John Mosier

Hardcover (1 to 2 lbs)

Oregon

How Hitler and the Allies Misread the Strategic Realities of World War II

A challenging reassessment of the military history of World War II The great myth of the First World War was that defense was all-powerful. In the inter war years, a new myth appeared -- that the new technology of the airplane and the tank would result in rapid and massive breakthroughs on the battlefield, with the enemy being destroyed in weeks. John Mosier shows how Hitler, Rommel, von Manstein, Montgomery, and Patton were all equally seduced by the breakthrough myth, or blitzkrieg, as the decisive way to victory. He shows how the Polish campaign in the autumn of 1939 and the fall of France in the spring of 1940 were not blitzkrieg victories. He also reinterprets Rommel's North African campaigns, D day, the Normandy campaign, and Hitler's last desperate breakthrough effort to Antwerp in the Battle of the Bulge in December 1944, among others. All these actions saw the clash of breakthrough theories with the realities of conventional military tactics. The Blitzkrieg Myth is a compelling and original rethinking of the strategy and tactics of World War II by the author of the highly praised The Myth of the Great War.

The Blitzkrieg Myth

596de1f7-e08d-4be6-b40d-6b4573649826-1

A bold reinterpretation of some of the most decisive battles of World War II, showing that the outcomes had less to do with popular new technology than old-fashioned, on-the-ground warfare.

The military myths of World War II were based on the assumption that the new technology of the airplane and the tank would cause rapid and massive breakthroughs on the battlefield, or demoralization of the enemy by intensive bombing resulting in destruction, or surrender in a matter of weeks. The two apostles for these new theories were the Englishman J.C.F. Fuller for armoured warfare, and the Italian Emilio Drouhet for airpower. Hitler, Rommel, von Manstein, Montgomery and Patton were all seduced by the breakthrough myth or blitzkrieg as the decisive way to victory.

Mosier shows how the Polish campaign in fall 1939 and the fall of France in spring 1940 were not the blitzkrieg victories as proclaimed. He also reinterprets Rommel's North African campaigns, D-Day and the Normandy campaign, Patton's attempted breakthrough into the Saar and Germany, Montgomery's flawed breakthrough at Arnhem, and Hitler's last desperate breakthrough effort to Antwerp in the Battle of the Bulge in December 1944. All of these actions saw the clash of the breakthrough theories with the realities of conventional military tactics, and Mosier's novel analysis of these campaigns, the failure of airpower, and the military leaders on both sides, is a challenging reassessment of the military history of World War II. The book includes maps and photos.

Category - Non Fiction / History

Format - Hardcover

Condition - Excellent

Listed - 6 months ago

Views - 6

Wishes - 1

Ships From - Oregon

Est. Publication Date - Nov 2003

Additional Information

Publisher Description

The Blitzkrieg Myth

By:

$3.00

Condition

Format

Meet the seller

Discover more

The Blitzkrieg Myth

By: John Mosier

'The Blitzkrieg Myth' readers also enjoyed:

Additional titles by John Mosier

Recently Viewed

Browse by categories

Category - Non Fiction / History

Format - Hardcover

Condition - Excellent

Listed - 6 months ago

Views - 6

Wishes - 1

Ships From - Oregon

Est. Publication Date - Nov 2003

Additional Information

Publisher Description

The Blitzkrieg Myth

By:

$3.00

Condition

Format

Meet the seller

Discover more

The Blitzkrieg Myth

By: John Mosier

'The Blitzkrieg Myth' readers also enjoyed:

Additional titles by John Mosier

Recently Viewed