(Jrt)
Omar Bradley
Omar Nelson Bradley (12 February 1893 to Clark (Missouri) - April 8, 1981) was an American military. He was one of the main leaders of the U.S. Army in theatres in North Africa and Europe during World War II. He was elevated to the rank of General of the Army (five stars) and the first chief of staff of international weapons USA, 16 August 1949 to 15 August 1953.
Youth and studies
The fate of the Military Academy at West Point in 1915 and joined the 14th Infantry Regiment, which guards the border with Mexico and then obtained the rank of captain this year. It must embark for Europe with the 19th Infantry Division, but the Spanish flu pandemic then to prevent the armistice.
Career military
Between the two wars, he taught mathematics at West Point and was promoted to major in 1924. After a brief stay in Hawaii he studied at the School of General Command at Fort Leavenworth from 1928 to 1929. Starting this year, he returned to teach at West Point. Raised to the rank of lieutenant-colonel in 1936, he worked at the Department of war from 1938. In February 1941 he was promoted to brigadier-general and obtained the command of Fort Benning, Georgia. In February 1942 he took command of the 82nd Infantry Division (before his conversion to parachute division) before moving in June to the 28th.
World War II
It receives no trust in front before 1943, during Operation Torch it serves under the command of Dwight D. Eisenhower. He was appointed head of the second body in April and order during the final battles of April and May 1943. He then led his body in Sicily in July 1943. During the preparation of the Battle of Normandy, he was chosen to command the important first army group. During Operation Overlord (Normandy Landing), is leading three bodies on the beach missions Utah and Omaha beach. In July 1944, he planned Operation Cobra, which is the beginning of the breakthrough from the beach (pierced with Avranches). In August 1944, the new 12nd Army group is strengthened to achieve 900 000 men.
Normandy
Bradley uses this unprecedented force to achieve an ambitious plan of encirclement of German forces in Normandy, trapping in the pocket of Chambois (or Falaise pocket). The German armies suffer a considerable weakening, although the operation was partially successful. The allies reached the Siegfried line at the end of September 1944 and stop.
Ardennes
These are troops under the command of Bradley who suffer most of the initial shock of what we appoint the Battle of the Bulge, and those of his subordinate, George Patton and are reflux attack against the German. Bradley uses the weakness of the opponent after the renewed fighting to break through the German defenses and cross the Rhine and take the industrial heart of the Ruhr. Taking lucky Remagen bridge was quickly exploited bringing a huge pincers movement that allows the capture of 300 000 prisoners.
After the war
Bradley is the head of the administration of veterans for two years after the war. It is made chief of staff in 1949 and the first coordinator of the armed forces. On 21 September 1950, it is a five-star general, the fifth man to reach this rank and had to manage the Early Cold War and the War of Korea. He retired military in August 1953. It then becomes a member of various boards administrations of large companies.
He published his memoirs in 1951 under the title A soldier's story and uses this opportunity to attack the British commander Bernard Montgomery.
As a five-star general is still a member of the army of United States, he spent his last years in the William Beaumont Medical Center at Fort Bliss, Texas.
Read also William Bartram
wikipedia
