1798 Lt-General William Henry Ewart "Strafer" GOTT, CB, CBE, DSO*, MC, MiD*, KRRC: 07/08/1942

Discussion in 'Higher Formations' started by Gerard, Aug 11, 2008.

  1. Gerard

    Gerard Seelow/Prora

  2. marcus69x

    marcus69x I love WW2 meah!!!

    Good link mate. A brave man indeed. Cheers for that.
     
  3. Tom Canning

    Tom Canning WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    Gotthard -
    very interesting tale as most reports on that crash have Gott outside the plane when he was killed - also the comments of the German pilot in suggesting that this was an assination is also credible as at that time there was an American Colonel in Cairo reporting to Washington on 8th Army affairs and this was being listened to by a
    German unit in the south of Italy - the colonel was transferred back to the USA - he arrived as a hero wheras I would have had him meet with an accident !

    It is doubtful if Gott could have done the job as he was - accordingto Gen Alan Brooke-"tred out after three years inthedesert and needed a rest"- Monty on theother hand was fresh blood - and ideas ! The desert was quite a graveyard for generals, with few making it back such as O'Conner and Ritchie.
     
  4. Gerard

    Gerard Seelow/Prora

    Tom the guy you are referring to is a Colonel Bonner Fellers an attache to the US embassy. Yeah he helped Rommel along almost as much the Ultra intercepts did for the Allies!!!

    Heres a wiki link to his biography:
    Bonner Fellers - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Seems to have been a protege of MacArthur.
     
  5. Tom Canning

    Tom Canning WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    Gotthard - that's the guy - he did more to create the Rommel "myth" than anyone else - including Rommel ...this was the reason that he did so well in his entry to North Africa until Fellers was winkled out - and instead of being uncovered it was "arranged" that he should go back to the States - thankfully before Monty appeared otherwise history might have had to be re-written - as many people still try to do to-day !
    Cheers
     
  6. lostinspace

    lostinspace Junior Member

    I came across this information on the other occupants of the Bristol Bombay shot down on 7 August, 1942 & thought it might be of interest.. Not sure if this detail has been posted on before, did try a simple search, and although there are a great many posts that have touched on Gott's death, couldn't find any information on the other crew/passengers that were killed or injured.
    This is from the Aviation Safety Network, Flight Safety Foundation database (www.flightsafety.org), ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 16932:

    Date: 07-AUG-1942
    Time: 17:08 LT
    Type: Bristol Bombay Mk I
    Owner/operator: 216 Squadron Royal Air Force (216 Sqn RAF)
    Registration: L5814
    C/n / msn: SH.7
    Fatalities: Fatalities: 10 / Occupants: 17
    Other fatalities: 0
    Aircraft damage: Written off (damaged beyond repair)
    Location: 30 km SSW of Alexandria, near LG.90 - [​IMG] Egypt
    Phase: En route
    Nature: Military
    Departure airport: Burg El Arab, Egypt
    Destination airport: RAF Heliopolis, Alamza, Cairo, Egypt
    Narrative:
    Bristol Bombay Mk.1 L5814, 216 Squadron, RAF. Written off (destroyed) 7.8.42: Crashed in the Egyptian Desert, 30 km SSW of Alexandria, near LG.90. The aircraft had 17 persons on board (7 crew and 10 passengers). They were detailed to pick up 14 wounded soldiers from Burg-el-Arab. At 4:45 P.M. the aircraft took off and flying only 50 feet off the ground so as not to attract the attention of Luftwaffe aircraft headed back to Heliopolis. One passenger was a VIP, Lieutenant-General William Henry Ewart "Strafer" Gott, CB, CBE, DSO & Bar, MC, who has been appointed as successor to General Claude Auchinleck as commander of the Eighth Army just the day before.

    Before he could take up his post, Gott was killed when the transport plane he was travelling in was shot down and destroyed while returning to Cairo from the battle area. The aircraft, a Bristol Bombay of No. 216 Squadron RAF flown by 19-year-old Flight Sergeant Hugh "Jimmy" James, was intercepted and shot down by Unteroffizier Bernd Schneider and Emil Clade of Jagdgeschwader 27 (Fighter Wing 27). With both engines out, the pilot had made a successful crash landing, but two German Messerschmitt Bf 109 fighters attacked the crashed plane, strafing it until the Bombay was totally wrecked. Those who were unable to escape from the downed Bombay (including Gott) were killed. Gott's body was buried at the El Alamein War Cemetery.

    Crew
    Pilot: Sgt H.G. James RAF injured.
    Pilot: Sgt P. Lawson RAF injured.
    W/op: Sgt 971119 H. Daniels RAFVR injured.
    Sgt Bowles RAF injured.
    Medical Orderly OK.
    Fitter: LAC 900222 J.C. Manning RAFVR OK.
    Rigger:LAC 1255696 P.N. Howarth RAFVR OK.
    Passengers:
    Lt General 1798 W.H.E. Gott Army killed.
    Gunner 879399 J. Cleary 155 Battery 52 Lt AA Regiment RA killed.
    Gunner 1826601 T. McDonald 3 Battery 1 Lt AA Regiment RA killed.
    Sapper 2117828 F. Price 588 Army Field Company Royal Engineers killed.
    Signalman 2320419 J.T. Cox Royal Corp of Signals XXX Corp Signals killed.
    Trooper 4133211 J.J. Lamb 50th (4th Bn The Royal Northumberland Fusiliers) killed.
    Private 4532717 W. Wilson 2nd Battalion, The West Yorkshire Regiment killed.
    Private 4537993 R.T. Charlesworth 2nd Battalion The West Yorkshire Regiment killed.
    Private 5730249 A.R. Saggers RAOC killed.
    Lt/Cpl 6007839 G.D. Dodd 1/4th Battalion The Essex Regiment killed.

    Just prior to the crash the (un-named) Medical Orderly had accidentally fallen through the forward hatch and had been saved by landing in soft sand. All the fatalities were interred at El Alamein War Cemetery in Egypt.
     
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  7. lostinspace

    lostinspace Junior Member

    After reading more about this incident, is it now the consensus that the Germans were tipped off and ambushed the Bombay?
    This blog post by James Holland from 2006 The Truth Behind the Death of General Gott – James Holland's Griffon Merlin certainly indicates that.
    Plus, the title of N.S. Nash's book 'Strafer', Desert General: The Life and Killing of Lieutenant General W.H.E. Gott seems to agree. Has anyone read it?
     
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  8. lordgort

    lordgort New Member

    Thank you for sharing lostinspace, that is a fascinating article that I wasn't aware of. I knew of Gott being killed on the ground after a crash landing but had no idea it may have been a targetted killing rather than random encounter.
     
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  9. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    Personal number: 1798
    Rank: Lieutenant-General
    Name: William Henry Ewart GOTT, CB, CBE, DSO*, MC, MiD*
    Unit: King's Royal Rifle Corps


    London Gazette : 16 February 1916
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/29070/page/1560/data.pdf
    REGULAR FORCES.
    The undermentioned Gentleman Cadets, from the Royal Military College, to be Second Lieutenants. Dated 17th February, 1915: —
    The King's Royal Rifle Corps.
    William Henry Ewart Gott.

    London Gazette : 30 January 1920
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/31759/supplement/1219/data.pdf
    AWARDED THE MILITARY CROSS.
    Lt. William Henry Ewart Gott, 2nd Bn,., K..R. Rif. Corps.

    London Gazette : 15 April 1921
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/32293/supplement/3065/data.pdf
    K.R.R.C.—
    The undermentioned Lts, to be Capts. 22nd Jan. 1921 :—
    W. H. E. Gott, M.C., with precedence next below H. C. E. Mauduit, M.C.

    London Gazette : 9 October 1925
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/33091/page/6507/data.pdf
    INFANTRY
    18th Lond. R.—
    Capt. W. H. E. Gott, M.C., K.R.R.C., to be Adjt. 19th Sept. 1925.

    London Gazette : 13 October 1925
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/33092/page/6615/data.pdf
    K.R.R.C.—
    Capt. W. H. E. Gott, M.C., is seed, for serv. as an Adjt., T.A. 19th Sept. 1925.

    London Gazette : 21 January 1930
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/33572/page/428/data.pdf
    K.R.R.C.—
    Capt. W. H. E. Gott, M.C., is secd, whilst a student at the Staff Coll. 21st Jan. 1930.

    London Gazette : 2 January 1934
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/34011/page/54/data.pdf
    K.R.R.C.—
    Capt. W. H. E. Gott, M.C., is secd, for serv. on the .Staff. 1st Jan. 1934.

    London Gazette : 2 January 1934
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/34011/page/55/data.pdf
    HALF YEARLY BREVETS.
    The undermentioned promotions are made. 1st Jan. 1934:—
    To be Bt. Majs.
    Capt. W. H. E. Gott, M.C., K.R.R.C.

    London Gazette : 20 July 1934
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/34071/page/4666/data.pdf
    K.R.R.C—
    Capt. & Bt. Maj. W. H. E. Gott, M.C., to be Maj. 21st July 1934.

    London Gazette : 10 April 1936
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/34273/page/2386/data.pdf
    INDIAN ARMY.
    COMMANDS AND' STAFF.
    The undermentioned officers have vacated appts. in India : —
    G.S.O. 2—
    Maj. W. H. E. Gott, M.C., K.R.R.C., 12th Feb. 1936.

    London Gazette : 10 April 1936
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/34273/page/2387/data.pdf
    The undermentioned appts. have been made dn India:—
    D.A.Q.M.G.—
    Maj. W. H. E. Gott, M.C., K.R.R.C., 12th Feb. 1936.

    London Gazette : 1 November 1938
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/34566/page/6816/data.pdf
    K.R.R.C.—
    Maj. W. H. E. Gott, M.C., to be Lt.-Col. 30th Oct. 1938.

    London Gazette : 1 April 1941
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/35120/supplement/1868/data.pdf
    The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the following awards in recognition of distinguished services in the Middle East, during the period August 1939 to November 1940: —
    The Distinguished Service Order.
    Lieutenant-Colonel (temporary Brigadier) William Henry Ewart Gott, M.C. (1798), The King's Royal Rifle Corps.

    London Gazette : 1 April 1941
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/35120/supplement/1871/data.pdf
    The KING has been graciously pleased to approve that the following be Mentioned for distinguished services in the Middle East during the period August, 1939, to November, 1940: —
    The King's Royal Rifle Corps.
    Gott, Lt.-Col. (temp. Brig.) W. H. E., M.C. (1798).

    London Gazette : 8 July 1941
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/35209/supplement/3881/data.pdf
    The KING has been graciously pleased to give orders for the following promotions in, and appointments to, the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, in recognition of distinguished services in the Middle East during the period December, 1940, to February, 1941: —
    To be Additional Commanders of the Military Division of the said Most Excellent Order:—
    Lieutenant-Colonel (temporary Brigadier) William Henry Ewart Gott, D.S.O., M.C, (1798), The King's Royal Rifle Corps,

    London Gazette : 3 October 1941
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/35294/supplement/5709/data.pdf
    REGULAR ARMY.
    The undermentioned are granted the Actg. Rank of Maj.-Gen.: —
    Lt.-Col. (temp.) W. H. E. Gott, D.S.O., M.C. (1796), K.R.R.C. 6th Sept. 1941.

    London Gazette : 7 October 1941
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/35298/supplement/5775/data.pdf
    REGULAR ARMY.
    Lt.-Col. (temp. Brig.) W. H. E. Gott, D.S.O., M.C. (1796), K.R.R.C., is granted the actg. rank of Maj.-Gen. dated 6th Sept. 1941. (Substituted for the notifn. in the Gazette of 3rd Oct. 1941.)

    London Gazette : 30 December 1941
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/35396/page/7332/data.pdf
    The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the following awards in recognition of distinguished services in the Middle East (including Egypt, East Africa, The Western Desert, The Sudan, Greece, Crete, Syria and Tobruk) during the period February, 1941, to July, 1941.
    Bar to the Distinguished Service Order
    Major-General (acting) William Henry Ewart Gott, C.B.E., D.S.O., M.C. (1798), late The King's Royal Rifle Corps.

    London Gazette : 20 February 1942
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/35462/supplement/833/data.pdf
    REGULAR ARMY.
    The undermentioned Cols., are granted the actg. rank of Lt.-Gen. : —
    (Actg. Maj.-Gen.) W. H. E. Gott, C.B.E., D.S.O., M.C. (1798). 9th Feb. 1942.

    London Gazette : 9 September 1942
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/35697/page/3945/data.pdf
    The KING has been graciously pleased to give orders for the following appointments' to the Most Honourable Order of the Bath, in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in the Middle East during the period November, 1941, to April, 1942: —
    To be Additional Members of the Military Division of the Third Class, or Companions, of the said Most Honourable Order:—
    Lieutenant-General (acting) William Henry Ewart Gott, C.B.E., D.S.O., M.C. (1798), late The King's Royal Rifle Corps. (Since killed in action.)

    London Gazette : 24 June 1943
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/36065/supplement/2853/data.pdf
    The KING has been graciously pleased to approve that the following be Mentioned in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in the Middle East during the period 1st May, 1942, to 22nd October, 1942: —
    Commands and Staff.
    Lt.-Gen. (actg.) W. H. E. Gott, C.B., C.B.E., D.S.O., M.C. (1798), late K.R.R.C. (Killed in action.)

    London Gazette : 13 June 1946
    https://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/UN/UK/LondonGazette/37609.pdf
    OPERATIONS IN THE MIDDLE EAST FROM AUGUST, 1939 TO NOVEMBER, 1940.
     
    Last edited: Mar 24, 2023
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  10. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

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    dbf Moderatrix MOD

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    dbf Moderatrix MOD

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    dbf Moderatrix MOD

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    dbf Moderatrix MOD

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  16. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    Lieutenant General William Henry Ewart Gott | War Casualty Details | CWGC
    LIEUTENANT GENERAL WILLIAM HENRY EWART GOTT
    Service Number: 1798
    Regiment & Unit/Ship: General Staff, Cdg. XIII Corps
    Secondary Unit: King's Royal Rifle Corps
    Awards: Companion of the Bath, Commander of the Order of the British Empire, Distinguished Service Order and Bar, Military Cross
    Date of Death: Died 07 August 1942
    Age 44 years old
    Buried or commemorated at EL ALAMEIN WAR CEMETERY
    Grave Reference: XXXIII. D. 21.
    Location: Egypt
    Additional Info: Son of the late Lt.Col. William Henry and Anne Rosamund Gott; husband of Pamela Mary Gott, of Fleet, Hampshire.
    Personal Inscription: TRANQUIL YOU LIE YOUR KNIGHTLY VIRTUE PROVED, YOUR MEMORY HALLOWED IN THE LAND YOU LOVED
     
  17. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

  18. Tom OBrien

    Tom OBrien Senior Member

    'Strafer' Gott

    Hi all,

    I found this fulsome tribute to 'Strafer' Gott in WO236/7 which otherwise includes 7th Armoured Division lessons learned documents from Oct - Nov 43. I thought it might be of interest:

    Lt. General W.H.E. Gott. C.B.E.; D.S.O.; M.C.


    “Twelve months ago today General Gott was shot down by the enemy and killed while flying on duty from Burg el Arab to Cairo. In Tripolitania at the HQ of his old Division his friends and comrades wished to remember him.


    So we are gathered together this evening for a few moments to honour the memory of Strafer. He served in this Division from the time it was formed – first as a Bn. Commander, then as the Commander of the Support Group, and later as Divisional Commander. Those were the days, which seem so far away now, when little stood between the Delta and the formidable forces of invasion. All who knew those days will acknowledge his immense contribution. With nothing to save the situation but a small and gallant force, he came to the rescue again and again at difficult times, and was foremost in the pursuit of an enemy miraculously defeated on two occasions.


    His was an example of the noble life. I had known him as a brother officer for twenty five years, and for the last seven months of his life I worked with him and saw him daily. I therefore feel I can speak with authority on his character. His physical courage was unsurpassed and had the extra quality of making everyone near him feel braver in the battle. His moral courage was such that he never for a moment hesitated to say what he thought was right to anybody anywhere. His unselfishness was a habit so that he never considered himself, but only his duty and other people. He had the highest ideals which always seemed with him so natural and easy because he had an unerring sense of right and wrong.


    Perhaps the most attractive part of his whole character was his ability to consider a problem and divest it immediately of all trivial and unnecessary detail: at once he placed his finger on the problem. When any problem is stripped in this manner it requires no great intellect to see the solution. Strafer was thus able to throw light on any problem with a few words so that those present could only come to one conclusion, and that conclusion was both logical and practical. He applied this gift to his profession and to his life.


    But such qualities would have been dead wood if Strafer had not had a great sense of with and a joy of living and enjoying the company of his friends, which is the spirit of eternal youth. He had this in unbounded measure to the joy and pleasure of all near him.


    Self control is a quality which the strain and stress of war tries to the limit. Uncontrollable temper and hatred are sometimes applauded. Not so with Strafer: his self control was always supreme. After a long and trying retreat we were discussing whether troops should be educated to hate their enemies. Strafer dismissed the idea with contempt, and I shall never forget the vehemence of his words, “I do not hate the Germans, I do not despise them, and by God I do not fear them”.


    He has left us the rich gift of his example, how to lead a Christian life and how to do your duty – simple but yet how difficult. If this evening we can regain something of the inspiration of his immortal Spirit we shall have gained something which will help us today, tomorrow, and in the future. Let us face the future determined to divest it of that which does not matter, and to face the truth and all its realities with the nearest approach to his courage that we can muster."

    There is no indication of the author but I assume it would have been a senior officer from 7th Armoured Division.

    Regards

    Tom
     
  19. Trackfrower

    Trackfrower Member

    No one ever wrote his biography.
    Nor Jock Campbell
     
  20. Staffsyeoman

    Staffsyeoman Member

    Untrue. Major General NS "Tank" Nash (who was the Commandant of the Army Catering Corps) published this in 2013.

    https://www.amazon.co.uk/Strafer-De.../ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=

    I felt that it didn't do complete justice to its subject, but it's better than none.

    Secondly, the person we thought was the last surviving WW2 veteran of the Staffordshire Yeomanry*, Les Cherrington - who was severely wounded in Tunisia, and passed away aged 102 - said "Then they told us we were going to be commanded by some bloke called Gott... and we said bloody 'ell... 'es a bloody German!"
     
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