Interview with Ian Paterson
Why did Winston Churchill change command prior to the battle of El Alamein? Why did he take Auchinleck out, and put Alexander in, and Montgomery in command of the Eighth Army?
Basically, Churchill wanted action and a victory, mainly for political needs, which Auchinleck had not delivered. He has lost the Gazala battles which with better organisation and co-ordination could have been a British victory, but he has held the line at First Alamein, by fighting a very good defensive battle. Monty was a gamble and did not bow to Churchill's demands for an attack, but rather bidded his time until be had the men and resources to stand a good chance of Victory. He had been in the trenches in WW1 so had had experience of spur of the moment attacks resulting in masses of casualties for no gain.
What were the Germans' objective during the North African Campaign? What were they trying to capture/accomplish?
The wanted to capture the Suez canal, drive the British out of Egypt and the get hold of the Oil fields in what is now Iran & Iraq. This would deprive the British of supply routes and valuable oil supplies, plus help secure the latter for themselves.
How did Bernard Montgomery change the Eighth Army? How was he different from his predecessor?
His key moves were getting out and meeting all his men and ensuring every man in a unit knew what the had to do and when, so if the chain of command started to fall apart there was still a chance of success. His other major change was banning individual unit attacks, as the British Army still like to fight at Battalion level and sometimes Brigade, but this allowed the Axis to mass defensive units and defeat successive waves of attackers one after the other. Under his command the 8th Army would attack only at Divisional or Corps level, massing its strength at key locations to overwhelm the defenders and the prepare for counter attacks at the same level. By delaying Alamein he was able to build up his forces to do this. He even sacked one Commander who questioned this tactic as a lesson to others.
Was Erwin Rommel respected as a general by the British and Commonwealth forces? Why?
He as a master tactician, far better than their own commanders achieving better results with fewer forces at times. Many also considered him lucky and troops like lucky commanders.
Why did Montgomery wait so long to attack the Germans at El Alamein? Why did he resist Churchill's demands to attack early?
He insisted that every man on the the Desert was acclimatised to it and could live and fight in the desert. He also wanted to ensure he had enough supplies and reserves to fight a long battle and with the RAF & RN destroyed the bulk of the Axis supplies he had time on his side.
Why was the Second Battle of El Alamein such an important battle for the Allies?
It was a key battle to finally destroy or severely limit the fighting capacity of the DAK and Italian forces, plus with the high command knowing the Op Torch was scheduled two weeks after the start they knew that between them it would signal the end of the Axis campaign in N Africa. Also by winning it they also protected the Suez Canal and the Oil fields of the Middle East
Would you consider the Second Battle of El Alamein a turning point in either World War II, or in the war in North Africa? Why?
Yes, it taught the British & Commonwealth forces they could win and it saved the Suez Canal and Oilfields from Axis control. It paved the way for the pincer movement created by Op Torch effectively leading to the defeat of the Axis in N Africa. It was also a morale raising victory for the long suffering British public.
What was the objective for the Desert Rats during El Alamein? What were their battle plans?
The first part of the their battle was a Diversion to the south of the line to take Himeimat ridge and also to encourage the Axis to move their Armour south, particulary the 21st Panzer Division ready for Op Lightfoot and Supercharge
How successful were they in their plans and did they achieve their objectives?
Only partially. They did not get fully through the minefields and Himeimat Ridge was not held for long by them. Later in the battle on the night of 29th/30th October the Division staged a mock attacked to divert the enemy and on the 30th began plans to move north, on the 31st ready for Supercharge. They had diverted Axis forces away from Lightfoot and in readiness to Supercharge, so although they had not achieved their phsyical objectives in taking and holding land, they had obtained the objective of diversion. By being pulled out when they were, the Div still had enought strength to take part in Supercharge.
What kind of casualties did the Desert Rats have during El Alamein?
This is difficult to work out as casualties were recorded at a unit level, but on 23rd/24th October 1/7th Queen's lost 10 officers (including their commanding officer) and 178 men killed, wounded or missing. This was about 30% of their Officers and men. Rates of 20% over the whole battle would be common.
Did the 7th Armoured Division use any Shermans during the Battle of El Alamein? Did they fight with any Shermans?
They had none until 22nd Armd Bde was taken out of the line in Mid November 1942 for a refit and after that they still has some Crusades and Grants. 8th Armd Bde who temporarily replaced 22nd Armd Bde has some Shermans, but by them the Axis has so few tanks there was little benefit. The British codename for a Sherman was 'Swallow'. So secret were they they wanted to give no clue to the enemy they even existed in the desert. If you look at my late fathers Battery's War Diary for October 1942 in Appendix A they is a plan for Boat A, that mentions Cruiser Tanks and Swallows for 8th Armd bde. Please see http://www.desertrats.org.uk/WarDiaries/CC_Battery/CCBattery1942.htm (NB. At this time 5 RHA was not part of 7th Armd Div)
If so, how did the Shermans help the 7th Armoured Division, or help the Eighth Army in general?
For those units that had them they gave then a turret mounted 75mm gun capable of taking on the German Pz MK IV, after than the limitations of the sponson mounted 75mm Grant. The were also more reliable that the British tanks of the time. if Shermans had not bee available, I believe the outcome would have been the same as it was a battle of attrition. The British were not worried too much about tanks loses as demonstrated how 9th Armd Bde charged a line of German A/Tk guns are were nearly wiped out.
In your opinion, was the Sherman the strongest tank on the battlefield?
In late 1942 the Pz MKIV with the L/43 75mm gun was probably the better of the tanks in N Africa, but the Sherman had the advantage of the Pz MKIII.
Without the Sherman tanks, do you believe the battle would have had a different ending? How different would the outcome had been?
Probably not. The British outnumbered the Axis and had plenty of reserves, plus air superiority.
How successful was “Operation Lightfoot”? To what extent did it accomplish what Montgomery had planned?
I think this was reasonable successful. Paths were cut through the minefields and enemy forces destroyed to tied down when they could have been better used elsewhere. The loses in the infantry were high and at times it became almost WW1 like in the fighting, but without the mud. It prepare the way for Supercharge, which should be considered an added success. I believe Phillip has sent you some files on Lightfoot, so you are probably best reading these at present.
Why was “Operation Supercharge” created? What was the 7th Armoured's role in Supercharge?
It was part of the Armoured breakout to rout the Axis forces, by engaging and destroying the remaining enemy armour. Then it was part of the force that pursued the Axis back along the desert roads towards Tunisia, harrasing them so they found it hard to make a stand & fight the British on a new defensive line. At the end of "Supercharge" the 8th Army still had 600 battle worthy tanks, while Rommel only had 130, mostly Italian M13's, under his command.
What effects did the second battle of El Alamein have on the war in Africa? What did it change?
It was a morale boost to the British public and Army alike. It proved the Axis, especially the Germans could be defeated. It gave the troops confidence that they could win and in their Commanders, especially Monty as he would not commit them to battle unless he felt they were ready and could win. It also taught the British to fight in numbers in 'set piece' battles rather than the individual unit actions of the past, as these stood more chance of success with lower loses.
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Basically, Churchill wanted action and a victory, mainly for political needs, which Auchinleck had not delivered. He has lost the Gazala battles which with better organisation and co-ordination could have been a British victory, but he has held the line at First Alamein, by fighting a very good defensive battle. Monty was a gamble and did not bow to Churchill's demands for an attack, but rather bidded his time until be had the men and resources to stand a good chance of Victory. He had been in the trenches in WW1 so had had experience of spur of the moment attacks resulting in masses of casualties for no gain.
What were the Germans' objective during the North African Campaign? What were they trying to capture/accomplish?
The wanted to capture the Suez canal, drive the British out of Egypt and the get hold of the Oil fields in what is now Iran & Iraq. This would deprive the British of supply routes and valuable oil supplies, plus help secure the latter for themselves.
How did Bernard Montgomery change the Eighth Army? How was he different from his predecessor?
His key moves were getting out and meeting all his men and ensuring every man in a unit knew what the had to do and when, so if the chain of command started to fall apart there was still a chance of success. His other major change was banning individual unit attacks, as the British Army still like to fight at Battalion level and sometimes Brigade, but this allowed the Axis to mass defensive units and defeat successive waves of attackers one after the other. Under his command the 8th Army would attack only at Divisional or Corps level, massing its strength at key locations to overwhelm the defenders and the prepare for counter attacks at the same level. By delaying Alamein he was able to build up his forces to do this. He even sacked one Commander who questioned this tactic as a lesson to others.
Was Erwin Rommel respected as a general by the British and Commonwealth forces? Why?
He as a master tactician, far better than their own commanders achieving better results with fewer forces at times. Many also considered him lucky and troops like lucky commanders.
Why did Montgomery wait so long to attack the Germans at El Alamein? Why did he resist Churchill's demands to attack early?
He insisted that every man on the the Desert was acclimatised to it and could live and fight in the desert. He also wanted to ensure he had enough supplies and reserves to fight a long battle and with the RAF & RN destroyed the bulk of the Axis supplies he had time on his side.
Why was the Second Battle of El Alamein such an important battle for the Allies?
It was a key battle to finally destroy or severely limit the fighting capacity of the DAK and Italian forces, plus with the high command knowing the Op Torch was scheduled two weeks after the start they knew that between them it would signal the end of the Axis campaign in N Africa. Also by winning it they also protected the Suez Canal and the Oil fields of the Middle East
Would you consider the Second Battle of El Alamein a turning point in either World War II, or in the war in North Africa? Why?
Yes, it taught the British & Commonwealth forces they could win and it saved the Suez Canal and Oilfields from Axis control. It paved the way for the pincer movement created by Op Torch effectively leading to the defeat of the Axis in N Africa. It was also a morale raising victory for the long suffering British public.
What was the objective for the Desert Rats during El Alamein? What were their battle plans?
The first part of the their battle was a Diversion to the south of the line to take Himeimat ridge and also to encourage the Axis to move their Armour south, particulary the 21st Panzer Division ready for Op Lightfoot and Supercharge
How successful were they in their plans and did they achieve their objectives?
Only partially. They did not get fully through the minefields and Himeimat Ridge was not held for long by them. Later in the battle on the night of 29th/30th October the Division staged a mock attacked to divert the enemy and on the 30th began plans to move north, on the 31st ready for Supercharge. They had diverted Axis forces away from Lightfoot and in readiness to Supercharge, so although they had not achieved their phsyical objectives in taking and holding land, they had obtained the objective of diversion. By being pulled out when they were, the Div still had enought strength to take part in Supercharge.
What kind of casualties did the Desert Rats have during El Alamein?
This is difficult to work out as casualties were recorded at a unit level, but on 23rd/24th October 1/7th Queen's lost 10 officers (including their commanding officer) and 178 men killed, wounded or missing. This was about 30% of their Officers and men. Rates of 20% over the whole battle would be common.
Did the 7th Armoured Division use any Shermans during the Battle of El Alamein? Did they fight with any Shermans?
They had none until 22nd Armd Bde was taken out of the line in Mid November 1942 for a refit and after that they still has some Crusades and Grants. 8th Armd Bde who temporarily replaced 22nd Armd Bde has some Shermans, but by them the Axis has so few tanks there was little benefit. The British codename for a Sherman was 'Swallow'. So secret were they they wanted to give no clue to the enemy they even existed in the desert. If you look at my late fathers Battery's War Diary for October 1942 in Appendix A they is a plan for Boat A, that mentions Cruiser Tanks and Swallows for 8th Armd bde. Please see http://www.desertrats.org.uk/WarDiaries/CC_Battery/CCBattery1942.htm (NB. At this time 5 RHA was not part of 7th Armd Div)
If so, how did the Shermans help the 7th Armoured Division, or help the Eighth Army in general?
For those units that had them they gave then a turret mounted 75mm gun capable of taking on the German Pz MK IV, after than the limitations of the sponson mounted 75mm Grant. The were also more reliable that the British tanks of the time. if Shermans had not bee available, I believe the outcome would have been the same as it was a battle of attrition. The British were not worried too much about tanks loses as demonstrated how 9th Armd Bde charged a line of German A/Tk guns are were nearly wiped out.
In your opinion, was the Sherman the strongest tank on the battlefield?
In late 1942 the Pz MKIV with the L/43 75mm gun was probably the better of the tanks in N Africa, but the Sherman had the advantage of the Pz MKIII.
Without the Sherman tanks, do you believe the battle would have had a different ending? How different would the outcome had been?
Probably not. The British outnumbered the Axis and had plenty of reserves, plus air superiority.
How successful was “Operation Lightfoot”? To what extent did it accomplish what Montgomery had planned?
I think this was reasonable successful. Paths were cut through the minefields and enemy forces destroyed to tied down when they could have been better used elsewhere. The loses in the infantry were high and at times it became almost WW1 like in the fighting, but without the mud. It prepare the way for Supercharge, which should be considered an added success. I believe Phillip has sent you some files on Lightfoot, so you are probably best reading these at present.
Why was “Operation Supercharge” created? What was the 7th Armoured's role in Supercharge?
It was part of the Armoured breakout to rout the Axis forces, by engaging and destroying the remaining enemy armour. Then it was part of the force that pursued the Axis back along the desert roads towards Tunisia, harrasing them so they found it hard to make a stand & fight the British on a new defensive line. At the end of "Supercharge" the 8th Army still had 600 battle worthy tanks, while Rommel only had 130, mostly Italian M13's, under his command.
What effects did the second battle of El Alamein have on the war in Africa? What did it change?
It was a morale boost to the British public and Army alike. It proved the Axis, especially the Germans could be defeated. It gave the troops confidence that they could win and in their Commanders, especially Monty as he would not commit them to battle unless he felt they were ready and could win. It also taught the British to fight in numbers in 'set piece' battles rather than the individual unit actions of the past, as these stood more chance of success with lower loses.
Click here to return to Interviews page.