eisenhower that could have led to a quicker end to the war.

Eisenhower's failure to take advantage of several potential breakthroughs in the Siegfried Line in the fall of 1944 is a significant point of analysis in the book. Colley argues that if Eisenhower had been more adept at capitalizing on these opportunities, the war in the European Theatre of Operations could have ended sooner.

The book details the American penetration of the Siegfried Line in mid-September and their advance into Germany at Wallendorf before the troops were called back. It also examines in detail operations in the Stolberg Corridor and the actions of General Lucian Truscott. The author compares the battles at Wallendorf and Stolberg with Operation Market Garden and assesses the effectiveness of these operations and the use of the troops.

Eisenhower later called off another operation in November 1944, already in progress, to cross the Rhine and destroy the German 1st Army north of Strasbourg. American and German generals believe that this operation would have shortened the war significantly.

The Folly of Generals explores these potential breakthroughs, along with other strategic and tactical mistakes in the ETO and in Italy, some of which have never been revealed before. By examining these errors, the book aims to demonstrate how the war could have been shortened by a considerable margin.

In conclusion, the war in Europe could have ended much sooner if General Dwight Eisenhower had made better decisions in the last nine months of the conflict. The book "The Folly of Generals" provides valuable insights into the mistakes that led to the prolongation of the war and offers a chance to learn from history and improve future military strategies.

\n Weight: 558g\n
Dimension: 235 x 160 x 25 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9781612009742\n \n