Why did Eisenhower stop Devers from crossing the Rhine?

Why did Dwight D Eisenhower stop Jacob L Devers from crossing the Rhine in 1944? Let's find out.

This video is discussing events or concepts that are academic, educational and historical in nature. This video is for informational purposes and was created so we may better understand the past and learn from the mistakes others have made.

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📚 BIBLIOGRAPHY / SOURCES 📚

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ABOUT TIK 📝

History isn’t as boring as some people think, and my goal is to get people talking about it. I also want to dispel the myths and distortions that ruin our perception of the past by asking a simple question - “But is this really the case?”. I have a 2:1 Degree in History and a passion for early 20th Century conflicts (mainly WW2). I’m therefore approaching this like I would an academic essay. Lots of sources, quotes, references and so on. Only the truth will do.

[FFNOJG]

I had never really even heard of Devers before. shows how much power certain men have over the narratives of history. thank you tik. I actually agree that Eisenhower 100% just favored himself and his buddy.

[gregorybrennan]

I'm a yank, and I think your analysis is spot on concerning Eisenhower . Politics is Supreme when it comes to the US military.

[skankhunt]

I'm an American, I think you are the least biased person I know. You've given good reasons for all of your criticisms of various figures of history. You were the first person I've heard criticize Rommel. Particularly his dash to the wire which abandoned his main army for days. I considered your points to be valid. So ignore those critics and keep up the great work you do. Thank you

[rickvelez]

Amazing how seriously logistics affects military campaigns. It was short of miraculous how most supplies had to cross the Atlantic and get through makeshift or partially destroyed ports, railroads, roads, etc to the frontline armies. The supply troops/logisticians were unsung heroes.

[Johngabe]

I’m American and I too agree with you Tik, we often idolize our heroes that we can’t imagine that they have bias and jealousy as part of their makeup.

[alanpennie]

Good to get a video about the rather neglected southern sector of the campaign in France.

[soupordave]

I think it's fair to criticize Ike and Allied High Command for not really making plans for after Normandy, but I think it's mainly that no one really thought the Germans in France would collapse so quickly. Everyone must have thought that by the time they got to the Rhine, the logistics issues would have had time to be sorted out. Hindsight gives us all sorts of great ideas!

[garygenerous]

I’ve figured it out. TIK isn’t pro German, Soviet, American or British… no TIK is truly pro Canada. Think about it when was the last time you heard TIK complaining about something the Canadians did. And it’s Definitely NOT that the Canadian troops were a small part of the overall force used mainly on the flanks… nope this is proof that TIK is overwhelmingly biased in favour of the Canadians. ;P

[destroyer]

As a Yank and a veteran of 30 years service in the Army, I can safely say; "Do not underestimate the clash of personalties at the senior field grade and general officer levels." I saw and experienced this in Iraq. But in this case, when you compare Devers resume with Eisenhower you can see how Devers is an actual hands on leader while Eisenhower is a product of the system. Devers was not afraid posed a threat to Eisenhower and apparently had Marshalls backing when it came to issues. Remember it was Roosevelt who selected Eisenhowe not Marshall.

[laward]

Love the one off videos answering questions about lesser known events and seeing how they fit in and influence the larger narrative.

[jroch]

TIK, brilliant summary of a thorny question that deserves more elaboration. Especially since Patton, Bradley & Montgomery all favored competing narrow fronts instead of Ike’s broad front strategy, it’s fair to ask if broad front prolonged the war.

[mstrogme]

Excellent. This is the kind of content I come to this channel for again & again.

[nosacchfry]

Really like this video, explain the complex nature major operations, and how human relationships shape those operations. In my experience in the Army, those relationships matter, and seen how both good, normal, and even bad officers career are made or hampered just because of relationships with commanders or command cliques within the organization.

[garymartin]

I am just reading Lt Col Roger Cirillo US Army (Ret) PhD Thesis - “The Market Garden Campaign: Allied Operational Command in Northwest Europe, 1944.” As a PhD every thing is referenced in detail using many sources, including his interviews with key persons, memoirs, official papers and other difficult to access US Army documents. Having served in key planning posts in NATO and as Special Assistant to CinC US Army, Europe, he brings that experience to interpretation and understanding. It’s a huge eye opener into the operational level of command through Overlord and into Market Garden. He is not biased toward his own service or nationality and is highly critical of what appears to be a very dysfunctional command setup and personality clashes, that had major impact on the conduct of the campaign. I believe it was produced as a book, however I wasn’t able to find a copy. A google search found several locations to download the thesis. If you’re interested in why/how key strategic and operational decisions were made this Thesis will provide answers. I got onto Roger’s trail from a couple of YouTube documentary’s and his Chapter in John Buckley’s collection of studies on Op MG.

[Gearparadummies]

Love how comprehensively these questions are answered by TIK. I knew who Devers was, but only a few tidbits of what he did and his quarrel with Ike.

[livingtribunal]

Awesome.
As much as I loved Battlestorm: Stalingrad, it’s refreshing to see TIK back doing these random WWII situation videos.
💯 👊🏼

[kevinakling]

My wife’s grandad was Bradley’s Dep. Chief of Staff (Gen. Henry Balding Lewis). Your analysis and overview of this topic is beyond excellent. My Dad was in Patton’s Army (707th Tank Battalion) seeing his movement on your graphics was fantastic for me. Thank you! ❤

[lynnmcculloch-mh]

Super great video ! I spoke to Ike's son when I was stationed washington who drew the same conclusions as you. Devers was number one on Marshall's 4 star list promoted over Bradley and Patton . Ike had him number 27 !! Devers was always Marshall's backup plan . A very moral person Marshall I'm sure was none too pleased that Ike was banging his jeep driver!!!

[Ruxit]

Hi TIK, this Ike vs Devers was a great posting. It really goes well with the approach espoused by you in your previous video “But how do you know you’re right?”
Why? Because one of the most interesting questions is not just the dates, troop strengths and timing, etc. but rather if the attack across the Rhine in Dever’s area would 1) have been successful in Dec 1944, and 2) if it would have shortened the war in Europe (and thus saved lives, etc.)
And your answer to these two questions based on your approach to History were: 1) Maybe but with strong risks including a successful German counterattack. And 2) Almost surely not because no real strategic objective (Ruhr or Berlin) would be reached to knock Germany out of the war.
(In addition, your statement on Ike and his lack of clarity in orders was a particularly useful way to see this inter-US military discussion.)
An addition to your approach could be to compare the situation under study with other similar situations. For Devers potential attack and the German reaction, I think an example would be the Soviet first Jassy–Kishinev offensive which was counter attacked successfully by the Germans and Romanians. Four Months later the Soviets were successful with their offensive in same zone and Romania switched sides to the allies.
For the use of the broad front approach that Eisenhower generally favored, including clearing out all German pockets west of Rhine, and building up overwhelming logistical support before proceeding, case in point the Colmar Pocket on the west of the Rhine which Devers forces had to clear. The comparable situation on the Soviet side may be the 5 months pause between Operation Bagration and the subsequent Vistula – Oder offensive. The pause allowed the Soviets to cleaning up their flanks of effective German resistance, replenish their troops, repair their armor and artillery, and get their logistical situation to peak preparedness. This again was a broad front approach to get ready to push to a strategic target, in this case Berlin. A similar pause also happened over the 6-month period in W. Europe (that Ike commanded) between about October 1944 and February 1945. So, this strategy by the Soviets was successful in Poland, and would also be successful for the massive crossing of the Rhine in March 1945.
This approach of comparison with similar other situations in WW2 is an effective way to also strengthen an argument about history such as this one you covered in your Ike vs Devers. You may consider this in future videos since you have such a broad knowledge of WW2 so you can find good parallel situations to compare and contrast.
Keep up the splendid work for us, your viewers!

[seanlogue]

It's been explained to me that Ike, Bradley, and Churchill greatly valued allied lives, especially if they would be needed to invade Japan. The cost benefit of all operations needed to be taken into account as well, and that is why a race to Berlin for prestige reasons was wrong.