Monty’s position in Baldwin’s article will be fleshed out in his memoirs, where he will claim that everything happened according to his plan. Looking at the pre-invasion planning, directed by Monty, the allied armies were intended march side by side out of Normandy by D+90 and be on the Seine. On D+45, when Cobra was launched, the Allies were way behind schedule. It cannot be said things were going to plan.
The idea to pin the German panzers in the east and allow the Americans to breakout and pivot in the west was basically Monty’s. Bradley came up with the operational plan. The situation in Normandy was not what the allies expected. Monty adapted, and did so brilliantly. He would have been better served to have been candid. But that would involve admitting he was wrong, and he was not capable of doing that.
That looks spot on to me. What battle plan hasn’t changed after the battle opens? Thanks.