Question 1
Using these four sources in their historical context, assess how far they support the view that
Churchill was a skilled military adviser and strategist during the Second World War.
Source A: A senior military commander expresses his view about Churchill’s military outlook.
The Prime Minister thought that because a comparatively small number of mounted Boers had held up a British division in 1899 or 1900 during the Boer War in South Africa, it was unnecessary for the South African brigade under my command to have more equipment than rifles before taking the field in 1940. Winston’s tactical ideas had to some extent crystallised at the South African War of 1899.
Field Marshall Wavell, letter, 1950
Source B: Churchill explains his view to US envoys about delaying the opening of a second front in Northern Europe in April 1942. W. S. Churchill, The Second World War, Volume IV, The Hinge of Fate, p44, Penguin Books Ltd, 1950. Item removed due to third party copyright restrictions.
W. S. Churchill, The Second World War, Volume IV, The Hinge of Fate, published 1950
Source C: A senior commander comments on Churchill’s strategy.
Churchill thinks one thing at one moment and another at another moment. At times the war may be won by bombing and all must be sacrificed to it. At others it becomes essential for us to bleed ourselves dry on the continent because Russia is doing the same. At others our main effort must be in the Mediterranean, directed against Italy or the Balkans, alternatively with sporadic desires to invade Norway. More often he wants to carry out ALL operations simultaneously, irrespective of shortages of shipping. Field Marshall Lord Alanbrooke, diary, 24 May 1943
Source D: One of Churchill’s secretaries comments on his military understanding.
I have the clearest possible recollection of General Ismay talking to me about a meeting of the Chiefs of Staff committee at which they got completely stuck and admitted they had not known what was the right course to pursue; so, on a purely military matter, they had come to Churchill for his advice. He introduced some further facts into the equation that had escaped their attention and the solution became obvious. The point of the story is one of the reasons for the success of the working relationship between Churchill and the Chiefs of Staff was their deep respect, even on the frequent occasions when they disagreed with him, for his military talents if not genius.
Sir Jack Peck, conversation with the historian Martin Gilbert, 1982
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Answer
