General Alexander

Jaeger · 02-03-2008, 11:36 PM

What does the people here think of Alexander? We seem to have the ability to discuss Monty or Patton till the end of time, but having done a quick search for Alex, I've found nowt.

Other forums frequently portray him as a dud. A charming gentleman that really didn't bring much to the table.

A shining reputation from WWI and the only superior that managed to keep Monty happy. Liked by both Brits and Yanks.

What do you make of Alex?

Martin Bull · 03-03-2008, 08:24 AM

Having read a fair number of books in which Alex figures ( but not - yet - Nigel Nicholson's 1973 biography ) I tend to go along with your summing-up ( although I think 'dud' is maybe a little too strong ).

There is an interesting character assessment in Alanbrooke's 'War Diaries' ( 2001, pp 646-7 ). An exceptionally calm, confident and attractive personality. 'One could not help being fond of him'. But with a 'deficiency of brains and character'. Alanbrooke felt that talking to Alex was like looking in a mirror ie he would reflect the person to whom he was talking and who was dominating him. 'I was always angry that the other side of him did not live up to (his) charming exterior'.

Personally, I think it would have been a total disaster if Eisenhower's job went to Alex instead.....

Owen · 03-03-2008, 08:42 AM

I've got his autograph.
Posted it before on this thread.

Ron Goldstein · 03-03-2008, 08:53 AM

Hi Owen

Now come on lad........ you can do better than this !

A liitle brightness on the image would do wonders

Ron

ps
Still a very good souvenir and thanks for sharing

Owen · 03-03-2008, 11:57 AM

OK, Ron, here goes.

Gotthard Heinrici · 03-03-2008, 12:54 PM

I always thought that Alex got a bit of unfair press. Charismatic, Brave, able to get on with any commander that he served with (including Montgomery and Stilwell) he was an able commander but unfortunately Montgomery and Brooke did not seem to rate him highly so his reputation suffered. I always rated him.

4th wilts · 03-03-2008, 02:29 PM

a yes man.yours,4th wilts.

Gotthard Heinrici · 03-03-2008, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4th wilts

a yes man.yours,4th wilts.

How so Lee?

4th wilts · 03-03-2008, 03:51 PM

monty says,you should take from 8th army;201st gds bde group,7th armd div,4th indian ind div,horrocks and pip roberts,brilliant armd generals ,and give it to british first armys v corps.alex says yes,a great idea.yours,lee.

Owen · 03-03-2008, 11:23 PM

Lee, are you referring to the moves to out-flank the very strongly heald Enfidaville positions and finish off the Tunisian campaign?
Those units were moved to attack in more favourable terrain.
Why batter yourself head-on against strongly held lines when an attack somwhere else would work better.
So , "Yes" was the right decision. IMHO.

02-03-2008, 11:36 PM	#1 (permalink)
Jaeger Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Norway Posts: 59	General Alexander What does the people here think of Alexander? We seem to have the ability to discuss Monty or Patton till the end of time, but having done a quick search for Alex, I've found nowt. Other forums frequently portray him as a dud. A charming gentleman that really didn't bring much to the table. A shining reputation from WWI and the only superior that managed to keep Monty happy. Liked by both Brits and Yanks. What do you make of Alex?

03-03-2008, 08:53 AM	#4 (permalink)
Ron Goldstein WW2 Veteran Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: London, England Posts: 837	Hi Owen Now come on lad........ you can do better than this ! A liitle brightness on the image would do wonders Ron ps Still a very good souvenir and thanks for sharing __________________ If I am not for myself, then who will be for me? And if I am only for myself, what am I? And if not now, when? Rabbi Hillel circa 30 BCE I was "Called-up" in Oct 1942 Served as a Wireless-Op with the 49th LAA (78 Div) from Apr 1943 to Dec 1944 (North Africa,Sicily,Italy, Egypt). The Regiment was disbanded in Dec 1944 and I was retrained (in Italy) by the Royal Armoured Corps. Served as a Loader-Op with the 4th QOH from Mar 1945 to Jan 1946 (Italy, Austria, Germany) Finished up as Tech Cpl for "A" Sqdrn. I was "De-mobbed" in Apr 1947

03-03-2008, 12:54 PM	#6 (permalink)
Gotthard Heinrici Pog mo thon Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 3,921	I always thought that Alex got a bit of unfair press. Charismatic, Brave, able to get on with any commander that he served with (including Montgomery and Stilwell) he was an able commander but unfortunately Montgomery and Brooke did not seem to rate him highly so his reputation suffered. I always rated him. __________________ *"The Eastern front is like a house of cards. If the front is broken through at one point all the rest will collapse."* - General Heinz Guderian

03-03-2008, 11:23 PM	#10 (permalink)
Owen Top Moose Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Under the stairs Posts: 9,456	Lee, are you referring to the moves to out-flank the very strongly heald Enfidaville positions and finish off the Tunisian campaign? Those units were moved to attack in more favourable terrain. Why batter yourself head-on against strongly held lines when an attack somwhere else would work better. So , "Yes" was the right decision. IMHO. Last edited by Owen; 03-03-2008 at 11:33 PM.

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03-03-2008, 08:24 AM	#2 (permalink)
Martin Bull Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: London Posts: 50	Having read a fair number of books in which Alex figures ( but not - yet - Nigel Nicholson's 1973 biography ) I tend to go along with your summing-up ( although I think 'dud' is maybe a little too strong ). There is an interesting character assessment in Alanbrooke's 'War Diaries' ( 2001, pp 646-7 ). An exceptionally calm, confident and attractive personality. 'One could not help being fond of him'. But with a 'deficiency of brains and character'. Alanbrooke felt that talking to Alex was like looking in a mirror ie he would reflect the person to whom he was talking and who was dominating him. 'I was always angry that the other side of him did not live up to (his) charming exterior'. Personally, I think it would have been a total disaster if Eisenhower's job went to Alex instead.....

03-03-2008, 08:42 AM	#3 (permalink)
Owen Top Moose Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Under the stairs Posts: 9,456	I've got his autograph. Posted it before on this thread.

03-03-2008, 11:57 AM	#5 (permalink)
Owen Top Moose Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Under the stairs Posts: 9,456	OK, Ron, here goes.

03-03-2008, 02:29 PM	#7 (permalink)
4th wilts Discharged Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: wessex Posts: 1,032	a yes man.yours,4th wilts.

03-03-2008, 03:51 PM	#9 (permalink)
4th wilts Discharged Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: wessex Posts: 1,032	monty says,you should take from 8th army;201st gds bde group,7th armd div,4th indian ind div,horrocks and pip roberts,brilliant armd generals ,and give it to british first armys v corps.alex says yes,a great idea.yours,lee.

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