Auchinleck And Wellington Agree On Army Red Tape
"You can do it. Remember Wellington," cabled General Douglas MacArthur to General Sir Claude Auchinleck when the commander of the 8th Army stood at E1 Alamein to block Rommel's advance into Egypt. Auchinleck "did it." He stopped the Nazi marshal. But General Auchinleck has been relieved of his command and, according to reports from London, the British public is asking for reasons. They are wondering whether General Auchin-
leck has proved incompetent, or whether he will receive more responsible work. Only time will answer these questions. But there are some qualities about General Auchinleck that suggest his day is far from being over. For instance, it did not require General MacArthur's inspiring message to impress the example of Wellington upon Sir Claude Auchinleck. Auchinleck copied the Iron Duke in other matters than in tenacious fighting ability. Below is a copy of an Army
Order, complete with the illustrations that accompanied it, promulgated by General Auchinleck. It shows that Auchinleck and Wellington were of one mind on the question of red tape in the army. Such a refreshingly brilliant approach to the first duty of an officer will strike a responsive chord in many quarters and arouse confidence that the mind responsible for what must be a unique Order in modern armies will not be permitted to rusticate.
TO ALL OFFICERS WHETHER BELONGING TO THE STAFF OR TO THE SERVICES WHO ARE WORKING IN HEADQUARTER OFFICES IN THIS COMMAND
EXTRACT FROM A letter written by The Duke of Wellington from Spain, abdut 1810. To The Secretary of State for War, Lord Bradford. My Lord, If I attempt to answer the mass of futile correspondence that surrounds me, I should be debarred from all serious business of campaigning. I must remind your Lordship — for the last time — that so long as I retain an independent position, I shall see that no officer under my Command is debarred by attending to the futile drivelling of mere quill driving in your Lordship's Office — from attending to his first duty — which is, and always has been so to train the private men under his command that they may, without question, beat any force opposed to them in the field.
I am, My Lord, Your obedient Servant, (Sgd.) Wellington.
I know this does not apply to you, but please see lo it that it never can be applied to you, or to anyone working under you.
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Taranaki Daily News, 26 August 1942, Page 2
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408Auchinleck And Wellington Agree On Army Red Tape Taranaki Daily News, 26 August 1942, Page 2
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