School of War Ep 217: Steven Rabalais on Ike’s Mentor
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Jul 25, 2025 Steven Rabalais, a litigator and author of "General Fox Conner: Pershing's Chief of Operations and Eisenhower's Mentor," dives into the remarkable yet overlooked influence of General Fox Connor on military history. He discusses Connor's mentorship of Eisenhower, revealing how it shaped his strategic thinking. Rabalais also touches on Connor's significant role during World War I, the evolution of the U.S. Army, and the personal resilience reflected in Southern narratives. Join him as he uncovers the vital lessons from this historical connection.
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Innovative American WWI Strategy
- The U.S. Army in WWI struggled with lack of divisions and plans, aiming to build a massive force for 1919.
- Connor planned a unique American strategy to flank Germany rather than fight trench warfare on French soil.
Reason Behind Larger Divisions
- Connor advocated larger 28,000-man divisions to ease logistical and command challenges.
- Bigger divisions reduced the number of needed officers, addressing a critical shortage of trained leadership.
America's WWI Unpreparedness
- The U.S. entered WWI unprepared, lacking troops and transport ships.
- Early American forces fought alongside French and British to delay the enemy while building their own army.
