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Loading... Fatal Decision: Anzio and the Battle for Rome (1991)by Carlo D'Este
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Sign up for LibraryThing to find out whether you'll like this book. No current Talk conversations about this book. 3765. Fatal Decision: Anzio and the Battle for Rome, by Carlo D'Este (read June 29 2003) Since C-SPAN is talking for three hours with D'Este on July 6, I thought I should read something by him, having greatly appreciated his Decision in Normandy when I read it on 5 July 1992. This is an unmatchable account of the events leading up to the landing at Anzio on 22 Jan 1944 and the horrific time there till they finally broke out in May and captured Rome on June 4, 1944. It is a nigh perfect book, telling the whole story very well and examining the controversy over John Lucas and Mark Clark's grievous error in racing to Rome instead of cutting off the German army south of Anzio. This book was no doubt the best thing I read this month. no reviews | add a review
Fatal Decision is a powerful, dramatic, moving, and ultimately definitive narrative of one of the most desperate campaigns of World War II. In the winter of 1943-44, Anzio, a small Mediterranean resort and port some thirty-five miles south of Rome, played a crucial role in the fortunes of World War II as the target of an amphibious Allied landing. The Allies planned to bypass the strong German defenses along the Gustav Line and at Monte Cassino sixty miles to the southeast, which were holding up the American and British armies and preventing the liberation of Rome. By taking advantage of Allied command of the sea and air to effect complete surprise, infantry and armored forces landing at Anzio on January 22 were expected to secure the beachhead and then push inland to cut off the two main highways and railroads supplying the German forces to the south, either trapping and annihilating the German armies or forcing them to withdraw to the north, thus opening the way to Rome. But the reality of one of the most desperate campaigns of World War II was bad management, external meddling, poorly relayed orders, and uncertain leadership. The Anzio beachhead became a death trap, with Allied troops forced to fight for their lives for four dreadful months. The eventual victory in May 1944 was muted, bitter, and overshadowed by the Allied landings in Normandy on June 6. Mixing flawless research, drama, and combat with a brilliant narrative voice, Fatal Decision is one of the best histories ever written of a World War II military campaign. No library descriptions found. |
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Google Books — Loading... GenresMelvil Decimal System (DDC)940.5421History and Geography Europe Europe 1918- Military History Of World War II Campaigns and battles by theatre European theatreLC ClassificationRatingAverage:
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It is amazingly well researched and written in a detailed but still orderly presentation of the events. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in learning more about this chapter in military history. I especially was intrigued by the information regarding the conflict and rancor between the US commanders and their British counterparts. So much for allies (at least at the very upper levels) ! It was also quite eye-opening to read the criticism of General Mark Clark. He actually attended my parents wedding - 1944, Florence, Italy - and they always spoke about him in heroic terms.
The more I read well written history - the more my eyes are opened - the more I learn ! ( )