![]() |
If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. |
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#12
|
|||
|
|||
![]()
Paul J. Adam wrote:
Vince wrote: I believe that "man for man" the Wehrmacht was simply the toughest most resourceful and dedicated fighting force of the modern era. They could be overwhelmed, they could be outgeneraled, they could be cut off from supplies. But it is very difficult to find cases of equal strength forces where they were outfought. Opinions vary, to be honest (with a consistent grouping around "very good", to be sure). Read Max Hastings' "Overlord" and you'll marvel at how the far-superior Wehrmacht won the battle of Normandy (or at least, be bemused how they could ever have been dislodged). once we had landed in Normandy (an incredible feat to be sure) we had overwhelming strength at any point. The German defense was tenacious and skill full and if Hitler had not interfered, far more of the German forces could have been withdrawn. Sydney Jary - hindered by the baggage of actually having commanded an infantry platoon for some months 1944-45 - was less impressed with the German infantry skills, which he saw as repetition of opening fire, then disengaging before the assault came in. But I've been to el alamein, normandy, Anzio, Cassino, Arnhem, the Ardennes, Remagen, Berlin and many other battlefields. The sheer technical skill and personal courage of the german forces is terrifying. Flipping it around, though - if you can't make an attacker's life an expensive and painful misery at places like Monte Cassino or the Normandy bocage, what use are you? And when the Germans were faced with assaulting an extensively-prepared defence - such as First Alamein or even more dramatically Kursk, they failed too. the Kursk was simply overwhelmingly strong. The Battle of Prokhorovka Showed the fundamental German problem. About 200 German armored fighting vehicles confront about 500 Russian , inflict far more losses than they sustain, but are unable to make good the losses and have to retreat (yes I know there are controversies over the numbers) Vince |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
![]() |
||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
Washington DC airspace closing for good? | tony roberts | Piloting | 153 | August 11th 05 12:56 AM |
Jet Ranger Operating Costs? | greenwavepilot | Owning | 5 | February 3rd 05 03:31 PM |
The frustrating economics of aviation | C J Campbell | Piloting | 96 | July 21st 04 04:41 PM |
Club Management Issue | Geoffrey Barnes | Owning | 150 | March 30th 04 06:36 PM |
Angle of climb at Vx and glide angle when "overweight": five questions | Koopas Ly | Piloting | 16 | November 29th 03 10:01 PM |