Montgomery and Colossal Cracks: The 21st Army Group in Northwest Europe, 1944-45

(Hardback)

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A reinterpretation of the British Army's conduct in the crucial 1944-45 Northwest Europe campaign. It systematically examines the "Colossal Cracks" operational technique employed by Montgomery's Anglo-Canadian 21st Army Group and demonstrates the key significance that morale and casualty concerns exerted on this technique. It also explores the methods of army commanders Dempsey and Crerar. The author suggests that Montgomery and his two senior subordinates handled this formation more effectively than some scholars have suggested. In fact "Colossal Cracks", the concentration of massive force at a point of German weakness, represented the most appropriate weapon the 1944 British Army could develop under the circumstances.

Reviews

"Montgomery and 'Colossal Cracks'" is an interesting book and provides a much-needed examination of the command structure of the 21st Army Group. The chapters devoted to Montgomery's relationship to his army and corps commanders are essential to a better understanding of the dynamics of the British high command.-Bowling Green Daily News
A welcome study based on research in Canadian as well as British archives that adds to our understanding of the limitations under which Montgomery fought and won his battles.-The Journal of Military History
Incisive, eminently objective, and literate, this thoughtful study advances considerably our understanding of the war's most controversial field commander and his Normandy campaign.-WWII History
The merit of this book is that it may go some way towards restoring Montgomery's standing--at least as a realist--in American eyes, given its publisher. It may also help some of the arch-maneuverists to understand just why the British/Canadian armies of the period fought in the manner they did.-The British Army Review
This book is an outstanding contribution to our knowledge of the way in which Montgomery and the historians have constructed their histories of the campaign in north-west Europe.-War in History
"A welcome study based on research in Canadian as well as British archives that adds to our understanding of the limitations under which Montgomery fought and won his battles."-The Journal of Military History
"Incisive, eminently objective, and literate, this thoughtful study advances considerably our understanding of the war's most controversial field commander and his Normandy campaign."-WWII History
"The merit of this book is that it may go some way towards restoring Montgomery's standing--at least as a realist--in American eyes, given its publisher. It may also help some of the arch-maneuverists to understand just why the British/Canadian armies of the period fought in the manner they did."-The British Army Review
"This book is an outstanding contribution to our knowledge of the way in which Montgomery and the historians have constructed their histories of the campaign in north-west Europe."-War in History
""Montgomery and 'Colossal Cracks'" is an interesting book and provides a much-needed examination of the command structure of the 21st Army Group. The chapters devoted to Montgomery's relationship to his army and corps commanders are essential to a better understanding of the dynamics of the British high command."-Bowling Green Daily News

Author Bio

STEPHEN ASHLEY HART is Senior Lecturer in the Department of War Studies, the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, at Camberley, United Kingdom. Prior to this, he lectured in the International Studies Department at the University of Surrey and in the Department of War Studies, King's College, London.