The Forgotten General: Sir Alan Cunningham

Join Colonel Dennis Vincent as he explores the career of General Sir Alan Cunningham, one of Britain's most celebrated military commanders in 1941, but virtually unknown by the end of the Second World War.

In 1941, General Sir Alan Cunningham, the dynamic leader of the small army that had defeated the Italians in East Africa, was selected to form and command the British Army’s newest and most technically advanced formation, the Eighth Army. At the time, this was the only British army fighting the Germans.

Given only eight weeks to train his new formation, Cunningham soon lost the initiative in the ensuing battle. Just nine days into the campaign, he was removed from command by General Auchinleck.

By this time, Churchill had turned against him and Cunningham remained in the UK until the end of the war. However, as soon as Churchill lost power, Cunningham was offered the prestigious and challenging job as High Commissioner in Palestine. Over the next three years, he successfully managed the British withdrawal.

In this engaging talk, Dennis Vincent will examine the controversy of Cunningham’s career: a fascinating story of military success and political jealousy, which challenges the official narrative of mental breakdown. 

About the speaker

Dennis Vincent

Dennis Vincent MBE was a colonel in the Royal Anglian Regiment before becoming an academic. He is now the Head of the Department of Communication and Applied Behavioural Science at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.