Field Marshal John Dill

[Gotthard Heinrici]

Just read about Field Marshal Dill last night and seems that he was an important link in the Alliance between the US and the British High Commands. Here is a link to his biography on Wiki :

John Dill - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I know he wasnt a success at CIGS but it seems he made a major contribution whilst in America. What do you guys think of him ?

[4th wilts]

imho,he too was like alex,a yes man.4th wilts..

[General Mayhem]

I only know that while serving in the states he was very very highly regarded. The importance of which should not be overlooked. Personalities certainly played a very BIG part in the war. Sir John's ability to work within the American Military/poliical machine cannot but helped smooth the very often fractious and bickering alliance, which on the surface had one primary goal, but widely differining underlying agendas.
Wasn't Sir John one of the only foreigners to ly in state at the capitol on his death?
GM

[Gotthard Heinrici]

He was indeed General. Marshall himself was one of Dill's Pall Bearers.

[Gotthard Heinrici]

Originally Posted by 4th wilts

imho,he too was like alex,a yes man.4th wilts..

Well isnt it lucky for the alliance that there were a few Yes men? Without them the war may not have gone as easily.

[von Poop]

Annotation by Alanbrooke to his Diary entry on Dill's death:

In my mind we owe more to Dill than to any other General for our final victory in the war. If it had not been for the vital part he played in Washington we should never have been able to achieve the degree of agreement in our inter-allied strategy. The war might indeed have taken a different course.

I had unbounded admiration for him combined with the deepest of devotion, while Marshall had grown to admire, respect, and like him in no small measure. He was therefore in an ideal position to play the part of intermediary between us, and to bring us together when our viewpoints were so divergent that I saw no hope of agreement.

Any success that I may have had in getting Marshall to finally accept our Mediterranean and Italian strategy were entirely due to Dill's help. Repeatedly I heard him referred to as the best ambassador we ever had in Washington.

The American opinion of him cannot be better exemplified than in his place of burial [Arlington National Cemetery]. And yet Winston would never recognize the services that Dill was rendering. Twice P.J. Grigg & I did our level best to secure him a peerage, this was never turned down by the PM but nothing ever came of it. I shall never be able to forgive Winston for his attitude towards Dill.

Doesn't sound like a yes-man to me, and I'd tend to take Alanbrooke's opinion over Churchill's on these 'Staff' figures.

Cheers,
Adam.

[4th wilts]

he did not put up much of a fight against the anvil question though.something i believe monty,brooke and indeed beetle-smith,an american were against.yours,4th wilts.