Albert Kesselring

In the Shadow of Sunrise: The Secret Surrender of Italy

On the morning of Friday, April 13, 1945, three men gathered at a table in L’Espadon of the Ritz Paris over a breakfast of coffee and croissants. Read more

Albert Kesselring

The Battle of Moscow: WWII’s First Critical Turning Point

Many consider the Battle of Moscow in late 1941 to be the first turning point of World War II on the Eastern Front. Read more

Albert Kesselring

Dutch Debacle

By John W. Osborn, Jr.

When world war engulfed Europe for the second time in a generation, the Netherlands placed its faith in the diplomatic delusion that it could remain neutral like it had during World War I. Read more

Albert Kesselring

The German and Austrian Jews of the Allied Armies

By Steven Karras

Once they escaped from Nazi-dominated Europe, hundreds of German and Austrian Jews joined the American and British military to help bring an end to the Nazis’ reign of terror. Read more

Albert Kesselring

Reassessing Rommel: Anti-Nazi Hero or Opportunist?

Even before the end of World War II, German General Erwin Rommel’s fame was such that he was already being elevated into the Valhalla of such legendary warriors as Hannibal against the Roman Empire, Napoleon during his defensive campaigns of 1813-1814, and Robert E. Read more

Albert Kesselring

Crushing Counterattack at Salerno

On the morning of September 13, 1943, Col. Gen. Heinrich G. von Vietinghoff, commander of the German Tenth Army, faced a difficult decision. Read more

Albert Kesselring

North African Campaign: WWII’s Ultimate War of Logistics

Bradley could have been referring to German General Erwin Rommel. While Rommel was winning the war of desert armor tactics during 1941-1942 in the North African Campaign, he was losing the war of logistics. Read more

Albert Kesselring

The Gothic Line: How the Allies Breached Germany’s Defenses in Italy

The reason for it was unthinkable. The Gothic Line, the last line of defense in Italy, was necessary, but senior German commanders had not been concerned that it would ever be contested by Allied forces. Read more

Albert Kesselring

Nazi War Machine: Why the WWII German Army Was So Strong

With the end of World War I, the German Army had not been defeated in the field. Read more

Albert Kesselring

The Volkssturm: Last-Ditch Militia of the Third Reich

On October 18, 1944—the 131st anniversary of the Battle of the Nations’ victory over Napoleon in 1813—Reichsführer-SS (National Leader) Heinrich Himmler stepped up to a microphone to make a national radio address announcing the formation of the Nazi Party-controlled Volkssturm, or People’s Militia. Read more

Albert Kesselring

Savagery at Salerno

As the 450 ships of the Operation Avalanche invasion force approached Salerno on the evening of September 8, 1943, the Allied troops, packed tightly aboard transport vessels, broke into wild celebration. Read more

Albert Kesselring

Vladimir Peniakoff: Popski’s Private Army

In September 1942, two patrols of armed jeeps and trucks of the Long Range Desert Group (LRDG) raided the German airfield at Barce. Read more

Albert Kesselring

The WWII Bombing of Pantelleria Island: A Test of Air Power

On May 13, 1943, nearly 300,000 Axis soldiers surrendered to the Allies in northern Tunisia. This successful conclusion to the North African campaign led to speculation at the time as to where the Allies would strike next. Read more

Albert Kesselring

My Battle Up the Boot: Paul McNelis in the Italian Campaign

The U.S. 85th Infantry Division was one of the Allied workhorses in Italy during World War II. Read more

Albert Kesselring

Amphibious Landing at Anzio

As the last days of 1943 slipped away, World War II in Italy ground to a miserable stalemate. Read more