In July 1941 he was appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Middle East theatre , but after initial successes the war in North Africa turned against the British , and he was relieved of the post in 1942 during the crucial Alamein campaign .
In July 1941 he was appointed Commander in Chief of the Middle East theatre ; after initial successes the war in North Africa turned against the British , and he was relieved of the post in 1942 during the crucial Alamein campaign .