Two of the Canadian Army’s prominent intellectuals from the inter-war years, from left to right: Lieutenant-Colonel (later General) H.D.G. Crerar as well as Lieutenant-Colonel (later Lieutenant-General) E.L. M. Burns, pictured hither inwards Italy, 1944. "Tommy" Burns was i of those rare individuals who rose to ascendance a corps inwards wartime. He had gained valuable fight sense during the First World War, as well as he had been decorated for gallantry inwards the field. He had a proven intellect as well as was constantly looking forward, advocating evolution as well as changes, as well as providing specific doctrine to implement those changes. He was able to fence his recommendations as well as views alongside the best armed forces thinkers of the time, as well as he was able represent his dry reason piece doing so. He was properly schooled inwards armed forces staff work, having progressed alongside distinction though diverse British as well as Indian staff schools as well as colleges. His peacetime rising through the ranks as well as his primal staff appointments provided the sense necessary to back upward a commander’s intent alongside the necessary orders as well as instructions. What he lacked was the somewhat intangible preparation to ascendance at a high level: the necessary ascendance presence to engender the confidence of his superiors as well as subordinates when he was given a golden opportunity. Burns was besides non afforded an chance to ascendance a brigade or a partitioning inwards combat, prior to having ascendance of a corps inwards battle thrust upon him. He was besides inwards the unfortunate pose of beingness the pawn inwards a political battle whereby his superior, Lieutenant- General Leese, did non desire but about other corps headquarters, peculiarly i that was a partitioning brusk inwards establishment.Source :
"Corps Commanders: Five British as well as Canadian Generals at War, 1939-45" past times Douglas E. Delaney
http://www.journal.forces.gc.ca/vo7/no1/history-histoire-eng.asp