All right boys, the easiest Poll Ever: Was Monty over-rated?

BTW,

is Montgomery of El Alamein his knighthood name or just the name of a book?

 

His knighthood name, I think Kai.
Viscount Montgomery of Alamein.


Regards,
Gordon

 

Another problem that Monty had was that he could be quite vindictive to people he didn't like. For example when Slim took over as CIGS in 1948 he was left in a position of what to do about the issue of National Service. This was an issue left over from Monty's tenure of service. It would appear he did this as Slim was not his choice, he preffered Crocker, whom he had already informed that this would happen. He was then rebuked by Attlee who told him it would be Slim. Therefore, it would seem he left this problem for Slim to solve. With the issue of telling Crocker of his 'new' position, it was not the first time he had over stepped the boundary of appointing people to positions. when he became CIGS he informed his Chief of Staff from his 21st Army Group days, De Guingand, that he would become VCIGS. In this he was again overruled. So one of Monty's main failling would appear that he believed he had more power than he did and often over stepped that mark.

 

Another problem that Monty had was that he could be quite vindictive to people he didn't like. For example when Slim took over as CIGS in 1948 he was left in a position of what to do about the issue of National Service. This was an issue left over from Monty's tenure of service. It would appear he did this as Slim was not his choice, he preffered Crocker, whom he had already informed that this would happen. He was then rebuked by Attlee who told him it would be Slim. Therefore, it would seem he left this problem for Slim to solve. With the issue of telling Crocker of his 'new' position, it was not the first time he had over stepped the boundary of appointing people to positions. when he became CIGS he informed his Chief of Staff from his 21st Army Group days, De Guingand, that he would become VCIGS. In this he was again overruled. So one of Monty's main failling would appear that he believed he had more power than he did and often over stepped that mark.

 

Another problem that Monty had was that he could be quite vindictive to people he didn't like. For example when Slim took over as CIGS in 1948 he was left in a position of what to do about the issue of National Service. This was an issue left over from Monty's tenure of service. It would appear he did this as Slim was not his choice, he preffered Crocker, whom he had already informed that this would happen. He was then rebuked by Attlee who told him it would be Slim. Therefore, it would seem he left this problem for Slim to solve. With the issue of telling Crocker of his 'new' position, it was not the first time he had over stepped the boundary of appointing people to positions. when he became CIGS he informed his Chief of Staff from his 21st Army Group days, De Guingand, that he would become VCIGS. In this he was again overruled. So one of Monty's main failling would appear that he believed he had more power than he did and often over stepped that mark.

 

Another problem that Monty had was that he could be quite vindictive to people he didn't like. For example when Slim took over as CIGS in 1948 he was left in a position of what to do about the issue of National Service. This was an issue left over from Monty's tenure of service. It would appear he did this as Slim was not his choice, he preffered Crocker, whom he had already informed that this would happen. He was then rebuked by Attlee who told him it would be Slim. Therefore, it would seem he left this problem for Slim to solve. With the issue of telling Crocker of his 'new' position, it was not the first time he had over stepped the boundary of appointing people to positions. when he became CIGS he informed his Chief of Staff from his 21st Army Group days, De Guingand, that he would become VCIGS. In this he was again overruled. So one of Monty's main failling would appear that he believed he had more power than he did and often over stepped that mark.

 

Another problem that Monty had was that he could be quite vindictive to people he didn't like. For example when Slim took over as CIGS in 1948 he was left in a position of what to do about the issue of National Service. This was an issue left over from Monty's tenure of service. It would appear he did this as Slim was not his choice, he preffered Crocker, whom he had already informed that this would happen. He was then rebuked by Attlee who told him it would be Slim. Therefore, it would seem he left this problem for Slim to solve. With the issue of telling Crocker of his 'new' position, it was not the first time he had over stepped the boundary of appointing people to positions. when he became CIGS he informed his Chief of Staff from his 21st Army Group days, De Guingand, that he would become VCIGS. In this he was again overruled. So one of Monty's main failling would appear that he believed he had more power than he did and often over stepped that mark.

 

Another problem that Monty had was that he could be quite vindictive to people he didn't like. For example when Slim took over as CIGS in 1948 he was left in a position of what to do about the issue of National Service. This was an issue left over from Monty's tenure of service. It would appear he did this as Slim was not his choice, he preffered Crocker, whom he had already informed that this would happen. He was then rebuked by Attlee who told him it would be Slim. Therefore, it would seem he left this problem for Slim to solve. With the issue of telling Crocker of his 'new' position, it was not the first time he had over stepped the boundary of appointing people to positions. when he became CIGS he informed his Chief of Staff from his 21st Army Group days, De Guingand, that he would become VCIGS. In this he was again overruled. So one of Monty's main failling would appear that he believed he had more power than he did and often over stepped that mark.

 

Another problem that Monty had was that he could be quite vindictive to people he didn't like. For example when Slim took over as CIGS in 1948 he was left in a position of what to do about the issue of National Service. This was an issue left over from Monty's tenure of service. It would appear he did this as Slim was not his choice, he preffered Crocker, whom he had already informed that this would happen. He was then rebuked by Attlee who told him it would be Slim. Therefore, it would seem he left this problem for Slim to solve. With the issue of telling Crocker of his 'new' position, it was not the first time he had over stepped the boundary of appointing people to positions. when he became CIGS he informed his Chief of Staff from his 21st Army Group days, De Guingand, that he would become VCIGS. In this he was again overruled. So one of Monty's main failling would appear that he believed he had more power than he did and often over stepped that mark.

 

Sorry guys message ocurred several times. Computer probs

 

Sorry guys message ocurred several times. Computer probs

 

*whistles* very close poll indeed. last I checked it was 46% for yes and 54% no.

From the books I've read, I'd have to say that he'd be a general I'd follow. I don't think he's over-rated at all.

DUCE

 

In fact the question is not precise enough to enable significant results. Monty is overrated by his fans and underrated by his foes... if there would be another poll "Was Monty underrated?", I would also vote yes. Patton did most certainly underrate Monty. I think many of the users who votes 'no' will agree that he is partly overrated, but taking into account that he was also underrated, they vote no. So this is in fact not an easy question, but very tricky...

 

Knight is right! Good post!

That is what made it really hard for me to answer. I do really admire Monty and I have him in high regard. But his much fame made him being much greater than he really was. But certainly he has been underrated a lot too. Thanks to Ambrose in a great shape...

 

Of course if we ask the question from the soldier´s view who was the most greeted and celebrated General as he came to visit the men I guess Monty was on the top spot?

 

Having fought our way from Sword Beach to Bremen, though I departed during the battles for Overloon and Venraij, the men on the ground thought that Monty was the "bees knees" he never wasted mens lives, he would not put up with failure by his officers, he was a great stragitist, he captured Normandy some time before the date planned, AND! with the crushing defeat of the enemy at Falaise.

That could have been even more crushing had Patton not been off on his "ego trip" of capturing "Empty Countryside" land where no enemy was!

Had he joined his American forces along with the British and Canadians trying to force the neck of the bag closed. Then Monty's reputation would have been even greater.

But Patton was enjoying his "ego trip" sailing away where there were no enemy, why should he? indeed, have joined the battle at the neck of the "bag" American, British, and Canadian troops and officers were being killed there! Just imagine how the war would have been shortened had Pattons armour joined in the battle.Instead he was sitting miles away from the real war, and had run out of fuel. It is just as well that there was not a SS Panzer battle group near. I think that what is written here is pretty much the opinion of the Allied troops.
Sapper

 

One other thing! All these theory's Ask your own Veterans, They are the men that will tell it like it was.
Sapper

 

Sorry Sapper but that is exactly what Patton wanted to do, close the gap on the Germans at Falaise, but he was overuled by his commanding officer Bradley, who was worried about the ability of the US troops to keep the gap closed without heavy losses.
Bradley himself later admitted the failure to close the gap at Falaise was his.

 

[ 16. January 2004, 03:10 PM: Message edited by: Citadel_87 ]

 

[ 16. January 2004, 03:11 PM: Message edited by: Citadel_87 ]