Alanbrooke. The British Commander most neglected by History?

I'll go one better and suggest that the *real* forgotten man is General Sir Ronald Forbes Adam, Brookes' Adjutant-General. Historians don't consider organization and administration particularly sexy topics of analysis, but it's arguable that Adam had a far greater influence over the British Army's evolution during WWII than any theatre-level general ever did.

Best, Alan

 

I should imagine Alanbrooke's name is almost totally unknown to the British public at large. A travesty, but hardly surprising in a country where a significant proportion of young people believe Churchill to be a dog who sells car insurance.

Alanbrooke was the prime architect of British strategy for most of the Second World War and his contribution was immense. By all accounts he was actually a forceful personality. When Churchill decided Auchinleck had to be replaced, Alanbrooke somewhat reluctantly turned down command in the middle east, believing he could better serve the war effort by remaining as CIGS. He records in his diary that Churchill twice offered him the job of supreme allied commander for the Nomandy landings but political considerations got in the way. Alanbrooke undoubtedly had far better military credentials than Eisenhower and had he been given command in NWE, Alanbrooke's ability and stature would have gained the recognition they deserved.

 

Any more neglected Staff officers people can think of?

Freddie de Guingand for one

 

Lord Gort for me - But I would say that wouldn't I

Without checking, wasn't Adam's placed in command of the BEF from being I Corps commander when Gort left France but Montgomery and others persauded Gort to give the job to Alexander because Adams was having or close to a break down?

If someone else can confirm this it will save me looking through heaps of I Corps files again.

 

While Ronald Forbes-Adam was a brilliant organiser and did great service even before the war to create great changes in the Army - he was always #2 to Alanbrooke- his decision on learning the fate of the Salerno mutineers did all concerned some hope, after what he called the greatest travesty of British Army Justice..he got that right !

Drew - no need to look up reams of history - Adams was Commander of III Corps and was responsible for the perimeter around Dunkirk and thus saved the army during that fiasco - far from being close to breakdown.
Gort handed over to Alanbrooke - then Montgomery and finally Alexander during the fall back to La Panne and Dunkirk

Both Alanbrooke and Adams(RHA) were Gunners and thus already had an affinity
and between them reconstituted the British Army from the pre war to the fighting unit it was in 1943-45 - with Alanbrooke creating the successful strategy - against all objectors !

Cheers

 

I can honestly say when I joined this forum I didn't really know who he was .
I had heard of him before as a 'birdwatching British General' .
Thanks to Adam , he pestered me into getting Alanbrooke's Diaries, rather glad I did.
Suddenly this 'invisable man in glasses' appeared in lots of photos I'd never noticed him in before.

 

Ill stick with Allenbrooke..No Allenbrooke no Monty..and certainly no Winston in the form we know him...although he did guiltilly...that a word...wanted winnie to leave this mortal earth when he was ill on one occasion...But if we talk of unsung heroes..what about Hobart or even Gubbins..but Im getting operational.

 

Owen
Next time you are thinking of buying books try "Alanbrooke" by Gen. David Fraser - pub Collins- London ISBN 0 - 00 - 216360 8

Brookie was not only a great bird watcher but an excellent fisherman- carried his gear all over the place..
Cheers

 

What ...you carried his gear???? Id Have told him to wade off mate. No he certainly was a twitterer before tewitter even existed...His way of totally switching off ...As important to him as winning the war.

 

Indeed Adams was not the man I was thinking of, a quick check tells me it was Barker who was ordered by Gort to form the rear guard with I Corps but was dropped after Montgomery spoke to Gort and Alexander got the rear guard job after Gort left France.

Gort did tell Adams to organise the defensive perimeter of Dunkirk which was along the Bergues Furnes canal. However he was never in command of what was left of the BEF in France before or after Gort left. Neither Alanbrook or Montgomery were never in overall command of the BEF in France either.

For the Record Gort closed down his HQ at 1800hrs on 31st May 1940 at La Panne and handed over command to Alexander after agreeing with him the last day for evacuating his force would be the night of 2nd/3rd June.

Cheers
Andy

 

Irwin?

The revolutionary who could have transformed the British Army post Dunkirk?

At the risk of beeing banned, one of the most interesting what if's for me is about the Bartholomew Committe and their report.

If anyone has access to the raport or a book about it I'll be prepared to offer a kidney and my left testie for it...

 

Drew - you may be right as Alanbrooke handed the 2nd corps over to Monty and in turn - he to Alex....
Cheers

 

Alanbrooke handled Winston better then his predecessor Sir John Dill.
Dill was convinced that Hitler would be in Moscow by end of 41 and that he would then About Turn and Invasion UK 42.
Dill's constant refusal to release trained formations from the almost thirty Divisions held in UK, for the Mid East and then the coming war in the Far East made Churchill want a new CIGS so Dill had to go.

john

 

Or TNA:

Bartholomew Committee report on lessons to be learnt from operations in Flanders: evidence, report and action arising

The National Archives | The Catalogue | Full Details | WO 106/1775


http://ww2talk.com/index.php?threads/report-bartholomew-committee-lessons-to-be-learnt-from-operations-in-flanders.36330/

 

Cheers for the links lads.

The to-do list for the next expedition grow.

 

Sorry to go OT

Cheers for the links lads.

The to-do list for the next expedition grow.

What does that equate to in Pounds Stirling?