“Alanbrooke – undoubtedly the greatest soldier that England has produced since Wellington”. This quote by General MacArthur gives some indication of the high regard that Field Marshal Lord Alanbrooke was held in by the senior men of World War II.

In this short essay I shall be looking at Alanbrooke from the year 1929 to 1941 and the events that shaped him and developed his leadership style and command skills. I will show how these experiences and his leadership qualities led to him becoming the Chief of the Imperial General Staff (CIGS) and arguably Britain’s most influential soldier of World War II.

Firstly I will look at his time as an instructor and his involvement in training establishments. I will then look at his time in command of the new Anti-Aircraft Corps. I will also show how his skill and ability to remain calm under pressure led to the successful withdrawal from Dunkirk while Commander II Corps British Expeditionary Force (BEF). Then his time as Commander in Chief Home Forces which he held before going on to become Chief of the Imperial General Staff.

Alanbrooke was going through a lonely time in early 1929, he was still under emotional strain after the death of

Alanbrooke loved the responsibility and challenge that command of the Infantry Brigade gave him and so was disappointed when on promotion to Major General in November 1935 he was appointed Inspector of Artillery.

Bryant A. The Turn of the Tide (Collins, 1957)

Some topics in this essay:
Corps Commander, Air Force, School Instruction, Infantry Brigade, Home Forces, Director Military, Larkhill Immediately, School Infantry, Benita Lees, Infantry Officers, infantry brigade, commander chief, ii corps, school infantry, corps british expeditionary, modern warfare, world war, role tank, prime minister, relationship prime minister, war ii, world war ii, human contact, british expeditionary force, commander chief home,