14 Facts About William Gott

William Gott's death led to the appointment of Lieutenant-General Bernard Montgomery in his place.

William Gott's nickname "Strafer" was a pun on the German war slogan Gott strafe England.

William Gott was promoted to the rank of captain in January 1921, and attended the Staff College, Camberley from January 1930 until December 1931.

William Gott was promoted major in July 1934, having been made a brevet major earlier in January.

However, a number of factors caused Brooke to feel that William Gott was not ready for army command at that time.

Brooke observed that William Gott was tired and had temporarily lost his drive, having been in the desert since the start of the war.

William Gott felt that Gott needed more experience before taking an army command.

William Gott was killed when the transport plane he was travelling in was shot down and destroyed while returning to Cairo from the front.

William Gott's body was buried at the El Alamein War Cemetery.

William Gott's replacement was Lieutenant-General Bernard Montgomery, who had been Brooke's choice.

John Bierman and Colin Smith say that William Gott was much admired for his personal qualities, but lacked real military skill.

William Gott was one of the few senior officers who was "well known and well liked by the rank and file".

William Gott stated that Gott was the one person to whom "all, high and low, turned for advice, sympathy, help and encouragement", but he believed that Gott was "too good a man to be a really great soldier".

William Gott's daughters presented his medals to the Royal Green Jackets Museum in 2012.