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Decision at Strasbourg: Ike's Strategic Mistake to Halt the Sixth Army Group at the Rhine in 1944 Hardcover – October 1, 2008

by David P. Colley (Author)

19 customer reviews

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Decision at Strasbourg relates the remarkable and largely unknown story of Lt. General Jacob Devers’ lost opportunity to launch a bold attack into the heart of Nazi Germany, which may have won the European war in late 1944, six months before Victory-over-Europe (V-E) Day in May 1945. Devers’ Sixth Army Group, comprising the U.S. Seventh and First French Armies, made successful amphibious landings near Marseille in August 1944 and advanced 450 miles through southern France before reaching the banks of the Rhine in Alsace on 24 November 1944. Once on the Rhine, Devers’ was presented with an unexpected strategic opportunity to cross the river and advance into Germany, where the Group could seal off the German 19th Army in Alsace and maneuver behind the German 1st Army, fighting General George S. Patton’s Third Army in Lorraine. Devers hoped this bold maneuver would collapse the southern enemy front opposite the U.S. Seventh and Third Armies and possibly lead to the disintegration of the entire enemy front, from Switzerland to the Netherlands, bringing about a swift end to the war in Europe. The Rhine was the principal objective of the allied armies fighting in France. Allied generals realized its strategic importance, as did German generals, who understood that if Allied forces crossed the Rhine, Germany was doomed. Devers never breached the Rhine in 1944. The Supreme Allied Commander, General Dwight Eisenhower, ordered Dever’s planned assault halted a day before it was to proceed. Ike’s decision to forego this opportunity meant that the allies would not cross the Rhine until March 1945.To date, historians have not explained fully why Eisenhower stopped Devers, who was deeply angered by the order; nor have they analyzed the possible outcome of such an attack. Decision at Strasbourg does just this, exploring what might have occurred had Ike allowed Devers to cross the river. Colley judiciously cites the opinions of many high-ranking generals, including Patton, that the attack would have been a bold and likely successful maneuver that might have ended the war months earlier and saved thousands of American lives.In rolling out this alternative historical perspective, the author offers unique insight regarding Eisenhower and the Supreme Command in Europe during WWII, illuminating the potential consequences of Ike’s cautious leadership and his rejection of General Devers and his strategy, largely because of his dislike and lack of confidence in the Sixth Army Group commander. Colley points to Ike’s reliance on old friends and colleagues, sometimes regardless of ability, and how the conduct of WWII in Europe was determined by personal amities and animosities―a worthy study for future military leaders seeking to take advantage of unique battlefield opportunities.

Decision at Strasbourg: Ike's Strategic Mistake to Halt the Sixth Army Group at the Rhine in 1944

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Editorial Reviews

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'A provocative, fresh interpretation of Eisenhower's controversial decision to halt Lt. Gen. Jacob Devers' VI Army Group short of the Rhine River. This book is sure to lead to a reevaluation of the battle within the Allied High Command and how the war on the Western Front might have ended in 1944. This is contigency history at its best.' --Col. Cole C. Kingseed, USA (Ret.), coauthor of Beyond Band of Brothers: The War Memoirs of Major Dick Winters

'It is difficult to discover new theories on the military course of the Second World War today, which is why the counter-factual view is gaining in importance. David Colley theorizes that in November 1944 there had been an unexpected opportunity for Lieutenant Gen. Devers to cross the Rhine and to thrust into Germany, but was halted by General Eisenhower. Sure to raise new controversy on Eisenhower's handling of the war in Europe, Colley has significantly added to the debate.' --Col. Dr. Karl-Heinz Frieser, Military History Research Institute, Potsdam, author of The Blitzkrieg Legend: The 1940 Campaign in the West

'A fresh examination of Allied operations after the liberation of France, this book joins the ranks of important books on World War II in Europe. Colley focuses his attention on the often-ignored 6th Army Group, its French and American units, and its commanders--Jake Devers, Sandy Patch, Lucian Truscott, and Jean de Lattre de Tassigny. As a result, the choices made by Eisenhower, Montgomery, and Bradley are reexamined and other options are suggested. Written in a flowing and lucid style, it is a must-read.' --Robert K. Wright Jr., PhD, coauthor of Airborne Forces at War: From Parachute Test Platoon to the 21st Century

About the Author

David P. Colley is an award-winning journalist and author who has written for many national publications, including Army, World War II, American Heritage, and The New York Times. Among his books on military history are The Road to Victory, which received the Army Historical Foundation's Distinguished Book Award in 2000, Blood for Dignity, and Safely Rest. He has appeared on the History Channel and Eye on Books. Colley served in the ordnance branch of the U.S. Army. He lives in Easton, PA.

Hardcover: 280 pages
Publisher: Naval Institute Press; 2nd edition (October 1, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1591141338
ISBN-13: 978-1591141334
Product Dimensions: 6.3 x 0.9 x 9.1 inches
Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 19 customer reviews
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,360,513 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #12236 in Books > History > Military > World War II
- #14070 in Books > History > Military > United States

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