I Was Monty's Double. By M. E. Caton James. (Rider
& Co. 12s., 6d.)
THIS little book is the story of one episode in the plan for deceiving the enemy before the invasion of Normandy. It was no secret that Field-Marshal Montgomery was to command the ground forces. If, therefore, he could be placed notionally in the Mediter- ranean theatre shortly before the date fixed for the assault, the Germans might be taken off their guard in Normandy and might even be induced to expect an early invasion in the south, which was in fact planned, but for a much later date.
Mr. James, himself an actor, describes his Part as the central figure in the scheme, his accidental 'discovery' while he was a subal- tern in the Army Pay Corps, his qualms and misgivings, the strain of long periods 'on the stage' and the difficulties of finally escaping from it. He introduces, sometimes a little abruptly, incidents from his own past to illustrate his unlikenesses to the Field- Marshal in character. He draws an amusing sketch of the great man on leave with his Personal entourage (who were not quite on leave) in Scotland. are easy to over-estimate. The story is attractively told and the author pays tribute, apparently somewhat to his own surprise, to the efficiency of at least one branch of the War Office. For that august ministry this will be a gratifying as well as an unusual
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