Add to wishlist
A biography of the unsung general at Churchill’s side throughout the Second World War, instrumental in events from Indian and Pakistani independence to the establishment of NATO.
General Lord Ismay’s name is little known today, but he participated in, and was witness to, decision-making at the highest level of government, before, during and after the Second World War. Immediately prior to the outbreak of hostilities, he was Secretary of the Committee of Imperial Defence responsible for advising government on strategy and preparations for war. As wartime Chief Staff Officer to Prime Minister Winston Churchill, he became a close confidant and rarely left Churchill’s side, whether in Britain or abroad at international conferences. He was instrumental in conciliating the sometimes-fractious relationship between the Prime Minister and the Service Chiefs of Staff.
In 1947, Ismay went to India as Chief of Staff to the Viceroy, Lord Mountbatten, and was closely involved in the drama of Partition. As the first Secretary General of NATO from 1952 to 1957, he was instrumental in building the foundations of the Alliance and preserving its unity and cohesion at the height of the Cold War. He also played a central role in reshaping the higher management of defence in Britain, including the creation of the Ministry of Defence. This fascinating book tells the story of his life and work.
Acknowledgements
List of Illustrations
Maps
Abbreviations Used in the Text
Preface
1. A Child of the Raj: 1887-1914
2. Somaliland: 1914-20
3. Apprenticeship: 1920-36
4. Corridors of Power: 1936-40
5. The Fall of France, The Battle of Britain, The Blitz: 1940-41
6. Discord and Harmony: 1941
7. ‘The Trough of the War’: 1942
8. ‘Conference Year’: 1943
9. ‘The Year of Destiny’: 1944
10. From War to Peace: 1945-46
11. Ismay’s War
12. Partition–Making the Plan: January-June 1947
13. Partition–Implementation and Outcome: 221 June-December 1947
14. Interlude: 1948-52
15. Secretary General: 1952-57
16. Sunset: 1957-65v
17. Epilogue
Appendix A: Commandant’s Report–Staff College, Quetta, 1922
Appendix B: Dieppe
Appendix C: ‘Rules for the Conduct of NATO’
Appendix D: Letter from Eisenhower to Ismay, 14 January 1959
Abbreviations Used in the Notes
Notes
Bibliography
Index
Description
A biography of the unsung general at Churchill’s side throughout the Second World War, instrumental in events from Indian and Pakistani independence to the establishment of NATO.
General Lord Ismay’s name is little known today, but he participated in, and was witness to, decision-making at the highest level of government, before, during and after the Second World War. Immediately prior to the outbreak of hostilities, he was Secretary of the Committee of Imperial Defence responsible for advising government on strategy and preparations for war. As wartime Chief Staff Officer to Prime Minister Winston Churchill, he became a close confidant and rarely left Churchill’s side, whether in Britain or abroad at international conferences. He was instrumental in conciliating the sometimes-fractious relationship between the Prime Minister and the Service Chiefs of Staff.
In 1947, Ismay went to India as Chief of Staff to the Viceroy, Lord Mountbatten, and was closely involved in the drama of Partition. As the first Secretary General of NATO from 1952 to 1957, he was instrumental in building the foundations of the Alliance and preserving its unity and cohesion at the height of the Cold War. He also played a central role in reshaping the higher management of defence in Britain, including the creation of the Ministry of Defence. This fascinating book tells the story of his life and work.
