Once the capture of Caen was getting prolonged , I knew Winston was a bit upset but did he really say this or the like ?: "Winston Churchill intervened to say to Montgomery, you take Caen by Monday or you are out. Monty's reply was, but I will take it tomorrow if you will only give me what I require. What is that? queried Churchill. The heavy bombers, said Monty. You shall have them was the answer." Thanx for any info! From Controversy : The Valour and the Horror - Normandy
Kai, I'm not certain to whether or not I should thank you for this link! It has a lot of information to research. Please know that many Canadian Veterans have been hightly offended by these Valour & The Horror programs. Some information and material in the quotes may be taken out of context from the original books in substantiating the producers viewpoint. I have noted on another thread that CP Stacey, the official Canadian historian, was often disdainful of his own countrymen (all ranks) - an attitude which was dominant in certain quarters of Canada where only the British could be correct. Monty was quite venerated.... re Your actual question, I've briefly had to move my books, but I shall see if I have anything. Michelle
Thanx for your reply Michelle! Yes, I know the site produces as many questions as it might produce answers. That´s why I start with asking for the members of the forum for seeing it elsewhere.
I've never heard or read that anecdote anywhere else, and feel fairly certain that it didn't happen. I really must read some more about the controversial use of the heavy bombers in the Normandy campaign, but I do know for sure that it wasn't decided in such a 'Boys Own Paper' way. Use of the bombers was promoted by Leigh-Mallory at an early stage of operational planning for Overlord and the Army planners eagerly accepted the offer. As has been highlighted in many of the more recent books about the Normandy campaign, the potential effectiveness of the heavy bombers in a tactical role was overestimated by many in the RAF and very many in the Army.....
Just to back up what Martin has already stated. I've read a number of books on the Normandy campaign, and while Churchill was getting concerned at the lack of progress, there is no evidence that he ever made such a remark to Monty.
