Field Marshall Bernard Montgomery. London 1887-1976.Hampshire. His father a Bishop with prayer in mind, But Monty's thoughts were war inclined, Different they were as chalk, cheese, With driving ambition, ways to succeed. St Paul’s in London Monty's chosen school, Impish, playful, but nobodies fool, Sandhurst academy he eventually went. The Warwick’s Reg. he began his ascent Off to India to assist the Raj, His five years there he didn't enlarge, 1914 he returned to these shores, Eagerly entering Europe's wars. Badly wounded in a machine gun tirade. A young medic came to his aide, A snipers bullet hit the medics head, Falling on Monty, instantly dead. The young medic Monty claimed, Saved his life as the sniper aimed, Two years in hospital Monty spent, Then returned to this ghastly event. Surviving this war with great valour, He then addressed the Second World War, On Dunkirk beaches on the retreat, To blitzkrieg tactics he conceded defeat. Learning from this traumatic event, To African deserts he next was sent, A man named Rommel was in command, Ruling the roost in this desert land. Methodically assembling all he could get, Leaving nothing to chance, with this little bet, With set piece tactics, classical war, He relieved Gen.Rommel of his African tour. Now the world looked with the greatest of awe, Not one more battle would he lose in this war, Like Wellington before him he had found, His own ideas were most profound. Alas on D Day he was not selected, Although on all sides most respected, The great American Eisenhower, Was elected to lead this finest hour. After the war he settled down. Not to far from a Hampshire town, He bought a mill on the river Wey, In Binstead churchyard his body does lay. JB. A Coy 3 para.55/57.
Yup! And I was one of Monty's Ironsides. A privilege to have seen action with such a real band of brothers sapper
Yup! And I was one of Monty's Ironsides. A privilege to have seen action with such a real band of brothers sapper Hello sapper, I thought Lieutenant General Lewis H. Brereton U.S air-force was overall commander of allied airborne forces. If so, he must take the blame for the failed Arnem operation.I've since been told it was Monty's clanger. Could you clarify.
Jobee, how does Sappers comment have anything to do with the US Airborne? When he refers to Band of Brothers, he's not talking about the TV series or the American Airborne he's referring to his Comrades. The term "Band of Brothers" is not exclusively referring to the US Airborne! Monty's Ironsides refers to the British 3rd Division although I am open to correction on this.
The term "Band of Brothers" is not exclusively referring to the US Airborne! No it in fact refers to the English Army at Agincourt in 1415 according to Shakespeare. We few, we happy few, we band of brothers; For he to-day that sheds his blood with me Shall be my brother And Crispin Crispian shall ne'er go by from this day until the ending of the world but we in it shall be remembered. We few, we happy few, we band of brothers, For he today who sheds his blood with me shall be my brother, Be he ne'er so vile, this day shall gentle his condition, and gentlemen in England now abed shall think themselves acursed they were not here, and hold their manhoods cheap whilst any speaks, that fought with us upon St. Crispin's day!
Imitation being the sincerest form of flattery: "Not one more battle would he lose" - do what? When Market-Garden to shit was shot. I know he claimed ninety percent victory, But through that one even us craphats can see. But the buck should not with Monty stop Eisenhower by then was CINCLAND* at the top. Between Monty and Patton he'd bend and sway While the head start he'd been given, he let slip away... * Apologies for any anachronism And keep up the good work!
Why is it that when a calculated long shot is taken in war, it is seen as a defeat? We all knew that the final thrust to Arnhem would be a 100 to 1 gamble. but stop and think what would have happened if it had succeeded, The Northern plains open to us, thousands of young lives saved, and the war over by Christmas. The great mass of Germany and Berlin in our hands. That gamble had to be taken, no matter the consequences......market garden was 90% successful... The other idea that some how, after chasing an enemy half way across Europe, we should now sit on our hands and stop fighting??? What the hell way to fight a war is that? Operation MG took huge swathes of the Netherlands from the enemy.That was hugely successful in that we did not have to take on suicide mission at every canal, and river crossing Wake up at the back! Sapper
Don't worry, Sapper, you're preaching to the converted. I'm quite satisfied that Monty did not act 'out of character' with Market-Garden, as is often claimed. I wish it had worked. It didn't, but hats off to him for having the balls to try.
Jobee, how does Sappers comment have anything to do with the US Airborne? When he refers to Band of Brothers, he's not talking about the TV series or the American Airborne he's referring to his Comrades. The term "Band of Brothers" is not exclusively referring to the US Airborne! Monty's Ironsides refers to the British 3rd Division although I am open to correction on this. I said 'ALLIED' airborne forces, Brits, Canadians, Americans etcetera.
Ok, Tell me how Sapper's comment has anything to do with ANY airborne, US, British, Canadians or German then?
The British Army had a bands of brothers long before films came on the scene. Long before the uSA existed.
The about Op Market Garden that gets me is it's the most over done , over debated part of WW2. Was it allied success or failure, I was to young to be there. Its portrayed as military failure, the Germans won that punch up. Was anyone actually there. WHO was the overall commander-American or Brit.
Cease fire! I don't think either party is flaming the other. I believe Sapper was referring to having served alongside airborne troops, most likely 6 Abn Div next door to 3 Div in Normandy. Jobee then asked Sapper why Monty attracts all the blame for Market Garden despite Brereton being the commander of First Allied Airborne Army.
Jobee, how does Sappers comment have anything to do with the US Airborne? When he refers to Band of Brothers, he's not talking about the TV series or the American Airborne he's referring to his Comrades. The term "Band of Brothers" is not exclusively referring to the US Airborne! Monty's Ironsides refers to the British 3rd Division although I am open to correction on this. But Brereton had been made over all commander 'allied' airborne forces.. Gliders, parachutists etcetera. On August 2, 1944, Brereton was appointed to command the First Allied Airborne Army and retained this post until the end of the war in Europe.
I'm with Sapper whatever he says! I was with Monty's Ironsides and was proud to be so. As I point of interest my father in the 1914-1918 scuffle also served in the 3rd Div, 9 Brigade at one time same as me. Jim
Cease fire! I don't think either party is flaming the other. I believe Sapper was referring to having served alongside airborne troops, most likely 6 Abn Div next door to 3 Div in Normandy. Jobee then asked Sapper why Monty attracts all the blame for Market Garden despite Brereton being the commander of First Allied Airborne Army. thank you idler, that's what I'm asking. Who was the boss?
Another great Poem Jobee. I don't suppose you do requests by any chance? Regards Andy What is your request, keep it clean.
