Microsoft Close Combat manual

154Close Combat

Dwight D. Eisenhower (1890-1969). Eisenhower’s distinguished military career began with his graduation from West Point in 1915. Although he was forced to remain in the U.S. through- out World War I, he formed

America’s first tank corps in 1918. By the end of the war he commanded 10,000 men. He performed brilliantly at the Army Command and General Staff College, then served as Chief of Staff to General MacArthur in the Philippines. By 1941 Eisenhower was promoted to Briga- dier General and became Chief of Staff of the Third Army. In 1942 General George Marshall passed over hundreds of more senior officers to make Eisenhower a major general in charge of the Operations Branch in Washington. Eisenhower was sent to Britain to lead the U.S. Army staff there, and then was chosen to lead

the Allied landings in French North Africa, where for the first time he heard shots fired in anger. In December 1943 Eisenhower was named Supreme Allied Commander in charge of the impending invasion of Europe—Opera- tion Overlord; eventually he commanded a force of more than 4.5 million men.

As Supreme Allied Commander, Eisenhower performed a task of supreme importance: keeping the Alliance and its many forceful personalities—most notably Montgomery and Patton—focused not on their differences, but on working together to win the war against Germany. He said that he did not mind some- one being called a son-of-a-bitch, but he was damned if he would have them called a British or an American son-of-a-bitch. He brought to this task a unique combination of intelligence, tact, toughness, diplomacy, patience, and personal charm.

Weapons are also put to the test of battle in Italy. The Garand rifle sees its first widespread use in the European Theater. The Garand is the only widely used semiautomatic infantry rifle in World War II; despite initial resistance because of its weight, the Garand quickly becomes a beloved weapon. Its semiautomatic operation and high muzzle velocity more than make up for its weight, and it proves to be extremely durable and easy to maintain in the field.

In Italy both the Americans and British find their tanks inferior to their German counterparts. A single Sherman stands little chance of defeating a single Panzer IV; the Allies instead rely on strength in numbers. And numerical advantages are something the Allies continue to achieve.