Alan Brooke, 1st Viscount Alanbrooke

Field Marshal Sir Alan Francis Brooke, 1st Viscount Alanbrooke, Baron Alanbrooke, KG, GCB, OM, GCVO, DSO (July 23, 1883 - June 17, 1963) was a British Field Marshal during World War II. He also served as Lord High Constable during the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953.

World War II

Following the outbreak of World War II, Brooke commanded the II Corps of the British Expeditionary Force and played a leading role in the evacuation of Allied troops from Dunkirk. In July 1940 he was appointed to command United Kingdom Home Forces and in December 1941 was promoted Chief of the Imperial General Staff and Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee, a post which he held until 1946.

Related Topics:
British Expeditionary Force - Dunkirk - July - 1940 - United Kingdom Home Forces - 1941 - Chief of the Imperial General Staff - Chiefs of Staff Committee - 1946

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In this role, Brooke served as the foremost military advisor to the Prime Minister, Winston Churchill, the War Cabinet, and to Britain's allies. As CIGS, Brooke was the functional head of the Army, and as head of the Chiefs of Staff Committee, he was responsible for the overall strategic direction of the war effort. Although the post of CIGS may not have been as glamorous as a high-profile field command, it was nonetheless important. Brooke was offered command of British forces in the Middle East, which he declined, believing that he ought to remain in Britain to prevent Churchill from leading the country into any military adventures which might prove foolhardy.

Related Topics:
Prime Minister - Winston Churchill - CIGS - Middle East

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In 1942, Brooke joined the western Allies' ultimate command, the U.S.-British Combined Chiefs of Staff, in Washington D.C..

Related Topics:
1942 - Western Allies - Combined Chiefs of Staff - Washington D.C.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

He was later bitterly disappointed to be passed over for command of the Allied invasion of Western Europe, in favour of U.S. General Dwight D. Eisenhower.

Related Topics:
Allied invasion of Western Europe - Dwight D. Eisenhower

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~