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Operation Torch Case Study

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Hard won victories in North Africa proved the Allies could filed forces capable of defeating their German opponents. Despite the success, the force’s biggest challenge remained Allied leadership’s continuing struggle with embracing a unified command structure that placed ultimate authority in the hands of one leader. The failure of fully grasping senior leadership lessons produce by Operation Torch meant Operation Husky was doomed to face many of the same decisional and planning distractors encountered in North Africa. Allied leadership’s inability to coalesce into a cohesive command and control framework hampered effective integration of allied capabilities and ultimately operational effectiveness. Though the overall operation was a success …show more content…

The processes of gaining understanding and developing intent are continuous, circular activities in which one enables the other. General Eisenhower’s myopic intent did not create shared purpose and understanding, enable focused staff planning, or aid subordinate commanders in achieving objectives. As an example, not articulating a clear plan for dealing with enemy forces delayed General Montgomery from taking action against the German withdrawal while he waited for guidance from General Alexander that never came. General Eisenhower’s incomplete intent did not articulate a vision that led to subordinate understanding of the operational lifecycle or allow for logical reactions to situations not covered by guidance. The incomplete operational picture did not direct responsibility or provide an end-state did nothing to build trust in the plan, thus opening the door for subordinate commanders to shape the operation as they saw …show more content…

The aim of integrating joint functions is creating synergy by arranging forces and their actions to support a unified purpose. Joint functions are reinforcing and complementary and their integration is essential to mission accomplishment. The integration of capabilities during the Sicily Campaign emerged more out of necessity rather than deliberate planning. The Allies failed to integrate their capabilities in a manner that would provide a timely and decisive victory in Sicily. Parochial attitudes enabled by the communal leadership atmosphere and the lack of a single authority capable of forcing cooperation naturally undermined the integration of joint functions in a manner that would quickly overwhelm the enemy. Specifically, the inability to effectively coordinate the functions of movement and maneuver in addition to protection led to a cumbersome and protracted

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