This masterly study of generalship covers two years of intense operational activity during which Field Marshal Wavell, as Commander-in-Chief, Middle East, was at one point conducting no fewer than five campaigns simultaneously. Two of those campaigns will stand in history as truly great victories, and one -- the campaign in Greece in 1941 -- as a source of endless controversy. Although Wavell's charismatic personality endeared him to all who served under him and earned him the profound respect of his fellows, and even of the enemy, his natural taciturnity brought him into conflict with his political masters. In spite of his enormous military achievements at one of the most critical periods in his country's history, Wavell has been relegated to obscurity -- a historical oversight that the author seeks to correct.

Originally published: London : Brassey's, c1993.

Introduction -- Born to serve : the years of apprenticeship and burgeoning experience, 1883-1918 -- Journeyman soldier and consummate commander, 1919-1939 -- Bellicose non-belligerency, August 1939-June 1940 -- Italy declares war and Wavell's first clash with Churchill, June-December 1940 -- Operation "Compass", December 1940-February 1941 -- Greek diversion, February-April 1941 -- Italian East Africa, January-May 1941 -- Breach of the western flank, April 1941 -- Western Desert, Iraq, Syria and Crete, May-July 1941 -- The generalship of Wavell : an assessment.