Global Logistics and Strategy: 1943-1945

The United States Army in World War II: The War Department

by Robert W. Coakley, Richard M. Leighton

The changing character of the strategic-logistical problems faced by the Washington high command in the last two years of the war when U.S. and Allied forces achieved material superiority over their enemies on almost every front.

1618 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1968

About the author

Dr. Robert W. Coakley was a native of King George County, Va.. He wrote and co-wrote several books including, "The Role of Federal Military Forces in Domestic Disorders, 1789-1878." He also wrote two books as part of the Army's official history of World War II, "Global Logistics and Strategy: 1940-1943," and "Global Logistics and Strategy: 1943-1945." Coakley was the general editor of "A Guide to the Study and Use of Military History."

Coakley began his career as an Army historian during World War II, when he was transferred from the 927th Field Artillery Battalion, 102nd Infantry Division, to the Historical Division of European Theater of Operations. There, he received an Army Commendation Ribbon for his written studies of the organization and command of the European Operations.

After the war Coakley gained his PhD in history from the University of Virginia. He joined the War Department's Office of Chief of Military History, which later became the Army Center for Military History. He worked there until he retired in 1980, rising to be deputy chief of the Center.

Coakley died in 1998 aged 81.