Dwight D. Eisenhower (14 Oct. 1890 - 28 Mar. 1969)
Following Pearl Harbour, Dwight D. Eisenhower became a member of the General Staff until June of 1942, creating war plans against the Axis powers. In May 1942 he visited London to assess Major General Chaney in England. He was pessimistic, and returned to London in June, as Commanding General of the European Theatre of Operations, thereby replacing Chaney.
In November he became Supreme Commander Allied (Expeditionary) Force for operations in North Africa. In this post he managed French allies (which he disliked for their many factions), appointed a High Commissioner with fascist leanings (though this individual’s assassination kept Eisenhower from any threat of command) and created confusion by interfering in battle plans. However, he was successful in capturing Tunisia, and commanded Montgomery also from the east.
Following victory in North Africa, Eisenhower commanded the invasion of Sicily. This was again highly successful (more than Africa, where Eisenhower learnt many lessons) and despite arguments with Churchill and Roosevelt, which allowed a heavy German build up, the Allies successfully captured Italy.
Roosevelt chose Eisenhower to become Supreme Allied Commander in Europe in December of 1943, where Eisenhower joined his former company in the European Theatre of Operations. He was also made Supreme Allied Commander of the Allied Expeditionary Force, both of which he’d occupy until May 1945. Whilst serving in these roles he masterminded Operation Overlord and the invasion of Germany.
Eisenhower’s main issues in this planning were with his colleagues, arguing with Churchill, de Gaulle, Admiral King, Roosevelt and George Patton. Some of these were strategic arguments, others were reprimands. D-Day finally took place in June, 1944, two years since Eisenhower had first arrived in Europe. His humanitarian caring led him to visit all the divisions involved in the invasion – and for a man in command of all Allied forces, this was not a small task.
Retaining command of all land forces following the invasion of Normandy, Eisenhower had to settle the disputes of the competing commanders serving under him. Some historians believe that his attitude delayed victory, however his tireless efforts to ensure his generals were as tactically autonomous as possible cannot be criticized: morale was very important and defecting generals would not have helped. In late 1944 Eisenhower was promoted to General of the Army. Eisenhower managed to successfully defeat the Germans in late 1944 with victory in the Battle of the Bulge.
He had good relationships with his allies because of his leadership skills and his diplomacy. Churchill and Montgomery, who he fought with strategically, were very close friends – he also became friends with the Soviet Marshal Zhukov. Later, Eisenhower would become the 34th President of the United States of America.
For more information on Dwight D. Eisenhower:
Eisenhower, David. Eisenhower at War 1943 – 1945 (New York: Random House), 1986.
Eisenhower, John S. D. General Ike (New York: Free Press), 2003.
In November he became Supreme Commander Allied (Expeditionary) Force for operations in North Africa. In this post he managed French allies (which he disliked for their many factions), appointed a High Commissioner with fascist leanings (though this individual’s assassination kept Eisenhower from any threat of command) and created confusion by interfering in battle plans. However, he was successful in capturing Tunisia, and commanded Montgomery also from the east.
Following victory in North Africa, Eisenhower commanded the invasion of Sicily. This was again highly successful (more than Africa, where Eisenhower learnt many lessons) and despite arguments with Churchill and Roosevelt, which allowed a heavy German build up, the Allies successfully captured Italy.
Roosevelt chose Eisenhower to become Supreme Allied Commander in Europe in December of 1943, where Eisenhower joined his former company in the European Theatre of Operations. He was also made Supreme Allied Commander of the Allied Expeditionary Force, both of which he’d occupy until May 1945. Whilst serving in these roles he masterminded Operation Overlord and the invasion of Germany.
Eisenhower’s main issues in this planning were with his colleagues, arguing with Churchill, de Gaulle, Admiral King, Roosevelt and George Patton. Some of these were strategic arguments, others were reprimands. D-Day finally took place in June, 1944, two years since Eisenhower had first arrived in Europe. His humanitarian caring led him to visit all the divisions involved in the invasion – and for a man in command of all Allied forces, this was not a small task.
Retaining command of all land forces following the invasion of Normandy, Eisenhower had to settle the disputes of the competing commanders serving under him. Some historians believe that his attitude delayed victory, however his tireless efforts to ensure his generals were as tactically autonomous as possible cannot be criticized: morale was very important and defecting generals would not have helped. In late 1944 Eisenhower was promoted to General of the Army. Eisenhower managed to successfully defeat the Germans in late 1944 with victory in the Battle of the Bulge.
He had good relationships with his allies because of his leadership skills and his diplomacy. Churchill and Montgomery, who he fought with strategically, were very close friends – he also became friends with the Soviet Marshal Zhukov. Later, Eisenhower would become the 34th President of the United States of America.
For more information on Dwight D. Eisenhower:
Eisenhower, David. Eisenhower at War 1943 – 1945 (New York: Random House), 1986.
Eisenhower, John S. D. General Ike (New York: Free Press), 2003.