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Kasserine Pass
For the Allies, the Battle of Kasserine Pass in February 1943 was a rude awakening. During a pivotal three-week period—as the entire world fixed its gaze upon a hitherto obscure village in the mountains of North Africa—major questions about the course of the war were asked and answered.
In this gripping look at a crucial struggle during a formative period of World War II, the author explains why Dwight D. Eisenhower and George S. Patton, previously untested, emerged as important military leaders and how the Allies endured the grim punishment inflicted by the Germans at Kasserine Pass and learned to wage successfully a coalition war against Axis forces.
In this gripping look at a crucial struggle during a formative period of World War II, the author explains why Dwight D. Eisenhower and George S. Patton, previously untested, emerged as important military leaders and how the Allies endured the grim punishment inflicted by the Germans at Kasserine Pass and learned to wage successfully a coalition war against Axis forces.
358 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1966
77 people want to read
About the author
Martin Blumenson
67 books13 followersMartin Blumenson was a soldier in the US army, and a military historian, and a recognised authority on the life of Gen. George S. Patton Jr.
Blumenson received a Bachelors and Masters degree from Bucknell University in Pennsylvania. He received a second master's degree in history from Harvard University. He also was an exellent pianist, performing at Carnegie Hall as a young man.
He served as a U.S. Army officer in northwestern Europe during World War II.
After the war he lived in France for a number of years, where he met his wife of 55 years, Genevieve Adelbert Blumenson, who died in 2000.
Blumenson again served with the U.S. Army during the Korean War, and later worked in the Office of the Chief of Military History until 1967. After this he became an adviser on civil disorders for the Johnson administration.
Blumenson received a Bachelors and Masters degree from Bucknell University in Pennsylvania. He received a second master's degree in history from Harvard University. He also was an exellent pianist, performing at Carnegie Hall as a young man.
He served as a U.S. Army officer in northwestern Europe during World War II.
After the war he lived in France for a number of years, where he met his wife of 55 years, Genevieve Adelbert Blumenson, who died in 2000.
Blumenson again served with the U.S. Army during the Korean War, and later worked in the Office of the Chief of Military History until 1967. After this he became an adviser on civil disorders for the Johnson administration.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
February 20, 2025
3.5 stars marked up to 4 by Goodreads.
Well written by a distinguished military historian. Nicely organized and broken down into meaningful sections and chapters. Lots of detail (almost too much to retain) but clear nonetheless. Five maps, one of which is WAY TOO SMALL to be useful and another that is not particular clear, but one can refer to some of the others to make sense of the narrative.
If all one knew about the Kasserine Pass battle was what is shown in the movie "Patton," one might have the opinion that it was over in a day or so. Not true . . . it developed and was carried out over more than a week in a broader area than just the literal "pass." Lots of moving parts, to coin a cliche!
Best part of the book might be the "Aftermath" section, which summarizes the battle action and consequences and tells what happened to the major figures following the Kasserine Pass battle. And perhaps most impressive is the description of the logistical power of the allies, primarily the United States. A brief example: "Railway cars reached the theater in sufficient quantities to enable 40 trains to run daily . . . delivering more than 10,000 tons of equipment and supplies for the American combat troops . . ." And there are many more examples of why the US was called "The Arsenal of Democracy." Could we do it again today? Don't hold your proverbial breath.
Well written by a distinguished military historian. Nicely organized and broken down into meaningful sections and chapters. Lots of detail (almost too much to retain) but clear nonetheless. Five maps, one of which is WAY TOO SMALL to be useful and another that is not particular clear, but one can refer to some of the others to make sense of the narrative.
If all one knew about the Kasserine Pass battle was what is shown in the movie "Patton," one might have the opinion that it was over in a day or so. Not true . . . it developed and was carried out over more than a week in a broader area than just the literal "pass." Lots of moving parts, to coin a cliche!
Best part of the book might be the "Aftermath" section, which summarizes the battle action and consequences and tells what happened to the major figures following the Kasserine Pass battle. And perhaps most impressive is the description of the logistical power of the allies, primarily the United States. A brief example: "Railway cars reached the theater in sufficient quantities to enable 40 trains to run daily . . . delivering more than 10,000 tons of equipment and supplies for the American combat troops . . ." And there are many more examples of why the US was called "The Arsenal of Democracy." Could we do it again today? Don't hold your proverbial breath.
February 28, 2025
The author does a good job telling the story of this important battle. But you will need a good map next to it while reading the battle scenes and descriptions of the battlefield. The paperback I read is really lacking in that field. The maps inside are unusable.
The terrain itself, and the towns/passes/wadis covering it, make it a battle that is somewhat hard to follow at times. It is hard to imagine how places are located in reference to each other. Lacking familiarity with this area sure doesn't help here.
A lot of lessons were learned during this battle. Both on the Allied and Axis side. It also clearly shows how hard it can be to make coalition forces work together in an efficient way.
Good book, but get your maps nearby.
The terrain itself, and the towns/passes/wadis covering it, make it a battle that is somewhat hard to follow at times. It is hard to imagine how places are located in reference to each other. Lacking familiarity with this area sure doesn't help here.
A lot of lessons were learned during this battle. Both on the Allied and Axis side. It also clearly shows how hard it can be to make coalition forces work together in an efficient way.
Good book, but get your maps nearby.
August 8, 2022
Great book. A lessons learned guide for rookie commanders.
October 17, 2008
Good book about the American Army cuttings its teeth against the Wehrmacht and their most well-known Field Marshall, Rommel, in North Africa. Nice description of the battles, the armies and their commanders. A little too dry at times, but still worth a read if you are interested in the subject.
August 19, 2013
Kasserine Pass was a disaster for American forces during World War II. The Germans literally over ran an unprepared American division.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews