Comments on: The American Eagle? Mark W. Clark http://www.historynet.com/the-american-eagle-mark-w-clark-2.htm From the World's Largest History Magazine Publisher Tue, 21 May 2013 18:13:44 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Dogface http://www.historynet.com/the-american-eagle-mark-w-clark-2.htm#comment-828371 Dogface Sat, 22 Dec 2012 03:23:21 +0000 http://www.historynet.com/the-american-eagle-mark-w-clark-2.htm#comment-828371 After reading through the various comments, been impressed by the thoughtful and interesting comments, pros and cons. Especially Bill Nance's remark about capable commanders needing to be bailed out less by MOH winners. Never thought of it that way, though I wouldn't mention that to the naval aviators of TBS 8 (Battle of Midway) or Adm "Jack" Fletcher. Injecting some hearsay here. I read that Audie Murphy refused to salute Mark Clark until Clark first saluted to acknowledge the MOH which Murphy was wearing. He later said: "It was the least that I could do after all he did to us in Italy". If true, this is a telling indictment from a common foot slogging dogface who had to carry out orders which he knew caused the lives of American boys. Thought I'd pass this story along for what it's worth. After reading through the various comments, been impressed by the thoughtful and interesting comments, pros and cons. Especially Bill Nance's remark about capable commanders needing to be bailed out less by MOH winners. Never thought of it that way, though I wouldn't mention that to the naval aviators of TBS 8 (Battle of Midway) or Adm "Jack" Fletcher. Injecting some hearsay here. I read that Audie Murphy refused to salute Mark Clark until Clark first saluted to acknowledge the MOH which Murphy was wearing. He later said: "It was the least that I could do after all he did to us in Italy". If true, this is a telling indictment from a common foot slogging dogface who had to carry out orders which he knew caused the lives of American boys. Thought I'd pass this story along for what it's worth.

]]> By: Parker West http://www.historynet.com/the-american-eagle-mark-w-clark-2.htm#comment-782110 Parker West Wed, 23 Nov 2011 15:03:11 +0000 http://www.historynet.com/the-american-eagle-mark-w-clark-2.htm#comment-782110 It's appropriate that those with some kind of a personal tie to Clark would be supportive of the man while those without that connection after having reviewed his performance would regard the man as an incompetent stumblebum who's outstanding characteristic was vanity. He may have been an American Eagle but he was an American Eagle sitting either in a villa in Naples or a palace further north in Italy. Lee avoided Richmond to inflict huge casualties on the Confederate army but a Mark Clark was not going to miss out on the chance to trade trapping a beaten, bloody and exhausted German army for the Glory of Rome. While the man sent the Texas National Guard on an impossible diversionary mission to cross the icy inflated Rapido river at the same time as he and buddy John Lucas we're building their "beached whale" on Anzio beaches. He destroyed the 44th and 46th corps on the rocky outcroppings below Cassino, it seemed as if the man was so detached from "on the ground" realism that it was easier to get 1000's of men killed that to leave the palace doors to actually see what he was ordering men to do and the conditions they had to deal with. Clark was the American "Call Me Market Garden" Montgomery without any discernible leadership talent but the right connections. It's appropriate that those with some kind of a personal tie to Clark would be supportive of the man while those without that connection after having reviewed his performance would regard the man as an incompetent stumblebum who's outstanding characteristic was vanity. He may have been an American Eagle but he was an American Eagle sitting either in a villa in Naples or a palace further north in Italy. Lee avoided Richmond to inflict huge casualties on the Confederate army but a Mark Clark was not going to miss out on the chance to trade trapping a beaten, bloody and exhausted German army for the Glory of Rome. While the man sent the Texas National Guard on an impossible diversionary mission to cross the icy inflated Rapido river at the same time as he and buddy John Lucas we're building their "beached whale" on Anzio beaches. He destroyed the 44th and 46th corps on the rocky outcroppings below Cassino, it seemed as if the man was so detached from "on the ground" realism that it was easier to get 1000's of men killed that to leave the palace doors to actually see what he was ordering men to do and the conditions they had to deal with. Clark was the American "Call Me Market Garden" Montgomery without any discernible leadership talent but the right connections.

]]> By: simon humby http://www.historynet.com/the-american-eagle-mark-w-clark-2.htm#comment-312931 simon humby Wed, 28 Jul 2010 18:50:36 +0000 http://www.historynet.com/the-american-eagle-mark-w-clark-2.htm#comment-312931 Clark was something worse than incompetent - he valued his own PR above the lives of his troops. I've just read a book by Alan Wicker (who was there) that says Clark was "Hitler's favourite US general" Clark was something worse than incompetent – he valued his own PR above the lives of his troops. I've just read a book by Alan Wicker (who was there) that says Clark was "Hitler's favourite US general"

]]> By: Juan I. http://www.historynet.com/the-american-eagle-mark-w-clark-2.htm#comment-311984 Juan I. Sun, 25 Jul 2010 00:30:17 +0000 http://www.historynet.com/the-american-eagle-mark-w-clark-2.htm#comment-311984 Gen. Clark was a petulant and ambitious officer, the fact that Rome was open was as luring for him as a tied goat for a tiger. He was thinking with P.R. up-front and he was going to be the first Allied General to conquer an Axis capital city. Surely his pursuit of the 10th German Army would've meant a severe blow to Hitler's plans, as he was unable to reinforce seriously the Italian front and the conquest of Italy would've been less costly and no doubt the outcome of the War would've been quicker and maybe different. He took Rome for mere personal vanity, and it cost several thousand more Allied casualties in the long run. Gen. Clark was a petulant and ambitious officer, the fact that Rome was open was as luring for him as a tied goat for a tiger. He was thinking with P.R. up-front and he was going to be the first Allied General to conquer an Axis capital city. Surely his pursuit of the 10th German Army would've meant a severe blow to Hitler's plans, as he was unable to reinforce seriously the Italian front and the conquest of Italy would've been less costly and no doubt the outcome of the War would've been quicker and maybe different. He took Rome for mere personal vanity, and it cost several thousand more Allied casualties in the long run.

]]> By: Rob Citino http://www.historynet.com/the-american-eagle-mark-w-clark-2.htm#comment-295019 Rob Citino Sun, 13 Jun 2010 03:45:26 +0000 http://www.historynet.com/the-american-eagle-mark-w-clark-2.htm#comment-295019 Thanks, Pamela! And here's to your father. Thanks, Pamela! And here's to your father.

]]> By: Pamela Tarleton Westafer http://www.historynet.com/the-american-eagle-mark-w-clark-2.htm#comment-290005 Pamela Tarleton Westafer Thu, 03 Jun 2010 00:27:16 +0000 http://www.historynet.com/the-american-eagle-mark-w-clark-2.htm#comment-290005 My father served under Mark Clark in Italy and was awarded the bronze star by him . He continued to visit my father on his way to visit relatives in NC until his death. He called my father one of his "boys". He followed my dad's career as one of the youngest police chiefs in NC to one of the longest serving. Mark Clark was considered a true American Eagle in our family. My father served under Mark Clark in Italy and was awarded the bronze star by him . He continued to visit my father on his way to visit relatives in NC until his death. He called my father one of his "boys". He followed my dad's career as one of the youngest police chiefs in NC to one of the longest serving. Mark Clark was considered a true American Eagle in our family.

]]> By: Emil Browder http://www.historynet.com/the-american-eagle-mark-w-clark-2.htm#comment-289178 Emil Browder Mon, 31 May 2010 02:26:36 +0000 http://www.historynet.com/the-american-eagle-mark-w-clark-2.htm#comment-289178 What do you mean that Allies didn't encircle the Germans in the Falaise Pocket? It's true that many got away, but tens of of thousands of Wehrmacht troops surrendered, I believe it was about 80 thousand. Adding to that, Patton and Bradley were responsible for that. So I have to disagree with your last point. Mark Clark was just another glory hound, any good general would have encircled the 10th when ordered to do so. What do you mean that Allies didn't encircle the Germans in the Falaise Pocket? It's true that many got away, but tens of of thousands of Wehrmacht troops surrendered, I believe it was about 80 thousand. Adding to that, Patton and Bradley were responsible for that.
So I have to disagree with your last point. Mark Clark was just another glory hound, any good general would have encircled the 10th when ordered to do so.

]]> By: Cosmo Kramer http://www.historynet.com/the-american-eagle-mark-w-clark-2.htm#comment-274157 Cosmo Kramer Tue, 11 May 2010 18:35:03 +0000 http://www.historynet.com/the-american-eagle-mark-w-clark-2.htm#comment-274157 my post is missing a "T". should read: the fact remains THAT. etc. sorry. my post is missing a "T". should read: the fact remains THAT. etc. sorry.

]]> By: Cosmo Kramer http://www.historynet.com/the-american-eagle-mark-w-clark-2.htm#comment-274156 Cosmo Kramer Tue, 11 May 2010 18:32:39 +0000 http://www.historynet.com/the-american-eagle-mark-w-clark-2.htm#comment-274156 after all is said and done, the fact remains tha "Wayne" was just another American "Prima Donna" general whose only interest was in furthering his own personal aggrandizement. As far as his military skills are concerned, I believe they were non-existant. after all is said and done, the fact remains tha "Wayne" was just another American "Prima Donna" general whose only interest was in furthering his own personal aggrandizement. As far as his military skills are concerned, I believe they were non-existant.

]]> By: Keith Levanway http://www.historynet.com/the-american-eagle-mark-w-clark-2.htm#comment-273184 Keith Levanway Sat, 08 May 2010 19:17:08 +0000 http://www.historynet.com/the-american-eagle-mark-w-clark-2.htm#comment-273184 Perhaps Clark would not have succeded in encircling the 10th Army, but it would have cost the Germans terribly. Falaise was not a completely successful encirclement. However the Germans paid a horrible price to get some of their troops out. Even if he did not cut off the Germans completely they would lose more militarily than when Rome fell. Rome was there and it wasn't going anywhere. If Clark succeeded cutting off the 10th Army Rome would be captured. If he failed it would be captured sooner or later. In all likelihood the Germans would not have defended Rome strongly because they would have been licking their wounds and looking for a better defensive position. Perhaps Clark would not have succeded in encircling the 10th Army, but it would have cost the Germans terribly. Falaise was not a completely successful encirclement. However the Germans paid a horrible price to get some of their troops out. Even if he did not cut off the Germans completely they would lose more militarily than when Rome fell.

Rome was there and it wasn't going anywhere. If Clark succeeded cutting off the 10th Army Rome would be captured. If he failed it would be captured sooner or later. In all likelihood the Germans would not have defended Rome strongly because they would have been licking their wounds and looking for a better defensive position.

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