Neil Ritchie

General Sir Neil Ritchie (July 29, 1897 - December 11, 1983) was a British commanding officer during the Second World War.

Related Topics:
July 29 - 1897 - December 11 - 1983 - British - Second World War

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Ritchie's military career started in 1914 when he was commissioned as an officer in the Black Watch. During the First World War he served in France and in the Mesopotamian campaign.

Related Topics:
1914 - Black Watch - First World War - Mesopotamian

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By the time the Second World War had come, Ritchie had risen to the rank of Brigadier. Ritchie held posts on the staffs of Wavell, Alanbrooke and Auchinleck and was highly regarded by them all. It was Auchinleck who was to give him his highest field command, the Eighth Army in November 1941.

Related Topics:
Brigadier - Wavell - Alanbrooke - Auchinleck - Eighth Army - 1941

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Ritchie had the misfortune to hold his highest field command during the earliest phases of the war, when British fortunes were at their lowest ebb. The Eighth Army, in North Africa, were the only British land force engaging the Germans anywhere in the world. After some early successes against the Italians the British were being pushed back following the arrival of the Afrika Korps under Rommel. Ritchie was originally intended as a temporary appointment until a suitable commander could be found, but in fact ended up commanding the Eighth Army for over six months. After an initial period of success the British were pushed back again, losing the vital port of Tobruk, before eventually Ritchie was sacked by Auchinleck in June 1942 prior to the first battle of El Alamein.

Related Topics:
North Africa - Germans - Italians - Afrika Korps - Rommel - Tobruk - 1942 - First battle of El Alamein

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Auchinleck is often seen as having appointed Ritchie, a relatively junior commander, in order to allow him to closely direct the battle himself as Commander-in-Chief Middle-East. Ritchie was criticised heavily both during and after the war for his failure to stop Rommel. Since then several commentators have come to his defence, most notably Field Marshal Lord Carver.

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After being replaced as Eighth Army commander Ritchie was appointed to command the 52nd Division and later XII Corps during the D-Day landings.

Related Topics:
52nd Division - XII Corps - D-Day landings

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After the war Ritchie remained in the Army and served as commander in chief of British forces in the Far East. Following his retirement he took up a position as chairman of a Canadian insurance company.

Related Topics:
Army - Canadian

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