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Monty and the Canadian Army: A Military Triumph
General Bernard Law Montgomery, affectionately known as "Monty," exerted a more lasting military influence on the Canadian Army than any other Second World War commander. In 1942 he assumed responsibility for the exercise and training of Canadian formations in England, and by the end of the war Canada’s field army was second to none in the practical exercise of combined arms.
In Monty and the Canadian Army, John A. English analyses the way Montgomery’s operational influence continued to permeate the Canadian Army. For years, the Canadian Army remained a highly professional force largely because it was commanded by "Monty men," found at almost every lower level of army command, who were steeped in the Montgomery method. The era of the Canadian Army headed by such men ceased with the integration and unification of Canada’s armed forces in 1964.
The embrace of Montgomery by Canadian soldiers stands in marked contrast to negative perceptions by Americans, only a few of whom have viewed him in a favourable light. Monty and the Canadian Army aims to correct such perceptions, which are mostly superficial and more often than not wrong, and addresses the anomaly of how this gifted general, one of the greatest field commanders of World War Two, managed to win over other North American troops.
In Monty and the Canadian Army, John A. English analyses the way Montgomery’s operational influence continued to permeate the Canadian Army. For years, the Canadian Army remained a highly professional force largely because it was commanded by "Monty men," found at almost every lower level of army command, who were steeped in the Montgomery method. The era of the Canadian Army headed by such men ceased with the integration and unification of Canada’s armed forces in 1964.
The embrace of Montgomery by Canadian soldiers stands in marked contrast to negative perceptions by Americans, only a few of whom have viewed him in a favourable light. Monty and the Canadian Army aims to correct such perceptions, which are mostly superficial and more often than not wrong, and addresses the anomaly of how this gifted general, one of the greatest field commanders of World War Two, managed to win over other North American troops.
- GenresWorld War II
368 pages, Hardcover
First published September 15, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
May 12, 2022
The author of this book is John A. English, a Canadian Army officer who was a professor of strategy at the US Naval War College. He is best known for his The Canadian Army and the Normandy Campaign, a seminal re-examination of the Canadian Army's role. This book offers a short biography of Bernard Montgomery, and an account of the Canadian Army's role in the Second World War. Before the war, the Canadian government completely neglected the army, and as a result, it had to expand without much of a cadre of officers to build on.
Enter Montgomery, one of the British Army's most innovative thinkers, and most importantly, someone who knew not just how to train troops, but how to train the trainers. The book recounts how this came about. The Canadians had the good fortune to come under Montgomery's command when he led South Eastern Command in 1942. Canadian divisions subsequently served under Montgomery in Sicily and Italy in 1943 and 1944, and then in the campaign in northwest Europe in 1944 and 1945. Montgomery played a key role in weeding out the unfit and promoting the best, notably Canada's most successful general, Guy Simonds, although being a British Army officer he could only advise but not promote or remove them himself.
English offers a very positive portrait of Montgomery, in stark contrast to conventional American accounts. He demonstrates the sensitivity with which Montgomery handled the Canadian Army, and builds to an argument that they were better off under the British than they would have been under the Americans, who were not accustomed to dealing with allies. Montgomery's popularity with the British and Canadian troops is explained, and his frequent visits to every single Canadian battalion and and armoured regiment went a long way towards this. English incorporates the latest scholarship, which is particularly noticeable when he reaches Montgomery's post-war thinking.
English argues that Montgomery's influence on the Canadian Army was even greater than on the British. He chronicles how it influenced important decisions, such as placing the Canadian brigade in Germany under the British Army of the Rhine, and how Montgomery's disciples dominated the Canadian Army for a generation. If (like me) you've read biographies of Montgomery and books about the Canadian Army in the Second Army then much of this is not new, but the central thesis is challenging and thought-provoking.
Enter Montgomery, one of the British Army's most innovative thinkers, and most importantly, someone who knew not just how to train troops, but how to train the trainers. The book recounts how this came about. The Canadians had the good fortune to come under Montgomery's command when he led South Eastern Command in 1942. Canadian divisions subsequently served under Montgomery in Sicily and Italy in 1943 and 1944, and then in the campaign in northwest Europe in 1944 and 1945. Montgomery played a key role in weeding out the unfit and promoting the best, notably Canada's most successful general, Guy Simonds, although being a British Army officer he could only advise but not promote or remove them himself.
English offers a very positive portrait of Montgomery, in stark contrast to conventional American accounts. He demonstrates the sensitivity with which Montgomery handled the Canadian Army, and builds to an argument that they were better off under the British than they would have been under the Americans, who were not accustomed to dealing with allies. Montgomery's popularity with the British and Canadian troops is explained, and his frequent visits to every single Canadian battalion and and armoured regiment went a long way towards this. English incorporates the latest scholarship, which is particularly noticeable when he reaches Montgomery's post-war thinking.
English argues that Montgomery's influence on the Canadian Army was even greater than on the British. He chronicles how it influenced important decisions, such as placing the Canadian brigade in Germany under the British Army of the Rhine, and how Montgomery's disciples dominated the Canadian Army for a generation. If (like me) you've read biographies of Montgomery and books about the Canadian Army in the Second Army then much of this is not new, but the central thesis is challenging and thought-provoking.
June 10, 2023
Fascinating analysis of Canadian Army leadership and how one man shaped its destiny.
Having read everything I could get my hands on, no book really takes on an in-depth analysis of Canada's WW2 senior leadership, as John English has achieved. Creating an army from scratch with a rapid deployment to prevent the collapse of Great Britain, shortcuts were taken and some decisions were less than optimal. John English reveals all from pre-war 1930s thru to Canadian Forces "unification" in the 1960s.
The impact of good leadership and training determines the fate of an army like no other fundamentals. Witness the French Army's defeat in May (one month) 1940, where clearly unmotivated lacklustre leadership and untrained troops resulted in rapid defeat. Montgomery's 3rd Infantry Division despite chaos and defeat all round managed to distinguish themselves entirely due to extensive training on forward leadership.
These lessons cultivated in peacetime and proven in new Blitzkrieg tactical environment by Montgomery were imprinted upon Canada's nascent Army leadership. The culling started early getting the right men into the proper positions with intense training created a first class assault army that came to liberate Sicily, Italy, and Northwest Europe.
John English does not hold his punches. Failed leaders are revealed and in some cases, deflating long held myths regarding the performance of others. Simultaneously, "Monty's Men" or more accurately, his disciples on leadership & training shone in combat and were the prime reason for the success of Canadian Arms.
Highly recommended for those military history enthusiasts who enjoy investigating the nuances of leadership.
Having read everything I could get my hands on, no book really takes on an in-depth analysis of Canada's WW2 senior leadership, as John English has achieved. Creating an army from scratch with a rapid deployment to prevent the collapse of Great Britain, shortcuts were taken and some decisions were less than optimal. John English reveals all from pre-war 1930s thru to Canadian Forces "unification" in the 1960s.
The impact of good leadership and training determines the fate of an army like no other fundamentals. Witness the French Army's defeat in May (one month) 1940, where clearly unmotivated lacklustre leadership and untrained troops resulted in rapid defeat. Montgomery's 3rd Infantry Division despite chaos and defeat all round managed to distinguish themselves entirely due to extensive training on forward leadership.
These lessons cultivated in peacetime and proven in new Blitzkrieg tactical environment by Montgomery were imprinted upon Canada's nascent Army leadership. The culling started early getting the right men into the proper positions with intense training created a first class assault army that came to liberate Sicily, Italy, and Northwest Europe.
John English does not hold his punches. Failed leaders are revealed and in some cases, deflating long held myths regarding the performance of others. Simultaneously, "Monty's Men" or more accurately, his disciples on leadership & training shone in combat and were the prime reason for the success of Canadian Arms.
Highly recommended for those military history enthusiasts who enjoy investigating the nuances of leadership.
September 27, 2025
Fine review of Monty’s influence on the WW2 Canadian Army and how he helped it to become a first class fighting force. Be sure to read this book!
February 27, 2024
Very readable. A few sections descend into a level of operational detail which I skipped.
The conclusion is a good summary of the entire book. If you haven't read the book, it may be worthwhile to read the Preface, Introduction & Conclusion and then start with Chapter One.
A few things are disappointing to read.
The first would be the sad-sack condition of the Canadian Army in the late 1930s, continuing for the first few years of the war. Responsibility lies with both politicians and military leadership. Although I knew this, it was not fun to read.
The second are the darker portions of the Canadian psyche: the preoccupation with bureaucracy, McNaughton's "dagger pointed at Berlin" declaration (a.k.a. we are legends in our own mind), Crerar's preoccupation with Constitutional matters, King's preoccupation with Canadian unity (a euphemism for preserving his power base).
I'm of two minds about Montgomery. He was unquestionably a great trainer of troops, evaluated leaders well, and fought his battles with an eye to casualties. However, he didn't suffer fools gladly (which is not a negative; it's how you deal with them that can be a negative), and especially after D-Day, he didn't play well with others.
Overall a insightful read which helps the reader understand the evolution of the Canadian Army throughout the war, and during the postwar period up until unification.
The conclusion is a good summary of the entire book. If you haven't read the book, it may be worthwhile to read the Preface, Introduction & Conclusion and then start with Chapter One.
A few things are disappointing to read.
The first would be the sad-sack condition of the Canadian Army in the late 1930s, continuing for the first few years of the war. Responsibility lies with both politicians and military leadership. Although I knew this, it was not fun to read.
The second are the darker portions of the Canadian psyche: the preoccupation with bureaucracy, McNaughton's "dagger pointed at Berlin" declaration (a.k.a. we are legends in our own mind), Crerar's preoccupation with Constitutional matters, King's preoccupation with Canadian unity (a euphemism for preserving his power base).
I'm of two minds about Montgomery. He was unquestionably a great trainer of troops, evaluated leaders well, and fought his battles with an eye to casualties. However, he didn't suffer fools gladly (which is not a negative; it's how you deal with them that can be a negative), and especially after D-Day, he didn't play well with others.
Overall a insightful read which helps the reader understand the evolution of the Canadian Army throughout the war, and during the postwar period up until unification.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews