As only a fighting man could, Eisenhower saw war as brutal, futile and stupid.  By far,
the most brutal, futile and stupid battle of America’s World War II is the battle of Monte Cassino in southern Italy during the winter of 1943-1944.

Why is this battle so under-reported?  Why do most Americans have no knowledge of it? 
Why do names like Normandy and Iwo Jima glow like white stars on the blue backdrop of our history while Monte Carlo is relegated to a blurred footnote of history?

Because, even though the Allies eventually were victorious, our command did so much to portray us as less than heroic.  Our foot soldiers were as gallant and self sacrificing as any fighting men in history, but our brass showed itself to be brutal, helpless, vain, self-serving, and most of all, incredibly stupid.

Please read my book,  THE MULES OF MONTE CASSINO, written under the pen name of Henry Grif.

Most men go through life hoping to be like Michael—smart,
  tough, successful—while fearing they will end up like Sonny—destroyed by
  senseless tragedy—and knowing in truth that they are Fredo—dim, ineffective,
forgetting to look around while saying the Hail Mary.