Who do you guys think was the outstanding British general of the war? For me it is Slim. As well as being well liked amongst his men, often a very telling point, he was a very accomplished field commander. He understood military tactics and logistics very well and had a very calm head on his shoulders when unexpected circumstances raised their head. With most of his work was comfined to the Far East theatre of war, he showed a very good understanding of the local enviroments and terrain and was able to work this to his advantage. His outflanking of the Japanese at Meiktila was an outstanding piece of military command. Any of you guys feel Monty deserves this accolade?
Think Monty has his place, but for me General Sir Frederick Pile's my favourite. The only British General to retain the same command throughout the war, he became C-in-C of AA Command in 1939 and built it up into an effective combat force. When the V1s started coming over, the whole UK command was reorganised in Operation Diver to provide an ack-ack screen between London and the South Coast, an incredible feat in my opinion. He actually formulated a plan to tackle V2s by radar-predicted fire into airspace by the end of the war, but it wasn't used due to the danger of shells falling on London.
I'd vote for Slim as well although I've seen some strong cases made for others. I've grown to appreciate Monty more in recent years than I used to but still wouldn't put him in first place or even very close there to..
Well, "outstanding" is subjective. I'd say Freyburg, but New Zealand claim him as their own, and so he fails on the "British" part.
Can some of the experts here talk a bit about Operation Goodwood? I'm just starting to read about it and to me it seems that Montgomery flat out lied to Eisenhower and also the press about his objectives and also his progress during the battle
When I say "British" I usually, if not allways, am including the Commonwealth. Is that not the proper usage or is it one of those ambiguous terms? Looks like I may have to explicilty state Commonwealth if there's the potential for confusion.
Well, I said that a bit tongue in cheek. Freyburg was born in Great Britain, moved to NZ when he was two, but joined the fighting with the RN Division during WWI, and lived in the UK during the interim years. It's his personal bravery and due care of the New Zealand Division as a dominion commander, that really won him respect.
Thinking back on it I do remember hearing good things about him. I don't remember what but that just indicates I'm not as knowledgeable as I should be about many of those in high command during the war.
Freyburg is also buried in the Uk - in Surrey. In between the world wars Freyburg completed a full regular career in the British Army retiring with ill health after 25 years services. He really should be recognized as one of the best British fighting generals of the First world war. Lieutenant to Brigadier General in three years, along with a VC DSO and Bar zillions of Menitons in dispatches and 20+ scars from. A real hero..
I'll nominate Alanbrooke. It is easier for a General be a successful in command of their own show. But the really big decisions were made by committees of politicians and servicemen. There were powerful people like Churchill Roosevelt Stalin Marshall, and King. . Alanbrooke did several really important things for the British War effort. 1. As Commander Home Army he put in place the rebuilding of the British Army post Dunkirk. It was his army which revivied british military fortunes, starting with the export of hoem army methods and Montgomery to El Alemein. 2. As CIGS he stopped Churchill from doing anything daft. 3. Probably the most important thing he did was prevent the Americans from committing the western allies to a premature D Day. He fought the key and won the battles in the committee rooms ensuring that the Allies sopent 1943 engaging the Germans in a\ second front in the Mediteranean and not taking a riosk to satisfy US pressure to be seen to be doing something. Many Americans may not agree with the direction of his arguments, but no one can doubt that he won them. It is difficult to influence strategy as the junior member of an alliance. It is impossible to think of Montgomery. Slim or Patton for that matter operatign at the stratospheric levels of command. That makes Alanbrooke a rare and gifted senior general. This isn't likely to be popular with many Americans, but from mthe British point of view he saved Britian's last field army fro being destroyed
As Grand Strategist : Alan Brooke. He kept Churchill in check , consulted and provided counter weight against all US point of view in wartime conferances , created the strastegy that triumphed in Western Europe Mediterranean.... Army Command : William Slim. Followed closely by Dick O'Connor.
