A.P. Herbert
Field Marshal, few, and foolish, are the lands
That do not hail the baton in your hands.
They labelled you a ‘showman’. But we know
Good showmen must have something good to show:
One does not capture by the showman’s art
The people’s confidence, the soldier’s heart.
They said you were ‘eccentric’. We could do
With several abnormalities like you:
It needs a not quite ordinary man
To start at Alamein and take Sedan.
Master of craft, and horror of the Huns,
One hundred salvos from a thousand guns!
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Analysis (AI Assisted)
This war poem is a tribute to Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery, one of the most prominent and admired British military leaders of World War II. With a direct yet deeply respectful tone, the poem celebrates Montgomery’s leadership, skill, and the unusual qualities that made him effective, even if his methods were not always conventional.
The poem begins by acknowledging the widespread respect Montgomery commanded, suggesting that “few, and foolish, are the lands / That do not hail the baton in your hands.” This opening lines present Montgomery as a figure of almost universal admiration, a man whose skill and leadership were recognized far beyond Britain’s borders. The baton, a symbol of military command, represents his authority, and the poem notes that his reputation as a leader is global, not just national.
The poet then addresses a common criticism of Montgomery: that he was a “showman.” While this label implies that Montgomery was more style than substance, the poem rebuts it with clarity. “Good showmen must have something good to show,” the poet argues, suggesting that Montgomery’s ability to captivate the public was not empty spectacle, but based on his real and practical achievements. The next line reinforces this point by stating that only through genuine skill could Montgomery win the “confidence of the people” and the “soldier’s heart.” In other words, Montgomery’s leadership wasn’t based on empty promises or flashy displays, but on real competence that earned the trust of both the troops and the British public.
The poem then turns to another characteristic that made Montgomery both beloved and controversial: his “eccentricity.” Again, the poet defends Montgomery by suggesting that, rather than being a flaw, his eccentricity was a strength. “It needs a not quite ordinary man / To start at Alamein and take Sedan.” This line is crucial, as it highlights Montgomery’s major achievements in the North African Campaign, particularly his victory at the Second Battle of El Alamein, and his subsequent role in the Allied advance through Western Europe. The suggestion that it “needs a not quite ordinary man” is an acknowledgment of Montgomery’s unique qualities—traits that might have seemed odd or unconventional, but which were essential to his success. The reference to “Alamein” and “Sedan” specifically evokes two pivotal moments in the war. Alamein, in particular, marked a turning point in the desert war against the Axis forces, and the reference to Sedan evokes Montgomery’s role in leading the charge across France after D-Day.
Montgomery’s ability to inspire his men and maintain military discipline is further emphasized with the phrase “Master of craft, and horror of the Huns.” This description of him as both a master of military strategy (“craft”) and a terrifying figure for the enemy forces underscores his dual ability: Montgomery was not only skilled in battle but also deeply feared by his adversaries. The line “One hundred salvos from a thousand guns!” builds on this image, conjuring an image of Montgomery as a force to be reckoned with, able to coordinate overwhelming firepower and precision in battle.
The tone throughout the poem is admiring but not effusive, recognizing both Montgomery’s reputation and his more unconventional qualities. The poet is clearly acknowledging the complexities of Montgomery’s character—his showmanship, eccentricity, and brilliance—but ultimately, the praise is for the man’s practical and undeniable military success. In celebrating Montgomery, the poem also reveals a broader appreciation for leaders who, though not always following conventional norms, can achieve great things due to their unique qualities.
In conclusion, the poem praises Montgomery’s effectiveness, his ability to inspire loyalty, and his unconventional methods, which, in the end, proved to be a winning combination. While critics may have seen him as overly flamboyant or eccentric, the poem suggests that such qualities were part of what made him such a formidable leader. His achievements on the battlefield and his reputation as a strategist are clear markers of his genius, and the poem places him firmly in the pantheon of military greats.