Comments on: Mark W. Clark: A General Reappraisal

By: Phil

Phil — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 23:09:21 +0000

The primary task of senior military commanders is the destruction of the opposing armies, Clark passed up on realistic opportunity to do that in exchange for Rome which had no military value at that time and served only to his personal glory, and he disobeyed his superior in the process. It may have been good politics but it was definitely bad generalship.

By: Keith

Keith — Sun, 03 Feb 2013 12:13:20 +0000

True encircling a German maneuver army is difficult, but Clark did not give it his all. (By the way, aren't all field armies of the day maneuver? The Germans as a point of fact were less mobile the western allied armies, because of the Wehrmacht dependence on horses for transport). He was ordered to cut the Germans retreat. Instead he diverted forces to capture Rome.

The situation in Italy was one of the best the allies were ever given to encircle a German army. The German had one major road to retreat on and were hemmed in by the mountains. Would an attempt have succeeded? We will never Know. Could an attempt have severely hurt the German army in Italy? Certainly.

By: JustaReader

JustaReader — Sat, 02 Feb 2013 16:52:42 +0000

See the last sentence of paragraph 4 and first sentence of paragraph 5. The author does discuss the foray into Rome vs. encircling the maneuvering German army in front of him.

By: Don

Don — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 15:50:31 +0000

My Dad also served in the 5th Army and still talks about what a poor General Mark Clark was. The men hated him and his arrogance, as well as his poor decisions. The 34th and 36th Infantry Divisions fought some of the worst battles of that war and are overlooked by today's 'history'.

By: jimmypete

jimmypete — Sun, 16 Dec 2012 02:15:28 +0000

Sorry should have said "was" in the 36th, Amazing you should say your description apparently the 36th had been a Texas outfit and many of the replacements were from New Jersey, there was my dad 5'5" ItalianAmerican from Newark with those cowboys, I think I got the 36th right.

By: jimmypete

jimmypete — Sun, 16 Dec 2012 02:13:08 +0000

My dad is in the 36th also, he had the same reaction to Mark Clark, the only thing that he said saved him at the Rapido was a flare up of Malaria which put him in the hospital.

By: Anthony Strickland

Anthony Strickland — Fri, 14 Dec 2012 19:28:21 +0000

My Father was a member of the 36th Division, as an Army "Brat" I was never allowed to ask questions about WWII, as I got older and found out some things specificaly about Mark Clark, I feel terrible about the fact that he had to do what was impossible, for the sake of the incompetence and ego of the Commanders, includes Keyes,just to ride through Rome, before anyone else did. The lives he sacrified just for publicity and glory is unforgiveable.I'am in New Jersey so not only is he disliked in Texas, likewise for New Jersey.But, I cannot find out why he was not disciplined for his Blunder at the Rapido River.

By: jimmypete

jimmypete — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 16:22:09 +0000

In the new book "The Generals" Ricks is of the opinion Clark may have been a better general that he is given historical credit for but much worse than Clark's own opinion of himself. Ricks is more concerned with strategic proficiency but it still appears to me Clark had little tactical sense, and less strategic. My father who fought in Italy would have agreed.

By: Keith

Keith — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 13:05:47 +0000

I fail to see what difference Korea makes. This is about WWII. Also, in Korea he was a higher commander. Ridgway was Eighth Army commander and was more involved in command of combat troops.

Going back to Allan S's comment. I think calling him insubordinate is appropriate. He disobeyed a direct order at Anzio and did not destroy the German Army. Instead he went for Rome.

By: lyndon

lyndon — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 09:34:39 +0000

Mark Clark was supreme Commander United Nations forces Korea and as such would be stationed in Tokyo from 1952 -1953,

Maxwell Taylor succeded Van Fleet as c-i-c of eigth army, Korea. in 1952,
In July 1943 both were witnesses to The Korean Armistice agreement..