Alternative to Alexander for Auchinleck, in 1942?

Status
Not open for further replies.
Supposing Auchinleck is 'demoted' to commander of the 8th Army in mid-1942, are El Halfa and second El Alamein likely to be fought as approximately in the original time or are there innovations (or tactics/strategy) that Montgomery used in the original timeline that it would never have occurred to Auchinleck to employ (or which would have been rapidly dismissed if such thoughts did arise) had he been fighting those battles?

The Auk's plan before he was sacked was to have one dug in position of the Alam el Halfa ridge and use it as an anchor around which he would use three lines of defence and manoeuvre his forces to counter-attack wherever Rommel attempted to break through - at least, that's how it's always come across to me.

Monty's was a vastly more simple and easily understandable plan. He would use the Alam el Halfa ridge as his sole line of defence where he would fight a static defensive battle having manipulated Rommel into attacking him where he was strongest.

Essentially, Monty's plan called for Rommel to break his own army upon a prepared defensive line while the Auk's plan called for the 8th to meet Rommel's army and break it, or at least hold it, in open battle.
 
Thanks and please lock.

Thanks to those who've commented, and I have picked up a copy of the first volume of Nigel Hamilton's biography of 'Monty' which one poster mentioned.
If a moderator could please lock this thread?
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top