MacArthur as SHAEF at D-Day

This idea brought up in my mind Mac leading an early D-Day and then Operation Downfall and being given a 6th star and the Presidency in the 1948 election. :eek:
 
I'm watching...ike countdown to d-day.Mac is just so not up to it.he'd prob spend all the critical moments in his room reading the bible.
 
This idea brought up in my mind Mac leading an early D-Day and then Operation Downfall and being given a 6th star and the Presidency in the 1948 election. :eek:

And in 1949 every major city in Russia and China vanish in a mushroom cloud...
 
Carl: That is very insightful. I was under the impression that Mac was loved by the popultation, by and large, and adored by the politicians.

Mac's strategic abilities: It is of course great to attack where it is least expected. However, thre is a reason for nobody to expect an attack at that spot then. Either it is a strategic cul-de-sac, or it is just too tough or something else.

Just because it is un-expected does not equate to success in all instances.

On Overlord after all, there were only so many option (2 really).

Did Mac have any redeeming qualities in terms of strategic management?

Even if Marshall is retiring some of the older generals, I think it could be difficult to overlook Mac, even if we read Carl's comments.

Ivan
 
The fundamental problem here is developing a poD which takes the overaged Mac out of his sincure in the Phillipines to the ETO.

What happens in the event that Torch is an extreme failure?

Would there be enough of a backlash against political and military leaders to bring him back?
 
Carl: That is very insightful. I was under the impression that Mac was loved by the popultation, by and large, and adored by the politicians.

He was despised by those who understood his role in evicting the Bonus Army from Washington DC. He formed political alliances though his wealthy and powerfull family, but that was not exactly "love".

Did Mac have any redeeming qualities in terms of strategic management?

He supported improvements in officer education and helped focus the dwindling War Dept. budget on R & D in cutting edge aircraft technology. Neither was completely his idea, but he had enough sense to see that spending the thin funds on long term improvement made more sense than keeping a few more battalions or squadrons in exisitance now. I've read a favorable description of his choices as a division commander in 1918, but never delved into the details or reality behind that.

Even if Marshall is retiring some of the older generals, I think it could be difficult to overlook Mac, even if we read Carl's comments.

This sort of assumes Mac stood out more than he did, particularly were there no Pacifc war. In terms of well regarded Generals of 1941 Mac did not stand out all that much. There were other aging, decorated, retired generals as well known, and known for other things than beating up WWI veterans.
 
What happens in the event that Torch is an extreme failure?

Would there be enough of a backlash against political and military leaders to bring him back?

No, there were too many others waiting in the wings. Drum, DeWitt, Lear, & Krueger & a few other older (but capable) men remained in positions of huge responsibilty. All four of those named had been considered for Army CoS. Roosevelt was adept at keeping his options open. One of Marshals habits Roosevelt used was keeping a large pool to draw from. It was not until relatively late that specific individuals became 'indespensible'. There were more than a few others to draw from to replace Marshal or anyone else.
 
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