Field Marshal Sir Claude Auchinleck was born in India and raised in
conditions of near poverty. Yet his talent ensured his career flourished
despite his Indian Army background and he was the first Commander of 8th
Army in North Africa. Despite great political interference, he stopped
Rommel's Afrika Corps at 1st Alamein only to be sacked by Churchill.
After a spell in the wilderness he became C in C India during the dark
period of Partition and, ironically, had to preside over the destruction
of his beloved Indian Army.
A private man of great humor and integrity he refused to be drawn into
discussing or criticizing his tormentors be they Churchill, Montgomery
or Mountbatten. He always argued that history would be his judge.
This is a super piece of military biography by one of the most respected
post war military historians.