Simon Anglim Orde Wingate and the British Army, 1922-1944

Annotation

Major General Orde Wingate (1903-44) was the most controversial British military commander of the Second World War, due to his idiosynchratic leadership style, which led some to question his sanity, and his fiercely pro-Zionist stance. More than sixty years after his death he still splits opinion amongst soldiers, academics and writers. Anglim's biography fills a significant void in the literature, making extensive use of Wingate's papers - official and private - to place him firmly in the context of the British army of the time. The man who is revealed is shed of his mythology, but a more interesting figure emerges - one of significant historical interest. This study also helps to inform contemporary controversies including the Arab-Israeli conflict, reactions to insurgency and terrorism, and the role of special and elite forces in modern warfare.Shortlisted for the Templer Medal Prize, 2010