Most people know that Roosevelt and Churchill formed a deep friendship in World War II, the relationship between the two countries is very close, and they are basically "in step" in handling international affairs and controlling the direction of the war; but few people know that the generals on both sides disobey each other, fight openly and secretly, fight with each other, fight with each other, and even carry out personal attacks.
First and foremost were Eisenhower and Montgomery. Because Churchill paid special attention to military action, and Roosevelt was almost a big, american interests on key issues on both sides were often challenged by the British. To this end, Marshall both acted as a strong backing for Eisenhower and a clever maneuver with the British.
Through the "spies" around Churchill, grasp the real thoughts of the British.
The relationship between Roosevelt and Churchill was recognized as "close and seamless", the two often talked together, and Roosevelt's strategic ideas and intentions often made Churchill know better than Marshall and others. Such a result, inevitably in the handling of some problems, makes Marshall and others very passive and embarrassed.
Marshall, as chief of the army's general staff, naturally understood that roosevelt was the problem, but he could not ask the president to "shut up." Since the internal information is not equal, then find a British "spy" to know Churchill's ideas in advance, and it is reciprocal. In this way, the friendship between the two countries will not be harmed, and the problems can be dealt with equally.
This man was Marshal John Greer Deere, then The British Liaison Officer in Washington. In order to "co-opt" Dill, Marshall provided him with top-secret Japanese intelligence; in return, Dill told him the secrets of the British Staff. It was in this way that Churchill's every move was "unobstructed" in front of Marshall.
He was pleased that he not only grasped the ideas of the British, but also understood Roosevelt's intentions, which can be described as "killing two birds with one stone". However, their approach is to take great risks, and the slightest carelessness will undermine the unity of Britain and the United States, and even if they are not punished or demoted, they will be in a very embarrassing situation.
By 1944, the two had developed into a point where they were inseparable and intimate. A great deal of inside information was held by Marshall, providing first-hand material for dealing with the competition of interests between the United States and Britain. It seems that the United States has won the "hegemonic" status of the Allies, not only supported by national strength, but also "intelligence" is also crucial.
Deere died of illness in Washington on November 3, and in honor of his British friend, Heil was buried in the National Cemetery, the first foreigner to be buried in the mausoleum. He also actively raised funds to build a statue of Deere, deeply expressing his nostalgia for his old friend.
But the contradictions between Britain and the United States are still the focus of Marshall's attention.
The friendly relationship between Marshall and Deere was a very harmonious aspect of Britain and the United States during the war, but it did not mean that there was no conflict of interest between the two countries. Especially during the Battle of Normandy, the two sides blamed each other for personal honor and national dignity, and even the media of the two countries joined in, and for a time, there was a lot of commotion.
Although Eisenhower was the Allied commander-in-chief and Montgomery served as the commander of the ground forces, Montgomery considered himself superior in terms of seniority, rank and combat experience, and always disobeyed his management. For example, Montgomery had hardly been to the Allied headquarters war analysis meeting, and he gave interviews to the media without authorization, looking like he was giving himself up.
However, only he can represent the United Kingdom and the United States. After the outbreak of World War II, it was he who won the Battle of El Alamein, which made the Successive Defeats of The British and the people feel inspired, as if they saw a light in the darkness, and their morale was greatly encouraged, and they praised him as a "hero". To montgomery, who thought he was right, "take it all" and stand tall.
Montgomery and the British always wanted to be greedy for their own merits, taking honor, power, and the limelight on themselves. This made Roosevelt and Marshall also unhappy, the American army paid much more than the British army, but the news media, broadcasts are all Montgomery's name, which is very unfair to the dead officers and soldiers.
Marshall therefore advised Eisenhower that, as arranged in advance, the Allies would take over ground command as soon as possible after establishing a foothold in Normandy. This was an outcome the British did not want to see, and in response, Churchill immediately announced his promotion to Field Marshal Montgomery, one rank higher than Eisenhower, until his led Operation Market Garden failed.
Eisenhower then held a press conference and took the initiative to bear the mistakes of the battle. The implication is that although Montgomery is directing the battle, the actual decision is hiss. In doing so, on the one hand, he preserved the face of Montgomery and the British, and on the other hand, he told the British and the media that he was the real supreme commander of the Allied forces.
Eisenhower skillfully knocked on the mountain and showed great wisdom, but Montgomery did not seem to appreciate it. Marshall was furious, accusing him of being "not at all upright" and often damaging the reputation of the Allied commander-in-chief in the media. They had never seen Marshall make such a big fire, and since then Montgomery and the British have retracted a lot.
The British were still messing around, and Marshall always supported Eisenhower.
In the Battle of the Ardennes, the Allies suffered considerable losses, and the British took the opportunity to attack Eisenhower, believing that he was a staff officer with no actual combat experience. Even more excessively, Montgomery made a big fuss, attacking the Allied commander-in-chief and elevating himself. Marshall knew that his duty was to maintain the unity and cooperation between the two militaries, and he was exercising great restraint.
He admonished Montgomery and other British generals who came to complain, "Do you know why President Roosevelt never visited Eisenhower?" For he is no longer an American general, but the commander-in-chief of the Allied forces." That is to say, in terms of military command, the president of the United States must listen to the commander-in-chief of the Allied forces, and the British are not qualified to file a complaint.
At this point, not only did the British generals dare not repeat it, but even Churchill tried to avoid military action, which made Eisenhower very grateful to Marshall. In fact, as a leader, we must have the arrogance of "employing people without doubt, and suspecting people without use", especially when the subordinates are questioned, they must have clear support. At the same time, it is also to maintain the prestige of the leader himself.
With Berlin close at hand, the British, accustomed to fighting for honor, once again "relapsed" in the old disease and demanded to march into Berlin. Marshall kept a sober mind, in his view, first, according to the requirements of the Yalta Conference, Berlin under the jurisdiction of the Soviets, can only be captured by the Soviet army; second, it is an ally with the Soviet Union and must maintain the unity of the Allies.
More importantly, the British could not be allowed to borrow the powerful Us military to achieve their "personal goals". Marshall gave full support to Eisenhower, resisting repeated protests by Churchill and Montgomery. In their view, military personnel must have a bottom line, talk about credit, and cannot go against the grain, let alone fail to keep their promises like politicians.
The Soviets captured Berlin, and the British' dream of gaining greater glory before the end of World War II was dashed. On the other hand, the British's approach of fighting with the United States and fighting with the Soviet Union is nothing more than to maintain Britain's status as a great power and to "brush up the sense of existence" in the great powers. But contrary to wishes, everything must rely on strength, and it is not possible to rely on "calling".
What do you think? Comments and discussions are welcome.
bibliography:
World War II, Marshall
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