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Alson on Caen he failed at his assignment. I was simply just stating the fact that he didnt accomplish his mission.
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But he didn't fail his assignment! His assignment was to take the city, which he (or rather 3rd Canadian, 3rd and 59th British Divs) fulfilled. Certainly, he did not take it as planned on D-Day, but are we forgetting that no plan survives contact with the enemy? Equally, the point of taking Caen was to suck in the German Panzer Divisions in Normandy around the countryside to the south of the city. In the event, this occured to the North and West of Caen, but by the end of June there were elements of
seven Panzer Divisions facing British forces, and a mere two facing American troops. That hardly sounds like failure to me.
If you are going to criticise Montgomery because he failed to take Caen "when he was supposed to", then, as I said, you must apply that to Generals like Bradley. His forces were supposed to take St Lo and Cherbourg by D+17 (June 23rd) - in the end the former did not fall until mid-July and the latter until June 29th. Does that mean he was a failure too?
Cheers,
-SC