The Crusading General by Julian Paget

Author:Julian Paget [Paget, Julian]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: History, Modern, General, Military, World War II, Biography & Autobiography
ISBN: 9781844684267
Google: iAbMDwAAQBAJ
Publisher: Casemate Publishers
Published: 2009-04-20T03:20:11+00:00

Discipline and Morale

One of BP's great achievements, in addition to the training of the Army, was, first, the raising of morale after the setbacks of Norway and Dunkirk, and then the maintenance of morale during two and a half long years of inaction and frustration. It was a daunting task under such circumstances, but it was done. He did not hesitate to set out the challenge facing the Army:

What are we up against? The best disciplined, the best trained and the toughest military power the world has ever seen, and a people possessed by the spirit of sacrifice for an ideal. But we can win on all these points, if we are determined to do so, and possess the necessary inspiration.

As a Regimental soldier BP believed unreservedly in the vital part played in morale by the well-proven Regimental system, and by Regimental officers and NCOs:

It reflects great credit, especially on Regimental officers, that morale has been maintained and strengthened throughout this long wait without the stimulus of battle. I am very much impressed by that fact as I go round the Army, and I do not believe that any other Army in the world could have succeeded in this difficult and trying phase. (Talk to the School of Infantry. 17.8.42)

In another talk to the GHQ Battle School in 1942, he made the same point:

In all wars morale has been a very important factor…. In this war the German technique had been to undermine the enemy's morale before attacking suddenly and in great strength…the maintenance of our determination and our morale is therefore a vital part of our war effort …. Since Dunkirk we have been called upon to show a different and more difficult form of courage than courage in battle, which is to remain confident and cheerful without the stimulus of battle for a long period of time, with little apparent incentive and little hope of glory. That the Army has succeeded so well in this very severe test reflects the greatest credit upon all concerned and especially upon the Regimental officer.

He then turned to the question of discipline:

Discipline must be closely related at all times to fighting efficiency, since its main purpose is to foster ‘esprit-de-corps’, which will hold men together as a team and see them through the test of hard times. If a man has a proper pride in his Regiment and in his Division, he has the greatest incentive to discipline, courage and endurance…we must make every effort to avoid boredom and monotony in our training…which must be based on the principle that periods of intensive training, calling for effort, endurance and the acceptance of risk, are alternated with short periods of relaxation, during which great attention should be paid to comfort and welfare.

Above all, I look to all Commanders for inspiration by personal example, and the setting at all times of the highest possible standards of Duty. Let us remember that we are fighting the war NOW.

Such words set out very clearly BP's personal belief – and they have a remarkable relevance still today sixty-five years on.

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