Montgomery and the Americans


Figure 1.--Here we see Montgomery with some French children after D-Day. The photograph is undated, but would have been taken in June or July 1944. Is it as this time that problems between Montgomery and the Americans escalated.

Montgomery was the best known British general of World War II. He was the only British general to deliver a victory over the Germans before joint operations with the Americans began, although huge quantities of American equipment were key to the victory ar El Alemain (October 1942). Montgomery also played a key role in the D-Day planning. He was emensely popular in Britain and absolutely detested by the American commanders he worked with. That Patton and him would quarely is understandable, they were both primadonnas. But he also had trouble with American commanders like Omar Bradley who was much more professional in his conduct. Problems began in Tunisia as soon as Montgomery came in contact with the Americans, but it was after D-Day during the fighting in France that matters came to a boil. Bradley refused to speak to him unless it was absolutely essential offical business. Then Monty essentially told Ike that he should turn over command. Ike was the consumate master of running a war with allies. The Anglo-American Alliance was probably the grestest alliance in miliktary history. Much of the success of making the alliance work was due to Eisenhower political skills. He is said to have explained to an American officer he retirned to the states that he was not fired for calling a British officer a bastard, but for valling him a "British" bastard. Even so by the end of the War the alliance had frayed considerably. Ike while the fighting was still going on in France was prepared to ask that Montgomery be relieved. Montgomery who finally seems to have realized that Churchill probably would have complied, applogized to Eisenhower.

Best Known British General

Montgomery was the best known British general of World War II. And thus along with Churchill, he was the great British heo of the War. He was emensely popular in Britain and absolutely detested by the American commanders he worked with. That Patton and him would quarely is understandable, they were both primadonnas. But he also had trouble with American commanders like Omar Bradley who was much more professional in his conduct. His run in with Eisenhower almost cost him his command.

El Alemain (October 1942)

Montgomery was the only British general to deliver a victory over the Germans before joint operations with the Americans began, although huge quantities of American equipment were key to the victory ar El Alemain (October 1942).

Tunisia (January-May 1943)

The Americans first came into contact with Montgomery in Tunisia. After Torch (November 1942), the German rushed forces to Tunisia before the Allies could seize the major Tunisan ports. As a result there were several months of fighting in Tunisia. The Torch force was British and American and soon joined by the Free French. They attacked east into northern and central Tunisia. Montgomery's 8th Army after Alemain persued Rommel gthrough Libya and reached southern Tunisia (January 1942). It is clear from the German victory at Kaserine (February 1943) that the Americans were not yet prepared to fight a substantial German force. Pressure from Montgomery's 8th Army to the south, the limited size of the German force, and tension between German commanders made it impossible for the Germans to exploit their victory. The great mistake of the Germans in the dessert war was that it provided an opportunity for both the Americans and British to learn how to fight them in a theater that the Germans were not sufficietly powerful to prevail. Tensions between the Americans and Montgomery began in Tunisia. Montgomery was perceived at loarding it ober the Americans and questioning both their leadership and capabilities.

Sicily (July 1943)

Montgomery argued that he be given the lead role in the Sicily invasion. He and the British forces were hiven the primaru role of driving up the eastern coastal road to take Mesina. The Germans concentrated their forces in the east and Montgomery found the going very difficult. The Americans had not been prepared in Tunisia, but they were fast learners. He was most irritated when Patton took firsdt Palermo and then entered Messina a few hours before the British. Accounts of the Sicily campaign often focus on the Montgomery-Patton competition. In fact other American commanders were disturbed by Montgomery insisting on the central role in the operation and than failing to deliver. More imporant, howeber, is that while Sicily was taken, despite overwealmng air and sea forces, the allies failed to cut off annd capture the German forces on Sicily. They wold pay dearly for this in Italy.

Italy (September 1943)

Americans were furher disturbed with Montgomery during the invasion of Italy. Montgomery crossed at the Straits of Messina and landed unopposed. The Americans and British under Matt Clark landed further noth at Salerno. The success of the landings was for a tkme in doubt. American commanders felt that Montgomery showed no great ungency in moving north to relieve the embattled Salerno bridgehead.

D-Day

After the Italian landings, Montgomery returned to England with isenhower to focus on the cross-Channel invasion. Montgomery played a key role in the D-Day planning. He was Ike's deputy commander. As far as I can tell his performance made a major contribytion to the success of the landings. Montgomery's penchant for meticulous planning was a mjor assett.

Liberation of France

Problems began in Tunisia and escalated in Sicily, but it was after D-Day during the fighting in France that matters came to a boil. Bradley refused to speak to him unless it was absolutely essential offical business. Then Monty essentially told Ike that he should turn over command. Ike was the consumate master of running a war with allies. Ike while the fighting was still going on in France was prepared to ask that Montgomery be relieved. Montgomery who finally seems to have realized that Churchill probably would have complied, applogized to Eisenhower. American commanders were disturbed by what they saw as Mongomery's lack of initiative in closing the Falaise pocket and here Montgomery was demanding Ike's job. Here it may be true that Montgomery faced the most determined resistance. It is definitely true that he showed an inflated view of his capabilities and a failure to recognize the importance of the American contribution and the skill of its commznders.

Market Garden (October 1944)

Market Garden was largely designed by Montgomery. It was essentially alan for the left flank of the Allied forces (lsrgely the British nd Canadin forces he commanded) to drive north into the Neherlands and cross the Thine--the last important natural barrier to the Reich. He had been asking for some time to get the resources and support needed to drive into the Reich. Eisenhower was committdd to broad front strategy, but greed to Market Garden when the Germans began hitting London with V-2s. The offensive almost succeeded, but failed an Arhem--the famous bridge too far. Many military historians attribute the failure to a failure to aggresively persue the action.

The Buldge (December 1944)

American commanders were again disturbed with Montgomery after the Germans struck in Belgium. Eisenhower gave him command of the American units north of the Buldge. American commanders report that his behavior upon taking command was that of Christ clearing the money changes from the Temple.

Crossing the Rhine (March 1945)

Montgomery prepared in detail for the Rhine crossing. It was a massive operation which entailed involved planning carried out over several weeks. It was precced by a massive artillery bsarage and huge pratrop drop. Some military historians describe it as one of the most involved operations in the west only exceeded by D-Day. One wag commented that if Montgomery had his way that he would still be planning it. Patton never one to let an opportunity go to irritate Montgomery, crossed the Rhine with a small force and little preparation the night before Montgomery's operation was due to kick off.

The Anglo-American Alliance

The Anglo-American Alliance was probably the grestest alliance in miliktary history. Much of the success of making the alliance work was due to Eisenhower political skills. He is said to have explained to an American officer he retirned to the states that he was not fired for calling a British officer a bastard, but for valling him a "British" bastard. Even so by the end of the War the alliance had frayed considerably.

Menoirs

Problems with Montgomery did not end with the War. Ike in his memoirs treaded gently wit the issues assoiated with Montgomery. Not so Montgomery who wrote in almost disparaging tones about Eisenhower.





HBC






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Created: 5:45 AM 6/6/2006
Last updated: 5:45 AM 6/6/2006