generalship (WW2)

• Rommel's request in the 2nd Battle of El Alamein 1942 (the North Africa campaign) suggests what when he received just 600 tons received of the requested 10,000 tons?


  Generalship was often less impactful on nature/outcome in WW2 because it was controlled by external factors like industrial capacity which had more impact on how the war could be fought and if they would be victorious
• What did Guderian's generalship do that affected the nature of war massively? However what does it suggest about outcome?


  He masterminded blitzkrieg tactics at the start of WW2 which led to devastating victories against Poland & France yet were not enough to secure the German victory overall. This suggests that while generalship was hugely important in the earlier period it was other factors that were also crucial in determining outcome
• Key generalship of Guderian (German army)?


  He pioneered the development of armoured warfare and was the leading advocate of tanks and mechanisation in the German Armed Forces. Germany's panzer (armoured) forces were organised under his direction as Chief of Mobile Forces. He was a highly successful commander of these forces in several campaigns eg Invasion of Poland 1939 and France 1940. His armoured tactics achieved some success during Operation Barbarossa in 1941, managing to reach the outskirts of Moscow –

  though his forces were eventually pushed back.
• Key generalship of Rommel (German army)?

  A German general sent to Africa to command the successful Afrika Korps in North Africa. After being sent away shortly he returned with the Afrika Korps in June 1942 and finally took the city (known as the Battle of Gazala). Soon after, Rommel was promoted to Field Marshal and had several victories. However soon the arrival of more British troops with more supplies, especially tanks and fuel, led to him being defeated. He was assigned to Normandy, where his troops were unable to stop the D-Day landings.
• Key generalship of Eisenhower (USA)?


  Eisenhower was appointed supreme commander of the Allied Expeditionary Force in December of 1943 and was responsible for the planned Allied invasion of Nazi-occupied Europe. On D-Day (June 1944), more than 150,000 Allied forces crossed the English Channel and stormed the beaches of Normandy; the invasion led to the liberation of Paris on August 25 and turned the tide of the war in Europe decisively in the Allied

  direction.