Operation Husky Operation Command

1585 Words7 Pages
Operation Husky exposed weakness in the Allies ability to conduct joint operations. Inadequate campaign plans prevented leaders from gaining and maintaining the level of command and control necessary to achieve successful joint functions integration. Ineffective mission command fostered an environment of unnecessary competition, mistrust and confusion that prevented the unified employment of joint forces. Inexperienced allied units failed to exercise sufficient movement, maneuver and fires integration to gain a decisive advantage over Axis forces. These factors denied the Allies a total victory during Operation Husky. This paper evaluates the quality of Allied command and control, movement and maneuver and joint fires integration during…show more content…
Command is the art of directing, motivating and guiding subordinate personnel and units to accomplish a common goal and control is the science of managing the employment of forces within the Commander’s authority. The three tenants of mission command provide a doctrinal framework for the application of the art of command. Mission orders are the mechanism that provides adequate levels of centralized control over the disciplined released of initiative required to conduct decentralized operations. Successful mission command communicates a clear commander’s intent, enables a persistent understanding of the situation and develops trust between subordinates and superiors. Effective mission command is a trait fond in high performing units. Allied Commanders exercised inadequate command and control during Operation Husky. Operational results provide examples of poor performance of forces that lacked a clear Commander’s intent while leadership shortcomings and joint planning inadequacies prevented the development of mutual trust and…show more content…
Senior leaders did little to overcome mutual mistrust between American and British forces or to develop a shared understanding of the operation. General Eisenhower and General Alexander failed to provide sufficient leadership during the planning phase of Operation Husky. General Montgomery filled this leadership vacuum by developing an invasion plan that designated his 8th Army as the main effort and relegated Patton’s 7th Army to a supporting role. The debate spawned by Montgomery’s plan created ill will between senior officers and highlighted Allied command relationship problems that persisted throughout Operation Husky. Joint planning provides the common basis for mutual understanding of joint operations. General Montgomery’s unilateral development of the Operation Husky plan denied key ground, air and naval forces leaders the opportunity to participate in the joint planning process. This stovepipe planning prevented the maturation of mutual operational understanding that is critical to effective unified

More about Operation Husky Operation Command

Open Document