I am always looking for inspiration and from time to time I will dive into some of the wartime heroes of our past. The examples of leadership, skills in handling unforeseen events, and reacting to and managing conflict are magnified in wartime leaders. The reason is that real lives were on the line by their decisions and the effects of their leadership were very noticeable. It is amazing to see how the impact of one person’s leadership style over another could make all the difference in the world.
During World War II, we often times do not talk much about the North African conflict that raged for most of the war. Mussolini had some crazy notion that he would bring back the Roman Empire and that required a conquest of Africa so that once again the Italian flag would wave over cities like Alexandria. He was a complete nut case for sure, of course Hitler liked him and his enthusiasm. Before long an an alliance was formed between the two Axis powers. Hitler would aid the Italian campaign in Africa. He sent a few small Armored divisions and some light infantry. Some minor support from the German Lutwaffe as well. The most important, however, is that he sent Erwin Rommel.
Long story short, the Italians in all their pomp and circumstance could not wage war well. The soldiers fought well, but they were not like the highly organized, disciplined and technologically superior German forces. Much to their dismay, Rommel became the leader of the campaign, the Italians acting only as figure heads. Rommel led the fight from the front (literally) and using Blitzkrieg tactics and a lot of flanking maneuvers had the British on the run quickly. The Germans had a far inferior force, weak supply lines and hardly any fuel for their machines but they just ripped through the British defensive lines.
The British stuck to old habits, spread out defensive postures, carefully planning and calculating their withdrawal plans before and after each confrontation with Rommel. The British sense of noble honor had a few divisions charge boldly after Rommel’s forces. The German field marshal would just pull back a little and as the British thought the rout was on, would come into a trap. The giant 88 German canons would be laid out horizontally and aimed directly at them, moments later the empty shells of the inferior British tanks would be the only smoldering monument to the intense struggle.
This continued and repeated multiple times until finally the Germans were laying siege to Egypt. Rommel was deathly ill by this time, his troop morale high, but his equipment in shatters. The Italians were not supporting his supply lines as promised, but the one thing he had going for him was the repeated failure of the British leadership to see past their own failures. That is until Churchill replaced the leadership with Bernard Montgomery (Monty). Under siege by the Germans and waiting for the invasion of Cairo, Montgomery took over for the beleaguered 8th Army.
What happened at the next encounter with Rommel is the point of this blog. Montgomery changed everything. There were two major reasons why. He stopped the nonsense of over planning on retreats and fall back plans and he immediately decided that they were not going to continue repeating the same behavior that had been leading toward their repeated failure. Rommel launched an invasion, and as predicted, performed his flanking maneuvers and laying his deceptive cat and mouse games. However this time the result was much different. Montgomery was done letting Rommel have an easy time of it on the North African coast line.
To quote Montgomery, “I have cancelled the plan for withdrawal. If we are attacked, then there will be no retreat. If we cannot stay here alive, then we will stay here dead.” That was the first thing that he changed. The attitude of everyone changed almost overnight and if they did not get on board they were removed from the Army and relocated. They were going to be Victorious and they would now be the aggressors. He also completely changed the tactics. He stopped spreading out the armor, and focused them on strategic attacks. He organized his air support, ground teams and naval support in unison. He stopped giving in to charging after Rommel’s feigned retreats and more importantly was overly prepared for the flanking attacks of the German Panzers.
There was much more, but this was the beginning of the end for Rommel and the Nazi’s in North Africa. They were systematically swept off the coast and desperately sandwiched in with Eisenhower on one side and Montgomery on the other. I am sure the results were eventually going to get to this point as German supply lines could not support a sustained conflict. However, the point is that it was all about attitude and belief in the mission that changed everything.
Whenever I am feeling overwhelmed and starting to think too much about my struggles in life, I remember the sudden and immediate change that Montgomery brought to the British forces. It was his redirection of focus, alteration of their belief system and his unwillingness to do things the way they have always been done that changed everything. That is what I try to remember. If it is not working out for me, then change what I am doing. If I am looking too much on how to retreat, how can I shift to become on offense instead. So if you find yourself in a plight that seems like you are cornered and have your back against the wall then you can remember how the British must have felt in Cairo. Surrounded by Germans, superior forces, superior technology, the mythical Rommel who had never been defeated. Waiting for their pending doom. Planning their next retreat back to the Suez canal. Then remember Monty..
Guy Reams
