John Buckley. Monty's Men

John Buckley's predominantly British-centered operational survey of the 21st Army Group from D-Day to VE Day offers a thoughtful study of Britain's ground force contribution to the defeat of Nazi Germany during 1944–1945. Well written and researched, the book sets out to dispel myths and rehabilitate the image and reputation of British ground forces in Northwest Europe and of their commander, Field Marshal Sir Bernard Montgomery. It is, therefore, avowedly revisionist as it addresses historiographical debates over British combat effectiveness. Ultimately, Buckley succeeds in making an important contribution to these ongoing debates. The study convincingly demonstrates that British forces operated under substantial limitations that included severe manpower constraints, limited manpower quality, regimental tribalism, and morale concerns. As a consequence Montgomery developed an operational doctrine of firepower dominance that limited casualties, sustained morale, and ensured adequate performance through to victory. An intact army, Buckley reminds us, was needed for occupation duties in Germany and to preserve the empire. While none of this is new, Buckley adeptly synthesizes the substantial strengths of the British approach and emphasizes how Montgomery forged a war machine that, despite significant vulnerabilities, built around historical strengths of planning, logistics, communication, firepower, medical care, and administration. Buckley effectively demonstrates that British leaders were acutely attuned to the broader politico-strategic imperatives of a waning imperial power that sought both to preserve its postwar position and to prepare for possible confrontation with the Soviets, a reality that quickly emerged with the Cold War.

Ancient history · British Empire · Doctrine · Dominance (genetics) · Empire · Firepower · Historiography · Infantry · Military history · Operations research · Political science · Politics · Victory · Communism, Protests, Social Movements · Engineering · Historical Studies and Socio-cultural Analysis · History · Law · Vietnamese History and Culture Studies