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PHOTO:
General
Crerar
Born in
1888, Crerar was a professional soldier and, like many of the senior
commanders in the Canadian Army, a graduate of the Royal Military College at
Kingston. He served a distinguished junior officer career in the First World War
and of Permanent Force soldiering in the 1920s and 1930s. Unlike McNaughton, his
predecessor, he had no charisma, no knack for inspiring men. His forte was
careful planning and caution with his men's lives, not strategic or tactical
brilliance. A proficient administrator, Crerar had been prepared for his army
command by a few months of hurried experience in Italy in the winter of 1944. A
staff officer, seeking words of praise for Crerar, suggested that he would
"never make a bad mistake". Fortunately, greater qualities were not demanded of
Montgomery's army commanders.
In
1939, he requested a position overseas, and won the position of BGS at the
Canadian Military Headquarters in London. Crerar had many important friends, and
much political savvy, and continued to request promotion. He was recalled to
Canada as Vice-Chief of the General Staff. He implemented many impressive and
successful plans and policies. Unfortunately for Crerar, he made an enemy of
Minister Ralston, and Crerar's constant demands for promotion to
lieutenant-general were considered pushy. If he had held his tongue he would
almost certainly have received to promotion he desired.
Crerar's ambitious
plan to increase the amount of men sent overseas was accepted and lauded. Sadly,
it proved to be too grand a scheme to be supported by the voluntary system of
recruiting. It was a victory for the army, but a pain in the politicians' side.
It was at this time that Crerar faced attack due to his role in sending troops
to Hong Kong. The brutal disaster that took place had many NDHQ staff fired, but
Crerar was sent to Britain as acting commander of the Canadian Corps; thus,
Crerar escaped censure for Hong Kong.
Surprisingly, Crerar desired a post
in the field, commanding a division. In 1941, he took over the Canadian Corps,
appearing to his soldiers an odd-looking character. Middle-aged and academic in
appearance, Crerar was not a field soldier, and his men knew it. General
Montgomery, however, was pleased with Crerar. His friendship with 'Monty' won
Crerar the role of commander over troops at Dieppe, ousting General McNaughton,
who was ill at the time.
Crerar went to Italy to command
troops, gaining valuable, and much needed, field experience. In March 1944, he
took over command of the First Canadian Army in Normandy which consisted of The
2nd and 3rd Canadian Infantry Divisions and the 4th Canadian Armoured Division. Eventually, the army would also include British, Polish,
Dutch, Czech and Belgian units under its command.
He was extremely optimistic,
predicting a quick victory. Problems began to arise before D-Day. General
Montgomery and Crerar went head to head over the command of Canadian troops.
Crerar convinced him that he (Crerar) was responsible for his own men, to which
'Monty' agreed, but there was tension which resulted in 'Monty' positioning
Crerar as "executive" commander of the First Canadian Army, but General Simonds
as the true commander.
Montgomery said of Crerar: "I fear
he thinks he is a great soldier and he was determined to show it the very moment
he took over command at 1200 hrs on 23 July. He made his first mistake at 1205
hrs; and his second after lunch" (The Generals by Jack Granatstein,
p.111)
Crerar was successful in closing
the Falaise Gap, but fell ill of dysentery a few weeks later. He returned to
lead his men to victory in Operation Veritable, and to return to Canada, after
the war, a hero.
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