If he had dome things differently, could Eisenhower have won the War in Europe in 1944? If so, how?

Question

I recollect reading, I'm not sure where, that the politicians expected Eisenhower to wrap up the invasion of Europe in 1944.

There were several reasons why the Western politicans needed to knock Germany out of the War quickly. We were lucky the V2 rockets didn't have a nastier payload, if we had beaten Germany in faster we could have liberated Poland (which was after all the reason Britain went to war) instead of handing it over to Russia domination, and of course we could have diverted forces against Japan.

Answer 1

Its doubtful.

In 1944 the German military was far from being a spent force and fought hard along the whole line of advance. Also the D-Day landings were only part of the issue as to properly equip and maintain the invasion forces you had to have a working port, which is why the British pushed quickly north and fought so hard to capture Antwerp.

It was only then that Motgomery and Patton could get the basic supplies they needed to push forward without over extending supply lines, so there was a strong logistics hold up.

The third element was Hitlers last gasp attempt to break the allies in the Battle of the Bulge, which no-one expected. Whilst ultimately defeated that German attack set the war plans back at least two months whilst units were rested and re-cycled into and out of the battle zone.

It is also true that Patton and Montgomery were halted before the wars end so that the Russians could take Berlin. This was against the advice and wishes of Churchill who could see what was going to happen. lke however didnt want the casualties associated with street fighting in the German capital.

Answer 2

Bill
Dont give Niall much credit, hes a Thatcherite to the core and a devout nihilist. He saw Empire as good *sighs*


I doubt the war could have been won in 1944, Germany was still very much alive and kicking by then. Her military was still more then a match for ours. You've got to remember, we didnt have the huge numerical advantage by then, Germany still ha enough units to effectively fight us back on the european front. If she hadn't attacked the russians too late into the summer, or left it another year, moscow would have fallen and the soviet union would have ceased to exist.
Basically, i think the turning of the war lay with Stalin, his forces had the means to drive into Germany before we reall yahd the chance.

Answer 3

If Ike had just let Patton go and stop the first incident of Political Correctness with our Allies, The war would have ended by Christmas 1944. Istead, he slowed Patton down so Montgomery could liberate certain areas and towns.

In fact, Patton foresaw the encirclement of Bastogne and already drew up battle plans to free it beofre it happened. Once it did, Ike's staff panicked and Patton flexed his forces from the south of France, 100 miles in 4 days to relieve Bastogne.

As far as taking Poland, Berlin had already been promised to the Soviets.

Answer 4

Off the subject slightly, but there is an idea that there was no Second World war only a 'Hundred Years European War' which lasted from the start of the 1900's through to the fall of the Berlin Wall.

Answer 5

Rather than attacking on a broad front, i would've concentrated on a narrow front with the third army in the lead. We would've beat the red army to Berlin, that's for sure. I think politics got in the way in '44 and '45.

Answer 6

yes but thay some did not want to know about the war it had nothing to do with them not until perlharbour got hit then thay wanted to no its just at the time pasafists ruled the usa at the time but i have nothing againt usa that is how it was a the time

Answer 7

If the powers behind the powers had been effectively held in check there would've been no world war two or anything after that!!!!!

Answer 8

He could have invented a special Anti-Nazi whistle which would have caused Nazi's everywhere to renounce violence and stroke themselves. If only he hadn't been wasting his time screwing his driver.