FALLEN STARS : Eleven Studies of Twentieth Century Military Disasters by Bond, Brian editor

London 1991, Brassey's, First English edition with dj, 6x9, FINE/FINE CONDITION, 264 pages, 10 maps, notes, index. ,...................................................................... A team of distinguished historians have reappraised the careers of eleven generals in the two world wars whose high reputations were shattered, or tarnished, by failure in command. Each essay places the subject in his operational and political context and reaches a verdict on whether the ignominy was deserved or not. For a few, like Samsonov and Mutaguchi, the contemporary appraisal is vindicated while for others, including Gough, Nivelle and Hobart, some mitigation can be offered, tempering the charge of absolute failure. The subjects are controversial figures and many of the battles and campaigns that were the occasion of disaster remain notorious examples of military incompetence in the popular imagination. Here the Dardanelles campaign of 1915 and the defence of France in 1939-40 are examined and the personal blame that can be attached to Hamilton in the first case and Gamelin and Ironside in the second quantified. ......................................................................Douglas MacArthur emerged as a public hero in 1942 despite the loss of the Philippines. Dr Duncan Anderson assesses his military performance and criticises his efforts to defend Bataan where troops nicknamed their commander `dug-out Doug'. John Lucas's leadership at the Anzio landings is authoritatively analysed by Major General Julian Thompson and Charles Messenger reviews the turbulent career of Field Marshal Gerd von Rundstedt, sacked by Hitler in March 1945 for allowing the Americans to capture the vital Rhine crossing at Remagen intact. Completed by an overview from the editor, Brian Bond, the studies that make up Fallen Stars reveal much about the pressures of military command and the price of failure. They are also outstanding' tales, often played out on a epic scale and with truly tragic consequences.