Claude John Eyre Auchinleck Biography

Commander of British forces during the Norwegian campaign

Takes command of reorganised British land forces in northern Norway.

Takes command of reorganised British land forces in northern Norway.

Auchinleck takes command of reorganised British land forces in the Narvik area.

Prepares British land forces for withdrawal from the Narvik area.

Allied command supports the successful recapture of the town.

Allied command supports the successful recapture of Narvik.

Auchinleck's Allied command supports the successful recapture of Narvik before the wider Allied evacuation.

Manages withdrawal arrangements while maintaining pressure on German forces.

Oversees withdrawal of British land forces from northern Norway.

Oversees withdrawal of British land forces during the evacuation.

Final day of the evacuation of the British forces from Norway

Appointed Commander of the Eighth Army

Appointed Commander of the Eighth Army, after its defeat by Rommel at Gazala

Mounts the successful Crusader Offensive to relieve Tobruk November

Appointed Commander in Chief

Appointed Commander in Chief

Appointed Commander in Chief

Appointed Commander in Chief

States he will not be able to attack Rommel until mid November

British & Soviet troops invade Iran

British troops complete the occupation of the Abadan oilfields in Iran

A Government more sympathetic had been formed & asks the Allies for a cease-fire

Alan Cunningham is charged with relieving Tobruk & the re-conquest of Cyrenaica

Alan Cunningham is charged with relieving Tobruk & the re-conquest of Cyrenaica

Alan Cunningham is charged with relieving Tobruk & the re-conquest of Cyrenaica

Charged with carrying out operation Crusader to relieve Tobruk & re-capture Cyrenaica

The Allies demand that Iran expel all Axis Nationals within 48 hrs, an impossible task

Russian & British troops occupy Tehran

Russian & British troops occupy Tehran

The Australian Brigade in Tobruk is relieved by British troops

Postpones Operation Crusader 1 week to enable the South Africa Division more training

Operation Crusader, to relieve, Tobruk is launched

Erwin Rommel is forced to abandon his siege of Tobruk

Appointed Commander of the Eighth Army after the fall of Tobruk

Appointed Commander of the Eighth Army after the fall of Tobruk

Auchinleck halts Rommel's advance at the First Battle of El Alamein, gaining time for the defence of Egypt.

The First Battle of El Alamein ends with the Axis advance checked and the Allied line intact.

Churchill visits Auchinleck at the Eighth Army HQ in the Egyptian desert. Agrees to appoint a new Commander for the Eighth Army. Advised he cannot be C-in-C Middle East & Command the Eighth Army

Advised that he is being relieved of his command of the Eighth Army

Auchinleck foresees Axis intentions and his defensive preparations help frustrate Rommel at Alam Halfa.

Appointed Commander in Chief in India

Appointed Commander in Chief in India

Appointed Field Marshal

Appointed Supreme Commander of the British forces in India & Pakistan