Stories of Faith and Courage From World War II (20 page)

During this period the supply lines of the opposing forces became the key to victory or defeat in North Africa. The British Navy and air units stationed on Malta gradually began to turn the tide, making resupply of the Afrika Korps increasingly difficult. Finally, in September 1942 the British 8
^th
Army, under Gen. Bernard Montgomery, launched a major offensive that decisively penetrated the German line at El Alamein. Rommel did not have the resources to stop this advance and was forced back across Libya and into Tunisia.

Throughout 1942, the United States prepared for its role in the widening war. The site of America’s entry into the European theater was hotly debated by the Allies. Even though American military leaders favored a direct strike at Germany, President Roosevelt finally succumbed to Churchill’s insistence on an invasion of North Africa. Operation Torch commenced on November 8, 1942, with more than one hundred thousand British and American troops, commanded by Gen. Dwight Eisenhower, landing at three widely separated objectives: Casablanca, Oran, and Algiers. Ironically, these landings were initially opposed by French forces occupying these areas under the control of the Vichy French government. The Operation Torch forces ultimately met the British 8
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Army in Tunisia, successfully driving the Axis out of North Africa in May 1943.

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PRIL 1

Submitting to the Desert

At times desert warfare had many similarities to war at sea. The lines were fluid and ever changing. There were no forts and seldom even fixed positions, as there were few noteworthy terrain features to be held. The mission was usually to find and engage enemy units wherever found, with little regard to the land being fought over. A correspondent eloquently described the relationship of the army to the environment surrounding it:

As a ship submits to the sea by the nature of its design and the way it sails, so these new mechanized soldiers were submitting to the desert. They used the desert. They never sought to control it. Always the desert set the pace, made the direction and planned the design. The desert offered colours in browns, yellows, and greys. The army accordingly took these colours for its camouflage. The sandstorm blew, and the tanks, profiting by it, went into action under the cover of the storm. We made no roads. We built no houses. We did not try to make the desert livable, nor did we seek to subdue it. We found the life of the desert primitive and nomadic, and primitively and nomadically the army lived and went to war.
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We don’t usually think of “submitting” to our environment. Part of our nature as human beings is to try to shape events and overcome obstacles, as we plan and work toward a better future. Theoretically, we know that we are supposed to submit ourselves to God’s plan, but this is not practically possible unless we know what he wants us to do. We need to remember the biblical wisdom that there is “A time to be silent and a time to speak” (Ecclesiastes 3:7). We submit to God’s will when we take time to pray, to listen, and to seek help in discerning his guidance. He will give us direction if we seek it. Our striving then takes on a new character. Only when we submit our efforts to his plan will we ever be able to fulfill our true purpose and find lasting peace.

Whether the cloud stayed over the tabernacle for two days or a month or a year, the Israelites would remain in camp and not set out; but when it lifted, they would set out. At the L
ORD’S
command they encamped, and at the L
ORD’S
command they set out.

—Numbers 9:22–23

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PRIL 2

To Shave

Brig. James Hargest, a New Zealander, was captured in North Africa in July 1941. He reported an interesting meeting with Gen. Erwin Rommel:

He stood looking at me coldly. Through his interpreter he expressed displeasure that I had not saluted him. I replied that I intended no discourtesy, but was in the habit of saluting only my seniors in our own or allied armies… It did not prevent him from congratulating me on the fighting quality of my men.

“They fight well,” he said.

“Yes, they fight well,” I replied, “but your tanks were too powerful for us.”

“Perhaps my men are superior to yours.”

“You know that is not correct.”

Although he had been fighting for over a week and was traveling in a tank, he was neat and clean, and I noticed that he had shaved before entering the battle that morning.
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My battalion commander in Vietnam, Lt. Col. Gary Wilder, enforced a strict policy of daily shaving, whether in rear areas or in the field. When water was scarce the men did as they were told but with great complaint. For a while it seemed like a waste of time and water to me as well. In time, however, I began to appreciate the benefits of such discipline. I learned that in combat, when men are tired, afraid, and frustrated, there can be a thin line between human and animal behavior. The disciplines of personal hygiene helped keep that line in clear focus.

Sometimes our spiritual vision can also get blurry when we allow ourselves to drift apart from God. We need certain spiritual disciplines to keep this from happening. Regular prayer and Bible study are vital to our spiritual health, but unfortunately, are easy to neglect. The simple discipline of attending to these regularly will pay great dividends in sharpening our vision of what is most important in our lives: a continuing personal relationship with our Father in heaven.

Naaman’s servants went to him and said, “My father, if the prophet had told you to do some great thing, would you not have done it? How much more, then, when he tells you, ‘Wash and be cleansed’!”

—2 Kings 5:13

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PRIL 3

Responsibility

In early 1942 Winston Churchill faced unprecedented burdens. The home islands remained under threat of invasion. British and Axis forces were clashing in the Atlantic, Far East, and North Africa, with setbacks on every front. A steady stream of decisions had to be made on the priority of effort and the allocation of scarce resources. Churchill had to deal with all of this as well as a constant barrage of criticism from his own Parliament and press. At one point he lamented,

“I must confess to feeling the weight of the war upon me even more than in the tremendous summer days of 1940.”
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As criticism peaked over losses in Asia and North Africa, he went before the House of Commons to address the issue of blame:

I take the fullest personal responsibility. If we have handled our resources wrongly, no one is so much to blame as me. If we have not got large modern air forces and tanks in Burma and Malaya tonight, no one is more accountable than I am. Why then should I be called upon to pick out scapegoats, to throw the blame on generals or airmen or sailors? Why then should I be called upon to drive away loyal and trusted colleagues and friends to appease the clamour of certain sections of the British and Australian press…?
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We can only imagine Churchill’s temptation to shift the blame for these catastrophes. Many of his ministers and generals certainly contributed to his plight. The Bible relates how the very first man and woman succumbed to this urge. When confronted by God about the forbidden fruit, Adam responded, “The woman you put here with me she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it.” [Eve responded,] “The serpent deceived me, and I ate”(Genesis 3:12–13). Thanks to our Savior, we no longer have to play the “blame game.” We know that through Jesus Christ we will be forgiven the wrong things we do or things we leave undone, once we fully accept responsibility and ask for forgiveness in his name.

Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the L
ORD
” and you forgave the guilt of my sin.

—Psalm 32:5

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PRIL 4

A Strong Bulkhead

In June 1942 the British garrison at Tobruk fell to Rommel’s advancing forces. More than thirty thousand troops and mountains of stores and equipment were lost. Winston Churchill received the devastating news by telegram during a meeting with President Roosevelt in the White House. Soon, the newspapers began to blare alarming headlines:

“Anger in England,” “Tobruk Fall May Bring Change of Government,” “Churchill to Be Censured.” Churchill did indeed face a debate in the House of Commons over a vote of censure soon after returning to England. After listening to several days of criticism, he finally stood before the House to respond. One of his remarks contained an element of universal truth:

I cannot pretend to form a judgment upon what has happened in this battle. I like commanders on land and sea and in the air to feel that between them and all forms of public criticism the Government stands like a strong bulkhead. They ought to have a fair chance, and more than one chance. Men make mistakes and learn from their mistakes… you will not get generals to run risks unless they feel they have behind them a strong government.
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I find special meaning in these words as they point logically to another, ultimate authority. Our Savior, Jesus Christ, is our strong bulkhead. With him in our hearts we have the freedom to be ourselves and are no longer subject to fear and anxiety. When our relationship is on sound footing we are able to live bold lives in his service. If he calls us to a task, we know that he will equip us for it and that he will remain faithful to us. We can risk being ridiculed or rejected and always know that our ultimate authority accepts us. Our strong bulkhead will not be moved.

So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.

—John 8:36

Gen. Erwin Rommel, “The Desert Fox.” (National Archives)

Gen. Bernard “Monty” Montgomery (National Archives)

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PRIL 5

Monty’s Prayer

On August 13, 1942, Lt. Gen. Bernard Montgomery, known to most as “Monty,” took command of the British 8
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Army. Rommel had pushed the British across North Africa into Egypt, to within less than one hundred miles of Alexandria. Montgomery knew that a new attack was coming soon and positioned his forces to defend a key ridgeline at Alam El Halfa. From August 31 to September 2 another great tank battle was fought that proved to be Rommel’s last major offensive to threaten Egypt. Monty did a masterful job of simplifying the defensive plan and orchestrating the battle.

Afterward, General Montgomery posted a prayer in his command vehicle that would remain for the duration of the war:
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O Lord God
When thou givest to thy servants
To endeavour any great matter
Grant us also to know that it is not the beginning,
But the continuing of the same unto the end
Until it be thoroughly finished, which yieldest the true glory;
Through Him that for the finishing of Thy work
Laid down his life.
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