Patton's Peers

Through the force of his personality and the headline-grabbing advance of his U.S. Third Army, Gen. George S. Patton has eclipsed the other six men who, like him, led field armies in the great Allied campaign to liberate northwest Europe in 1944-45. Certain to rank among the classics of World War II history like Eisenhower's Lieutenants by Russell Weigley, Patton's Peers presents a masterful reassessment of the eleven-month struggle from D-Day to Germany's surrender, shedding...
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Through the force of his personality and the headline-grabbing advance of his U.S. Third Army, Gen. George S. Patton has eclipsed the other six men who, like him, led field armies in the great Allied campaign to liberate northwest Europe in 1944-45. Certain to rank among the classics of World War II history like Eisenhower's Lieutenants by Russell Weigley, Patton's Peers presents a masterful reassessment of the eleven-month struggle from D-Day to Germany's surrender, shedding long-overdue light on the contributions of these forgotten Allied field army commanders. Seasoned military historian John A. English unearths the vital roles played by these six generals. As the leader of an army of several thousand troops, each had to plan operations days and weeks in advance, coordinate air support, assess intelligence, give orders to corps commanders, manage a staff of sometimes difficult subordinates, and deal with superiors like Eisenhower, Bradley, and Montgomery. Some performed less ably than the rest while others rivaled Patton in their achievements. All deserve to be lifted from Patton's shadow. AUTHOR: John A. English served thirty-seven years in the Canadian Army and completed masters and doctoral degrees in military history. He has taught at Queen's University and the U.S. Naval War College. His previous works include On Infantry, The Canadian Army and the Normandy Campaign, Marching Through Chaos, ans Lament for an Army. He lives in Canada. SELLING POINTS: Covers Canadian Harry Crerar, Briton Miles Dempsey, Frenchman Jean de Lattre de Tassigny, and the Americans Courtney Hodges, William Simpson, and Alexander Patch History of the campaign for northwest Europe, including the race across France, the Liberation of the channel ports, the battles of the Huertgen Forest and the Bulge, crossing the Rhine, the climactic battle for Germany and more Corrects the historical misperception that Patton contributed more to victory than other generals Assesses commander's individual performances Impressively researched in primary and secondary sources New interpretations and an entertaining narrative will appeal to both general readers and scholars 28 b/w photos & 30 maps