Stories of Faith and Courage from World War II

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.¹²³

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)}

April 5 Monty’s Prayer

On August 13, 1942, Lt. Gen. Bernard Montgomery, known to most as “Monty,” took command of the British 8^th 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:¹²⁴

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.¹²⁵

Montgomery knew that in the fog of war it is easy to become cautious and to overestimate the enemy’s strength. He put this reminder before him that victory always requires a final push, that there is a point where a supreme effort is necessary to win the battle, as exemplified by Jesus Christ. The apostle Paul exhorts us to the same supreme effort to finish the race and to complete our work for the Lord.

I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me.

—Acts 20:24

April 6 The Fuhrer

In November 1942 Field Marshal Erwin Rommel knew that the end was near for Germany’s forces in North Africa. The British 8^th Army had broken his line at El Alamein and was pushing relentlessly westward across Libya. A large American and British force had landed in Morocco and Algeria, and was advancing eastward toward Tunisia. Supplies of fuel and ammunition to his own army had been reduced to a trickle by Allied interdiction. Rommel returned to Germany for a meeting with Adolf Hitler on November 28. In a tense atmosphere the field marshal went over the details of the recent campaign. When he tried to point out the inevitable, he was astounded at the reaction:

Unfortunately, I then came too abruptly to the point and said that, since experience indicated that no improvement in the shipping situation could now be expected, the abandonment of the African theatre of war should be accepted as a long-term policy. If the army remained in North Africa, it would be destroyed… the mere mention of the strategic question worked like a spark in a powder barrel. The Fuehrer flew into a fury and directed a stream of completely unfounded attacks upon us.

There was no attempt at discussion. I began to realize that Adolf Hitler simply did not want to see the situation as it was, and that he reacted emotionally against what his intelligence must have told him was right.¹²⁶

In many ways Adolf Hitler was a genius. He was a charismatic leader and master motivator. He had at his disposal one of the great military machines in history, led by a corps of supremely capable general officers. Fortunately for the Allies, he sometimes overruled these officers during his fits of rage. Anyone who becomes so obsessed with his own ego that he can’t listen to others is doomed to failure. This fatal flaw was a manifestation of evil in Adolf Hitler that played a large role in his and Germany’s eventual destruction.

They are free from the burdens common to man; they are not plagued by human ills. Therefore pride is their necklace; they clothe themselves with violence. From their callous hearts comes iniquity; the evil conceits of their minds know no limits.

—Psalm 73:5–7

April 7 God of the Free

Stephen Vincent Benet received the Pulitzer Prize in 1929 for his long narrative poem, “John Brown’s Body.”