A very British experience : coalition, defence and strategy in the Second World War / Andrew Stewart.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Stewart, Andrew, 1970-

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Churchill, Winston, 1874-1965.

World War, 1939-1945--Great Britain.

World War, 1939-1945.

Churchill, Winston, 1874-1965--Military leadership.

Churchill, Winston.

Strategy.

Command of troops.

Physical Description:

ix, 247 pages, 12 unnumbered pages of plates : illustrations ; 24 cm

Place of Publication:

Eastbourne ; Portland, Or. : Sussex Academic Press, 2012.

Summary:

In terms of the Second World War and Britain's wartime strategy three elements deserve close scrutiny: the paramount importance of defending the British mainland and its population; the challenges of building and maintaining coalitions and alliances; and the central role the African continent assumed in all British strategic planning. In considering each of these elements this collection of essays also reflects more generally upon the critical role played by Winston Churchill before concluding with a review of the degree to which these themes underpinned the British experience of the conflict. Topics addressed include the British Empire Air Training Plan; the crisis in 1940 and plans to defend Britain; the campaign fought in East Africa; the recall of General Alan Cunningham from Libya in 1941; and the role of the Eastern Fleet during its temporary basing in Africa. Book jacket.

Contents:

Challenges of coalition management: the "Empire air training scheme" negotiations

The other "Battle for Britain": muddling along on the home front

First victory: forgotten success in East Africa

The struggle of command: operation crusader and the failure of British leadership

Tumultuous months: Britain, the dominions and the politics of the widening war

At war with "the old empire": the often difficult alliance with the United States

Military defeat, political crisis: the loss of the Tobruk Garrison

The worst case: the second "battle" for Kenya

Blood and treasure: Britain and the Second World War.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

9781845194390

184519439X

OCLC:

644654477