Description:

BERNARD LAW MONTGOMERY
(1887-1976) British Field Marshall who commenced the drive at El Alamein that ultimately drove Rommel from North Africa. Also involved in the invasions of Sicily and France. Very fine content D.S. ‘B. L. Montgomery' as Field Marshal of the 21st Army Group, 11p. legal folio, Feb. 21, 1945, mimeographed copy #27 (M558) of his ‘Memorandum on British Armour: No. 2', noted ‘Top Secret' at top right. In part: ‘…Since the issue of the first memorandum on July 6, 1944 (M506) we have gained much practical experience in the employment of armour in battle and in tank operations generally, both in the mobile battle and in close fighting with infantry. The battle of the FALAISE pocket, and the operations…up to the SEINE and on to Belgium and Holland, involved with the employment of tanks in almost every variety of operation with Infantry; the pursuit saw armoured formations advance 450 miles in nine days….Reviewing the experience as a whole it is true to say that [the] memorandum of June 1944 needs little amendment…British armour has come through the campaign in Western Europe with flying colors, and has proved itself superior in battle to German armour. If [Gerd von] Rundstedt had been equipped with British armour when he attacked in the Ardennes on 61 December 1944, he would have reached the MEUSE in 36 hours: which would have placed the Allies in a very awkward position…'. Montgomery continues by laying down general points: ‘…Our general policy should be directed towards simplicity…I am definitely opposed to developing a cruiser tank for use in armoured divisions and a heavy tank for work with infantry…we should have only…a. the capital tank (to fight) b. the light tank (to reconnoiter)…As general policy the aim should be that: a. amphibious detachments b. flame-throwing equipment c. self-protection against mines, should be a normal (detachable) part of the design of all future tanks…A capital tank means a dual-purpose tank…the gun must be dual purpose: it must have good armour piercing power…also fire a good HE shell…'. The document continues with highly detailed specs for this tank, including armament, ‘morale', weight, camouflage, optical instruments and so forth. In ‘Appendix A' on ‘Special Equipments', details are given about ‘Mine Sweeping Tanks…Flame Throwing Tanks. Crocodiles: Churchill VII with a flame gun fitted in place of the bow Besa…[which]have a demoralizing effect as well as lethal effect…Amphibious Tanks…DDs can be launched from LCT or LST…Armoured Royal Engineers…The Ark…The Bulldozer…Armoured Cross Country Infantry Carriers…Amphibian Tracker Troop Carriers…', and more. In ‘Appendix B', Montgomery outlines the operational specs, ordnance, and so forth. File holes at left, lightly and evenly toned, very good. WITH: an original mimeograph of a typed document, 1p. 8vo., [n.p.], Feb. 23, 1945, marked ‘Top Secret' and stating, in part: ‘…Herewith copy No. 27 of C-in-C's Memorandum on British Armour…It is regretting that owing to the very limited number of spares available, only one copy can be provided…'. It further lists the 12 brigadier and major generals to whom copies have been distributed. File holes at left, rusted paperclip impression at top left corner with a tiny bit of loss, otherwise very good. Two pieces.

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June 26, 2025 10:00 AM EDT
Elkton, MD, US

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