Churchill's relationships with his Generals Flashcards
What was Churchill’s military reputation?
Not very distinguished.
- Seen action in Sudan as a young soldier (North west frontier of India)
- Cuba as an observer
- South Africa as a war correspondent
Little experience in command or planning strategy. No naval experience.
What did Churchill do as First Lord of Admiralty?
WW1 –> he would give orders to the military and offered opinionated strategic views.
What the First Lord of the Admiralty?
A political post
–> Churchill used it to give orders to Navy
Examples of Churchill’s failed strategies in WW1?
The Dardanelles Campaign (1915)
The Gallipoli Campaign (1915-1916)
Gallipoli Campaign
1915 - 1916
Navy landing armed forces, mainly from Australia and New Zealand, to take the Turkish capital (Constantinople) resulted in heavy losses and complete failure to move beyond the beaches.
Evacuation by Navy was a success
What occurred after the failure of the Gallipoli campaign?
Churchill was forced to resign.
Went to the western front as a colonel. He left his regiment to pursue political intrigues in London and quickly went back to the government.
What did Churchill do as First Lord of the Admiralty in 1939-40?
Supported unsuccessful military campaign in Norway.
What dominated Churchill’s views of his generals?
- Heavy losses of WW1
- Heavy losses in France which he attributed to politicians letting generals like Haig pursue costly plans without any supervision.
- Frustrated by caution of leading military commanders during 1930s appeasement. They were worried about having to fight on 3 fronts and feeling unprepared.
When did Lord Gort ignore Churchills orders the first time?
When German forces broke through French lines at Sedan. Their fast moving attack was too much for the French. Lord Gort (British commander) ignored Churchills orders to preserve the troupes. This is why they were able to continue with the war.
What did Churchill unreasonably order in Calais?
That it was defended till the last second. Pointless in military terms and lost valuable men.
Who opposed Churchill when he ordered that troupes return to France, despite the fact that it was almost taken?
Chief of the Imperial General Staff.
Sir John Dill.
Churchill fired his from office quickly after.
Who was Sir Alan Brooke?
Field Marshal
What did Alan Brooke reportedly find annoying?
When Churchill would be “thinking aloud”
What was Brooke’s opinion on fighting Italy in North Africa?
Agreed as they did not wish to fight in Northern Europe.
The need to maintain the British Empire was not opposed by the Generals
Who was the commander of the British Army in Africa?
Sir Archibald Wavell
