Command Missions - A Personal Story [Illustrated Edition]Includes 2 charts, 1 portrait and 30 maps. Few generals achieved the reputation won by General Lucien Truscott during his time in the American Army during World War Two; it was the opinion of the future President General Eisenhower that Truscott was second only to the legendary General Patton as a battlefield commander. Refusing all personal accolades in press releases, General Truscott, was as tough as they come, determined and cool under fire. His autobiography stands as one of the great books written by any officer who served the Allied cause during the Second World War. He led the 60th Infantry and 66th Armored Regiments during the invasion of French North Africa, his formations benefitted hugely from his tough training methods that saved lives under fire. His next command at the head of the 3rd Infantry Division would cement his reputation, forcing his troops over some of the harshest mountains in Europe in Sicily and routing pushing the Germans off the island. Truscott then led his men ashore the Italian mainland at Salerno and then again in the landings at Anzio... By 1944 the Allied command considered that Truscott was the foremost amphibious expert in the European theatre and gave him command of the vital landings in southern France; his inspiring leadership and determined forceful handling of his troops led to such success that the Germans were bundled back out the French province very rapidly opening the port of Marseilles to Allied supply ships. Truscott was renowned for his abilities as a general, a motivator of men and a shrewd commander who was determined to seize and keep hold of the initiative; all of these qualities were needed when he took over command of the Fifth Army in Italy in Dec. 1944. Pushing his troops forward expertly to force the German defenders out of their entrenched lines in the mountains in Northern Italy and would have continued their victorious drive into Germany but by this time Nazi Germany had surrendered. |
What people are saying - Write a review
Reviews aren't verified, but Google checks for and removes fake content when it's identified
User Review - Flag as inappropriate
I've only read a small portion of the book, but I'm impressed with the clear-headed candor and recollections of this broadly-acknowledged battle commander. To add a little context: For the past few years, I've been studying the formation of the U.S. WWII Army and its movements throughout North Africa and the Mediterranean Theater to follow my father's journey. (In his role, I'm sure that he had passing acquaintance with Gen. Truscott through his military specialty and being on General Alexander's staff.) I was drawn to this account because Gen. Truscott is also given tribute in Rick Atkinson's "Liberation Trilogy" and more specifically, "Day of Battle." I will buy the book.
Contents
CHAPTER THREE COMMAND POST FOR IKE 99 | |
CHAPTER FOUR INVASION OF SICILY HUSKY AND JOSS | |
CHAPTER FIVE SOUTHERN ITALY 199 | |
CHAPTER SIX ANZIO 234 | |
CHAPTER SEVEN THE INVASION OF SOUTHERN FRANCE | |
CHAPTER EIGHT AN ARMY COMMAND 366 | |
CHAPTER NINE THE GERMAN OCCUPATION 415 | |
CHAPTER TEN AFTERTHOUGHTS 436 | |
REQUEST FROM THE PUBLISHER 457 | |
Common terms and phrases
1st Armored Division 3rd Infantry Division 45th Infantry Division 56th Division Admiral Advanced CP AFHQ afternoon Air Forces air support aircraft airfield Allied Anzio arrived artillery assault attack battle beaches beachhead Bizerte bombers Brigadier British capture Carleton Cassino Chief of Staff Clark coast COHQ Colonel Combat Command Command Post conference Corps counterattack crossing defense division commanders east effort Eighth Army Eisenhower enemy equipment Fifth Army fighting fire flank Fredendall French front German guns Harmon’s Headquarters Highway II Corps infantry battalions informed invasion Italian Italy Keyes landing craft Lieutenant Lucas miles military mission Montelimar morning mountain moved Naval night northward o’clock O’Daniel offensive operation orders organization Patch Patton personnel port Port Lyautey prepared Ranger reconnaissance Regimental Combat Team Reno River reported reserve ridge River road Sbeitla sector ships shore situation Sudre supply Task Force Tebessa terrain troops units valley vehicles withdrawal
Bibliographic information
| Title | Command Missions - A Personal Story [Illustrated Edition] |
| Author | General L. K. Truscott Jr. |
| Publisher | Pickle Partners Publishing, 2014 |
| ISBN | 1782894403, 9781782894407 |
| Length | 518 pages |
| Subjects | › › History / Europe / General History / Europe / Germany History / Military / Special Forces History / Military / United States |
| Export Citation | BiBTeX EndNote RefMan |