School of War Ep 179: Phillips O’Brien on Grand Strategy in WW2
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Feb 21, 2025 
Phillips O’Brien, Chair of Strategic Studies at the University of St. Andrews, delves into the intricacies of strategic decision-making in World War II. He discusses how individual leadership styles influenced wartime strategies, highlighting FDR's navalist approach and Churchill's adaptability. O’Brien challenges the 'Germany First' doctrine and examines Stalin's underestimations of Hitler. The impact of personal agency in shaping military outcomes and the flawed decisions of leaders like Hitler are also explored, revealing the human element in grand strategy.
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Churchill's Shift to Navalism
- Churchill's early military career began in the army, shifting to naval focus as First Lord of the Admiralty.
- Gallipoli's failure and Western Front experiences made him skeptical of land war.
Churchill's Opposition to D-Day
- Churchill's opposition to D-Day stemmed from his skepticism of land war and desire to protect the British Empire.
- He prioritized maritime strategy and delaying major land offensives.
Mediterranean Focus
- Roosevelt and Churchill agreed on the Mediterranean focus in 1943, but for different reasons.
- Roosevelt aimed to delay D-Day, while Churchill sought to avoid it altogether.
