Montgomery of Alamein (Bernard Law, Viscount of)

Montgomery of Alamein (Bernard Law, Viscount of)

Typed "Memorandum on the Economics of Western Defence by Field-Marshal Montgomery", signed "Montgomery of Alamein" at close, marked 'Private and Top Secret', reading in part "If we examine the combat effectiveness of the air, sea and land forces of the Nato war machine, we are forced to the conclusion that while parts of the military machine are most efficient, much of it is very definitely not. As a whole it is in no position today, March 1955, to fight a war and succeed. Indeed in its present state of combat efficiency it would have difficulty in survival, and we would lose Western Europe if attacked...Some of the weaknesses are straight-forward military problems which could be put right by improved methods of organisation and training on a national basis. But the major weaknesses are bound up closely in the economic, financial, and apolitical life of the various countries", suggesting improvement can be achieved by joint defence, "an organisation for defence which provides a balanced defence force internationally, within the Nato group of nations" and detailing the requirements for the Navies, the Armies and the Air Force, eight pages stapled together, light staining due to rusty staple, light age-related yellowing and foxing, folio, March 1955, accompanied by a handwritten note from Montgomery to John Rupert Colville affixed to the first page, reading "My dear Joch, I send you this paper for your private information. Harold Macmillan has copy no. 1", one page, 8vo, 17 March 1955.