Disappointed that a significant portion of the 7th Army had escaped from the pocket, many Allied commanders, particularly among the Americans, were critical of what they perceived as Montgomery's lack of urgency in closing the pocket.
Skuffede over at en betydelig del af 7. armé var undsluppet, var mange højtstående allierede officerer – især blandt amerikanerne – yderst kritiske overfor det de anså for Montgomerys landsommelighed med hensyn til at få lukket lommen.