El Alamein: If you still can't do combined arms, at least use a lot of artillery
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- Опубликовано: 25 окт 2022
- El Alamein: If you still can't do combined arms, at least use a lot of artillery
With Jonathan Parshall
Part of a series of shows to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the battle of El Alamein on WW2TV
• El Alamein - 80th Anni...
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Jonathan Parshall's interest in WWII developed in childhood. He has written for the U.S. Naval War College Review, Naval Institute Proceedings, and World War II magazine. In 1995 Jon founded www.combinedfleet.com, the foremost Internet site on the Japanese Imperial Navy, which currently attracts more than 50,000 visitors monthly. Recently he has been researching the war in North Africa and beyond and joins us today to offer his American perspective on the desert war.
The victory at El Alamein was clearly important, and for the 8th Army to beat the Germans on the ground was no mean feat. It also gave the British (DUKE forces) renewed confidence in their Army, which was sorely lacking to that point.
Jon's interest and curiosity in the battle stems more from the ongoing issues 8th Army had regarding its inability to do combined arms well (which Alamein did not resolve), coupled with the resurrection and refinement of their artillery arm under Sidney Kirkman - an unsung hero.
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I’m an American, and have studied WW2 for like 50 of my 56 years, and have nothing but the highest admiration of the British and Commonwealth soldiers that fought there. And despite the “Patton” image of Montgomery, I have nothing but admiration for him as a commander. And in the course of British history, El Alamein has to be one of the greatest battles. It is a victory as great as Waterloo or Trafalgar.
I remember a scene from the movie Patton between Rommel and a German officer, the officer says "British commanders and American soldiers, the worst of everything" Rommel then replies "I remind you that Montgomery is a British commander, and he has driven us half way across Africa."
Sure Monty had the numbers advantage but he still had to overcome extremely formidable defences, 600,000 mines and a whole line of anti tank guns. Defending is much easier than attacking.
Auchinleck set up the game pieces of the game board for Alamein. He gets less than no credit for his choice of superb defensive ground.
To be fair, the US army couldn't do proper combined arms until Normandy. That's when General Quesada put UHF radios in the P-47's and also with front line ground spotters.
Actually, the Sherman was a quite decent tank. It was easy to operate and repair. In 1942 it was reasonably armed with a medium velocity 75mm gun that fired both high explosive and armoured piercing shells. It was also very reliable and fast. But most importantly, the Sherman was easy to produce in quantity.
I served in the 12th SF with a former Luftwaffe Fallschirmjaeger who said his battalion went in to El Alamein supported by 2 tanks, 1 had a gun that would fire but turret wouldn't turn and the other had a turret that would turn but gun wouldn't fire, he also said they were getting only 1/3rd of the supplies they needed and were short of water. They walked into a mine field under heavy artillery fire which destroyed both tanks. They were cut off and surrounded by 2 full strength Canadian battalions and taking heavy casualties. The Canadians ordered them to surrender and not seeing any alternative other than to get wiped out, they accepted "the offer". He said the Canadians had lot of respect for the Fallschirmjaeger and treated them pretty them well. He said the Germans were in really bad shape going into El Alamein, short on supplies and parts and down on strength with no replacements.
Jon Parshall has incredibile range. I had thought he was a Pacific War expert, but he keeps showing knowledge in many areas.
The competency of Italian troops can be easily accounted for by seeing how they fought in Italy after the Italian surrender against the Germans under Allied command. They performed admirably with American equipment and with American logistics supporting them.
The British general who doesn't get the credit that was due to him was Claude Auchinleck. It was he who made the decision to prepare the El Alamein line as a fallback position. Because of his foresight he was able to stop Rommel at the First Battle of El Alamein. Auchinleck also receied tremendous from Conningham's Desert Airforce. Without the help of the RAF the 8th Army might have been routed after their defeat at the battle of Gazala.
As an American of the post-WW2 generation, I'm not typical. What, with a US NAVY aviator Dad who an Aussie wife who was my Mom [Mum], I knew about El Alamein from my Uncle Bill who served in the Australian Ninth Division at that battle. He described their work as artillerymen coupled with a focus on communications to the front, laying cable, etc. He included it, Aussie humor & all, in his memoirs we have on the shelf here.
Yes, please dream up any excuse to get Parshall back on your show.
So happy to have John Parshal and his legendary wallpaper. His veiws and understanding of 1942 and IJN operations is outstanding.
Mr. Parshall has become my favorite author based on the books I read on WWII in my youth...now I feel older and wiser. Thanks to WWII TV, I get to hear him say "shot to pieces". I concur on the 25lber, and the Assuies. Their stance at New Guinea from Miline Bay, Way, Buna and Gona.
I could listen to Jonathan Parshall all day long.
Thanks so much for having Jon guest on your channel. He always brings a smile and some true insight to the discussion... and it will probably bring WW2TV more subscribers!
Fascinating discussion about El Alamein and touched on so many facets that the 1 3/4 hr programme just flew by!! Jon Parshall is always worth listening to, so thank you Paul for getting him on again. Great point about the conflict being between two power blocks and a single battle was never going to be "the turning point" or decide the outcome of the war.
Woody another absolutely brilliant session! Two of the very finest WW2 historians having a great meeting of minds on a key battle but in brilliant context to how Alameine strategy, force doctrine development, battle outcomes, key leadership & personalities all fit into the wider implications of 1942. For mine the way this executed more as an informed discussion and meeting of minds rather than a more pre-set presentation, really works in this case. A genuine and heartfelt Bravo Zule! and an apology for missing this brilliant session last year until today.
Fantastic episode! Really impressed with Jonathan Parshall. His "1942" book sounds like it will be essential reading for WW2 buffs.
The 9th division was formed in 1939/40 and fought in Borneo until 2 months after the Japanese surrender so fought longer than most other armies.