Churchill at Normandy

June 12 Churchill along with Field Marshal Alanbrooke boarded a destroyer and sailed for Normandy. They were driven ashore on a DUKW where Churchill met with Monty and driven in Monty's jeep to Monty's field HQ.

Is there any truth that a German was caught in a tree within rifle range of Churchill. I would think that an area would have to be secured from rifle distance or even artillery observation distance before a person like Churchill could be allowed there. I would also think that there would be a strong RAF fighter presence to chase off any Luftwaffe aircraft.

 

Could be a movie: The Eagle Has Climbed

Seriously, it seems unlikely that the field HQ of an army group commander, commander of all ground troops in Normandy at the time, would be located anywhere where the Germans could observe or get a shot at it.

 

Perhaps the premise of the movie was inspired by the contemporary newspaper article I read.

 

I've read that MacArthur (CINCSWPA and the US 6th Army) and strolled up to the front line to size up the operation after filming his splashing "I have returned" landing several times at Leyte. A lieutenant hunkered down for cover called for Mac to return to safety because they had just cleared a sniper from a nearby palm tree. Mac allegedly replied something along the lines "well that's what you should do with them son" before returning to the safety of the beach area, much to the relief of his staffers. Wild Bill Donovan himself went in on several amphibious operations with the first waves too as best as I can remember. He wasn't an army or army group commander, but was way up the totem pole.

I guess that it depends on the mindset of the commander in question, as to what they would do to satisfy their curiosity of to improve their image at the risk of life and limb (of others too).

 

I heard about the MacArthur stuff too and wondered if it was propaganda. Mac liked the limelight.

 

Read "American Caesar" for Mac's story. It's a long read, but worth it.

 

I've read that also, although I think it was during the Admiralty Islands campaign. And it's not quite the same as entertaining the PM at headquarters.

 

Wasn't it Spike Milligan who observed that the duty of a staff officer was to warn the General when his fly buttons were within view of the enemy?

 

One didn't "allow" Churchill. I believe that the only person who was able to directly forbid him to go somewhere because it was deemed too risky was the King who did so on occasion, the best anyone else could do was to dissuade him.

 

Could be. It's been awhile since I've read it.

 

You're very correct and it would be hard if not impossible to tell the boss anything. A good planner would find ways to distract him with inspections of "safe" positions or meeting with wounded men (handing out medals).

BTW, I remember reading about a GI and his buddies who had armfuls of loot (rifles) they got from a German posiiton. While returning they came across their general who wanted to go get his share. Englishmen fight for king and country, Germans for the fatherland, Soviets for Mother Russia and Americans for souvenirs and this general was no exception. They declined and offered to give him their loot instead. The general asked if they were refusing an order. Respectfully they said they would not only because they did not want responsibility for him being wounded or killed. The general accepted their explanation.

 

From the 1977 film "MacArthur" with Gregory Peck in the title role.

 

It's been awhile since I saw that movie, but I did read about the incident in question in the book "American Caesar". I'm sure it was portrayed in the movie as well. The movie came out in 1977 and the book in 1978. Facts are facts though.

Regarding facts from movies and from books, I agree that excerpts from movies are sometimes better than historical fact, or by just the way a book conveys historical fact as interpreted by the reader. For example, when Mac was spirited away from Corregidor in the movie "They Were Expendable" was much better than the way I read it in the book of the same name. The TWE version was also much better than the MacArthur movie version, IMHO only of course.

 

Controlling Churchill was never easy, but Montgomery might have been one of the few who could manage it. When Monty took command of 8th Army he, like his predecessors, was deluged with Churchillian inquiries urging him to attack Rommel's Panzerarmee immediately, if not sooner. He replied in essence that he would attack when he was good and ready. He was right, and when he did attack he won a decisive victory.

 

Makes me think of Thomas at Nashville when he was urged to attack Hood's Army of Tennessee. Despite pressure from Grant and Washington, Thomas waited until he was good and ready and what a spectacular victory he won.

 

Good analogy. IIRC correctly another general - Logan? - was enroute to Nashville with authority to evaluate the situation and assume command if he considered it appropriate, but was abruptly recalled when news came of Thomas' victory.

Rather victory tomorrow than defeat today.

 

Riter, I think the "sniper" was a just a German soldat who was passed by. He was found in a trench 50yds from all these important people. He had been afraid to come out. This from "Montgomery in Europe 1943-45" Pg. 101. Monty's Tac-HQ was within long-range fire by German artillery and so they relocated it.

 

Very possibly but that's a different matter from not allowing WSC to come to Normandy etc

 

Riter, are you sure about that date re. Churchill visiting Monty. In the book I just mentioned, Lamb quoted a letter from Monty to P.J. Grigg, written June 13th: "It is not a good time for important people to go sight seeing; I have made this clear to the PM."

 

100% certain and well documented "day" trip. IIRC, Monty sent Churchill packing the same day. However, Winston had very much wanted to stay longer, and this royally PO'd Winston. In the aftermath, Winston wanted to sack Monty, but Alanbrooke smoothed all the ruffled feathers, and Winston got his extended trip beginning on July 17th(?).

Keep reading Lamb, he gets a little disjointed in his writing.