Adrian R. Lewis

The evolution of coalition warfare during WW2 was costly, hindered by general officer egos and always required courage, leadership and casualties at the unit level to achieve success. Generals were rarely casualties, often promoted and typically wrote the "definitive" histories. This thoroughly researched, tightly focused analysis aptly demonstrates that retrospective scholarship is needed to penetrate the glow of victory that often obscures; needed and appropriate scrutiny by third parties. Lewis's epilogue is an excellent lens with which to scrutinize many of the subsequent battles in Europe. Place names changed, Caen, Falaise, Hurtgen, Antwerp but the same generals kept making mistakes and men died.… (more)