Eisenhower biggest mistake was that he ignored warnings and advice.
The US Military had a very peculiar way of working. High ranking officers would draw up a war plan themselves and their subordinates had to make it work, no mater how insane. Admirals Nimitz and Halsey were notable exceptions.
A direct result was that the US was constantly facing logistical problems.
The US could not support its troops in Northwest Europe because the large ports had been either destroyed or were still in German hands.
The large ocean-going vessels had no where to unload except in Britain where small British Coastal vessels took over.
He had been warned that without a large operating port, this would happen.
Cherbourg was only opened up in September 1944 and until then the US Forces were 100% dependent on British logistics which became heavily strained.
He was advised to capture more large ports so the engineers could at least begin to repair them and ignored the advice.
Winning World War II wasn't just about fighting battles. Getting supplies to the soldiers was a huge task, especially in Europe. Imagine needing to deliver tons of food, ammunition, and equipment, but many of the big ports were destroyed or still in enemy hands!
This caused major headaches for the Allied forces. They had to rely on smaller ports in Britain, which slowed everything down. Even General Eisenhower, the leader of the Allied forces, faced tough questions about how this problem was handled.
Some experts believe that capturing important ports earlier in the war would have made a big difference. This would have allowed for smoother delivery of supplies and might have even shortened the war.
A key example is the port of Antwerp. Capturing it was a victory, but delays in securing the surrounding area meant it couldn't be used right away. This shows just how complicated supplying an army can be, even when you win battles.
The challenges of World War II remind us that wars aren't just won on the battlefield. Planning, delivering supplies, and adapting to unexpected problems are all crucial for victory.
What did Dwight Eisenhower think about Erwin Rommel?
June 6, 1944, was a triumph for General Dwight D. Eisenhower (left). Field Marshal Erwin Rommel (right) knew it meant inevitable defeat.
In April of 1943 Eisenhower called Rommel 'Great General,' but 'Not a Superman' . When we think of World War II... (Read Full)
Credit: Thierry Etienne Joseph Rotty (Quora)
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