Second World War Freddie de Guingand

de guingand outside montgomery s caravan, tripoli.

at outbreak of second world war in september 1939, de guingand became military assistant secretary of state war in role had exposure senior officers in army , developed skills in diplomacy. in january 1940 posted instructor new staff college @ haifa in rank of lieutenant-colonel.

after short period commandant of newly formed school of combined operations, posted in december 1940, on recommendation of staff college s commandant eric dorman-smith, joint planning staff of ghq middle east in cairo took on role of secretary commanders-in-chief committee.

he involved in controversy when discovered had on own initiative been planning date evacuation of expeditionary force greece. however, support of naval , air c-in-cs allowed continue plans.

in february 1942 dorman-smith, time deputy chief of general staff in cairo, recommended de guingand vacant post of director of military intelligence, middle east. in role proved successful , after first battle of el alamein appointed eighth army s brigadier general staff (operations).

when montgomery appointed command eighth army in august 1942 summoned de guingand meet him. later wrote:

...i [needed] me, man quick , clear brain, accept responsibility, , work out details , leave me free concentrate on major issues – in fact, chief of staff handle details , intricate staff side of business [sic] , leave me free command...before arrived @ eighth army hq had decided de guingand man...i never regretted decision.

he serve montgomery s chief of staff, responsible running of montgomery s armies, on journey egypt rhine. promoted acting major-general after surrender of axis forces in north africa in may 1943. montgomery once wrote chief of imperial general staff alan brooke saying de guingand not know should without him quite 1st class .

de guingand prove indispensable montgomery, not in battle, in relations americans. de guingand seems have been blessed considerable diplomatic skills, proved useful when serving montgomery. formed close relationship walter bedell smith, chief of staff supreme allied commander dwight eisenhower , able smooth on many difficulties arising montgomery s problematic relationships many of peers , superiors. awarded legion of merit (commander) united states in april 1945 , distinguished service medal in 1948. awarded dso after victory @ el alamein , having been given obe earlier promoted cbe after capture of tripoli @ end of western desert campaign.

following campaign in sicily appointed companion of order of bath (cb). further promoted in order of british empire when knighted kbe in 1944, unusual honour major-general. @ time had substantive rank of major (war substantive rank of lieutenant-colonel) although permanent rank advanced full colonel in march 1945.

de guingand had been under great strain, , during first half of 1944 away on sick leave on several occasions. after end of hostilities in europe spent time recuperating still not recovered when, appointed director of military intelligence in september 1945. promoted substantive major-general in september 1946. montgomery had become aware succeed alan brooke chief of imperial general staff in 1946 , told de guingand wanted him vice chief. however, still recovering illness, de guingand failed impress brooke dmi , result vice chief job went frank simpson.