Herbert Sobel is a name that may not be widely known, but for those with an interest in military history or the TV show “Band of Brothers,” he is a central figure in both. Sobel’s life and career were marked by incredible successes and equally significant failures, and his legacy has been debated by historians and fans alike. Through his tireless dedication to his training and his soldiers, Sobel left a lasting impact on the soldiers he trained and the history of the United States Army.
But who was he? This piece will explore the life and legacy of Herbert Sobel, the man who trained the famed “Easy Company” during World War II.
Steven Spielberg defined Herbert Sobel as “A tough and demanding leader, but his expectations set the standard for excellence and inspired his men to achieve greatness.”
David Webster described him as “A flawed leader, but he was also a brilliant tactician. He was responsible for preparing Easy Company for some of the toughest battles of World War II.”
Stephen Ambrose explained, “Captain Herbert Sobel is a complex character, a man driven by his own insecurities and need for perfection.”
Herbert Sobel was a controversial figure in the military world, known for his strict disciplinary methods and intense scrutiny on his men during his time as a US Army officer. His leadership style was famously portrayed in the popular HBO series, “Band of Brothers,” where he was depicted as a villainous character. However, the real life of Herbert Sobel was more complex than his portrayal on screen.
Herbert Sobel was born on January 26, 1912, in Chicago, Illinois. He was the son of Jewish immigrants from Poland and grew up in a working-class family. His military education started almost immediately. As a young boy, he attended Culver Military Academy in Indiana where he did exceptionally well on the swim team. Years later, he continued his education by attending the University of Illinois, from which he graduated in 1933. After university, he entered the Army’s Reserve Officer Corps.
Herbert Sobel joined the army in 1941 and was one of the original members of the 101st Airborne Division, which was formed in 1942. He was commissioned as a second lieutenant and was assigned to the 101st Airborne Division, which was based at Camp Toccoa in Georgia. He was described as a ‘soldiers soldier’. One who believed that given the right training, his men could do anything. He was known for his rigorous methods, which prepared the soldiers under his command for the challenges of combat that lay ahead.
Throughout training, Herbert Sobel remained unpopular with Easy Company. His strict disciplinary skills were harsh, and he would punish the soldiers for even the smallest of infractions. The training regimen was gruelling and Sobel, strict and demanding in his nature.
Despite Sobels grim methodology, his approach was effective, and many of the soldiers under his command went on to become highly skilled and successful. Buck Compton, in his memoir “Call of Duty” explained, “Sobel was tough, but he was fair. He demanded the best from his men, and he was willing to lead by example.” Sergeant William Guarnere followed on to say, “Sobel was a tough son-of-a-bitch, but he knew his stuff.”
Sobel trained Easy Company in Georgia and England before they were sent to Normandy, France, for the D-Day invasion in 1944. Stephen Ambrose, in his book “Band of Brothers” commented “Without Herbert Sobel, Easy Company would not have been the well-oiled machine that it was.” While there was no doubt that Captain Sobels training and dedication was influential, many soldiers felt that Sobel was more concerned with his own advancement than their well-being, and because of this, he faced multiple challenges to his authority. As a result, Sobel was eventually removed from his position as commanding officer and assigned to a desk job in France after the Battle of Carentan.
One man that Captain Sobel did have a well-known conflict with was Richard Winters. While Major Winters, known for his exceptional leadership and combat skills, quickly rose through the ranks, Sobel was often regarded as his opposite. Richard Winters quietly earned his men’s respect, but the lack of battlefield experience and harsh leadership styles that Captain Sobel demonstrated, made it difficult for him to gain the trust and respect that he yearned for. Private Roy Cobb said, “The only thing Sobel cared about was himself, and he never had the respect of his men.”
Coupled with Sobels harsh criticism and constant belittling of his men, this caused resentment amongst the troops of Easy Company. Major Richard D. Winters was famously quoted as saying, “Sobel was a textbook example of a bad leader.”
Despite their different reputations, both Winters and Sobel played important roles in the war effort. Winters’ leadership skills helped secure many victories for the Allies, while Sobel’s tough training regimen helped prepare Easy Company for the challenges they would come to face on the battlefield. Sergeant William Guarnere commended Captain Sobel and said,”If it wasn’t for Sobel, we wouldn’t have been as well-prepared as we were for combat.”
Life after the war proved to be complex for Herbert Sobel. Herbert Sobel returned to Chicago, married and raised three sons. Numerous articles report how he was devoted to his wife, how he made her breakfast every morning and warmed her car on a winter’s morning, as well as being ready with a cocktail for her when she arrived home.
He began work as an accountant and set aside as much of his earnings as he was able to. Sobel believed education was the second most important thing after raising a family, so his savings were set aside for his sons. Life continued on for the Sobels. Family gatherings were lively, and Herbert Sobel was well liked.
He continued to serve in the United States Army Reserves and reached the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. However, family life began to suffer. He divorced from his wife and many reports state that he was estranged from his sons.
Sobel also continued to struggle with mental health issues, including depression and anxiety. A lunch meeting with Major Clarence Hester in the 60s confirmed this. Sobel was noted to have issues with life in general and an underlying bitterness was directly aimed at Easy Company. He was rumoured to have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder in the 1970s although evidence of this is limited.
In 1970, Sobel shot himself in the head with a small calibre in an attempted suicide. The bullet entered his left temple, passed behind his eyes, and exited the other side of his head. Both of his optic nerves were severed by the shot, leaving him blind. There is little evidence or understanding as to why he did this, the mental health issues possibly being a contributing factor. Soon afterward, he began living at a VA Assisted Living Facility in Waukegan, Illinois. He died there of malnutrition on 30 September 1987. No memorial services were held for him.
The reunions for Easy Company soldiers and families continued to be held. From Marcus Brothertons book, “We who are alive and remain”, Herbert’s son Michael discussed how he ended up being an impromptu guest speaker at an Easy Company reunion in Arizona.
Michael commented “One of the men’s sons hugged me through tears, I can’t even tell you who it was, it was such an emotional time, and he said, “My father told me that if I ever had the honour of meeting you to let you know that it was because of your father that I’m alive today.” That was pretty much the sentiment of the men I had the honour to meet that day.”
Herbert Sobel’s legacy as a military leader has been debated by historians and veterans alike. While his strict disciplinary methods were controversial, he was also praised for his tactical expertise and unwavering dedication to his men. Sobel’s story is a testament to the challenges of leadership, and the impact it can have on a group’s success or failure. The final words belong to Major Dick Winters who said, ” Herbert Sobel was a true professional, and his dedication to training and preparation laid the foundation for Easy Company’s success in combat. His legacy as a military leader remains unmatched. His unwavering devotion to his men and country will always be remembered.”
