soc.history.war.world-war-ii

in article 47eaa265$0$10620$4fafbaef@reader2.news.tin.it, Haydn at
mrbridge1944@hotmail.com wrote on 3/26/08 1:00 PM:

> Overrunning the practically undefended western half of the island instead of
> cutting across its "midriff" and harassing the retreating Axis where it might
> hurt them made the media at home happy. It is debatable whether it also was
> sound generalship.

Agreed. But Montgomery and Alexander get the blame for that one. The II
Corps of 7th. Army intended to cut more or less directly north from the
invasion beaches, but Montgomery demanded and Alexander approved that 8th.
Army get the use of the only highway along that route. In which case, there
was nothing for 7th. Army to do but sit on the beaches or go around to the
west.

Michael