Vincent, Dennis The Forgotten General. The Life of General Sir Alan Cunningham GCMG, KCB, DSO, MC

General Sir Alan Cunningham was one of the most famous British generals of 1941, but virtually unknown at the end of the Second World War. He became famous for his dynamic leadership of the small East African army that defeated the Italians. His reputation was such that he was chosen to form and command the newest and most technically advanced formation in the British Army, the 8th Army, the only British army to fight the Germans in 1941. He was given eight weeks to organise and train his new command. The ensuing battle began exceptionally well, but Cunningham realised that he had lost the initiative, and just nine days into the campaign he was relieved of command by General Auchinleck. His dismissal was controversial both then and now, with official talk of a nervous breakdown. However, the author's research proves that this was not the case. Churchill took action against Cunningham and he was out of work for almost nine months before being given a series of assignments in the UK until the end of the war. As soon as Churchill lost power, Cunningham was offered the prestigious and incredibly demanding post of High Commissioner to Palestine, and over the next three years he successfully led the British withdrawal. This is a fascinating story of military success and political jealousy; it is perhaps unsurprising that the great Alan Brooke and the astute Field Marshal Smuts were among his supporters, while Montgomery was not.