<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Michael emrys:
And while no great admirer of Monty, I acknowledge that much of his conservatism derived from a real, even if somewhat misconceived, desire to avoid spilling the blood of his troops unnecessarily. It is worth noting that he managed to offend nearly everyone he ever worked with except the Tommies in the lines, with whom he was always a great hit. His concern for them was, I believe, real and they sensed and responded to that.
Michael<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
In Normandy Monty was acting under War Office orders to minimise casualties, particularly infantry casualties which were occurring faster than they could be replaced. Of course being Monty he didn't bother to tell Eisenhower about these orders with the result that Eisenhower complained to Churchill about Monty's 'conservatism' and Churchill in turn had a stand up row with the CIGS, Alanbrooke, who didn't like Churchill criticising Monty for obeying his orders.