soc.history.war.world-war-ii

In article <1179b40a-2557-479b-8e9b-381835ca271b@l42g2000hsc.googlegroups.com>,
Rich wrote:
>
>Quite true. OTOH I don't think the same could be said for Metz, since
>it was unlikely the Germans could have been "bounced" out of their
>prepared fortifications.

Which doesn't make one try a bad idea. Maybe Patton could have gotten
lucky, maybe not. The problem with trying to bounce a potentially
defended position is not so much that it's unwise, but that either
the commander looks bad, or the commander looks like he got away
with something by sheer luck.

>logistical situation on the army commander is a bit naive (BTW, nor do
>I blame Monty for the situation either, the assumption that Antwerp
>"should" have been cleared earlier simply ignores the reality of the
>situation the Allies were in by mid September).
>
Well, there's the question of whether it could have been cleared
earlier than it actually was. Clearly, it wasn't going to be in
September. The Allies were unable to advance north of the canal
at first, due to German resistance.


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David H. Thornley | If you want my opinion, ask.
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