Air Power for Patton's Army: The XIX Tactical Air Command in the Second World War [Paperback]

David N. Spires (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 19, 2005

This insightful work by David N. Spires holds many lessons in tactical air-ground operations. Despite peacetime rivalries in the drafting of service doctrine, in World War II the immense pressures of wartime drove army and air commanders to cooperate in the effective prosecution of battlefield operations. In northwest Europe during the war, the combination of the U.S. Third Army commanded by Lt. Gen. George S. Patton and the XIX Tactical Air Command led by Brig. Gen. Otto P. Weyland proved to be the most effective allied air-ground team of World War II. The great success of Patton's drive across France, ultimately crossing the Rhine, and then racing across southern Germany, owed a great deal to Weyland's airmen of the XIX Tactical Air Command. This deft cooperation paved the way for allied victory in Western Europe and today remains a classic example of air-ground effectiveness. It forever highlighted the importance of air-ground commanders working closely together on the battlefield.

Product Details

• Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: University Press of the Pacific (October 19, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1410225046
• ISBN-13: 978-1410225047
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,490,660 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

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5.0 out of 5 stars Air power for Patton's Army, July 14, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Air power for Patton's Army: The XIX Tactical Air Command in the Second World War (Unbound)

A case study of one air-ground team's experience with the theory & practice of tactical air power employed during WW2 campaigns against Germany. By the fall of 1944, the Allies had 5 fighter-bomber tactical air commands (TAC) supporting field armies in NW Europe. Of these the U.S. 3rd Army commanded by Lt. Gen. George Patton & the XIX TAC led by Brig. Gen. Otto Weyland were perhaps the most spectacular air-ground team of the war on the Allied side. The great success of Patton's drive across France & South Germany, owed a great deal to Weyland's airmen. This cooperation paved the way for allied victory in Western Europe & today remains a classic example of air-ground effective. Maps, photos, drawings.