The whole intent of the British strategy at this time in Africa and the whole of the Mediterranean was to keep the Nazis occupied in the so-called soft underbelly. Along with America's supplying Russia and with strategic bombing of Germany, the grand strategy was to make Germany use more of its assets against the Western Allies and less of their assets in fighting on the Eastern front. In this scenario with Greece, Churchill had finally a chance to keep a promise. Although militarily this proved to be a disaster, in the long run it contributed to the ultimate defeat of Germany. It's like a football coach spreading the opposition's defense and although the play doesn't work, down the road it proves fatal to that defense. Churchill knew from WWI that attrition would come into play and like a grand chess player certain pieces are sacrificed to obtain the ultimate victory. Churchill never dwelled on the defeats his eyes were always focused ahead, and like a great chess player his mind was racing many moves ahead of his adversaries.
Richard C. Geschke Date: Sat, 1 May 2010 08:27:16 -0500 Subject: Re: [ChurchillChat] Churchill's "worst" decision may have been among his best. From: [email protected] To: [email protected] On Sat, May 1, 2010 at 4:29 AM, Jonathan Sandys <[email protected]> wrote: History, Churchill's greatest weapon and Hitler's greatest downfall. Hitler knew his country's history, but his own arrogance and anger forced him to choose campaigns mostly fought and lost during the First World War, using his own belief in the correct strategy, which in many cases was right and successful, but eventually led to his defeat when he became over confident and instead of focusing on the end result, lite his victory cigar long before the 'fat lady', or in my great- grandfather's case, 'the portly man' sang. Churchill knew British and ancient history and he based many campaigns of wars within the Roman and British Empires, using victories by worthy adversaries and allies such as Spartacus, Julius Ceaser, even Napoleon and certainly Nelson. My great-grandfather saw the big picture and focused his thoughts on the 'end-game' while recognising, like Elizabeth I, and the early plot against her life that victory was not guaranteed and the only thing that was assured was that the determined victory would be a result that history would always recognise was a very close thing. Though I doubt it was an intentional sacrifice for a parallel reason, the discussion made me wonder whether Churchill knew about one point of controversy in the history of the U.S. Civil War -- on the second day of the Battle of Gettysburg, when the Union commander on the left wing pushed forward rather recklessly into the Peach Orchard to meet Hood's advancing troops. The Union forces could not hold it, and were pushed back with heavy casualties, and I believe their commanding officer who'd ordered and led it was killed. But there is a serious argument that the fighting there held up the Confederate advance long enough for the 20th Maine and a couple other regiments to reach and form up along Little Round Top, and that without the time the Peach Orchard bought, the Union might not have been able to hold off the Confederates trying to sweep around their flank and into Meade's rear. It was uncomfortably close as it was, that day. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "ChurchillChat" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/churchillchat?hl=en. _________________________________________________________________ Hotmail has tools for the New Busy. Search, chat and e-mail from your inbox. http://www.windowslive.com/campaign/thenewbusy?ocid=PID28326::T:WLMTAGL:ON:WL:en-US:WM_HMP:042010_1 -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "ChurchillChat" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/churchillchat?hl=en.
