1942 ⟶ Churchill Pressures Auchinleck
Churchill, growing ever more frustrated with General Auchinl...
Year
1941
1942
🇬🇧 Auchinleck Takes Command in North Africa
General Auchinleck takes over from General Wavell in North Africa.⟶
North AfricaGeneral AuchinleckGeneral WavellBritish ArmyMilitary CommandCampaignWorld War IIWar in AfricaMiddle East
📝 Churchill Pressures Auchinleck
Churchill, growing ever more frustrated with General Auchinleck's inactivity, finally sends him a telegram with a clear order; attack in time to cover for the Harpoon/Vigorous convoys to Malta during the dark of the moon in early June. This places Auchinleck in the position of complying or resigning. Auchinleck does not immediately reply, leaving Churchill, CIGS, and the War Cabinet in a state of suspense.⟶
AuchinleckChurchillNorth AfricaMilitary CommandBritish ArmyWar Cabinet
✍️ Churchill Pressures Auchinleck to Act in North Africa
Winston Churchill, concerned that the situation in Malta will cause the Axis forces in North Africa to be better supplied than British forces, sends a telegram to Sir Stafford Cripps in Cairo, asking him to pressure General Auchinleck to take offensive action before this can occur.⟶
ChurchillNorth AfricaMilitary StrategySupply LinesBritish ArmyAxis ForcesTelegramAuchinleckCairo
🇬🇧 Churchill Demands Auchinleck's Plans
It has been a week since Churchill sent his ultimatum to General Auchinleck, and he has not yet received a reply. He sends a terse follow-up: "It is necessary for me to have some account of your general intentions in light of our recent telegrams." Again there is no immediate reply.⟶
North AfricaChurchillAuchinleckMilitary LeadershipBritish ArmyCommunicationStrategy
✉️ Auchinleck Replies to Churchill Regarding Plans for Malta Convoys
General Auchinleck at last replies to Churchill's somewhat urgent telegram of the 10th, saying he will have an attack ready by the sailing of the Harpoon/Vigorous convoys for Malta.⟶
North AfricaAuchinleckChurchillMalta ConvoysMilitary PlanningStrategyCommunication
✉️ Auchinleck Reassures Churchill on Tobruk
General Auchinleck sends Churchill a reply to the latter's telegram of the 14th, saying in part, "...I have no intention whatever of giving up Tobruk."⟶
North AfricaTobrukBritish ArmyMilitary StrategyCommunicationLeadership