Good point, no matter how intelligent you are it’s the staff you pick for key positions. If you have a bad ego you surround yourself with yes men and you fail. If your smart you build your team and use it.
If ever one is to study a very concise yet perfect example of the integrity of leadership, then look no further than this interview between host Marten Van Der Veen and Harry Broadhurst. All too often have we read about the evolving difficulties of Army/Air co-operation. When one then must factor in new Allies to the equation, there are even greater challenges to deal with. General Pershing learned this well in WW1. As Wesley Clarke wrote about Pershing's predicament upon arrival in France 1917; “Allied warfare is a Snakepit”. Lord Alanbrooke noted in his diaries the pitfalls of trying to arrange Army Air Co-operation throughout the spring of 1942. He also wrote continuously of the difficulties on finding common ground in the higher direction of the war between Washington and London. But in the end; from the desert sands, through the charnel house of Falaise, to tea time on the Rhine; it did indeed all come together. Sir Harry in this interview was humble enough to say he was not the father of Tactical Air Force operations as suggested by his host. But Monty in his memoirs spoke about the Mareth battle and it allows us all to make our own judgement upon those that were the Mitchell's and Trenchard's of Tactical Air Force doctrine's. Monty said........ ….....”This blitz attack was the most complete example of the close integration of land and air power up to that time. It should be noted that there were grave misgivings at the headquarters of the Tactical Air Forces; Coningham considered the risks were too great and an officer was sent over to try and stop the use of air power in this way. But the A.O.C. Desert Air Force (Harry Broadhurst) decided to accept the risks and refused to listen to the emissary. When it was all over and had been proved a great success with very small losses, he received many congratulations from Air Headquarters in Tunisia; and even from the Air Ministry!”
Tedder's attitude to Montgomery was very clearly illustrated here. "Instead of criticising why not see what you can do to help?" What was Tedder's experience? What actual contribution did he make?
@@daleolson3506 about whom are you talking? Tedder was unspeakably arrogant which, given his very limited experience of direct command in battle was a serious problem. Montgomery had successfully commanded, in battle, formations from an infantry platoon to an army group. What some call arrogance, I would call confidence. I am old enough to have spoken with many men who served under him, including family members. They all admired him and thought that they may well owe their lives to his professionalism. I have met nobody who had any praise for Tedder, especially those who had read his book!
Interesting about German tank crews abandoning tanks under air attack. The tanks where lost even if not hit, US Commander confirmed it, he was there watching and saw the Germans abandoning tanks. This was missed during subsequent assessment of battle damage.
Good point, no matter how intelligent you are it’s the staff you pick for key positions. If you have a bad ego you surround yourself with yes men and you fail. If your smart you build your team and use it.
If ever one is to study a very concise yet perfect example of the integrity of leadership, then look no further than this interview between host Marten Van Der Veen and Harry Broadhurst.
All too often have we read about the evolving difficulties of Army/Air co-operation. When one then must factor in new Allies to the equation, there are even greater challenges to deal with. General Pershing learned this well in WW1. As Wesley Clarke wrote about Pershing's predicament upon arrival in France 1917; “Allied warfare is a Snakepit”.
Lord Alanbrooke noted in his diaries the pitfalls of trying to arrange Army Air Co-operation throughout the spring of 1942. He also wrote continuously of the difficulties on finding common ground in the higher direction of the war between Washington and London.
But in the end; from the desert sands, through the charnel house of Falaise, to tea time on the Rhine; it did indeed all come together.
Sir Harry in this interview was humble enough to say he was not the father of Tactical Air Force operations as suggested by his host. But Monty in his memoirs spoke about the Mareth battle and it allows us all to make our own judgement upon those that were the Mitchell's and Trenchard's of Tactical Air Force doctrine's.
Monty said........
….....”This blitz attack was the most complete example of the close integration of land and air power up to that time. It should be noted that there were grave misgivings at the headquarters of the Tactical Air Forces; Coningham considered the risks were too great and an officer was sent over to try and stop the use of air power in this way. But the A.O.C. Desert Air Force (Harry Broadhurst) decided to accept the risks and refused to listen to the emissary. When it was all over and had been proved a great success with very small losses, he received many congratulations from Air Headquarters in Tunisia; and even from the Air Ministry!”
He first saw active service in India.
Royal Air force has come a long way.
Salute from India!
The Indian campaign but should never be forgotten. Indian troops gave the Japanese a proper bloody nose under Slim's leadership.
Tedder's attitude to Montgomery was very clearly illustrated here. "Instead of criticising why not see what you can do to help?" What was Tedder's experience? What actual contribution did he make?
I don’t think you can help some one who is arrogant and in power.
@@daleolson3506 about whom are you talking? Tedder was unspeakably arrogant which, given his very limited experience of direct command in battle was a serious problem. Montgomery had successfully commanded, in battle, formations from an infantry platoon to an army group. What some call arrogance, I would call confidence. I am old enough to have spoken with many men who served under him, including family members. They all admired him and thought that they may well owe their lives to his professionalism. I have met nobody who had any praise for Tedder, especially those who had read his book!
Interesting about German tank crews abandoning tanks under air attack. The tanks where lost even if not hit, US Commander confirmed it, he was there watching and saw the Germans abandoning tanks. This was missed during subsequent assessment of battle damage.
Pretty sure Sir Harry also had a DFC.