Index
Ships of all nationalities are in their alphabetical places in italics. Groups, Wings, Squadrons and other units of the RAF are under Royal Air Force. Squadrons of the FAA are under Fleet Air Arm. Squadrons of the RAAF and SAAF are under Royal Australian Air Force and South African Air Force. Corps, Divisions, Brigades and Battalions of the British forces are under those headings. Cavalry and armoured units are listed under Regiments. Other units and branches of the Army are under their titles: e.g. Royal Artillery. Formations of the German and Italian Armies are under German Army or Italian Army.
–A–
Aba, m.v.: 158
Abalti: air attacks on, 309-10
capture of, 310
Abdullah, Emir of Transjordan: 187
Aboukir: air attacks on, 292
Abu Sueir: air attacks on, 292-3
Abyssinia: see Ethiopia
Aden, Governor of: 241
Admiralty: and reinforcements for Malta, 48
and striking force at Malta, 54, 114
and bombardment of Tripoli, 107-10, 112-3
and attacks on enemy’s sea lines to Libya, 113
and TIGER convoy, 119
and limits of Admiral Cunningham’s command, 278
Adua: 276
Agedabia: air attacks on, 22
Agnew, Captain W. G.: 283
Agreements: see Treaties
Aimone-Cat, General Mario: 300
Aircraft: lack of long-range, 9-10
merits of various types of in use, 229-30
particulars of, 347-60
arrivals of in Middle East, 231, 289-90, 361-3
Air Headquarters, East Africa: 313
Air Headquarters, Egypt: 294
Air Headquarters, Levant: 294
Air Headquarters, Middle East: 235, 294
Air Headquarters, Western Desert: 294
Air Ministry: and Malta, 47, 49, 57
and reinforcement and rearmament, 230, 275, 288-9
in Teeth v. Tail controversy, 235
and maintenance organization, 235-7, 292
and operation HALBERD, 275
Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Middle East: see Longmore, Tedder, and, for joint action, Commanders-in-Chief
Air Officer in charge of Administration, Middle East: 235, 237
Air Reconnaissance: lack of long-range aircraft for, 9-10
need for more, 55-6, 107, 277, 283, 286
Air Support: general question of, 277-8, 286-8
Ajax, HMS: bombardment of Cyrenaican coast, 40
in action off Cape Matapan, 62, 67
and withdrawal from Greece, 97, 102, 105
and bombardment of Tripoli, 111
in defence of Crete, 136
and withdrawal from Crete, 142
and campaign in Syria, 207
Albania: campaign in, 73-5
Crete sends troops to, 122
Aleppo: air attacks on, 201, 209-10, 215
Alexandria: threat to, 33
Aliakmon, river: Germans cross, 89-90
Allen, Brigadier (later Major-General) A. S.: 91-3, 214-5, 219
Amba Giorgis: Italians evacuate, 314
Andrew, Lieut.-Colonel L. W.: 132-3
Andromeda: 76
Anglo-Iranian oilfields: protection of, 177
Aosta, Duke of, Viceroy of Ethiopia: surrender of, 204, 223, 303
his orders to Gazzera, 305
Aphis, HMS: 40
Argos: air attacks on, 98
Ark Royal, HMS: and fighter reinforcements for Malta, 48, 231, 268
in convoy operations, 115-6, 267-9, 274-5
diversionary operation of, 273
Arliss, Captain S. H. T.: 142, 144
Armando Diaz: 55
Army, Eighth: 316
Army in Middle East: strength and state of, 1-4, 223-6
transport difficulties of, 4, 228
its weakness in armour, 24, 32, 159, 167, 172-6, 255
reinforcements for, 119, 162 164, 223-8, 254-5
air support for, 166-171, 286-8, 294-6
in Teeth v. Tail controversy, 223-6
training of, 228
American aid for, 232-3
and Egyptian labour, 238
tasks of 238-9
relationship with other Services and civil authorities, 239-40
under Wavell, 246
(in Western Desert) state of, 20, 24, 34, 159, 164, 255-6
in defence of Cyrenaica, 19-24, 28-30
in defence of Tobruk, 36-9, 155-6, 158
and operation BREVITY, 160-2
and operation BATTLEAXE, 165, 167-71
(in Greece) state of, 76-7, 79-81
operations of, 82-93
withdrawal of, 97-105
losses of, 105n
(in Crete) state of, 123, 127, 146
in defence of Crete, 131-5, 140-4, 146
(in Iraq) forces of available, 179, 182
operations and losses of, 184, 186-9, 191-3
(in Syria) strength and state of, 204-5, 211
operations of, 206-13, 215-7, 219-20
change in command of, 214
losses of, 222
(in East Africa) policy for, 304
forces of, 304, 306, 311, 315-6
supply of, 306-7
operations in Galla-Sidano, 307-11
operations and losses of in Gondar, 3135, 317-21
command of, 316
Assab: attack on, 323
Athens: air attacks on airfields at, 96, 98
Auchinleck, General Sir Claude: see also Commanders-in-Chief
becomes C.-in-C. Middle East, 244
and Persia, 252
and Western Desert offensive, 253-6, 262, 285
on air support, 287
and East Africa Command, 316
Aurora, HMS: 283
Australian Artillery:
Regiments:
2/1st Anti-Tank: 80, 88n, 90n
2/3rd Anti-Tank: 30
2/2nd Field: 132n
2/3rd Field: in campaign in Greece, 88n, 93
in defence of Crete, 132-3, 146
2/5th Field: 211
Batteries:
7th Light Anti-Aircraft: 132-3
Australian Engineers, 2/8th Field Company: 133n
Australian Government: 151
Australian land forces: use of in Middle East, 150-1
Ayalu Birru, Ras: 314
Azozo: air attacks on, 315, 320
–B–
Bacopoulos, Lieut.-General K.: 76, 86
Badoglio, Marshal Pietro: 258
Baghdad: air attacks on, 184
advance to, 191-2
rioting in, 193
Baillie-Grohman, Rear-Admiral H. T.: 94, 98, 100-2
Balkans: British policy towards, 70-4, 149-50
Hitler’s policy in, 72-3
Bardia: naval operations against, 40
air attacks on, 297
Barham, HMS: in action off Matapan, 62, 67
use of for blocking Tripoli harbour, 108-9
bombards Tripoli, 108-10
in operation TIGER, 115
at Alexandria, 136
in defence of Crete, 140
Barlow, Captain J. M.: 30
Barrowclough, Brigadier H. E.: 91
Basra: use of for American supplies, 229, 232
importance of, 248-9
expansion of base at, 249-50
Bastico, General Ettore: 260, 300
Battalions:
1st, The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders: 142-3, 320
2/1st Australian: 133n
2/1st Australian Machine-Gun: composite company of, 133n
2/2nd Australian, 93
2/3rd Australian Machine-Gun: 211
2/4th Australian: 88n, 133n
2/5th Australian: 220
2/7th Australian: 133-4
2/8th Australian: 88, 133, 144
2/11th Australian: 90n, 133n
2/14th Australian: 213, 219-20
2/16th Australian: 209, 213, 219
2/17th Australian: 38
2/24th Australian: 155
2/27th Australian: 208, 213, 219-20
2/48th Australian: 38-9, 155-6
16th Australian Composite: 132n
17th Australian Composite: 132n
2nd, The Black Watch: 133n
1st, The Buffs: 165n, 169
3rd, Coldstream Guards: 163, 165n
Composite, Sudan Defence Force: 311, 314, 318
1st, The Durham Light Infantry: 160-2
1st, East African Pioneers: 318n
2nd, East African Pioneers: 318n
1st, The Essex Regiment: 187n, 191, 216
4th, 13th Frontier Force Rifles: 217
2nd, 4th P.W.O. Gurkha Rifles: 189
1st, 1st King’s African Rifles: 310
2nd, 2nd King’s African Rifles: 320-1
1st, 3rd King’s African Rifles (Machine-Gun) 310n, 318n, 321n
2nd, 3rd King’s African Rifles: 321n
2nd, 4th King’s African Rifles: 321n
3rd, 4th King’s African Rifles: 321n
4th, 4th King’s African Rifles: 321
5th King’s African Rifles: 309, 310n
1st, 6th King’s African Rifles: mentioned, 308, 318
in East African campaign, 310n, 321
2nd, 6th King’s African Rifles: 311
King’s Own Malta Regiment: 44, 52
1st, The King’s Own Royal Regiment: arrives in Iraq, 179
at Habbaniya, 182
2nd, The King’s Own Royal Regiment: 215, 220
1st, The King’s Royal Rifle Corps: 29, 165n
9th, The King’s Royal Rifle Corps (The Rangers): 88, 132n
2nd, The Leicestershire Regiment: 133n, 220
2nd, 5th Mahratta Light Infantry: 165n
28th, Maori: 90n, 134
1st, Natal Mounted Rifles: 306, 309
20th New Zealand: 132, 134-5, 144
21st New Zealand: 90, 92-3, 133
23rd New Zealand: in Greece, 90n, in Crete, 132-4, 141
mentioned, 144
25th New Zealand: 99
27th New Zealand Machine-Gun: 80, 88n, 132n
28th New Zealand: 133
New Zealand Reinforcement: 102
1st, Nigerian Regiment: 310n
2nd, Nigerian Regiment: 309, 310n
3rd, Nigerian Regiment: 310
3rd, 1st Punjab Regiment: 207n
3rd, 14th Punjab Regiment: 315
2nd, The Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders: 165n
2nd, The Queen’s Royal Regiment: 211, 216, 220
1st, 6th Rajputana Rifles: 165n
4th, 6th Rajputana Rifles: 207n, 212
2nd, The Rifle Brigade: 160
9th, The Rifle Brigade (Tower Hamlets Rifles): 20-1
1st, The Royal Fusiliers: 207, 210
Royal Marine Battalion: 146
2nd, Scots Guards: 160, 165n, 169
Sudan Frontier: 313
1st, The Welch Regiment: 132n
2nd, The York and Lancaster Regiment: 133n
BATTLEAXE’ and TIGER, 159
plan for, 163-6
Wavell’s doubts on, 167
the operation 167-71
losses in, 171
reasons for failure of, 172-4, 256
and campaign in Syria, 204, 210, 215
Beamish, Group Captain G. R.: 127
Beaverbrook, Lord: 235
Beirut: air attacks on, 209-10, 214-5
capture of, 220
Belgrade: Germans enter, 89
Bellai, Dejasmach: 313
Belleta: air attack on, 311
Benghazi: as supply base, 4, 25, 52, 156
air attacks on, 9, 57, 166-7, 296-7
defence of, 20-1
capture of, 26
bombardment of, 115, 117-8, 159
air defence of, 156
Berat: air attacks on, 75
Berbera: development of port at, 306
Beresford-Peirse, Lieut.-General Sir Noel: commands Western Desert Force, 34
mentioned, 36
and operation BREVITY, 162
and operation BATTLEAXE, 163, 165-7, 169-70, 173
commands in Sudan, 316
Bernotti, Admiral R.: 112
Berryman, Brigadier F. H.: 211, 215
Birru, Fitaurari: 313
Bismarck: 231
Blamey, Lieut.-General Sir Thomas
and campaign in Greece, 2-3, 79-80, 86-7, 89-92, 151
and use of Dominion troops in Middle East, 80-1, 151
and withdrawal from Greece, 95, 98, 100
becomes Deputy C.-in-C., Middle East, 151, 214
Blomberg, Major Axel von: 195
Bolzano: 63
Bourke, Major H. S. J.: 212
Boyd, Rear-Admiral D. W.: 136n
Bragadin, Captain M. A.: 119, 277, 281
Brauchitsch, Field-Marshal Walter von: 260
Brawn, Lieut.-Colonel J. A.: 181
Breconshire, HMS: in convoy operations, 51-2, 54, 111, 115, 266, 275
BREVITY: 159-62
Brigades and Brigade Groups:
Armoured:
1st: mentioned, 3
in campaign in Greece, 79-81, 87-8, 90-1, 93
state of, 90-1
withdraws from Greece, 98, 100-1, 105
in defence of Cyrenaica, 9, 19-20, 22-3, 28
7th: state of, 160
in operation BREVITY, 160, 162
in operation BATTLEAXE, 164-5, 167-70
9th: 253
22nd: 256
2nd Indian: 253
Cavalry:
4th: state of, 187
in campaign in Iraq, 187
in campaign in Syria, 213, 216
Infantry:
16th Australian: in campaign in Greece, 81, 86, 88-9, 91-2
withdraws from Greece, 98-101, 105
17th Australian: for Greece, 81
in campaign in Greece, 89-90
withdraws from Greece, 98-101, 105
in campaign in Syria, 219-20
18th Australian: for Greece, 4
captures Jarabub, 8
in defence of Tobruk, 29, 33, 36-7, 156
19th Australian: in campaign in Greece, 81, 87-8
withdraws from Greece, 98-9, 105
in defence of Crete, 127, 133n, 144, 146
21st Australian: 208, 213, 219
25th Australian: for Greece, 4
in campaign in Syria, 208, 211, 213, 219
26th Australian: mentioned, 4
at Tmimi, 29
in defence of Tobruk, 36-7, 155
14th (British): in defence of Crete, 123, 125, 127, 133n, 142
16th (British): in campaign in Syria, 211, 213, 215, 220
23rd (British): 215
21st East African: 306, 308, 315
22nd East African: 306-11, 315
25th East African: 306, 315-7, 319-21
26th East African: and French Somaliland, 306-7, 315-6
in Gondar operations, 316-8, 320, 321n
28th East African: 315
24th Gold Coast: 306, 308, 315-6
22nd Guards: at Bardia, 33
at Halfaya Pass, 36
in operation BREVITY, 160, 162
in operation BATTLEAXE, 165, 169-71
5th Indian: in campaign in Syria, 204, 206-8, 210, 212-3, 215
17th Indian: 217
21st Indian: 217
4th New Zealand: in campaign in Greece, 87, 91, 93
withdraws from Greece, 98, 100-2, 105
in defence of Crete, 132, 140, 144
5th New Zealand: in campaign in Greece, 87, 90-1, 93
withdraws from Greece, 98, 105
in defence of Crete, 131, 132n, 140-1, 143-4
6th New Zealand: in campaign in Greece, 87-8, 91, 93
withdraws from Greece, 98-100, 102-3, 105
10th New Zealand: in defence of Crete, 131-2, 141
Northern (Malta): 52
2nd South African: 306
5th South African: 202
Southern (Malta): 52
Motor:
3rd Indian: state of, 8
supplies for, 9
in defence of Cyrenaica, 23, 28, 30
British Ambassador in Egypt: and Syria, 200, 207
and Intendant-General, 238
becomes member of War Council, 240
British Ambassador in Iraq
see Cornwallis
British Embassy at Baghdad: 182-3
British Government: see War Cabinet, and Defence Committee
British Minister in Athens: see Palairet
British Minister in Belgrade: see Campbell
British Minister in Cairo: see Shone
British Minister in Teheran: 252
British Overseas Airways Corporation: 293
British Somaliland: reoccupied, 303
Brown, Group Captain (later Air Commodore) L. O.: commands H.Q., RAF, Cyrenaica, 6
warns units of move, 8
commands Palestine and Transjordan, 205
commands Air Headquarters, Levant, 294
Brunskill, Brigadier G. S.: 76, 79, 94
Bu Amud: naval bombardment of, 40
Bulgaria: German movements in, 82
Burrough, Rear-Admiral H. M.: 274-6
–C–
Cairo: air attacks on, 300
Calcutta, HMS: and withdrawal from Greece, 97, 105
in defence of Crete, 137
sunk, 146
Campbell, Captain A. G. S.: 320
Campbell, Lieut.-Colonel I. R.: 133, 142
Campbell, Mr. Ronald, British Minister in Belgrade: 70-1, 73
Camforce: 320, 321n
Canea: landings at, 131-2
Cape Matapan: action off, 54, 61-70 passim
Capuzzo: action at, 168, 204-5
Casualties: in action at Jarabub, 8
in air attacks on Malta, 49-50
Italian in Cyrenaica, 58
in action off Cape Matapan, 68
in bombardment of Tripoli, 112
in struggle for Crete, 133, 135, 137, 143, 146-8
in operation BREVITY, 162
at Halfaya Pass, 163
in operation BATTLEAXE, 171
in Syria, 208-9, 212-3, 216, 222
in East Africa, 314, 317n, 320-1
Catania: air attacks on, 118
Catroux, General Georges: and campaign in Syria, 199-203, 207, 221
and French Somaliland, 322-3
Cattaneo, Vice-Admiral: 63, 69
Cavallero, General Ugo: 257-9, 282
Centurion, HMS: 107-8
Chakla, HMS: 155
Chappel, Brigadier, B. H.: 127, 143
Charrington, Brigadier, H. V. S.: 79, 88
Chevalier-Paul : 210
Chief Maintenance and Supply Officer, Middle East: see Dawson
Chief of Naval Staff: see Pound
Chief of the Air Staff: see Portal
Chief of the Imperial General Staff: see Dill
Chiefs of Staff: and operations in Dodecanese, 2, 33
on priority of commitments, 33, 124
told Tripoli out of air range, 108
and Crete, 124, 130, 138-9, 142
think Germans may invade Cyprus, 130
and British action in Greece, 150
on Middle East situation, 163
and operation BATTLEAXE, 166, 204
and Iraq, 178-9, 185-6, 188, 193, 250-1
and political issues in Middle East, 239-40
and instructions to Cs.-in-C., 244
think Germany may attack Russia, 247-8
on threat from the north, 248-9
review strategic situation, 249-50
and Basra base, 249-50
and Turkey, 251
and Persia, 252
and Western Desert offensive, 254
reinforce Freetown, 315
and French Somaliland, 322
Chilga: air attacks on, 315
Churchill, Mr. Randolph: 240
Churchill, Rt. Hon. Winston S.: see Prime Minister
City of Lincoln, ss.: 51
City of London, s.s.: 105
Clan Campbell, s.s.: 116
Clan Chattan, s.s.: 116
Clan Fraser, s.s.: 86
Clan Lamont, s.s.: 116
Clan Macaulay, s.s.: 52
Clark, Major-General J. G. W.: commands Habforce, 186
at Habbaniya, 188
and advance to Baghdad, 191
signs Armistice, 192
and Fawzi Qawukji, 217
Cockchafer, HMS: 178
Colito: capture of, 308
Collins, Lieut.-Colonel R. G. T.: 317
Collishaw, Air Commodore R.: 35, 160
Colonial Office: 200
Comando Supremo: see Italian High Command.
Combe, Brigadier, J. F. B.: 21, 29
Comiso: air attacks on, 118
Commander-in-Chief, East Indies: 278
Commander-in-Chief, India: see Auchinleck and Wavell
Commander-in-Chief, Mediterranean: see Cunningham, and, for joint action, Commanders-in-Chief
Commander-in-Chief, Middle East: see Wavell and Auchinleck, and, for joint action, Commanders-in-Chief
Commanders-in-Chief: and Rommel’s advance, 33, 53
alive to importance of attacking Tripoli, 108
receive Directive on prime duty of Mediterranean Fleet, 108, 124
and defence of Crete, 124, 126, 138
commitments of, 124, 178-9, 200, 204-5
think Germany may invade Cyprus, 130-1
and withdrawal from Crete, 146
decide to oppose German attack on Greece, 150
ask to be relieved of political business, 200, 239
and operation BATTLEAXE, 204
and Intendant-General, 238-9, 241
and Minister of State, 240-1
relations between Prime Minister and, 244-6
warned about German attack on Russia, 248
and threat from the north, 248, 250
and Western Desert offensive, 254, 285
and air support, 286-8
and East Africa 304
Commandos: see Special Service Brigade
Conferences: (with Greeks) at Athens, 70-1, 76, 94-5
(with Yugoslavs) at Athens, 71, at Belgrade, 74, near Florina, 74
(with Turks) at Ankara, 71, 251-2, in Cyprus, 72
(with French) about Crete, 121
Coningham, Air Vice-Marshal A.: 291, 294
Conte Rosso: 55
Convoys: see also SPLICE, TIGER, SUBSTANCE, STYLE, and HALBERD
(enemy) to North Africa, 52-3, 278-83
losses of, 54, 58-9, 110, 278-82
effect of Royal Navy on, 55, 278-9
to Crete, 139-40
(British) from Egypt to Greece, 61-2
Cooke, Air Commodore C. B.: 294
Corinth Canal: landings at, 100
bridges over destroyed, 100, 103
mining of, 136
air attacks on, 297
Cornwallis, Sir Kinahan: appointed Ambassador to Iraq, 178
and passage of troops through Iraq under Treaty, 179, 181-2
and campaign in Iraq, 183-4, 197
and Armistice, 192
is a member of War Council, 241
Corps
1st Australian: for Greece, 3
in campaign in Greece, 79-80
in campaign in Syria, 214
10th: 223
Coventry, HMS: in convoy operations, 4
in raid on Bardia, 40
and evacuation from Greece, 97, 105
and withdrawal from Crete, 146
mentioned, 158
and campaign in Syria, 207
Cox, Brigadier, A. R. B.: 208
Creagh, Major-General Sir Michael O’Moore: 165, 169-70
Creswell, Rear-Admiral G. A.: 136n
Crete: see also Suda Bay
German plan for capture of, 59, 104, 128-31
withdrawal from, 70, 141-4, 146, 205
Italians unlikely to capture, 121
strategic importance of, 121, 128
defence and defences of, 121-7, 131-42, 148, 204
sends troops to Albania, 122
description of, 122-3
shortage of transport in, 123, 127
estimated scale of air attack on, 125-6
landings on 131-4
German sea-borne expedition to, 134-5
British strength in, 146
results of loss of, 148, 166, 225, 324
effect of German losses in, 204, 266
Cruiser Squadron, 3rd: 136
Cruiser Squadron, 7th: 136
Cruiser Squadron, 15th: 136, 207
CRUSADER: 172
Cunningham, Lieut.-General Sir Alan: in East African campaign, 303-5, 308, 310-11
commands 8th Army, 316
Cunningham, Admiral Sir Andrew B.: see also Commanders-in-Chief
on air defence over Benghazi, 4
and convoy operations, 4, 51, 61, 109-10, 115, 117-9
agrees Tobruk should be held, 34
and striking force at Malta, 53-4, 114, 283
and withdrawal from Greece, 55, 96-7, 100
in action off Cape Matapan, 62-70
and attacks on shipping in Albania, 75
in bombardment of Tripoli, 107-10, 112-4, 119
reinforcements for, 114
and defence of Malta, 114, 265
and operations against enemy’s supply lines, 114
and Crete, 126, 135, 138-40, 146
rearranges Flag Officers’ appointments, 136
and supplies for Tobruk, 158
and campaign in Syria, 207, 210
his relations with Prime Minister, 244-5
and control of sea communications, 265
stages diversionary operations, 268, 275-6
limits of command of, 278
Curteis, Vice-Admiral A. T. B.: 274-6
Cutler, Lieutenant A. R.: 211
Cyprus: possible capture of, 128, 130-1, 257
supplies for, 131
Syria of greater importance than, 204
Cyprus, Governor of: 241
Cyrenaica: to be held with minimum forces, 1
Wavell’s estimate of threat to, 2, 12, 24
weakness of British position in, 6
command in, 34
need to re-establish air forces in, 163
adverse effect of loss of, 225, 324
possible recapture of, 254
Cyrenaica Command: set up, 3
reinforcements for, 12
and defence of Cyrenaica, 22, 29
–D–
Dabat: capture of, 314
air attacks on, 315
Dainty, HMS: 4
DAK (Deutsches Afrika Korps ): formed, 13
supplies for, 15, 114, 156, 259
commands Ariete Division, 15
advance of into Cyrenaica, 107
and operation BATTLEAXE, 168
likened to Fliegerkorps X, 299
D’Albiac, Air Vice-Marshal J. H.
meets Yugoslavs, 74
and operations in Albania, 75
strength of forces of, 81-2
his tasks, 81
and withdrawal from Greece, 94, 96 98-9
commands in Iraq, 188
signs Armistice with Iraq, 192
and operations in Persia, 253
Dalyell-Stead, Lieut.-Commander J.: 65
Damascus: air attacks on, 209
capture of, 212
Damour: capture of, 220
Daniel, Brigadier H.: 306
Daniyo, Dejasmach: 313
Dawson, Air Vice-Marshal G. G.: 235-6, 292-3
Debarech: air attacks on, 315
Debra Tabor: air attacks on, 313
capture of, 313
Defence Committee: and forces for Greece, 1
and reinforcements, 114, 159, 256
and Syria, 202-4
on aircraft repair organisation in Middle East, 235
and Western Desert offensive, 254-5, 262, 285
sends 22nd Armoured Brigade to Middle East, 256, 285
de Gaulle, General: and Syria, 199-204, 207, 221-2
and French Somaliland, 322
Deir ez Zor: air attacks on, 201
capture of, 217
Denbydale, m.v.: 272
Dentz, General Henri: and war material for Iraq, 195
becomes High Commissioner in Syria, 199-200
and campaign in Syria, 200, 206-7, 215
and end of hostilities, 221
Derna: as supply base, 5
bombardment of, 159
Destroyer Flotilla, 2nd: 66
Destroyer Flotilla, 5th
at Malta, 54-5
in operation TIGER, 115-7
bombards Benghazi, 118
in defence of Crete, 138
Destroyer Flotilla, 8th: 48
Destroyer Flotilla, 14th: arrives at Malta, 54
goes to Alexandria, 54
in action off Cape Matapan, 66
as night-raiding force, 108
returns to Malta, 112
de Verdilhac, General: 221
Diana : 272
Dickson, Captain R. K.: 273
Dill, General Sir John, Chief of the Imperial General Staff: his mission to Middle East, 6, 33, 70, 73-4
on British action in Greece, 149-50
and operation BATTLEAXE, 167
and Iraq, 185
and Syria, 202
and shortage of transport, 228
and Intendant-General, 237-8
disturbed by Prime Minister’s judgement of Wavell, 244-5
Dilwara, m.v.: 105
Dimoline, Brigadier W. A.: 320
Divisions:
Armoured:
1st: 256
short of transport, 5
in defence of Cyrenaica, 6-7, 9, 19-23, 28, 31-2
mentioned, 80
7th: state of, 1-2, 32, 162, 164
in operation BATTLEAXE, 164-5, 168-70
and Western Desert offensive, 255
Cavalry:
in campaign in Syria, 203, 206
Infantry:
11th African: in East African campaign, 1, 306, 308, 311
reconstituted, 315
12th African: in East African campaign, 1, 306-9, 318
reconstituted, 315-6
mentioned, 316
6th Australian: state of, 1-2, 4
in campaign in Greece, 79-80, 86
mentioned, 81
withdraws from Greece, 99
in campaign in Syria, 206
7th Australian: state of, 1-2, 205
its move to Greece cancelled, 29, 82
for Western Desert, 33
for Palestine, 202
in campaign in Syria, 203-6, 208, 215, 219
remainder of arrives in Middle East, 223
9th Australian: state of, 1-4, 9
in defence of Cyrenaica, 6-7, 20-1, 23, 26, 28-9
arrival of in Middle East, 223
6th (British) later 70th
state of, 2
moves to Matruh, 125
in campaign in Syria, 209, 211, 213-5, 220
possible move of to Iraq, 253
70th (British): see 6th (British)
4th Indian: in the battle of Keren, 1
in operation BATTLEAXE, 165, 168
5th Indian: in the battle of Keren, 1
moves to Iraq, 253
8th Indian: 252
10th Indian: in campaign in Iraq, 179, 181-2
in campaign in Syria, 207, 213, 217
in operations in Persia, 253
2nd New Zealand: state of, 2
for Greece, 2
in campaign in Greece 79-81, 86, 88
withdraws from Greece, 99, 105
in defence of Crete, 127, 131, 132n, 141
remainder of arrives in Middle East, 223
2nd South African: 223
Dobbie, Lieut.-General Sir William, Governor and C.-in-C., Malta: and fighter defence of Malta, 47
and Maltese people, 50
Dodecanese Islands: possible operations in, 2, 33
air attacks on, 11
Doria: 119
Douglas, Major G.: 313-4, 318, 320
Drew, Lieut.-Colonel H. D.: 29
Durazzo: air attacks on, 75-6
–E–
East Africa: see also Galla-Sidamo and Gondar
review of campaign in, 303, 321-2
British policy in, 304
comparison of forces in, 305-6
supply of troops in, 306-7
East African Field Battery, 53rd: 318, 320
East African Survey Section: 318n
Edelsten, Rear-Admiral J. H.: 136n
Eden, Rt. Hon. Anthony, Foreign Secretary: his Mission to Middle East, 33, 70
and Greece, 70-4
and Turkey, 70-3
and Yugoslavia, 70-5
and British action in Greece, 150
in Teeth v. Tail controversy, 225
his powers when in Middle East, 239
disturbed by Prime Minister’s judgement of Wavell, 244-5
Edessa: withdrawal from, 86
Edinburgh, HMS: 267
Edmonston, Corporal J. H.: 38
Egypt: see also Egyptian Government
removal of land threat, to 1
possible Axis advance into, 15, 33, 35, 262, 297
difficulties of British forces in, 238
air defence of, 297
Egyptian Government: controls railways and ports, 238
restricts use of labour, 238
relationship between Services and, 239-40
Egyptian State Railways: 227
Elmhirst, Air Commodore T. W.: 294
Emerald, HMS: 179
Emperor of Ethiopia, Haile Selassie: 303, 314
Empire Guillemot, m.v.: 274
Empire Song, s.s.: 116
Eritrea: effect of defeat of Italians in, 223, 232
Erskine, Brigadier I. D.: 165n
Ethiopia: see under Galla-Sidamo and Gondar
Ethiopian Battalions:
2nd: 318-9
3rd: 314
Evetts, Major-General J. F.: 34, 214-6, 220
Ezraa: Vichy forces capture, 211
Allies retake, 213
–F–
Falluja
air attacks on, 189
capture of, 189
Ferguson, Lieut.-Colonel A. H.: 191-2
Field Ambulances:
166th Light: 187n
7th Northern Rhodesian: 321n
1st Tanganyika: 310n, 318n
6th Uganda: 321n
Field Companies:
54th East African: 310n, 321n
53rd Gold Coast: 316, 321n
51st Nigerian: 310n
Field Supply Depots: in Western Desert, 5, 8-9, 21
Fighter Command, RAF : 49
Fiona, HMS: 155
First Sea Lord: see Pound
Flamingo, HMS: 105
Fleet Air Arm: see also Ark Royal, Formidable, Illustrious
inadequacy of in Mediterranean, 1
sinks Italian destroyers, 40n
and convoy operations, 51, 267-8
in action off Cape Matapan, 62
attacks Tripoli, 111
at Maleme, 121
and supplies for Tobruk, 166
and campaign in Syria, 209, 214-5
reinforcement of, 229
and Intendant-General, 241
supplies for, 274
strength in Malta, 280
Squadrons:
No. 700: 62
805: 127
806: 62
815: in action off Cape Matapan, 62, 64-5
attacks Albanian harbours, 75
in campaign in Syria, 206, 209-10
826: 64-5
830: at Malta, 45
attacks enemy’s supply line, 54, 57
attacks Tripoli, 111
Fliegerführer Afrika : 30, 113
Force H: see also Somerville
and fighter reinforcements for Malta, 48, 231, 268
in convoy operations, 55, 115-7, 267-9, 274-6
and enemy convoys, 55
diversionary operation of, 273
mentioned, 283
strength of, 338
Force K: 283
Ford, Vice-Admiral Sir Wilbraham, Vice-Admiral, Malta: 48, 117
Formidable, HMS: to replace Illustrious, 1
in action off Cape Matapan, 62-4, 67-8
and bombardment of Tripoli, 110-12
and operations against enemy’s supply lines, 114
in operation TIGER, 115, 117, 135
useless for defence of Crete, 135
attacks Scarpanto airfields, 140
leaves Middle East, 266
Fowkes, Brigadier C. C.: 307, 309-10, 316-20
Fraser, Major-General W. A. K.: 179
Free French Army: see also de Gaulle
in campaign in Syria, 201, 203-4, 207, 210-12, 214, 216, 220, 222
casualties of, 222
Free French Brigade: 212
Free French Movement: see also de Gaulle
possible coup d’état in Syria by, 199
of deep concern to British Government, 200
broadcasts to Syria and Lebanon, 207
and Convention ending hostilities in Syria, 221
tries to rally French Somaliland, 322-3
British relations with, 323
French Government: see under Vichy
French Motor Battalion: 22, 36
French Somaliland: plans to rally, 322
blockade of, 323
British policy in, 323-4
Freyberg, Major-General B. C.: commands New Zealand Division in Greece, 79
and campaign in Greece, 80, 87, 89, 91, 151
and use of Dominion troops in Middle East, 80-1, 151
and withdrawal from Greece, 100-2
commands troops in Crete, 126, 132
and defence of Crete, 126-7, 133-4, 140-2, 144, 146, 204
Fröhlich, Major-General Stefan: 14, 299-300
Frusci, General: 303
Furglus: capture of, 216-7
–G–
Galatas: action at, 141
Galla-Sidamo: Italian forces in, 303, 305
roads in, 305
British forces in, 306
Galloway, Brigadier A.: 94, 215
Gambara, General: 260
Gambela: capture of, 311
Gambier-Parry, Major-General M. D.
commands 2nd Armoured Division, 2, 122
and defence of Cyrenaica, 19-22, 28, 30
Gambut: air attacks on, 297
Gariboldi, General Italo: and British Western Desert offensive, 14
and advance into Cyrenaica, 15-7, 25-6
and attack on Tobruk, 153
and Gause, 259
replaced by Bastico, 260
Gause, Major-General Alfred: 259-60
Gazala: naval bombardments of, 40, 159
air attacks on, 297
Gazzera, Lieut.-General Pietro: 303-5, 308, 310-11
Gehrke, Herr: 196
Geisler, General Hans-Ferdinand: 49, 299
Georgic, m.v.: 278
German Air Force: see Luftwaffe
German Armistice Commission in Syria: 194, 214
German Army:
(in North Africa see also DAK )
British information about, 9-12
supplies and reinforcements for, 10-11, 53, 156-7, 159, 164, 257, 262-3
strength and state of, 11, 13-7, 159, 164
organisation of, 27
operations and losses of, 19-23, 25-30, 34-9, 153, 155-6, 161-3, 167-71
and offensive against Egypt, 257-8
(in Balkans) strength of, 82, 85
in attack on Yugoslavia, 85-6
operations and losses of in Greece, 86, 88, 90-3, 99-100, 102-3
(in Crete) forces of, 128-30
operations and losses of, 132-5, 140-1, 146-8
Armies:
2nd: 85
12th: in attack on Greece, 85, 86n, 95, 149
in attack on Crete, 129
Corps:
30th: 85
Divisions:
72nd: 99
73rd: 86
Afrika (later 90th Light Division): 262-3
22nd Infantry (Air Landing): 59, 130
5th Light (later 21st Panzer): state of, 13-4
mentioned, 15
in advance into Cyrenaica, 23, 25-6
in attacks on Tobruk, 35, 37-8, 155
transport of to Africa, 53
under Kirchheim, 153
withdrawn, 164
and BATTLEAXE, 168-70
experience gained by, 257
5th Mountain: 129-30, 134, 140-1
6th Mountain: in campaign in Greece, 90, 93, 99
in attack on Crete, 129
3rd Panzer: 12-3
5th Panzer: 129
15th Panzer: for Africa, 13, 15-7, 39
mentioned, 35
in attacks on Tobruk, 155
in frontier zone, 164
and BATTLEAXE, 168-70
reinforced, 263
21st Panzer: 263
SS Adolf Hitler: 86n, 87-8, 103
Regiments and Units:
33rd Artillery Regiment: 164n
104th Regiment: 153
104th Lorried Infantry Regiment: 164n
8th Machine-Gun Bn: 25, 26, 38
15th Motor-Cycle Bn: 36, 164n
85th Mountain Regiment: 144
100th Mountain Regiment: 134
141st Mountain Regiment: 144
5th Panzer Regt: in advance into Cyrenaica, 20, 25-7, 37-8
and operation BREVITY, 161
and operation BATTLEAXE, 167-71
8th Panzer Regt: and operation BREVITY, 162
in frontier zone, 164n
and operation BATTLEAXE, 167-9, 171
guns with, 173
33rd Panzerjäger Battalion: 164n
3rd Parachute Rifle Regiment: 141
3rd Reconnaissance Unit: 25-7, 36
33rd Reconnaissance Unit: 164n, 168
German Commercial Counsellor at Ankara: 194
German Embassy in Athens: 79
German Foreign Office: 194
German Government: 193-4
German High Command of the Air Force: see OKL
German High Command of the Armed Forces: see OKW
German High Command of the Army: see OKH
German Military Attaché in Athens: 79
German Minister in Persia: 194
German Naval Staff: 62
German Navy: 128
Germany: see also Hitler
and Italian defeat in Western Desert, 12, 44
and Mediterranean Fleet, 44
policy of in Balkans, 70, 72-3, 75, 149
invades Yugoslavia, 74, 82-3, 231
and anti-British
movements in Middle East, 193-4
and support for Iraq, 193-7, 202
effect of resistance in Crete on, 204
and attack on Russia, 247, 251, 260-2, 324-5
and invasion of Britain, 247-8
military policy of, 260-2
loses interest in Middle East, 324-5
Gianda: capture of, 319
Gibraltar: possible capture of, 247
human torpedo attack on, 272, 276
Gilliaert, General-Major: 311
Giulio Cesare: 119
Glen ships: 40n, 97
Glenearn, m.v.: 97, 101-2, 105
Glengyle, m.v.: in raid on Bardia, 40
and evacuation from Greece, 97, 105
and withdrawal from Crete, 144
and campaign in Syria, 207-8
Glennie, Rear-Admiral I. G.: 136
Gloucester, HMS: bombards transport near Capuzzo and Bardia, 40
arrives at Malta, 54
joins Force H, 55
in action off Cape Matapan, 62
bombards Tripoli, 110-11
in operation TIGER, 115
Glubb Pasha (Major J. B. Glubb): 187, 216
Gneisenau: 48
Godwin-Austen, Major-General A. R.: 306, 308, 316
Gold Coast Medium Battery, 51st: 316, 318n, 320, 321n
Golden Square, The: 178
Gondar: Italian forces in, 303
roads in, 312
air effort against, 312-5, 318-20
operations against, 313-21
Gonella, Colonel: 317
Gonnos: capture of, 93
Gordon, Private J. H.: 220
Göring, Marshal of the Reich Hermann: 59, 129
Gott, Brigadier W. H. E.: commands Mobile Force, 34, 36
and operations on Egyptian frontier, 40, 158
and operation BREVITY, 159-60, 162
ordered to hold Halfaya Pass, 163
Graham, Captain A.: 189
Graham, Commodore C. M.: 179
Graziani, Marshal Rodolfo: 46, 258
Greece: evacuation from, 55, 70, 84-5, 94-105 passim, 109, 124-5
German interest in, 59
German invasion of, 61, 70, 74, 85
defence and defences of, 70, 77-8, 80, 82
difficulties of withdrawal in, 77-8, 90-1
administration of and supplies for troops in, 78-9, 89, 91
exhaustion of, 82
summary of campaign in, 83-5
air attacks on, 92
generous attitude of people of, 103
withdraws troops from Crete, 121
German transport difficulties in, 130
British action in, 149-50
adverse effect of loss of, 225, 324
Greek Air Force: 81
Greek Army: in campaign in Albania, 73, 75, 87
state of, 76, 78, 83-4, 87, 89, 94-5
in defence of Greece, 83-4, 87-9, 93-5
surrender of in Epirus, 95, 98-9
Corps:
3rd: 95
Divisions:
Cavalry: 86
in defence of Greece, 77, 80, 86-7, 89
in defence of Greece, 80-1, 86-7, 89
Greek Government: and Wilson’s arrival in Athens, 77
and British withdrawal, 89, 94-6, 103
crisis in, 93-4
and surrender of Epirus Army, 95
thanks of, 95
Grimsby, HMS: 158
Guépard: 207
–H–
Habbaniya: Iraqis occupy plateau above, 131, 181-2, 235
description of, 181
air attacks on plateau, 184
Iraqi attacks on RAF station at, 183-4
Iraqis vacate plateau above, 184, 195
German air attacks on, 188-9, 191-2
in campaign in Iraq, 186-7, 201
in campaign in Syria, 207, 213, 216-7
Hackett, Major J. W.: 211
Haining, General Sir Robert: 237-43
Halder, Colonel-General Franz: on Rommel, 41, 153, 157
on Paulus’ mission, 153
on supplies for North Africa, 156-7, 282
Hal Far: air attacks, on, 46-7, 57
Halfaya Pass: actions at, 160-4
Harding, Brigadier A. F.: 29
Hargest, Brigadier J.: and campaign in Greece, 93
and defence of Crete, 131, 134-5, 140-1
Harriman, Mr. Averell: 233
Hellas, s.v.: 99
Hellenes, King of the: and defence of Greece, 94-5
flown to Crete, 98
leaves Crete, 138
Hentig, Georg von: 194-5
Heraklion: as fuelling base, 121
air attacks on, 131
embarkation at, 142-3
Hermes, HMS: 179
Hinton, Sergeant J. D.: 102
Hitler, Adolf: sends troops to North Africa, 12, 128
and capture of Tobruk, 41
on tasks of Fliegerkorps X, 46
and use of North Tunisian ports, 53
and BARBAROSSA 53, 85, 149, 260-1
and Malta, 59
his policy in Balkans, 72
and Yugoslavia, 85
and attack on
Hitler, Adolf—cont.
Greece, 85
his policy in Mediterranean, 128, 299-300
his directive on support for Iraq, 195, 333-4
meets Mussolini on Brenner, 257
on convoys to North Africa, 282
Homs: air attacks on, 201
Hulme, Sergeant A. C.: 144
Hyacinth, HMS: 105
–I–
Iachino, Admiral Angelo: 62-4, 69, 276-7
Ilex, HMS: 210
Illustrious, HMS: replaced by Formidable, 1
mentioned, 62, 136n
Imperial, HMS: 142-3
Imperial Star, m.v.: 275
India, Government of: 177, 241
India, Viceroy of: 177-9
Indian Army: 150
Inglis, Brigadier L. M.: 132
Inshore Squadron: state of, 39-40
and supplies for Tobruk, 56, 157-8
air attacks on, 301
Intelligence: (British) in North Africa, 9, 11, 164
about attack on Greece, 82
about attack on Crete, 130
(German) poor on Crete, 130
about operation BATTLEAXE, 168-9
Intendant-General: see Haining
Iraq: revolt in, 130-1, 177-193 passim, 201, 217, 239
obtains independent sovereignty, 177
RAF bases in, 177
anti-British activities in, 178, 193
Rashid Ali seizes power in, 178
German support for, 193-6, 257
Iraq, King of: 177
Iraq, Regent of: see Abdul Illah
Iraqi Army: occupies plateau above Habbaniya, 131, 182
occupies bridges over Tigris and Euphrates, 183
and Armistice terms, 192-3
Iraqi and Assyrian Levies: 181, 189, 191
Iraqi Government: 177-8, 185, 193
Italian Admiralty: 68, 268-9, 273
Italian Air Force: no longer a serious threat, 5, 324-5
and advance into Cyrenaica, 30-1
its attacks on Malta, 44, 49-50, 301
strength and state of, 75, 81, 300
attacks British troops in Greece 79
fails to intervene in bombardment of Tripoli, 112-3, 119
attacks TIGER convoy, 116-8
operations and losses of, June to October, 298-9, 301
relationship between Luftwaffe and, 300
unable to prevent reinforcement of Malta, 324
(in East Africa) collapse of, 304
operations and losses of, 315, 318-9, 321
Squadra:
4th: 75
Italian Armistice Commission in Syria: 193-4, 199
Italian Army: (in Albania) 73, 75
(in North Africa) supplies and reinforcements for, 10, 156-7, 257, 262-3
strength of, 11
and offensive against Egypt, 257-8
(in East Africa) strength and dispositions of, 303, 314
during British offensive, 307-15, 317, 319-21
casualties of, 314, 317n
Armies:
Divisions:
Ariete: in Tripolitania, 14
DAK commands, 15
in advance into Cyrenaica, 25-7, 30, 35
and offensive against Egypt, 257
reinforced, 263
Bologna: 14
Brescia: moves to Sirte, 14
in advance into Cyrenaica, 25-7, 35
and investment of Tobruk, 36, 39, 155
22nd Colonial: 305
Pavia: 14
Sabratha: 263
Savona: 14
Trieste: 263
Units:
Italian High Command: on Axis offensive in North Africa, 16, 41, 256
mentioned, 26
and action off Cape Matapan, 69
organization of, 258
and Gause, 259
and plan for North Africa, 301
Italian Legation at Baghdad: 177
Italian Minister in Berlin: 194
Italian Navy: and supplies for North Africa, 53
and capture of Malta, 59
attacks shipping at Suda Bay, 61
in action off Cape Matapan, 61-70 passim, 324
aircraft carrier for, 69
operations of curtailed, 69
need for consistent watch on, 114
and TIGER convoy, 119
and SUBSTANCE convoy, 268
and EMBs, 270
and HALBERD convoy, 275-7
ceases to interfere with British in Mediterranean, 324
strength of, 339
Cruiser Divisions:
1st: 63
3rd: 63
8th: 63
Tenth Light Flotilla: 270, 272
‘Italuft ‘: 300
Italy: see also Mussolini
effect of Commando raid on, 58
and campaign in Albania, 73, 75
and German invasion of Greece and Yugoslavia, 85
invades Greece, 121
unlikely to capture Crete, 121
and Syria, 193
and support for Iraq, 196-7
reorganization of command in, 258-9
–J–
James, Brigadier W.A.L.: 317-20
Jersey, HMS: 54-5
Jibuti: use of port at, 306, 323
Jimma: air attacks on, 309
entry of, 310
Jones, Lieut.-Colonel L. B.: 212
Junck, Colonel Werner: 195
Juno, HMS: 136
–K–
Kalamata: action at, 102-3
Karapara, s.s.: 158
Karassos, General: 87
Keitel, Field-Marshal Wilhelm: 257-8, 282
Kelvin, HMS: 54-5
Kenya, HMS: 274
Keren: battle of, 200
Khalde: capture of, 220
Khedive Ismail, s.s.: 105
King, Rear-Admiral (later Vice-Admiral) E. L. S.: and TIGER convoy, 115-6, 136
commands 15th Cruiser Squadron, 136, 207
and withdrawal from Crete, 144, 146
and campaign in Syria, 207, 210
Kingston, HMS: 103, 105, 137-8
Kingstone, Brigadier, J. J.: 187-8, 191-2
Kippenberger, Colonel H. K.: 132, 141
Kirchheim, Major-General Heinrich: and advance into Cyrenaica, 27, 35
and attack on Tobruk, 153, 155
Knabe, Lieut.-Colonel Gustav: 36
Koryzis, M. Alexander: 93-4
Kozani: capture of, 89
Kulkaber: air attacks on, 318, 320
capture of, 320
Kuneitra: British capture, 207
Vichy forces recapture, 210-11
British recapture, 211
–L–
Lagos air route: aircraft deliveries by, 233
Lampo : 54
Lance, HMS: 283
Latham, Brigadier H. B.: 19
Lavarack, Major-General J. D.: commands troops in Cyrenaica, 34
and defence of Tobruk, 37
and campaign in Syria, 206, 208, 214, 216
Laycock, Lieut.-Colonel R. E.: 40n
Layforce: arrives in Middle East, 40n
in defence of Crete, 141, 144, 146
Leakey, Sergeant N. G.: 308
Lee, Brigadier E. A.: 80, 91, 93
Legentilhomme, General: and campaign in Syria, 204, 207-8, 211-2
and French Somaliland, 322
Legnani, Vice-Admiral: 63
Leonidas: 99n
Libya: interrupting supplies to, see Mediterranean Fleet and Sea Communications
Axis forces in, see German Army and Italian Army
List, Field-Marshal Wilhelm: 85
Lively, HMS: 283
Lloyd, Air Vice-Marshal H. P., Air Officer Commanding, Malta: 296
Lloyd, Brigadier W. L.: 207-8, 210-12
Löhr, Colonel-General Alexander: 128-9
Long Range Desert Group: 8, 30
Longmore, Air Chief Marshal Sir Arthur: see also Commanders-in-Chief
problems and commitments of, 5, 47, 124, 229, 236, 286
forms his ‘Balkan reserve’, 5-6
and rearmament and reinforcement, 33-4, 229, 232, 235-6, 286
and defence of Egypt, 33-4
and Turkey, 71-2
and Yugoslavia, 71-2
and attacks on Tripoli, 108
and Crete, 124
called to London, 235
replacement of, 236
his relations with Prime Minister, 244-6
and air support for Navy, 277
Longo, General: 300
Luftwaffe : effect of its arrival in Mediterranean, 1, 5, 50-1, 115, 226, 265
fails to intervene in bombardment of Tripoli, 112-3
estimated strength of, 230-1
tasks of, 262
and Mediterranean Fleet, 265-6, 324
attacks shipping in Red Sea, 278
attacks maintenance units, 292-3
operations and losses of, June-October, 297-8
relationship between Italian Air Force and, 300
(in North Africa) arrival of, 9
attacks Tobruk, 4, 9, 155, 157, 297-8
attacks Benghazi, 9
in advance into Cyrenaica, 30-1
mentioned, 34
needs reinforcements, 41
strength of 166
and operation BATTLEAXE, 167, 171
and operation HALBERD, 276
(in Sicily) and attacks on Malta, 44, 46, 49, 247, 274
losses of, 49
(in Balkans) strength of, 81, 85, 129
and campaign in Greece, 82, 85-6, 90, 92, 96, 103-4, 125
attacks Yugoslavia, 85
and attack on Crete, 128-48 passim
(in campaign in Iraq) at Mosul, 184
attacks Habbaniya, 188-9, 191-2
and aid for Iraq, 195-6
(in Syrian campaign) attacked by RAF, 201
leaves Syria, 206
attacks British shipping, 206, 210
losses of, 209-10
Air Division, 7th: and possible capture of Malta, 59
in attack on Crete, 128-31, 134
losses of, 147-8
Fliegerkorps VIII : and invasion of Greece, 85
in attack on Crete, 128-9, 299
losses of 147
and support for Iraq, 195
Fliegerkorps X : arrives in Tripolitania, 14
strength and state of, 14, 47, 113, 299
attacks Malta, 46-7, 49, 113, 266
tasks of, 46-7, 49, 113, 282, 300-1
and capture of Malta, 59
attacks Mediterranean Fleet, 63n
in campaign in Greece, 85
fails to intervene in bombardment of Tripoli, 113
use of, 256
and offensive against Egypt, 258
to protect convoys to North Africa, 282
and ‘Italuft ‘, 300
Fliegerkorps XI : 128-9, 147, 299
Assault Regiment: in attack on Crete, 128-9, 131, 134, 141
losses of, 147-8
2nd Parachute Rifle Regiment: 134
3rd Parachute Rifle Regiment: 141, 148
Lupo : 137
Luqa: air attacks on, 46-7
Lyttelton, Rt. Hon. Oliver: 240-3, 323
–M–
Mack, Captain P. J.: commands 14th Destroyer Flotilla, 54, 66
in action off Cape Matapan, 66, 68, 70
destroys convoy off Sfax, 110, 283
bombards airfield at Scarpanto, 136
and defence of Crete, 138
Mackay, Major-General Sir Iven: commands 6th Australian Division, 79
in campaign in Greece, 81, 86-9
leaves Greece, 100
Mackay Force: 86-8
Maclean, Air Commodore, L. L.: 294
Maleme: airfield made, 121
air attacks on, 131
capture of, 134
naval bombardment of, 138
Malta: for Governor see Dobbie, for Vice-Admiral see Ford, for A.O.C. see Maynard and Lloyd
reinforcements and supplies for, 1, 33, 43, 47-51, 54, 61, 108, 114-5, 229, 231, 254, 266-9, 274, 276, 278, 283
air attacks on, 1, 44, 46-51, 59, 114, 270, 280, 301
strategic importance of, 43
defence and defences of, 43-52, 59, 107-8, 114, 121, 265-6, 269-70
air forces at, 43-5, 48, 55-6, 107, 269-70, 278, 280
airfields at, 44-5
rationing begins in, 50-1
possible invasion of, 51, 59, 128, 256, 265-6
as a striking base, 52-6, 107, 114, 254, 266, 278, 280, 283
needs more reconnaissance aircraft, 55-6, 107
and attacks on Tripoli, 107-8
EMB attack on, 270
Maltese Government: 50
MARIE: 322
Maynard, Air Vice-Marshal F. H. M., Air Officer Commanding, Malta: orders removal of Sunderlands and Wellingtons, 47
and fighter defence of Malta, 48-9
retains No. 252 Squadron, 56-7
and bomber offensive, 57
succeeded by Lloyd, 296
McCarthy, Captain E. D. B.: 117
McLean, Captain N. L. D.: 314, 320-1
Me. 109: first appears over Malta, 47
Mediterranean: effect of arrival of Luftwaffe in, 1, 265
hazards of direct route through, 1
cooperation of RAF with Fleet in, 65, 277-8
control of sea communications in, 265
command in, 278
Axis cooperation in, 301
general review, 324-5
Mediterranean Fleet: see also Cunningham, Force H, and Submarines
effect of arrival of Luftwaffe on, 5, 265
bombards airfields and transport in Cyrenaica, 40
and supplies for Tobruk, 40, 155, 157-9, 166, 266
and enemy’s supply line to Libya, 40, 55, 108, 114
and reinforcements for Malta, 48, 266-9
in convoy operations, 51, 115-9, 266-9
bombards Tripoli, 51, 57, 96, 110-3, 118
reinforcement of, 54, 115, 223
air support for, 56-7, 254, 277-8
in action off Cape Matapan, 61-70 passim
and LUSTRE, 96
and withdrawal from Greece, 96-105 passim, 113, 119, 125
and withdrawal from Crete, 104, 125, 142-4, 146
and blocking of Tripoli harbour, 109
in defence of Crete, 114, 129, 134-40, 148
needs base at Suda Bay, 121
effect of loss of Crete on, 148-9, 265
in operation TIGER 115-9
bombards Benghazi, 115, 117-8, 159
and operation BATTLEAXE, 166, 170-1
and campaign in Syria, 204, 209-10, 214, 219, 266
supply of fuel oil for, 226
and American aid, 232
and Egyptian labour, 238
its relationship with other Services and civil authorities, 239-40
and operations in Persia, 252
and defence of Malta, 265
in diversionary operations, 268, 275-7
strength of, 338
Mediterranean Station: 278
Meetings: see Conferences
Merchant shipping: control of enemy, 52
Merjayun: British capture, 208, 215
Vichy forces capture, 211, 213
MERKUR: 104, 128-49 passim, 299
Mersa Brega: capture of, 25
Messervy, Major-General F. W.: 165, 168-71
Mezze: air attacks on, 201
capture of, 212
Middle East: see also Middle East base
use of Dominion formations in, 150-1
situation in, 163
changes in organization and command in, 184-5, 235-46, 250-1
anti-British activities in, 193-4
reinforcement of, 223-33
Teeth v. Tail controversy, 223-6, 235, 291
compared with France as theatre of war, 224
American supplies for, 232-3, 237, 325
after collapse of France, 239
need for speedy political decisions in, 239
War Council set up in, 240-1
military plans in, 242-3, 254-5
threat to from the north, 248-50, 254
strategic importance of, 249-50
general review, 324-5
Middle East base: creation of, 225-6, 228
importance of Canal to, 226-7
Middle East Joint Planning Staff: 96
Milos: captured, 129
airfield at, 129-30
Minister of State in the Middle East: see Lyttelton
Ministry of Aircraft Production: 235, 237
Ministry of War Transport: 238, 242
Mitchell, Sir Philip: 316
Mobile Naval Base Defence Organization: see Royal Marines
Mohawk, HMS: 54
Molos: action at, 99
Morse, Captain J. A. V.: 144, 146
Morshead, Major-General L. J.: commands 9th Australian Division, 4, 158
concerned about shortage of transport, 6
and Rommel’s advance into Cyrenaica, 28
and defence of Tobruk, 35, 37-8, 156, 158
Mostert, Lieut.-Colonel M. C. P.: 313
Mosul: air attacks on, 184
Motor Transport Companies:
22nd East African Brigade Group: 310n
25th East African Brigade Group: 321n
26th East African Brigade Group: 321n
3rd Reserve, RASC: 187n
58th Reserve, RASC: 318n, 321n
552nd, RASC: 187n
Moubray, Lieut.-Colonel J.: 163
Mountbatten, Captain Lord Louis: 54, 118, 138
Mufti of Jerusalem: 178, 193-4
Muirhead, Brigadier J. S.: 158
Mussolini, Benito: lukewarm about German help, 13
and aircraft-carrier for Navy, 69
and Albanian offensive, 75
and support for Iraq, 196
and capture of Suez Canal, 256-7
meets Hitler on Brenner, 257
re-organizes High Command, 258-9
and command in North Africa, 260
–N–
Nasi, Lieut.-General Guglielmo: commands in Gondar, 303-4
operations against, 311-2, 317
surrenders, 321
Neame, Lieut.-General P.: takes over Cyrenaica Command, 3
and Wavell’s instructions on defence of Cyrenaica, 6-8
and enemy intentions, 12
and loss of Cyrenaica, 19-23, 28, 32
mentioned, 36
Nebek: capture of, 216
Neptunia, m.v.: 279
Nestor, HMAS: 268
Neumann-Silkow, Major-General Walther: 164, 169
New Zealand Artillery:
Regiments:
7th Anti-Tank: 90n
4th Field: 90n
5th Field: 90n, 132n
Battery:
27th Field: 92n, 93
New Zealand Engineers:
19th Army Troops Company: 92n
Operating Group: 227
New Zealand Government: 126, 151
New Zealand land forces: use of, 150-1
New Zealand Star, m.v.: 116
Niamata: air attacks on, 92
Nigerian Light Battery, 52nd: 310n
Nouailhotas, M. Louis: 323
Nuri-al-Said: 193
Nurk, Captain K.: 320-1
Nyasaland Field Battery, 54th: 318-20, 321n
–O–
Oceania, m.v.: 279
O’Connor, Lieut-General Sir Richard: commands British Troops in Egypt, 3
arrives in Cyrenaica, 21
OKH : and units for North Africa, 12-3
definition of, 15n
mentioned, 41
and arms for Iraq, 194
represented in North Africa, 259
OKL : and air attacks on Malta, 49
definition of, 49n
and action off Cape Matapan, 63, 69
and Fliegerkorps X, 299-300
OKW : and Rommel’s offensive, 41
definition of, 41n
mentioned, 257-9
and shipping losses, 281-2
plan for North Africa, 301
Olbrich, Lieut.-Colonel Dr. Friedrich: 26-7
Oliver, Captain G. N.: 269
Olympus Pass: action at, 93
Operational Centre, No. 2: 313
Orion, HMS: and bombardment of Cyrenaican coast, 40
in action off Cape Matapan, 62-4, 67
and withdrawal from Greece, 97, 101, 105
and bombardment of Tripoli, 111
in operation TIGER 115
in defence of Crete, 136
and withdrawal from Crete, 143
Osiris, HMS: 274
Otus, HMS: 274
Overland route, Basra to Palestine: importance of, 177
–P–
Palairet, Sir Michael: 94-5, 98, 138
Palestine, High Commissioner to: 200, 241
Palmyra: air attacks on, 201, 209
capture of, 216
Papagos, General: and Yugoslavia, 73-4
and Albanian fighting, 75
commands Allied troops in Greece, 76
and deployment of forces, 80, 84
and campaign in
and British withdrawal, 89, 94, 124
Paramatta, HMS: 158
Paramythia: air attacks from, 75
Parrington, Brigadier L.: 102-3
Partenope : 112
Parthian, HMS: 214
Pass of Balmaha, s.s.: 158
Patriots, Ethiopian: operations and losses of, 303-4, 309, 311-5, 317-22
effect of British air effort on, 304, 315
near Jimma, 310
organization of, 313-4
supplies for, 315
Paul, Prince, Regent of Yugoslavia: 71-3, 75
Paulus, Lieut.-General Friedrich: sent to North Africa, 41
his task, 153
and attack on Tobruk, 155-6
assists von Brauchitsch, 260
Pedder, Lieut.-Colonel R. N. N.: 208
Penelope, HMS: 283
Pennland, s.s.: 100
Pericles, m.v.: 61
Persia: potential German fifth column in, 252
supply line through, 252-3
operations in, 252-3
Persia, Shah of: 253
Persian Government: 252-3
Perth, HMAS: and bombardment of Cyrenaican coast, 40
in action off Cape Matapan, 62
and withdrawal from Greece, 97, 101-3, 105
in operation TIGER, 115
in defence of Crete, 136-7
and withdrawal from Crete, 144
Perthshire, s.s.: 51
Peter, King of Yugolsavia: 73
Pilkington, Captain M.: 314, 320-1
Piraeus: air attacks on, 86
Plant, Brigadier E. C. P.: 219
Platt, Lieut.-General Sir William: in East African campaign, 303-4, 311-2, 316
his command, 315-6
Polish Brigade: state of, 2
its move to Greece cancelled, 82
crosses from Syria to Palestine, 199
replaces 7th Australian Division at Matruh, 202
Ponath, Colonel Gustav: 27, 29, 35
Port Said: use of, 226
Port Sudan
use of, 227
Portal, Air Chief Marshal Sir Charles, Chief of the Air Staff: 47-8, 108, 230-1
Pound, Admiral Sir Dudley, First Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Staff: 109-10, 283
Pridham-Wippell, Vice-Admiral H. D.
and action off Cape Matapan, 61-4, 67, 70
and withdrawal from Greece, 96-7, 101-2
and bombardment of Tripoli, 110-11
commands battlefleet at sea, 136
in diversionary operations, 268
Prilep, capture of, 86
Prime Minister and Minister of Defence (Rt. Hon. Winston S. Churchill): and defence of Tobruk, 34
and Malta, 51
and Yugoslavia, 73
and Greece, 89
on bombardment of Tripoli, 108, 113
on destruction of enemy convoy, 110
on priority of commitments in Middle East, 124
and operation BATTLEAXE, 164
and Syria, 202-3
in Teeth v. Tail controversy, 223-6, 235, 237, 291
and Takoradi, 230
and American supplies, 232, 237
and Dawson Mission, 235
and Longmore, 236
and Intendant-General, 237-8, 242, 259
and Minister of State, 240
and Wavell, 243-6
appoints Auchinleck C.-in-C., Middle East, 244
relations between Cs.-in-C. and, 244-6
compared with Pitt, 244n
on German attack on Russia, 248
sanctions expansion of Basra base, 250
and Western Desert offensive, 253
on air support, 287
and reinforcements, 291-2
and French Somaliland, 322
Prince of Wales, HMS: 274
Prison Valley: landings in, 131, 133-4
Prisoners: at Benghazi, 9
in operation BREVITY, 162
in operation BATTLEAXE 171
a strain on medical and supply services, 224
Prittwitz und Gaffron, Major-General Heinrich von: 35-6
Ptolemais: action at, 88
Puttick, Brigadier E.: and campaign in Greece, 93
and defence of Crete, 127, 134-5, 140-1
–Q–
Queen Elizabeth, HMS: in operation TIGER, 115-6
in defence of Crete, 136
confined to Alexandria, 266
Queen Elizabeth, s.s.: 223
Queen Mary, s.s.: 223
Quinan, Lieut.-General E. P.: 186, 252
–R–
Radar: absence of at Benghazi, 4
lack of at Tobruk, 31
limitations of at Malta, 45-6
absence of in Italian ships, 69
more British ships fitted with, 119
poor in Canal zone, 298
Raeder, Grand Admiral Erich: 299
Railton, Lieutenant A. S.: 314
Rashid: air attacks on, 184
Rashid Ali el Gailani: seizes power in Iraq, 178, 194
and passage of British troops through Iraq, 179, 181
Axis support for, 185, 188, 194, 196, 205, 222
mentioned, 186
leaves Iraq, 192
collapse of 196
Rawlings, Rear-Admiral H. B.: 136-8, 142-3
Rayak: air attacks on, 201, 209-10, 215
Red Sea: opened to U.S. shipping, 232, 237, 325
Regiments:
6th Australian Divisional Cavalry: 8
Central India Horse: 165n
1st East African Armoured Car: 310n
Household Cavalry: 187n, 191
Kenya Armoured Car: 318n, 320-1
1st King’s Dragoon Guards: 3
18th K.E. VII’s O. Cavalry: 30
New Zealand Divisional Cavalry: 88, 90, 132n
The Royal Dragoons: 210
Royal Tank Regiment:
Renouf, Rear-Admiral E. de F.: 136
Retimo: mentioned, 123
air attacks on, 131
surrender of, 142
Rhodes: as refuelling base, 5
Ribbentrop, Herr von: 194
Richards, Brigadier, C.E.M.: 308
Rimington, Brigadier R.: 3, 28
Ringel, General: 140-1
Ringrose, Major B. J.: 314-5, 317
Rintelen, Major-General Enno von: 259
Ritchie, Brigadier A. McD.: 308
Roberts, Colonel O. L.: 182, 189
Rodney, HMS: 274-5
Rommel, Lieut.-General (later General) Erwin: his advance into Cyrenaica, 9, 15-7, 21, 24-8, 30, 32-3, 35-6, 53, 57, 82, 108, 113
reaches Tripoli, 14
supplies and reinforcements for, 15, 47, 53, 107-8, 259, 262, 281-2, 297
his tasks, 16
captures Benghazi, 26
in relation to Fliegerführer Afrika, 30, 299
and attacks on Tobruk, 37-8, 41, 153, 155, 159, 262, 282, 297
criticized by Halder, 41
his demands on Fliegerkorps X, 47, 49
loses confidence in Streich, 153
and operation BREVITY, 161-2
and operation BATTLEAXE, 166, 168- 70
and Gause, 259
commands Headquarters Armoured Group Africa, 260
and offensive into Egypt, 262, 297
Rondine : 130n
Roosevelt, President: 231-3, 292
Rorqual, HMS: 274
Royal Air Force in Middle East: and convoy operations, 1, 267, 275-7
effect on of arrival of Luftwaffe, 5
rearmament and reinforcement of, 5, 33-4, 119, 223, 22933, 285, 288-92
in action off Cape Matapan, 62, 65
strength and state of, 230-1, 285, 290
and American aid, 232
in Teeth v. Tail controversy, 235, 291
and aircraft maintenance, 235-6, 292-3
and Longmore, 236
and Egyptian labour, 238: its relationship with other Services and civil authorities, 239-40
and Intendant-General, 241
cooperation of with Fleet, 277-8, 286
training of, 290-1
and support of Army, 286-8, 294-6
operations and losses of, June to October, 296-8
(in North Africa) sets up Cyrenaican H.Q., 6
and defence of Cyrenaica, 19, 23, 31
and defence of Egypt, 33-4
attacks on Tripoli, 111
in operation BREVITY, 162
in operation BATTLEAXE, 165-7, 169-71, 173
operations of, June to October, 296-7
(in Malta) strength and state of, 43-5, 269, 280, 283
operations and losses of, 45-9, 57-8, 267-8, 270, 275-6, 280, 296-7
need of fighter cover from, 56
supplies for, 274
(in Greek campaign) operations and losses of, 73, 75, 92, 96, 105, 122
strength and state of, 75, 81-2, 125
(in Crete campaign) uses Heraklion, 121
its fighters leave Crete, 127
operations and losses of, 127-8, 135, 139-40, 143, 147
(In Iraq) bases of, 177
strength of, 179
operations and losses of, 181-4, 188-9, 191, 193, 253
(in Syrian campaign) operations and losses of, 201, 209-10, 212, 214-5, 222
(in East African campaign) destroys Italian ships, 40n
operations and losses of, 304, 312-5, 318-22
strength of, 312
Groups:
No. 201 Naval Cooperation: 277-8, 286, 294
204: set up, 35
and operation BATTLEAXE, 165-6
mentioned, 291
Air H.Q. Western Desert formed from, 294
205: 294
206: 294
207: 294
Wings:
No. 253 Army Cooperation: 294
Squadrons:
No.6: under H.Q. RAF Cyrenaica, 6
in defence of Cyrenaica, 8, 11, 23, 31
under No. 204 Group, 35
21: 57
30: 81
31: 179
33: 81 127
37: attacks shipping in Albania, 75: in campaign in Greece, 86, 97
attacks airfields in Greece and Dodecanese, 127
attacks Maleme airfield, 140
in campaign in Iraq, 183-4
in campaign in Syria, 215
attacks Benghazi, 296
38: leaves Greece, 97
attacks airfields in Greece, 127
attacks Maleme airfield, 140
in campaign in Syria, 215
attacks convoy at Tripoli, 280
attacks Benghazi, 296
39: under No. 204 Group, 35
and defence of Crete, 136
45: move of to Greece cancelled, 23
in defence of Cyrenaica, 23, 30-1
in Western Desert, 35
in defence of Tobruk, 38
attacks Maleme airfield, 140
in campaign in Syria, 215
55: under H.Q. RAF Cyrenaica, 6
in defence of Cyrenaica, 19, 23, 30-1
in Western Desert, 35
in defence of Tobruk, 38
attacks Maleme airfield, 140
70: attacks airfields in Greece, 127
in campaign in Iraq, 183
in campaign in Syria, 215
attacks Benghazi, 296
73: under H.Q. RAF Cyrenaica, 6
in defence of Tobruk, 31, 35, 39, 156
and withdrawal from Crete, 144
78: 57-8
84: in action off Cape Matapan, 62
in campaign in Greece, 81, 86: in campaign in Syria, 206, 209-10
105: 280
107: 280
127: 217
148: at Malta, 45
attacks enemy’s supply line, 57
attacks Tripoli, 111
attacks airfields in Greece, 127
attacks Maleme airfield, 140
in campaign in Syria, 215
attacks Benghazi, 296
185: 49
216: 97
and evacuation from Greece, 97
237 (Rhodesian): 312
249: 49
252: arrives at Malta, 56
attacks Greek airfields, 57
leaves Malta, 57
in operation TIGER, 115-16, 118
267: 97
274: under No. 204 Group, 35
and withdrawal from Crete, 144
in operation BREVITY, 160
450/260: 215
806/33: 215
Flights:
X: 206
Other Units
No. 2 Armoured Car Company: 187, 189
Base Salvage Depot: 293
No. 4 Flying Training School: 179, 181-4
No. 101 Maintenance Unit: 292
No. 102 Maintenance Unit: 292-3
No. 103 Maintenance Unit: 292
No. 107 Maintenance Unit: 292
No. 111 Maintenance Unit: 293
Malta Night Fighter: 270
Royal Artillery: see also Royal Horse Artillery
Brigades:
Regiments:
7th Anti-Aircraft: 46
10th Anti-Aircraft: 46
102nd Anti-Tank: 88n
Beach Defence (Malta): 52
5th Coast: 132n, 133n
1st Field: 207n
3rd Field: 179
8th Field: 160
25th Field: 165n
31st Field: 169
51st Field: 23
14th Light Anti-Aircraft: 158
52nd Light Anti-Aircraft: 132n
7th Medium: 133n
64th Medium: in campaign in Greece, 80, 88n, 90n, 93
234th Medium: 133n
4th Searchlight: 46
Batteries:
237th Field: 187n, 189
153rd Heavy Anti-Aircraft: 158
235th Heavy Anti-Aircraft: 158
39th Light Anti-Aircraft: 158
40th Light Anti-Aircraft: 158
57th Light Anti-Aircraft: 158
156th Light Anti-Aircraft: 132-3
27th/28th Medium: 165n
18th Mountain: in East African campaign, 310n, 318, 320, 321n
22nd Mountain: in East African campaign, 310n, 318, 320, 321n
304th Searchlight: 132n
484th (Carmarthenshire) Searchlight: 46n
Royal Australian Air Force, No. 3 Squadron: and defence of Benghazi, 4
under H.Q. RAF Cyrenaica, 6
possible move of, 8
and defence of Mersa Brega, 19
withdrawn to Maraua, 22
and defence of Tobruk, 30-1
in campaign in Syria, 206, 209, 216
Royal Australian Navy: 252
Royal Engineers:
2nd (Cheshire) Field Squadron: 187n
16th (Fortress) Company: 46n
42nd Field Company: 132n
No. 5 Boring Section: 187n
Royal Horse Artillery:
Regiments:
1st: 38
2nd: 88n
102nd (Northumberland Hussars): 132n
106th: 132-3
Battery:
Royal Indian Navy: 252
Royal Malta Artillery: 271
Regiment:
2nd Anti-Aircraft: 46
Batteries:
30th Light Anti-Aircraft (T): 46
8th Searchlight: 46n
Royal Marines: 147
Mobile Naval Base Defence Organisation: task of, 121
arrives in Crete, 125
in defence of Crete, 132n
Regiments:
2nd Heavy Anti-Aircraft: 132n
Searchlight: 132n
Batteries:
X Coast Defence: 133n
C: 132n, 133n
Z Coast Defence: 132n
Royal Navy: see Mediterranean Fleet
Russia: German attack on, 59, 247, 251, 260-2, 324-5
and Persia, 252-3
Rutba: description of, 186-7
air attacks on, 187
capture of, 187
–S–
Sadler, Brigadier N. V.: 46
St. Didier : 214
capture of, 86
Salvia, HMS: 105
Salween, s.s.: 105
Sansonnetti, Vice-Admiral: 63
Santoro, General G.: 75n
Sappers and Miners:
K.G.O. Bengal, 4th Field Company: 165n
Q.V.O. Madras: 189
Royal Bombay, 18th Field Company: 207n
Savige, Brigadier S. G.: 90, 219
Savile, Group Captain W, A. B.: 179
Savory, Brigadier R. A.: 165, 170
Scarpanto: bombardment of airfield at, 136
Scharnhorst : 48
Schuster, Admiral: 137
Schwerin, Lieut.-Colonel Graf: 26-7, 38
Sciola: air attacks on, 309
capture of, 309-10
Sciré : 272
Sea Communications: between Italy and Libya, 40, 43, 52-3, 56, 58, 107-8, 113, 266, 278-9, 300
between Western and Eastern Mediterranean, 46
in Eastern Mediterranean, 62, 265
between Greece and North Africa, 266
Secretary of State for War: 238
Senior Officer (later Flag Officer Commanding), Red Sea: 278
Sephton, Petty Officer A. E.: 158
Servia: action at, 90
Sheikh Meskine: capture of, 207
Sheppard, Bimbashi L. F.: 314
Shone, Mr. Terence, British Minister in Cairo: 72-3
Sidon: capture of, 213
Simonds, Major A. C.: 313
Simovitch, General: 73-4
Skoplje: capture of, 86
Slater, Brigadier J. N.: 158
Slatter, Air Commodore L. H.: 277, 294, 312-3
Slim, Major-General W. J.: 217
Smallwood, Brigadier G. R.: 309
Smart, Air Vice-Marshal H. G.: commands RAF in Iraq, 179
prepares for hostilities, 181-2, reinforcements for, 182
his efforts to prevent fighting in Iraq, 182-3
decides to attack Iraqis, 183
and campaign in Iraq, 184, 186
receives Prime Minister’s congratulations, 184
succeeded by D’Albiac, 188
Soddu: capture of, 308
Sollum: naval bombardments of, 40
Somerville, Vice-Admiral Sir James: and fighter reinforcements for Malta, 48
and convoy operations, 55, 115-6, 267-9, 274-7
and control of sea communications, 265
and operation by Manxman, 272-3
and diversionary operation, 273
Souffleur : 214
South Africa, Prime Minister of: 240-1
South African Air Force:
(in East African campaign) operations and losses of, 304, 309-13, 315, 318-22
strength and state of, 306, 312-3
Wings:
Squadrons:
11: 306
16: 313
40: 306
South African Artillery:
Brigades:
7th: 310n
1st Medium: 310n
Batteries:
1st Field: 310n
7th Field: 310n
South African Engineers:
9th Field Company: 318n, 321n
17th Field Park Company: 310n
25th Road Construction Company: 318n
South African Light Armoured Detachment: 320, 321n
South Africa Light Tank Company: 310n
Southampton, HMS: 115
Southern Maid, HMSA.S.: 158
South Force: 317-20
Sowrey, Air Commodore W.: 306, 316
Spackman, Air Commodore C. B. S.: 313
Spears, Major-General E. L.: 200, 202
Special Air Service Battalion, 11th: 58
Special Service Brigade: 40n, 108
Battalions:
B: 40n
D: 40n, 141
Sphakia: retreat to, 143
SPLICE: 49
Staff Conversations: see Conferences
Stevens, Brigadier J. E. S.: 208, 213
Streich, Major-General Johannes: commands 5th Light Division, 13
and advance into Cyrenaica, 16, 26-7, 30, 35
Rommel loses confidence in, 153
Student, General Kurt: and attack on Crete, 128-9, 131, 134, 148
Submarine Flotillas:
1st: 279
8th: 279
10th: 279
Submarines:
(British) operations and losses of, 55, 107, 278-9
tasks of, 279
strength of, 338
(Italian) strength of, 339
Suda Bay: Italian motor boats attack shipping in, 61, 121
as fuelling base for Royal Navy, 121
threat to, 121
Sudan Defence Force: 304, 312, 314
Suez: port of, 226-7
capacity of increased, 226
railway to Ismailia from, 226
oil pipeline to Port Said from, 226
hold-up of ships at, 227
congestion of shipping at, 300-1
United States ships at, 325
Suez Canal: mining of, 1, 226-7
possible capture of, 128, 256-7
development of ports along, 226-8
Sukhne: action at, 216-7
Support Groups:
2nd: state of, 3-4
in defence of Cyrenaica 9, 19, 20-2, 27
in defence of Tobruk, 29
reorganized and reinforced, 34
Sydney Star, m.v.: 268
Syfret, Rear-Admiral E. N.: 267-8
Syria: declares for Vichy, 121
Italian Armistice Commission sent to, 193-4
air base for Germans in, 195
as supply base for Iraq, 195
threatens British position in Middle East, 197
campaign in, 199-222
internal problems in, 199, 221
possible coup d’état in, 199-200
British troops for, 200-5, 215, 221
provision of lorries for Free French in, 201-2
French resistance to Germans in, 201-2
importance of establishing British forces in, 204
importance of, 226-7
Germans withdraw from, 257
–T–
Taha el Hashimi: 178
Takoradi air route: aircraft deliveries by, 33, 47-8, 229-30, 289
Mr. Harriman’s comments on, 233
American transport aircraft for, 233
Tanks:
Italian:
M.13: used by British, 3
British: defects of, 3
production of, 174-6
available for Western Desert offensive, 254-5
‘I’ (Matilda): for Middle East, 33
in operations BREVITY and BATTLEAXE, 172-3
German: production of, 174-6
Pzkw I, II, III, IV: description of, 174
American:
General Grant medium: production of, 232
Stuart M.3 light: production of, 232
description of, 255
Note on tanks, armour and anti-tank guns, 341-5
Tavronitis River: 131, 134n
Tedder, Air Marshal A. W.: see also Commanders-in-Chief
and defence of Tobruk, 39
becomes AOC-in-C, 139n, 236
and operation BATTLEAXE, 166, 171
and maintenance organization, 236-7, 292
and Western Desert offensive, 254, 285
and operation HALBERD, 275
his use of increasing strength, 290
in Teeth v. Tail controversy, 291-2
reorganizes Command, 293-4
and East Africa Command, 316
Teheran: entered, 253
Tembien : 269
Tempe, Vale of: action at, 92-3
Terror, HMS: 4
Thermopylae: defence of, 99
Thoma, Major-General Wilhelm, Ritter von: 13
Thurland Castle, m.v.: 105
TIGER: Force H prepares for, 55
Beaufighter protection for, 56
description of operation, 114-9
cannot be repeated, 254-5
Tilly, Major-General J. C.: 2
Tirana: air attacks on, 86
Tobruk: air attacks on, 4, 9, 39, 155, 157, 297-8, 301
as supply base, 5
defence and defences of, 31, 34, 36-9, 153, 298
British garrison of, 33, 35, 37, 153, 157-9, 163, 165
investment of, 35-40, 108, 153, 155-9, 161, 166, 238
supplies for, 153, 155, 157-8, 297, 301
and operation BATTLEAXE, 163, 165
and Western Desert offensive, 255
Transjordan Frontier Force: 185, 187, 211
Treaties, etc.: Tripartite Pact, 71-3
Anglo-Iraqi, 177, 179, 182, 193
Armistice with Iraq, 192-3, 205, 332
German Armistice with France, 193, 199
Anglo-French Convention ending hostilities in Syria and the Lebanon, 221, 335-7
Turko-German Treaty of Friendship, 251
Trieste : 63
Tripoli: air attacks on, 11, 57, 108, 280, 296
naval bombardments of, 40, 57, 107-13, 118
question of blocking harbour at, 107-10
description of, 110
Tripoli (Syria): air attacks on, 215
Tripolitania: German and Italian forces in, 10-13
no immediate threat to, 15
Truant, HMS: 110-11
Tsolacoglou, General: 95
policy of in Balkans, 71-2, 85
opposed to Iraqi rising, 194
moves troops towards Syrian frontier, 201
and campaign in Syria, 203-4
signs Treaty of Friendship with Germany, 251
her staff talks with British, 251-2
Turkish Foreign Minister: see Sarajoglu
Turkish Government: and German aggression in Balkans, 71-3
offers to mediate between Britain and Iraq, 185
declines to occupy north Syrian airfields, 204
refuses passage for Vichy troops, 214
–U–
Ugolini, Colonel: 319-20
Unbeaten, HMS: 279
Undaunted, HMS: 55
Union, HMS: 279
United States of America: defence of Great Britain and Greece vital to, 231
and Lend-Lease, 231-3
tank output of, 232
United States Minister at Baghdad: 197
Ulster Prince, m.v.: 99-100, 105
Upham, 2nd Lieutenant C. H.: 144
Ursula, HMS: 279
Usk, HMS: 55
Utmost, HMS: 276
–V–
Valiant, HMS: in action off Cape Matapan, 62, 67
bombards Tripoli, 110
in operation TIGER, 115
in defence of Crete, 136, 138, 147
confined to Alexandria, 266
Valmy : 207
Valona: air attacks on, 75-6
Vasey, Brigadier G. A.: and campaign in Greece, 88
and defence of Crete, 127, 133, 146
Vaughan, Brigadier E. W. D.: 30
Vauquelin : 214
Vendetta, HMAS: 40
Verria: withdrawal from, 88
Veve: withdrawal from, 88
Vichy Air Force: (in Syria) strength of, 206
operations of, 213-4, 217, 222
Vichy Army: in campaign in Syria, 205-9, 211-7, 219-21
losses of, 222
Vichy Government: and use of North Tunisian ports, 53
and war material for Iraq, 195
orders surrender in Syria 199
and reinforcements for Syria, 214
and Convention ending hostilities in Syria, 221
British relations with, 323
and French Somaliland, 323-4
Victoria Cross: awards of, 38, 55, 102, 144, 158, 211, 220, 308
Victorious, HMS: 231
Vita, H.M. Hospital Ship: 158
Vittorio Veneto : 63-5, 67-8, 70
Voyager, HMS: 105
–W–
W Force: state of, 76
supplies for, 78-9
strength and dispositions of, 76, 79-84, 86-9
in campaign in Greece, 83-7, 89, 93
withdrawal of, 84-5
anti-aircraft protection of, 122
and defence of Crete, 125
Wadara: capture of, 308
Wanklyn, Lieut.-Commander M. D.: 55
War Cabinet: see also Defence Committee: and withdrawal from Greece, 95
tells General Wavell to hold Crete, 126
and decision to oppose German attack on Balkans, 150
and Iraq, 177-8
policy of in Syria, 199-200
and end of hostilities in Syria, 221
strength of British Army fixed by, 224
and Minister of State, 239-40
War Office: Wavell reports to, 21
and Teeth v. Tail controversy, 224-5
and transport, 228
and East Africa Command, 316
Warspite, HMS: in action off Cape Matapan, 62, 65-8
bombards Tripoli, 110
in operation TIGER, 115
leaves Middle East, 266
Wavell, General Sir Archibald: see also Commanders-in-Chief
and Greece, 2, 12, 24-5, 89, 94-5, 149-50
considers no immediate threat to Cyrenaica, 2, 12
his instructions to Neame, 6-8
and loss of Cyrenaica, 20-1, 24, 29, 32
reorganizes command in Cyrenaica, 34
and Tobruk, 34-5
sends troops to Malta, 51
and Yugoslavia, 71-2
and reinforcements, 114, 118, 159, 224-6, 292
and Blamey, 151
his weakness in tanks, 159
and operation BREVITY, 159
and operation BATTLEAXE, 159, 163-5, 167, 169-71
and Syria, 170, 199-204, 209, 221
the many demands upon his resources, 171-2, 185, 203, 243
and Iraq, 178-9, 185-6, 197, 200-1, 250-1
in Teeth v. Tail controversy, 224-6
and American supplies, 132
and Intendant-General, 237-8, 242-3
suggests Cabinet have representative near Middle East, 239
problems and responsibilities, of 243, 245-6
replaced by Auchinleck, 243-4
becomes C.-in-C. India, 244, 250
his relations with Prime Minister, 244-6
fine qualities of, 246
and base at Basra, 250
and Persia, 252
and East Africa, 304-5, 312, 316
and French Somaliland, 322-3
Weichold, Vice-Admiral Eberhard: 54
Weld, Brigadier C. J.: 217
Western Desert: to have first call on resources, 33
airfields in, 33
command in, 33-5
operations in, 35-9, 155-7, 160-71, 296-8
need for decisive military success in, 163, 166, 204
possible renewal of offensive in, 253-4, 266, 325
Western Desert Air Force: 294
Western Desert Force: command of, 34
and operation BREVITY, 162
and operation BATTLEAXE 163, 165, 170-3
losses of, 171
Weston, Major-General E. C.: commands MNBDO, 125
and defence of Crete, 125, 127, 141, 46
Wetherall, Major-General H. E. de R.: 306, 309, 316-7
Whiteley, Brigadier J. F. M.: 232
Willis, Rear-Admiral A. U.: 136n
Wilson, Lieut.-General Sir H. Maitland: becomes Military Governor and G.O.C.in-C. Cyrenaica, 3
commands W Force, 70, 76-7, 81-2
and Yugoslavia, 73-4
and deployment of forces, 79-83
his difficulties in defending Greece, 80, 82
and campaign in Greece, 83, 86-7
and withdrawal from Greece, 89, 94, 98-101
on defence of Crete, 125
commands in Palestine and Transjordan, 126, 185, 196, 202
and campaign in Syria, 202, 206-8, 216, 221
Wolchefit: Italian forces at, 314-5
advance to, 314-7
air attacks on, 315
capture of, 317
Wondo: capture of, 308
–Y–
Yeatman, Major J. L.: 321
Yugoslav General Staff: 71
Yugoslav Government: 70-5, 149
Yugoslavia: and resistance to German aggression, 70-5
and Albania, 73-4
and German invasion of Greece, 74
campaign in, 85-6
air attacks on, 92
Yugoslav Minister for Foreign Affairs: 73
Yugoslav President of the Council: 73