Evening star., 1941-07-03
The WuveII Mystery


Archibald Wavell as commander of
the British forces in the Near and
Middle East is a truly mysterious
event. Announced suddenly and
without comment by the British
Foreign Office, it is described in
London dispatches as "a severe
shock to the British public and
more severe one to the army" Mr..
Churchills abrupt disposal of Hore-
Belisha's queries in Commons yester-
day certainly shed no light on gov
ernment policy.
General Wavell whose varied
career in his eastern command
ranged from his meteoric triumphs
against the Italians in Libya last
autumn to the more recent disasters
in the Balkans and Crete, switches
posts with General Sir Claude Auch-
inleck, commander of the British
forces in India. The shift can hardly
be described as a demotion, for the
Indian command traditionally ranks
second in imperial military appoint
ments. Furthermore, if Russia
should collapse, German Armies
might strike through the Caucasus
down into Iran PERSIA and to the
very gates of India. Mr.. Churchill,
In recent speech, warned against
this possibility.
Thus, one explanation Of Wavell's
shift to India may be contingent
need for his services in that vital
sector of the empire. However, there
have been frequent rumors of late
that he has not seen eye to eye with
Mr.. Churchill on the Near Eastern
situation, especially on its political
side. The most persistent rumor is
that Wavell opposed stopping the
Libyan drive when it might have
been possible to force the disorgan-
lied Italians out of North Africa.
Certain it is that the drive was
stopped and that a large part of
Wavells seasoned veterans were
transferred to Greece in an attempt
to halt the impending German blitz-
krieg which overwhelmed them
shortly afterward. This, in turn,
was followed by Crete.
Whatever may have been the polit-
ical necessities, there is grave doubt
that the Greek venture was militarily
justified. There is also a possibility
that both the recent unsuccessful
Libyan offensive and the handling Of
the Syrian invasion were strongly in
fuenced by political considerations.
1t is not unlikely that capable SOL
dier like Wavell should have dis
approved of the instructions sent
from London, and that, while obey
ing orders, he should have registered
strong objections from the military
point of view.
This theory is rendered more
plausible by the fact that Wavell's
successor is not to have as extensive
authority. Wavell was sort of vice
roy, running the whole show in the
Near and Middle East. General
Auchinleck seemingly is going to
concern himself solely with military
matters. The political side is in
trusted to Captain Oliver Lyttleton,
appointed minister of state to deal
with all such questions on the spot
as representative of the war cabinet.
The command in the East thus be-
comes essentially a divided one.
At this moment, little more can
be said about one of the most intri-
guing episodes Of British imperial
policy. But the affair will certainly
be discussed in and out of Parlia-
ment, and judging by the first re-
actions in London, the Churchill
government has let itself in for
much criticism from many quarters.
The fact that this could have been
foreseen implies that the move
would not have been made unless
the government were convinced of
It's necessity. But what the need
was has not yet been disclosed.