How did Eisenhower manage to be the European Theatre Supreme Commander when he had no..?

Question

actual battle experience?

Answer 1

The choice of Eisenhower as Supreme Commander for Europe was almost accidental, and had a lot more to do with internal American political needs than with Eisenhower’s military credentials. Having said that, I concur with the opinion in previous Answers that Eisenhower handled the job well.

But, here is how it happened ...

The decision that a Supreme Commander would be needed was reached by Churchill and Roosevelt at Casablanca (January, 1943), but without selecting a person for the job. Roosevelt was prepared to concur with a Brit for the job, because in the near term any combined invasion force would have been predominantly British.

At that time a British officer, Field Marshal Sir Alan Brooke appeared to be the strongest candidate. Another British officer, Lt. General Frederick Morgan, was appointed Chief of Staff to the as-yet unnamed Supreme Commander. By end April 1943, Morgan concluded that an American should become Supreme Commander, because even if the invasion force itself was mainly British, the follow-up force would surely be predominantly American.

Senior American officials concurred with Morgan’s analysis, and felt that an American appointee would help speed up a cross-Channel invasion over British reluctance to act precipitously. Stimson and Hopkins were strongly in favor of giving the job to Gen. George C. Marshall. By the time of the Quebec Conference, Churchill was prepared to accept Marshall instead of Brooke, and it appeared that Roosevelt also favored Marshall for the job.

But then came doubts (from within the US - not the British) that Marshall could be spared from Washington. Even so, on the eve of the Allied conferences at Cairo and Tehran at the end of November 1943, Marshall was still seen as the obvious choice for Supreme Commander, Europe.

At Tehran, Stalin grumbled that the Second Front would never get going without a decision on a Supreme Commander. Churchill tried to placate him by assuring him that the British were willing to serve under anyone named by Roosevelt. And Roosevelt assured Stalin that a choice would be made within a few days.

By now, Roosevelt had actually decided that he must keep Marshall by his side in Washington. He began to give serious consideration to Eisenhower for the Supreme Command in Europe instead. Not only had Eisenhower proved his ability to command Allied forces in the Mediterranean theater, but his appearance before the Combined Chiefs of Staff at Cairo had demonstrated a firm grasp of the military situation and added to the good impression he had previously made. Moreover, from the time of the first discussions of a Supreme Commander for Overlord, his name had been coupled with that of General Marshall's as a possible choice to lead the cross-Channel operation, and it was clear that he was completely acceptable to the British (especially to General Morgan).

On 5 December 1943, Roosevelt personally invited Marshall to make the decision. When Marshall insisted that any action of the President would be acceptable, Roosevelt remarked that he believed he could not sleep at night with Marshall out of the country. The President then decided to name General Eisenhower Supreme Commander.

Answer 2

Though he did not see action in WWI he did have experience, during the First World War, with armored units. And armor had proven to be the decisive element in the campaigns in Poland in 1939, France in 1940 and the initial assualt on Russia in 1941.

Most of the US generals that served during WWII were promoted by George C Marshall, Eisenhower being the most famous and perhaps best example. He was promoted by Marshall because Marshall, after having Eisenhower as his chief of staff, recognized his talent, military understanding and his administrative and organizational abilities.

He would also prove to be an excellent diplomat as Supremem Allied Commander; navigating the treacherous waters of allied command with such personalities as Churchill, Montgomery and Degaulle. These were titanic egos, with the fate of Europe hanging in the balance and managed to make a success of a very difficult situation. Though he did, at one point, have to tell Churchill, when he raised the issue of invading the island of Rhodes, "let me be clear, not one American is going to die taking that isalnd."

Moreover he demonstrated prior to the the D-Day invasion enourmous morale courage. Not only did he visit the troops - troops whose lives he had likely just put in jeopardy by ordering the invasion take place the following morning - like King Henry in Shakespeare's Henry V, but on the eve of the invasion he prepared a letter in case the landing failed taking full responsibility, knowing that he was expendable and that the allied peoples need to retain confidence in their governments:

"Our landings in the Cherbourg-Havre area have failed to gain a satisfactory foothold and I have withdrawn the troops. My decision to attack at this time and place was based on the best information available. The troops, the air and the Navy did all that bravery and devotion to duty could do. If any blame or fault attaches to the attempt, it is mine alone."

Finally it must be said that many thought George C Marshall would be given the responsibility as Supreme Allied Commander, it was obvioulsy the most prestigous position of the war and would, given our enourmous commitments of men and material, go to an American. In the end Roosevelt said that he needed Marshall at his side. It must have been a huge blow to Marshall, but, dutiful soldier that he was, he took the disappointment without complaint either then or later.

Answer 3

Kepjr and genius sum it up very well, Jason. I also agree with your trying to view the TV miniseries on Eisenhower and D-Day with Tom Selleck (of all people) playing Eisenhower.
It accurately portrays how he had to, and somehow was able to, keep egos in line at a time when EVERYBODY thought they had the only viable plan for the invasion of Europe. (Everybody=Montgomery and Patton in particular, thought they had the only one that would work.)
He was, more or less, a compromise. Churchill liked him and Roosevelt tolerated him - he was very non-controversial.
He was also, as one person offered, a favorite of Marshall.
A good and decent man in the most difficult of times.

Answer 4

I don't think it really had nothing to do with combat experience. I think they picked him because his leadership style behind the scenes. He knew how to organize the best people around him and did his best to keep their personalities form getting in the way of the job. He had a tough time trying to soothe the egos of both British and American officers. It was this management style that won him converts and adulation's from the top people.

Answer 5

I suggest you look for the A&E movie "Ike" starring Tom Selleck as Eisenhower. It will show you why he was selected Supreme Commander and the obstacles he overcame.

It's very accurate.

Answer 6

Organization, political savvy. He also knew how to deal with other Generals. He had served under MacArthur as part of his staff in between the wars. Did well at the Academy. Was one of Marshall's favorite proteges.

Answer 7

Cos the Yanks always have to run the show otherwise they won't get off their arses and do anything. Theyre like spoiled children.

Answer 8

He'd done well at the military academy, and people trusted him.

Answer 9

Why does this matter? He got the job done.