Background
He was born in Nappanee, Indiana.
( The Allies scored a spectacular victory when they invad...)
The Allies scored a spectacular victory when they invaded the French Riviera on August 15, 1944, but even today, three and a half decades later, British and American historians continue to debate whether the campaign represented brilliant strategy or meaningless waste of men and materials. Churchill and the British, explains Alan F. Wilt in this first full-length account of that controversial invasion, consistently opposed the Riviera assault (code named Anvil, later Dragoon). Churchill saw Italy, not southern France, as the logical target for a major offensive action. Barely two weeks before Dragoon was to begin, Churchill tried to divert the assault from the Riviera to the Brittany peninsula. By this time America made all command decisions, however; the Allies launched Dragoon in spite of Churchill’s “many machinations against it.” Roosevelt and the Americans staunchly favored the Riviera campaign. In their view Dragoon “would engage large numbers of Axis troops… , release numerous French formations for combat on French soil… , open up the possibility of capturing major ports… , and increase pressure even more on Germany from the West.” In this study, Wilt strikes a balance between the military and the diplomatic aspects of the Riviera campaign. Because he bases his study on German as well as British and American archival sources—including the important Ultra intelligence documents—Wilt presents his subject from the perspective of both the Allied and the Axis powers. He describes and documents a “spirited exchange between British and American leaders, an amphibious invasion of considerable proportions, a swift allied advance led by colorful, yet competent commanders,” and a German retreat led by capable, imaginative officers.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0809310007/?tag=2022091-20
( "Wilt writes... well and offers many sound perceptions....)
"Wilt writes... well and offers many sound perceptions." ―Choice "... a stimulating book... a timely warning against overindulgence in hindsight in evaluating the great issues of the war... " ―Parameters "... a significant new study... a clearly written, excellent book... " ―Airpower Journal "... an impressive work of scholarship... " ―British Politics Group Newsletter "Wilt's comparative approach permits us fresh perspectives on both sides of the war. Moreover, Wilt has chosen to compare two of the major rival belligerents at the most stimulating and interesting level at which such comparison might be made, the level of the summit of decision making―with the magnetic figures of Hitler and Churchill playing major roles in his narrative and analysis." ―Russell F. Weigley "This is a masterful treatment of a complex subject and a must read book for anyone writing about the Second World War." ―The Historian
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0253364558/?tag=2022091-20
He was born in Nappanee, Indiana.
And Doctor of Philosophy, both from the University of Michigan.
He received a Bachelor of Arts in History from DePauw University, and an Master of Arts He served in the United States. Air Force from 1960 to 1963. Wilt taught Modern European and Military History at Iowa State University from 1967 until his retirement in 1999. He was a visiting professor three times during his career, at the Air War College at Maxwell Air Force Base (1982-1983), in the Iowa-Arizona London Study Abroad Program (1991), and at Glasgow University (1997).
Wilt was active in many professional organizations, including the Society for Military History, the Western Association for German Studies, and the German Studies Association.
He also served on the editorial board of the Journal of Military History from 1998-2001. His scholarship made him a recognized authority in World World War II military strategy.
He was the author of five books and he contributed to 10 others, as well as being the author of numerous articles At the time of his death he was researching the Anglo-American Combined Chiefs of Staff during World World War World War II Wilt was a man of deep faith, devoted to his family and to his work.
He had many interests including golf and International Skating Union women"s basketball.
He was a lifelong Chicago Cubs fan. He loved gardening, especially roses, and he was a Master Gardener. He did volunteer work at the Ames Public Library, Reiman Gardens, and Collegiate Methodist Church.
He died in 2005 of interstitial lung disease.
( The Allies scored a spectacular victory when they invad...)
( "Wilt writes... well and offers many sound perceptions....)