A Very British Experience

In terms of the Second World War and Britain's wartime strategy three elements deserve close scrutiny: the paramount importance of defending the British mainland and its population; the challenges of building and maintaining coalitions and alliances; and the central role the African continent assumed in all British strategic planning. In considering each of these this collection of essays will also reflect more generally upon the critical role played by Winston Churchill before concluding with a review of the degree to which these themes underpinned the British experience of the conflict. Topics addressed include the British Empire Air Training Plan; the crisis in 1940 and plans to defend Britain; the campaign fought in East Africa; the recall of General Alan Cunningham from Libya in 1941; and the role of the Eastern Fleet during its temporary basing in Africa.Andrew Stewart provides a compelling chapter on the loss of the Tobruk garrison in June 1942 one of the worst military disasters suffered by the British Empire during the Second World War. The essay on Tobruk demonstrates how all three defining elements of wartime experience converged: the loss of public confidence about how the war was being conducted; its impact on the relationship with the Union of South Africa, a key partner in the Dominion wartime coalition; and the absolute necessity that existed for deep strategic planning on the African continent subsequently to be realized at the final battle at El Alamein.