Alexander of Tunis
Alexander of Tunis, also known as Harold Alexander, was a prominent British military leader whose career spanned both World Wars and beyond. After graduating from the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst, he served in the Irish Guards and distinguished himself as a front-line officer during World War I, sustaining wounds three times. His interwar years included significant military service in the Baltic region and India, where he rose to the rank of major general.
In World War II, Alexander showcased exceptional leadership during critical events, notably the evacuation at Dunkirk and the campaign in Burma. His strategic prowess was further demonstrated when he commanded British forces in the Middle East, contributing to the defeat of Axis forces alongside General Bernard Montgomery. He played a crucial role in the Allied operations in Italy and later became the first Allied commander to accept the surrender of a German army in the west in 1945.
Post-war, Alexander served as governor-general of Canada and held the position of minister of defense under Winston Churchill. In recognition of his service, he was elevated to the rank of field marshal and was created the first Earl Alexander of Tunis in 1952. His legacy includes numerous high military honors from various nations, reflecting his significant contributions to military history.
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Alexander of Tunis
Full name: Harold Rupert Leofric George Alexander
Principal wars: World War I, World War II
Principal battles: Dunkirk (1940), Burma (1942), Tunis (1943)
Military significance: In a war involving many allies, Alexander of Tunis successfully combined military and diplomatic skills and was trusted by all. He cleared the Mediterranean of all Axis forces.
After graduating from the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst, Harold Alexander entered the Irish Guards in 1911. During World War I, he was a front-line officer and was wounded three times. Between the two world wars, he saw service in the Baltic and in India, where he reached the rank of major general.
In World War II, his quality of coolness under fire was revealed in the retreats at Dunkirk (1940), in which he was the last soldier to be evacuated from the beaches, and in Burma (1942). After Dunkirk, his recommendations established a new battle drill and a General Headquarters battle school.
In 1942, he was appointed commander in chief of British forces in the Middle East. With the assistance of Bernard Law Montgomery, Alexander defeated the Axis forces under Erwin Rommel. In February, 1943, he was appointed deputy commander in chief to Dwight D. Eisenhower, and they drove the last enemy forces out of Tunisia. In 1944, he was made commander in chief of the Allied armies in Italy; later that year, he became field marshal and Allied supreme commander in the Mediterranean. In 1945, Alexander was the first Allied commander to accept the surrender of a German army in the west. He had the highest military decorations bestowed on him by the United States, Soviet Union, Greece, and Poland.
After World War II, he served two terms as a successful governor-general of Canada (1946–1952), then as minister of defense in the first postwar conservative government under Winston Churchill. In 1952, he was created first Earl Alexander of Tunis.
Bibliography
Alexander of Tunis, Earl. Memoir, 1939–45. London: Cassel, 1962.
Jackson, General W. G. F. Alexander of Tunis as Military Commander. London: Batsford, 1971.
Nicolson, Nigel. Alex: The Life of Field Marshal Earl Alexander of Tunis. London: Weidenfeld & Nicolson, 1973.