DiNardo argues that the Axis military alliance was doomed from the beginning by a lack of common war aims, the absence of a unified command structure, and each nation's fundamental mistrust of the others. Germany was disinclined to make the kinds of compromises that successful wartime partnerships demanded and, because Hitler insisted on separate pacts with each nation, Italy and Finland often found themselves conducting counterproductive parallel wars on their own.
DiNardo's detailed assessments of ground, naval, and air operations reveal precisely why the Axis allies were so dysfunctional as a collective force, sometimes for seemingly mundane but vital reasons-a shortage of interpreters, for example. His analysis covers coalition warfare at every level, demonstrating that some military services were better at working with their allies than others, while also pointing to rare successes, such as Rommel's effective coordination with Italian forces in North Africa. In the end, while some individual Axis units fought with distinction--if not on a par with the vaunted Wehrmacht--and helped Germany achieve some of its military aims, the coalition's overall military performance was riddled with disappointments.
Breaking new ground, DiNardo's work enlarges our understanding of Germany's defeat while at the same time offering a timely reminder of the challenges presented by coalition warfare.
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DiNardo argues that the Axis military alliance was doomed from the beginning by a lack of common war aims, the absence of a unified command structure, and each nation's fundamental mistrust of the others. Germany was disinclined to make the kinds of compromises that successful wartime partnerships demanded and, because Hitler insisted on separate pacts with each nation, Italy and Finland often found themselves conducting counterproductive parallel wars on their own.
DiNardo's detailed assessments of ground, naval, and air operations reveal precisely why the Axis allies were so dysfunctional as a collective force, sometimes for seemingly mundane but vital reasons-a shortage of interpreters, for example. His analysis covers coalition warfare at every level, demonstrating that some military services were better at working with their allies than others, while also pointing to rare successes, such as Rommel's effective coordination with Italian forces in North Africa. In the end, while some individual Axis units fought with distinction--if not on a par with the vaunted Wehrmacht--and helped Germany achieve some of its military aims, the coalition's overall military performance was riddled with disappointments.
Breaking new ground, DiNardo's work enlarges our understanding of Germany's defeat while at the same time offering a timely reminder of the challenges presented by coalition warfare.
Imprint | University Press of Kansas |
Country of origin | United States |
Series | Modern War Studies |
Release date | November 2005 |
Availability | Expected to ship within 10 - 15 working days |
First published | November 2005 |
Authors | R.L. DiNardo |
Foreword by | Denis E. Showalter |
Dimensions | 229 x 152 x 27mm (L x W x T) |
Format | Hardcover |
Pages | 320 |
ISBN-13 | 978-0-7006-1412-7 |
Barcode | 9780700614127 |
Categories | |
LSN | 0-7006-1412-5 |