The Auk - Autograph Signed Press Portrait, 1946

Claude John Eyre Auchinleck (1884-1981), Wellington, Sandhurst and 62nd Punjabis, was renowned for his rapport with Indian troops, aptitude for Indian languages, and replacing British with Indian officers. By 1936 he was Deputy Chief of the General Staff, India. He was sent to England in 1940 and crossed swords with Churchill, then First Lord of the Admiralty, by insisting on more supplies, artillery and air cover for the Norwegian campaign. On his return, he took over Southern Command in the face of the invasion threat. His antagonistic relationship with his subordinate Montgomery dates to this time. In November he was appointed C-in-C India. Churchill later decided to appoint him C-in-C Middle East, in place of Wavell, swapping their roles in June 1941 after the failure of Op. Battleaxe. Churchill was impatient for a success in North Africa, however Auchinleck forewarned him that inadequate equipment and training cast doubt over any operation. His perseverance led to success at Tobruk in November 1941. However, a series of misjudgments resulted in a crushing defeat in June 1942, with the Eighth Army being pushed back to El Alamein. This led to Churchill’s decision to replace him with Montgomery. Auchinleck returned to C-in-C India on Wavell’s appointment as Viceroy in June 1943. Auchinleck organized the expansion of the Indian Army as well as the provision of bases, troops and supplies to counter the Japanese in Burma. In 1946, he was promoted to Field Marshal. Auchinleck remained in India until 1947 and was in charge of preparing the Indian Army for the handover of power. He was committed to the idea of a united India and had hoped that the Army would remain undivided; however, he quickly became aware that partition was inevitable.