In 1918, Percival had been described as "a slim, soft spoken man... with a proven reputation for bravery and organisational powers" but by 1945 this description had been turned on its head with even Percival's defenders describing him as "something of a damp squib".
År 1918 beskrevs Percival som "en tunn, mjukt talade man... med ett beprövat rykte om tapperhet och organisatoriska befogenheter" men 1945 hade den här beskrivningen vänt och till och med Percivals försvarare beskrev honom som "något av ett fiasko".