Auchinleck, Sir Claude (1884-1981), a British field marshal, served in Egypt and Mesopotamia during World War I (1914-1918). In World War II (1939-1945), he was commander in chief of Allied forces in India in 1941 and again from 1943 until 1947. As commander in chief in the Middle East (1941-1942) he faced the most difficult task of his career. The Eighth Army was under strength and ill-equipped. Despite these difficulties, Auchinleck advanced against the Axis forces, but was later thrown back. He regrouped his forces behind El Alamein but was removed from command before he could attack. He was knighted in 1945.
Claude John Eyre Auchinleck was born on June 21, 1884, in Aldershot, Hampshire, England. He died on March 23, 1981.
