Forthright War Diary

J. P. McFADDEN

According to regulations, no British officer may keep a diary in wartime. When Britain’s top World War II soldier, Field-Marshal Lord Alanbrooke, jotted down each night the events of the day, and his feelings and opinions about them, it was a most fortunate piece of disobedience. As Chief, Imperial General Staff, Alanbrooke was Churchill’s closest military adviser, and was therefore in a position to know more about the Anglo-American conduct of the war than any other soldier except George C. Marshall, whose knowledge has gone with him to the grave.

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J. P. McFadden

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J. P. McFADDEN

According to regulations, no British officer may keep a diary in wartime. When Britain’s top World War II soldier, Field-Marshal Lord Alanbrooke, jotted down each night the events of the day, and his feelings and opinions about them, it was a most fortunate piece of disobedience. As Chief, Imperial General Staff, Alanbrooke was Churchill’s closest military adviser, and was therefore in a position to know more about the Anglo-American conduct of the war than any other soldier except George C. Marshall, whose knowledge has gone with him to the grave.