[1 of 10]
The Battle of the Bulge continues. It's Day 14
Let's pick up where we left off yesterday.
The Battle of the Bulge continues. It's Day 14
Let's pick up where we left off yesterday.
https://twitter.com/18airbornecorps/status/1344026053736615937?s=20
[2 of 10]
Ike was already mad at Monty.
On the AM of Sat, Dec 30, 1944, when super-nice guy Freddie De Guingand [this man], Monty's Chief of Staff, shows up in Ike's HQ in Versailles to report that Monty's wont' start the offensive until at least Jan 3rd, Ike has had it.
Ike was already mad at Monty.
On the AM of Sat, Dec 30, 1944, when super-nice guy Freddie De Guingand [this man], Monty's Chief of Staff, shows up in Ike's HQ in Versailles to report that Monty's wont' start the offensive until at least Jan 3rd, Ike has had it.
[3 of 10]
Ike is out with all of this. He can't even.
He tells Freddie and "Beetle" Smith (his own Chief of Staff, this man), he's going to write a telegram to the Joint Chiefs of Staff in DC with an ultimatum: it's either Monty or I.
One of us has to go.
Ike is out with all of this. He can't even.
He tells Freddie and "Beetle" Smith (his own Chief of Staff, this man), he's going to write a telegram to the Joint Chiefs of Staff in DC with an ultimatum: it's either Monty or I.
One of us has to go.
[4 of 10]
Freddie's a good guy. He wants to solve this. Privately, he's exhausted with his boss, but he's a loyal officer.
His offer to Ike: Let me run back, 200+ miles to our HQ in Zonhoven and try to get Monty to agree to the January 1st attack date.
Freddie's a good guy. He wants to solve this. Privately, he's exhausted with his boss, but he's a loyal officer.
His offer to Ike: Let me run back, 200+ miles to our HQ in Zonhoven and try to get Monty to agree to the January 1st attack date.
[5 of 10]
Ike relents.
Freddie gets back to headquarters in Zonhoven around midnight.
He types up a telegram from Monty apologizing to Ike for being an insubordinate jerk and agreeing to the January 1st launch date.
Freddie basically begs Monty to sign the telegram.
Ike relents.
Freddie gets back to headquarters in Zonhoven around midnight.
He types up a telegram from Monty apologizing to Ike for being an insubordinate jerk and agreeing to the January 1st launch date.
Freddie basically begs Monty to sign the telegram.
[6 of 10]
Monty, realizing he's in danger of getting fired, signs.
The attack is on for two days from now.
Monty, realizing he's in danger of getting fired, signs.
The attack is on for two days from now.
[7 of 10]
When Eisenhower receives the telegram the next day, Sunday, he moves on, but he loses a lot of respect for Monty, who refers to as "a little man."
When Eisenhower receives the telegram the next day, Sunday, he moves on, but he loses a lot of respect for Monty, who refers to as "a little man."
[8 of 10]
Now, if you think Monty's done causing serious problems during the Battle of the Bulge, you're mistaken....wait til we get to the January 7th press conference.
Now, if you think Monty's done causing serious problems during the Battle of the Bulge, you're mistaken....wait til we get to the January 7th press conference.
[9 of 10]
But, for now, for this morning, we here at Fort Bragg raise a coffee mug to you, Freddie de Guingand, for resolving this situation and avoiding a crisis in command.
But, for now, for this morning, we here at Fort Bragg raise a coffee mug to you, Freddie de Guingand, for resolving this situation and avoiding a crisis in command.
[END]
And here's to all the loyal, undervalued Chiefs of Staff out there selflessly looking out for the mission, the organization, and protecting the boss.
And here's to all the loyal, undervalued Chiefs of Staff out there selflessly looking out for the mission, the organization, and protecting the boss.
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