Carlo D'Este - "Decision in Normandy"

Lt. Col. D'Este has written several books that seem to have been well researched and written. I am wondering what the experts think of his inclusion in "Decision in Normandy" of the May 1947 Forrest C. Pogue interview with Montgomery's Intelligence Officer Brigadier E.T. Williams and quotes from the War Diary of Air Vice Marshal Stephen C. Strafford, both of which seem to suggest that it was not General Bradley's decision to halt Patton's Third Army at Argentan on 12 and 13 August 1944.

 

Sometimes it seems D'Este tries to read too much into the archival documents in "Decision in Normandy." It is important to remember that at this time, Montgomery was still Overall Land Commander until September 1, 1944 when Eisenhower could establish his HQ on the continent, and was still Bradley's superior. So combing the HQ logs and subordinant's reports, D'Este would rightly conclude that orders and messages would travel down from Montgomery's command post to Bradley's. D'Este also quotes Bradley's two memoirs claiming Bradley's memory does not always match the documents in his finger-pointing at Montgomery.

Greg C.