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2023-07-15 Africa North

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Posted by badanov 2023-07-15 00:00|| || Front Page|| [12 views ] Top

#1 When Germany declared war on the United States in December of 1941, this country became an ally of Britain. Throughout early 1942 as a result, the British Army command in North Africa shared information with the American attache about its plans, and did so in great detail.
That attache communicated all this information every day to America, using a code that the Italians had broken.
Thus in the Libyan campaign of 1942 Rommel was informed of all British plans in detail.
This perhaps accounts for his remarkable success in that period.
Earlier British officers had paid little attention to keeping military information from the many spies in Egypt, but Rommell never had the bonanza of information that he had in the Spring and Summer of 1942.

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Posted by By now 2023-07-15 00:57|| 2023-07-15 00:57|| Front Page Top

#2 Before America was an active participant, we were supplying the British like we are now the Ukrainians. Tanks originally destined for the defense of the American Philippines were shipped off to Egypt before Dec '41.

Posted by Procopius2k 2023-07-15 08:08|| 2023-07-15 08:08|| Front Page Top

#3 I studied Rommel, read nearly all his books, including hos informal letters to his wife and family. Studied his decision making, his mistakes, victories, and ideals. How he fought on the move using capture supplies, because Hitler had cut off his supply chain. He laid the foundation for modern war, Rommel, not Clausewitz. I did study Clausewitz' theory as well. The author left out lots and made inferences that might not be correct. Rommel grew to detest Hitler, and he was not recalled just before D Day for a surprise birthday party. He believed he was going to be fired, jailed, and possibly executed for moving forces to Normandy against Hitlers orders. He went home before going to see Hitler, for his birthday, and to say goodby.

Studying American and allied tactics and policies is kind of the American military school way. It creates an echo chamber. Rommel was probably the best general/war fighter of all the WWII generals. If Hitler would have let him defend Normandy like he wanted, instead of Calai (sp), We would have certainly lost on D Day.

Posted by 49 Pan 2023-07-15 11:36|| 2023-07-15 11:36|| Front Page Top

#4 Itcreates an echo chamber. Rommel was probably the best general/war fighter of all the WWII generals.

Yet, he never held a command on the Ostfront.

Posted by badanov 2023-07-15 11:53|| 2023-07-15 11:53|| Front Page Top

#5 I knew you would chime in! Thanks! Rommel was not the favorite, but he was spared the fodder of the Russian front, nor sure why. I learned from him, and Patton that leading from the front, leaders recons, and audacity are defining in battle. I learned from conversations with COL Moore, different war, that attacking, even in the wrong direction is better than defense and sometimes ya just get lucky. I did not study any of the generals from Russia, probably to me detriment.

Posted by 49 Pan 2023-07-15 12:22|| 2023-07-15 12:22|| Front Page Top

#6 I learned from conversations with COL Moore, different war, that attacking, even in the wrong direction is better than defense and sometimes ya just get lucky.

In a static defense, no one is better at it than the Russians.

Posted by badanov 2023-07-15 12:29|| 2023-07-15 12:29|| Front Page Top

#7 I wish I would have studies them.

Posted by 49 Pan 2023-07-15 12:37|| 2023-07-15 12:37|| Front Page Top

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