Triumph and Tragedy (The Second World War) (7 page)

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On the first night when I visited the wardroom the officers were singing songs. At the end they sang the chorus of

“Rule, Britannia.” I asked them what were the words.

Nobody knew them. So I recited some of Thomson’s noble lines myself, and for the benefit and the instruction of the reader (if he needs any) I reprint them here:
The nations not so blest as thee
Must in their turn to tyrants fall,
Whilst thou shall flourish great and free
The dread and envy of them all.

The Muses, still with freedom found,
Shall to thy happy coast repair;
Blest isle, with matchless beauty crowned
And manly hearts to guard the fair: —

On my last day at Arromanches I visited Montgomery’s headquarters, a few miles inland. The Commander-in-Chief was in the best of spirits on the eve of his largest operation, which he explained to me in all detail. He took me into the ruins of Caen and across the river, and we also visited other parts of the British front. Then he placed at my disposal his captured Storch aeroplane, and the Air Commander himself piloted me all over the British positions. This aircraft could land at a pinch almost anywhere, and consequently one could fly at a few hundred

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feet from the ground, gaining a far better view and knowledge of the scene than by any other method. I also visited several of the air stations, and said a few words to gatherings of officers and men. Finally I went to the field hospital, where, though it was a quiet day, a trickle of casualties was coming in. One poor man was to have a serious operation, and was actually on the table about to take the anaesthetic. I was slipping away when he said he wanted me. He smiled wanly and kissed my hand. I was deeply moved, and very glad to learn later on that the operation had been entirely successful.

I flew back home that evening, July 23, and arrived before dark. To Captain Hickling, the naval officer in charge of Arromanches, I paid the tribute that was due.

Prime

Minister

to

25 July 44

Captain Hickling

I send you and all under your command my warmest
congratulations on the splendid work that has been
done at Arromanches. This miraculous port has played,
and will continue to play, a most important part in the
liberation of Europe. I hope to pay you another visit
before long.

The above message should be promulgated to all
concerned, in such a way that it does not become
known to the enemy, who are as yet ignorant of the
capacity and potentialities of Arromanches.

They wanted to call the harbour “Port Churchill.” But this for various reasons I forbade.

At this time the orders which had held the German Fifteenth Army behind the Seine were cancelled, and several fresh divisions were sent to reinforce the hard-pressed Seventh

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Army. Their transference, by rail or road, or across the Seine by the ferry system which had replaced the broken bridges, was greatly delayed and injured by our air forces.

The long-withheld aid reached the field too late to turn the scale.

During the pause in the fighting in Normandy there took place on July 20 a renewed, unsuccessful attempt on Hitler’s life. According to the most trustworthy story, Colonel von Stauffenberg had placed under Hitler’s table, at a staff meeting, a small case containing a time-bomb. Hitler was spared from the full effect of the explosion by the heavy table-top and its supporting crosspieces, and also by the light structure of the building itself which allowed an instantaneous dispersal of the pressures. Several officers present were killed, but the Fuehrer, though badly shaken and wounded, arose exclaiming, “Who says I am not under the special protection of God?” All the fury of his nature was aroused by this plot, and the vengeance which he inflicted on all suspected of being in it makes a terrible tale.

The hour of the great American break-out under General Omar Bradley came at last. On July 25 their VIIth Corps struck southward from St. Lô, and the next day the VIIIth Corps, on their right, joined the battle. The bombardment by the United States Air Force had been devastating, and the infantry assault prospered. Then the armour leaped through and swept on to the key point of Coutances. The German escape route down that coast of Normandy was cut, and the whole German defence west of the Vire was in jeopardy and chaos. The roads were jammed with retreating troops and the Allied bombers and fighter-bombers took a destructive toll of men and vehicles. The advance drove

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forward. Avranches was taken on July 31, and soon afterwards the sea corner, opening the way to the Brittany peninsula, was turned. The Canadians, under General Crerar, trade a simultaneous attack from Caen down the Falaise road. This was effectively opposed by four Panzer divisions. Montgomery, who still commanded the whole battle line, thereupon transferred the weight of the British attack to the other front, and gave orders to the British Second Army, under General Dempsey, for a new thrust from Caumont to Vire. Preceded again by heavy air bombing, this began on July 30, and Vire was reached a few days later.

When the main American offensive began and the Canadian Corps was checked on the Falaise road some invidious comparisons were made at our expense.

Prime

Minister

to

27 July 44

General Montgomery

It was announced from S.H.A.E.F. last night that the
British had sustained “quite a serious setback.” I am not
aware of any facts that justify such a statement. It
seems to me that only minor retirements of, say, a mile
have taken place on the right wing of your recent
attack, and that there is no justification for using such
an expression. Naturally this has created a good deal of
talk here. I should like to know exactly what the position
is, in order to maintain confidence among wobblers or
critics in high places.

2. For my own most secret information, I should like
to know whether the attacks you spoke of to me, or
variants of them, are going to come off. It certainly
seems very important for the British Army to strike hard
and win through; otherwise there will grow comparisons
between the two armies which will lead to dangerous
recrimination and affect the fighting value of the Allied
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organisation. As you know, I have the fullest confidence
in you and you may count on me.

Montgomery replied:

General Montgomery

27 July 44

to Prime Minister

I know of no “serious setback.” Enemy has massed
great strength in area south of Caen to oppose our
advance in that quarter. Very heavy fighting took place
yesterday and the day before, and as a result the
troops of Canadian Corps were forced back 1000 yards
from the farthest positions they had reached….

My policy since the beginning has been to draw the
main enemy armoured strength on to my eastern flank
and to fight it there, so that our affairs on western flank
could proceed the easier. In this policy I have
succeeded; the main enemy armoured strength is now
deployed on my eastern flank, to east of the river Odon,
and my affairs in the west are proceeding the easier
and the Americans are going great guns.

As regards my future plans. The enemy strength
south of Caen astride the Falaise road is now very
great, and greater than anywhere else on whole Allied
front. I therefore do not intend to attack him there.

Instead I am planning to keep the enemy forces tied to
that area and to put in a very heavy blow with six
divisions from Caumont area, where the enemy is
weaker. This blow will tend to make the American
progress quicker.

Montgomery’s optimism was justified by events, and on August 3 I telegraphed:

Prime

Minister

to

3 Aug. 44

General Montgomery

I am delighted that the unfolding of your plan, which
you explained to me, has proceeded so well. It is clear
that the enemy will hold on to his eastern flank and
hinge with desperate vigour. I am inclined to feel that
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the Brest peninsula will mop up pretty cheaply. I rejoice
that our armour and forward troops have taken Vire. It
looks on the map as if you ought to have several quite
substantial cops. Naturally I earnestly desire to see the
Second Army armour, which cannot be far short of
2500, loose on the broad plains. In this war by-passing
has become a brand-new thing on land as well as at
sea. I may come to you for a day in the course of the
next week, before I go to Italy. Every good wish.

General Montgomery

4 Aug. 44

to Prime Minister

Thank you for your message.

2. I fancy we will now have some heavy fighting on
eastern flank, and especially on that part from Villers-Bocage to Vire which faces due east. The enemy has
moved considerable strength to that part from area
south and southeast of Caen.

3. I am therefore planning to launch a heavy attack
with five divisions from Caen area directed towards
Falaise. Am trying to get this attack launched on August
7. 4. I have turned only one American corps westward
into Brittany, as I feel that will be enough.

The other corps of Third United States Army will be
directed on Laval and Angers. The whole weight of First
United States Army will be put into the swing around
south flank of Second Army and directed against
Domfront and Alençon.

5. Delighted to welcome you here next week or at
any time.

Prime

Minister

to

6 Aug. 44

General Montgomery

I was sorry I could not reach you yesterday. If
possible I will come tomorrow, Monday. Please make
no special arrangements on my account or inconvenience yourself in any way. Eisenhower, with whom I
spent yesterday afternoon, suggested I should also visit
Bradley at his headquarters, which I should like to do in