POLITICAL ATTACK ON “MONTY”

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 89, Issue 266, 10 November 1945, Page 5

POLITICAL ATTACK ON “MONTY”

KEEPING OFFICERS IN ARMY OTHER GENERALS SAID TO BE AT FAULT, TOO. Recd. 8 p.m. London, Nov. 9. An attack on Field-Marshal Montgomery, “tor keeping junior oiticers in the Army when they ought to be demobilised,” was made by Major Wyatt in the House o£ Commons,. "Montgomery is a very great soldier, but isn’t a plaster saint,” he said. “All o£ us who served under him during the war know he always refused to undertake any operation unless he had at his disposal an overwhelming preponderance o£ men and material.” Major Wyatt accused Field-Marshal Montgomery of carrying on a wartime policy because he did not want to be put down. There was a widespread feeling in the Army that nothing was being done to curb his demands, and say: “You cannot have all you want. You must realise we must get these officers out; we are going to cut down your demands.” Major Wyatt added that he thought other generals were equally guilty in that direction.

Other members of the House of Commons declared they were astonished to see young engineers on the reconstruction and refashioning of Holland, when they ought to be rehabilitating Britain.