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Field Marshal Sir Claude John Eyre Auchinleck (/ ˌ ɒ x ɪ n ˈ l ɛ k / OKH-in-LEK) GCB, GCIE, CSI, DSO, OBE (21 June 1884 – 23 March 1981), was a British Indian Army commander who saw active service during the world wars.
Jun 17, 2024 · Sir Claude Auchinleck (born June 21, 1884, Aldershot, England—died March 23, 1980, Marrakesh, Morocco) was a British field marshal best known for his victory against Gen. Erwin Rommel in North Africa.
General Sir Claude Auchinleck met the best that Rommel had to offer, and came out victorious time and again. Yet today, the less colorful Auchinleck remains little known outside of Great Britain, while Montgomery has entered the pantheon of World War II heroes.
After initial successes in North Africa during the Second World War, Field Marshal Sir Claude Auchinleck transferred to India as Commander-in-Chief. His unstinting logistical support there was vital to the Allied re-conquest of Burma.
Claude Auchinleck was a British Field Marshall who served in Norway, Iraq, North Africa and India during the World War Two. In 1941 he was made Commander-in-Chief of the Middle East theatre, but he was dismissed from this role in 1942 after the first El Alamein battle, where he found himself up against the Erwin Rommel , the ‘Desert Fox’.
Auchinleck succeeded Wavell as commander‐in‐chief, Middle East, in July 1941. On 17 November the 8th Army, under Alan Cunningham, attacked westward into Cyrenaica. Rommel counter‐attacked on 22 November and Cunningham retreated, but Auchinleck took direct command and replaced Cunningham by Neil Ritchie on 26 November.
Claude John Eyre Auchinleck was born into a military family in 1884. He attended the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst and passed with marks just high enough for a career in the Indian Army. In 1904, he joined the 62nd Punjabis. Auchinleck was renowned for his rapport with Indian soldiers and showed an aptitude for learning Indian languages ...
Auchinleck, Claude (1884–1981). British general and field marshal. Originally an officer in the Indian army, Auchinleck succeeded Wavell as commander-in-chief, Middle East, in July 1941. On 17 November the 8th Army, under Alan Cunningham, attacked westward into Cyrenaica.
After a brief time as General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Southern Command he was transferred to Indian as the commander-in-chief there in Jul 1940. In Jul 1941 Auchinleck became commander-in-chief of Allied forces in the Middle East (including North Africa).
After initial successes in North Africa during the Second World War, Field Marshal Sir Claude Auchinleck transferred to India as Commander-in-Chief. His unstinting logistical support there was vital to the Allied re-conquest of Burma.
