Malta and British Strategic Policy, 1925-43 by Douglas Austin

Author:Douglas Austin [Austin, Douglas]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: History, Military, General
ISBN: 9780714655451
Google: gVCnO3dwh_wC
Publisher: Psychology Press
Published: 2004-01-15T22:36:01+00:00

The Governor, however, had already grasped the nettle. On 8 May, after reviewing the situation with Maynard, he wrote at length to Portal later that day. He repeated points made earlier, such as the need for more Mark II Hurricanes, the replacement of exhausted pilots by others with greater combat experience, and the requirement for a strengthened ground organisation. But the main problem, as he saw it. was the 'shortage of efficient personnel on Maynard's staff.... The consequence is that Maynard has had to devote himself to smalldetails, and has had his burdens greatly increased.80 He went on to urge that there be ka very generous increase in the number of really first class staff officers'. As regards Maynard himself Dobbie had nothing but praise. "He has done extremely well. He has made bricks without straw, but unless he gets the sort ot help 1 have indicated he will be unable to compete. 81 Portal acted quickly, and AVM Hugh Lloyd later wrote in his invaluable memoirs that he found himself in Malta 145 hours after receiving the first call from the Air Ministry. More significantly, he was told by Portal himself before he left: 'You will be on the Island for six months as a minimum and nine months as a maximum as by that time you will be worn out82 Maynard had been there for more than one year.

mere is nowhere any suggestion in these papers that there was any other reason for MaynarcTs replacement than exhaustion exacerbated by inadequate staff support. That he had not lost the confidence of the Prime Minister or of Portal, as did Wavell and Longmore, is indicated by Churchill's reply to Dobbie's telegram of 17 May: 'Everyone here appreciates splendid work Maynard has done working up from the very beginning, but it is felt that a change would be better now. Maynard will be well looked after here83 The only criticism that might be levelled against Maynard was implied by Maynard himself. When Churchill asked Portal about the problems in Malta, he was told about 'certain deficiencies in the higher control which have only just come to light'.84 It may be that, had Maynard been quicker to explain his growing difficulties to Portal, and pressed his needs with greater insistence, remedial action might have been taken at an earlier stage. The actual changes which accompanied Lloyd's appointment on 1 June will be examined in the next chapter, but their beneficial effect was revealed by the Governor in a letter to the CIGS of 2 June: 'We have had some drastic RAF changes here and these have done much good and will do more.85

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.