Ike's Last Battle: The Battle of the Ruhr Pocket, April 1945 (Commanders at the Endgame)

The intriguing account of the crucial engagement that destroyed the last major German force in Western Europe.This fascinating history of the Battle of the Ruhr Pocket is essential reading for all who enjoy the works of Max Hastings, Anthony Beevor, and Stephen E. Ambrose.By the spring of 1945, it was clear that the Allies would win the battle for Europe. The only question remaining, as German resistance crumbled on the eastern and western fronts, was who would reach Berlin first.Yet, rather than heeding Churchill’s warnings about the Soviet Union and overruling Montgomery’s plan for a rapid advance toward the German capital, Eisenhower instead chose to focus on encircling and destroying the German forces in and around the Ruhr.Why did Eisenhower prioritize a broader, multi-front approach at the war’s end rather than allow his men to strike out for Berlin? Why had he claimed in September 1944 that this city was ‘the main prize’, but six months later had little interest in it? Was it a purely strategic decision, or were personal ambitions at play?Drawing upon numerous personal accounts from American, Canadian, British, and German troops, as well as later historical analyses, Charles Whiting provides a thorough history of the Battle of the Ruhr Pocket, in which over 300,000 German troops were captured, and the renowned Axis general Walter Model committed suicide. Yet, what makes Ike’s Last Battle particularly unique is Whiting’s in-depth and thought-provoking study of Eisenhower’s character, performance, and motivations. Read more