"Clash of Arms examines how the Western Allies learned - on the battlefield - to defeat the Nazi war machine." "Beginning with an investigation of the interwar neglect that left the Allied militaries incapable of defeating Nazi aggression at the start of World War II, Hart examines the wartime paths the Allies took toward improved military effectiveness. He also explores the continuous German adaptation that prolonged the war and increased the price of eventual Allied victory. Central to his comparative study is the complex interplay of personalities, military culture, and wartime realities that determined how accurately the combatants learned the lessons of war, and how effectively they enhanced their battle capabilities."--Jacket.

Includes maps of: United States Bridgehead, D-Day-24 July 1944; Anglo-Canadian Bridgehead, D-Day to 24 July 1944; Northwestern France Exploitation, 14-25 August 1944; German Dispositions in the West, 6 June 1944.

Preparation: 1919-1944. The interwar period ; The United States, 1939-1944: the leviathan awakens ; Britain, 1939-1944: toils and troubles ; Canada, 1939-1944: the politics of neglect ; Germany, 1939-1944: Blitzkrieg unleashed -- Normandy 1944. A campaign overview ; The United States: the leviathan triumphant ; Britain: Montgomery's best batsmen fail ; Canada: learning the hard way ; Germany: the defeat of the Westheer.