Kesselring

Albert Kesselring was arguably the most able and versatile General Staff officer of his generation. In the Second World War he proved himself a master of envelopment by air and land, and of prolonged defensive warfare. He also displayed great diplomatic skill, enforcing close collaboration between air and land forces when the prevailing mood was for their independence, being more successful than most in persuading Hitler to follow his suggestions, and dealing with volatile Italian allies and antagonism from Rommel during his command in the Mediterranean. Kenneth Macksey's authoritative biography is based on a wide range of sources, including German records, evidence from Kesselring's colleagues, friends and enemies, and Kesselring's writings for the American Historical Division while imprisoned after the Second World War. They give a clear and compelling picture of Kesselring as a master strategist, brilliant commander and vital figure in the German military machine.