![]() It commanded Army Ground Forces (AGF), United States Army Air Forces (USAAF), and Army Service Forces (ASF) operations north of Italy and the Mediterranean coast. That is the reason it is so important to plan, to keep yourselves steeped in the character of the problem that you may one day be called upon to solve-or to help to solve.The European Theater of Operations, United States Army ( ETOUSA) was a Theater of Operations responsible for directing United States Army operations throughout the European theatre of World War II, from 1942 to 1945. But if you haven't been planning you can't start to work, intelligently at least. So, the first thing you do is to take all the plans off the top shelf and throw them out the window and start once more. “Plans are worthless, but planning is everything…. In 1957 President Eisenhower remarked on the role of planning at the National Defense University. On the General Staff or as a commander, Eisenhower built upon previous experience that enabled him to command ever increasing forces on ever more complex operations. This plan proved similar to what he had advocated for in 1942. By December 1943 he became Supreme Allied Commander in Europe, leading him to oversee the planning and execution of the invasion of Western Europe in 1944. Fake reputations, habits of glib and clever speech, and glittering surface performance are going to be discovered.”įrom December 1941 to June 1942 Eisenhower’s rise was meteoric in rank and responsibility. The men that can do things are going to be sought out just as surely as the sun rises in the morning. “This is a long tough road we have to travel. ![]() He wrote the following to a friend in August 1942. Eisenhower fully appreciated that ability and hard work would be required by all. On June 25th he assumed command of the European Theater of Operations U.S. Marshall responded by telling Eisenhower he should become the new commander of American forces in Europe. On Jafter returning to Washington, Eisenhower provided Marshall with his report. Army Forces in the British Isles (USAFBI). In late May Eisenhower accompanied Generals Mark Clark and Henry “Hap” Arnold to England for an inspection of U.S. Eisenhower played a key role in creating these, and other strategic plans. Realizing that Allied forces were not adequately prepared for the invasion of France, they canceled Sledgehammer, but continued with Bolero. In concert, they planned Operation Bolero, the buildup of almost 1.3 million American troops in England. To relieve the Soviets and speed defeat of Germany, Marshall and Eisenhower backed the plans for an early Anglo-American invasion of France in 1942, known as Operation Sledgehammer, and considered a smaller alternative plan, known as Operation Roundup. If we're to keep Russia in, save the Middle East, India and Burma we've got to begin slugging with air at West Europe to be followed by a land attack as soon as possible.” Though Germany was materially stronger all three Allied countries could attack Germany directly, therefore weakening her overall position.Įisenhower said at the time - “We've got to go to Europe and fight-and we've got to quit wasting resources all over the world-and still worse-wasting time. He believed that when facing two foes one should defeat the weaker one first. The Allies sought means to break the Axis initiative.Įisenhower, who was called on as a strategist as well as an organizer, believed the Allies should prioritize defeating Germany. Imperial Japanese forces stalled at Midway and New Guinea, but continued their advanced toward India. German submarines sank hundreds of ships off the Atlantic and Gulf coasts, and in the Caribbean. The Soviet Union was in a desperate fight with the German Army. ![]() ![]() Eisenhower’s experience in war planning and operations, gave him an appreciation of war on a global scale - a major necessity as American forces began wartime operations.īy spring 1942 the Axis powers continued striking heavy blows against the Allies. Marshall witnessed Eisenhower’s skill in staff work, military administration and organization, strengths he shared and valued. Because of his exceptional leadership during the hectic, initial phase of the war, he leapfrogged the ranks to become a major general, head of the Operations Division, by mid-March 1942. Eisenhower was serving as Chief of Staff of the 3rd Army. When the United States entered World War II in December 1941, Dwight D. ![]()
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