Desperate Decisions: The Naval Odyssey of Professor James Brand

by J. Euguene Porter

In August, the Allies crushed the German armies in Normandy, launching a dash across France and into Belgium. But as they approach the German border, American and British forces begin to outrun their supplies, especially fuel. With manpower shortages becoming a problem, a risky plan is developed that could end the war by Christmas. But this operation requires diverting even more supplies to Montgomery’s army, starving the American advance toward Germany. In the Pacific, decisions are made which change the timing and direction of General MacArthur’s advance toward the Philippines. But first, the invasion of a small island must move forward, even with the knowledge the operation may now be unnecessary. Members of the Science Team continue to work with the Allied armies and the leadership in Washington to hasten victory, but this is complicated by different agendas, prickly egos, and the harsh realization the logistics needed to support these plans are stretched thin. All of these strategic plans and commitments require the men fighting in Europe and the Pacific to make Desperate Decisions...not only to win, but to live.

579 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 7, 2025

Reviews

[CATHY BARBER]

Logistics and intelligence

Once again, Mr. Porter has presented another fascinating chapter of how the war was fought with bravery and knowledge. The old saying about how many supports are needed for each fighting man are true. The characters are easy to relate to and the stories have enough fact to make the reader not only feel as part of the story but part of history. Great Read!!




No

[Dick Montgomery]

Another great professor book.

This book focuses mainly on operation Market Garden and operation Stalemate and the failures of intelligence and tactics that cost thousands of lives.

[Jim Purcell]

This well-researched series provides good insight into two of the most notable battles in WW2. Market Garden in Europe and Peleliue in the Pacific were responsible for horrendous casualties. Neither was necessary, and Market Garden led to long-lasting logistical problems for the Normandy invasion. Insufficient intelligence and large senior officer egos produced two of the worst decisions during this part of the war.