Stephen Ambroses" D-Day June 6, 1944:The Climactic Battle of World War II is one of the most comprehensive looks at a historical battle that I have read to date. Ambrose writes about every aspect that could have possibly affected the outcome of the most important battle in World War II. This book first both the Germans and the Allies and the preceding events that set up what is the state of both forces for the battle, and also why the battle takes place on the western front. He discuses the German Forces failure on the eastern front and the landing of the "Anglo-Americans" (Ambrose 36) causing Hitler to abandon his Russian conquest and focus on defeating the Allies when they landed wiping out their opposition. Then Ambrose goes on to discuss the issues that the Allies have in preparing the major push to land in the coast of France, and with superior coastal defense as Ambrose points out by the Germans. Ambrose takes the reader into the mind of the two commanders that heavily were responsible for the plan of action on either side General Erwin R. Rommel and General Dwight D. Eisenhower. I enjoy this chapter for the fact that Ambrose first discusses how the two come from similar backgrounds, and how they come to power, and also their choice of staff and how that pertains to their form as a commanding officers. Ambrose also gives a look into the psyche of both Generals; unveiling the overwhelming confidence of Eisenhower, and the uncertainty of Rommel both pertaining to D-Day. Ambrose next chapter sets up the obvious dilemma of the Allies on their choice of the location and time for the major offensive. Through reconnaissance and obvious tactical advantages that this proved for the Allies Eisenhower agreed with COSSAC intelligence and chose the coast of France at the beaches close to or surrounding Normandy. The only change was to the extent of the battlefield initially only three fronts; Eisenhower changed that number to six fronts to give the Allies an overwhelming effect over German opposition.
Under Adolf Hitler the German empire extended from Russia to the west, to France on the east. Germany controlled much of Europe except for Spain, Portugal, Switzerland, and Sweden (Keegan 1). Hitler's army's gained control of much of Europe during the years of 1939 through 1941. It was not until December 11th 1941 that Hitler declared war on the United States. Soon afterward, Dwight D. ...
