Churchill as war PM Flashcards
(42 cards)
What was Churchill’s stance towards war in 1940?
Destined to lead Britain, confident in the ability of Britain/ Empire to wage war successfully.
What was the situation in May?
Dangerous- British army intact, Churchill had a cabinet of his supporters, campaign in Norway failed, US not enthusiastic and many moments of the Govt being similar to Chamberlain.
Why was his past not encouraging?
Failure in Norway and Gallipoli 1915
Churchill portrayed as a reckless decision maker
Also failure to adapt his strategies to modern warfare not WW1
What challenges did Churchill face?
Failure of Dunkirk, Danger of Italian entry into the war- damage Suez which would restrict access to India and colonies. Threat of Japan in South America, depleting reserves, German offensives in Poland, Lord Halifax’s attempts to reason with Germany.
What was Halifax pursuing?
He made rational decisions, thought it could be better to consider terms before France was defeated and German bombing.
Rejection?
Churchill didn’t want to negotiate peace.
What had improved by 4th June?
Evacuation of 224, 318 from Dunkirk and French demands for aircraft and defence could potentially be met.
1940- an attempt to raise morale with nearly 300 000 saved, give a second wind to the war effort.
What was the remarkable achievement of Churchill and how did the Germans react?
He maintained war with no allies agaisnt what was percieved as the greatest militar power.
3 July 1940- Defiance, attack on French fleet, victories around Italy.
The Germans launched an air defence.
What role did Dowding play and what had Churchill achieved?
Dowding mobilised small groups of fighters and perserved the strength of the RAF by not pursuing German bombers over the channel, effective.
Churchill established his position over rivals and became a weapon of war.
Churchill himself
Determined to supervise details.
Modern ideas such as germ warfare brain stormed.
He did exhaust staff and work irregular hours but he revolutionised methods and insisted on paperwork.
He managed to take on board advice of those who stood up to him but dismissed those who couldn’t keep up.
His leadership style
Establishing personal relations with allies was important (Rooselevelt, Stalin).
Well travelled.
Churchill’s experiences and failures
His career had not been distinguished.
Little experience of command, planning, strategy and naval experience. Gallipoli.
Churchill’s perspective/view
Frustrated by the cautionary approach of leading the military during appeasement.
Dealt with war in a lot of places.
Churchill’s inital actions.
Criticised military leaders and issued unrealistic orders.
Had to go against his orders to perserve British forces.
Defence of Calais was ‘pointless’.
Desire to send troops when France was on the brink of defeat was thwarted by Sir John Dill.
Relations with Brooke
Chur constantly interfered with military matters and the burden was placed on Brooke.
Different temperament, often annoyed by Churchill’s thinking.
They, however, often agreed on major decisions such as sending troops to North Africa.
Relations with Wavell
Churchill personally disliked Wavell.
Took forces away from Wavell when Italy invaded Greece in 1940.
Wavell was not given time to prepare properly for this sp the expedition failed.
Did not have the resources to defeat Rommel- Wavell took the blame and was demoted.
However forces were successful in Africa against the Italians.
Relations with Auchinleck ans Montgomery
Auchinleck
- Takes over Wavell after he is demoted.
- Asks for time to prepare to build forces left after Wavell, but this led to his sacking and demotion.
- Churchill only wanted aggressive generals = inexperienced success criteria.
Montgomery
Replaces the Auk and is very confident.
- Stayed in favour with Churchill.
- Men he took over had gained more men and resources, which made Montgomery look better.
- Successfully attacks forces in El Alamein (Oct 1942), with him taking most of the credit for it even when the Auk made the advancements with it.
- ‘Monty’ was very slow which allowed German troops to retreat, but Churchill did not acknowledge this.
North Afria, Italy, France
NA- defeat of Germans in Tunisia led to more British army expeditions. 1943.
I- US/UK forces captured Sicily then landed in Southern Italy. Led to a long campaign of occupation. 1943.
F- Invasion of Dunkirk could not be delayed and was planed for 1944. He favoured more aggressive ideas rather than the preplanned one.
Operation Market Garden 1944
Airbourne landings to outflank the Germans by taking bridges in the Netherlands. However it failed as they failed to capture the bridge over the Rhine in Arnhem which was the main objective.
1940-44
Churchill and generals occupied Germany- action in NA.
Characterised by the Pm’s loss of confidence in major commanders.
Exerted influence on the US/UK alliance.
Why was the Meiterranean imporant and which powers were viewed a the main threats?
Vital trade route through Suez- long tradition of British imperial policy.
Threat of an Italian-German alliance against Britain in African colonies.
Winston Churchill’s “Mediterranean strategy” during World War II involved launching attacks on the “soft underbelly” of the Axis powers in the Mediterranean region, aiming to disrupt their operations and ultimately weaken their position
What nations did Britain have control/influence over? What dominated British military thinking?
Entrance to the Medierranean at Gibraltar, Egypt (Suez), Palestine and African colonies.
Defence of Empire and route to Empire.
What did Churchill believe should happen? How can this be criticised?
Hoped for a Balkan front of Greece, Yugolslavia and Turkey to prevent forces entering Greece which prevents German influence and opened up the prospect of British influence in South East Europe.
Anglo- Centric, imperial perspective becoming outdated, Greece was weak as many forces had been defeated or exiled.
What impact did the US have in joining the war? What did they believe should happen?
George Marshall saw the Med as useless and argued for taking pressure off Russia and forming a Western front.
