3
3
0
82nd ABN
WWII World War Two
Military History
Posted 7 y ago
Responses: 2
1
1
0
Not quite a blunder. More like missed opportunities and baffled reactions. Monty and USAAC wisely came up with a plan only to be told "under the table" that Churchill had forbade any further British loss of life to further the war effort in Europe. Having already planned, Monty mutinied and threatened a public bitchslapping of the war cabinet and Churchill. Not quite sure what Churchill said to Monty but English feathers were un-ruffled and smoothed over. Monty would sit out the rest of the war, tactically and strategically.
Main British mistake was underestimating German SS rest units. The mistake would - from a materiel perspective - have not mattered as the Germans simply didn't have enough fuel/ammo to have pushed Horrocks' out. Had Horrocks not had engine failure he would not have gotten the "stop" message and would have been in the city center by noon. Horrocks (Michael Caine's character in the movie) was a lot closer than the movie makes out. He took fewer casualties as well. Irish Guards were within seconds from overhauling the Germans.
Main British mistake was underestimating German SS rest units. The mistake would - from a materiel perspective - have not mattered as the Germans simply didn't have enough fuel/ammo to have pushed Horrocks' out. Had Horrocks not had engine failure he would not have gotten the "stop" message and would have been in the city center by noon. Horrocks (Michael Caine's character in the movie) was a lot closer than the movie makes out. He took fewer casualties as well. Irish Guards were within seconds from overhauling the Germans.
(1)
(0)
Sgt Wayne Wood
faulty intelligence, or rather, correct intelligence which was ignored, was a major factor in the failure at Arnhem. even with air recon pix SHOWING german tanks in the arnhem vicinity, the intel was was disregarded.
some accounts from the Brit perspective have to be taken with a grain of salt. from their perspective, Monty would have won the war single-handedly if not for the bungling of the American generals and the treachery of politicians.
some accounts from the Brit perspective have to be taken with a grain of salt. from their perspective, Monty would have won the war single-handedly if not for the bungling of the American generals and the treachery of politicians.
(0)
(0)
PO3 Donald Murphy
He wasn't loved by anyone except the 8th Army foot soldier. He was the perfect general because he was an order follower. Churchill's orders were to allow everyone BUT the UK to bear the brunt of liberating Europe. Monty followed those orders to a "T" with his attrition warfare. Monty hated that as other gens were getting aplomb and accolades and he was basically being typecast as a slow mover. His big gripe was that Churchill would promise him "freewheeling operations," then pull the plug at the last moment. This would be the reason the British did not budge during the Bulge. Monty was within days of being sacked for insubordination. "Why bother - you'll just pull me back the moment a German troop is seen..."
Monty's depression and apathy reared during Normandy. Bradley noticed he appeard almost drunk and distant. Browning then filled in Ike and Brad that Monty was "to attend the meetings - and nod at the appropriate moments," but once the start whistle went off, Monty was to stay back. Model was dead tired at Arnheim. Had the Irish Guards pressed in (also the Americans were a lot closer than the movie says as well) Model would have more than likely had wounded fighting to shore up the main defense. Model was a realist and knew the allies had superiority in virtually everything. Once the road battle went the way it did (Irish victory) Model was expecting to be surrendering by night fall.
Monty's depression and apathy reared during Normandy. Bradley noticed he appeard almost drunk and distant. Browning then filled in Ike and Brad that Monty was "to attend the meetings - and nod at the appropriate moments," but once the start whistle went off, Monty was to stay back. Model was dead tired at Arnheim. Had the Irish Guards pressed in (also the Americans were a lot closer than the movie says as well) Model would have more than likely had wounded fighting to shore up the main defense. Model was a realist and knew the allies had superiority in virtually everything. Once the road battle went the way it did (Irish victory) Model was expecting to be surrendering by night fall.
(1)
(0)
0
0
0
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google