Montgomery Praises American Commanders and Reflects on Allied Cooperation During the Battle of the Bulge (1945)

Date: January 12, 1945

Created By: Bernard Montgomery

Original or Replica: Original

Era: Advance to the Rhine, The General

Collection: Eisenhower Presidential Library

Citations: DDE’s Pre-Presidential Papers, Principal File, Box 83, Montgomery, Bernard (10); NAID #12125643

In this January 12, 1945 letter, British Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery writes to General Omar Bradley as the Battle of the Bulge appeared to be nearing its conclusion. Montgomery had temporarily assumed operational command of American forces on the northern side of the German salient after the surprise Ardennes offensive disrupted Allied command lines. He tells Bradley that it had been a great honor to command American troops and praises their performance during the battle.

Montgomery specifically commends First Army commander Courtney Hodges and Ninth Army commander William Simpson, stating that both had performed very well. He offers particularly strong praise for the American corps commanders under First Army—J. Lawton Collins, Matthew Ridgway, and Charles Corlett—calling them “quite magnificent.” Montgomery also acknowledges the importance of operations conducted by Bradley and George Patton on the southern side of the German salient. He notes that without the southern counterattack and the relief of Bastogne, the situation on the northern side would have become considerably more difficult.

The letter provides a valuable firsthand look at Allied command relationships during the Battle of the Bulge. Written as the emergency command arrangement was ending, it highlights Montgomery’s assessment of American battlefield leadership and the importance of cooperation between Allied forces in defeating Germany’s Ardennes offensive.