Orde Charles Wingate

[jobee]

The most unconventional General in the British army
during the Second World War was undoubtedly Major
General Orde Charles Wingate. His eccentricity in
matters of dress, diet, and military operations had
caused comment even before the Second World War.
Military they were not succesfull,therefore Wingate
can only be regarded as a pioneer in that field.

Major General Orde Charles Wingate DSO.
1903- 1944

Unconventional in any day,
In diet, in dress, in military fray,
Drawing attention the year he began,
Eccentricity the master plan.

Fluent in Arabic he went to Sudan,
But shortly after a change of plan,
To Palestine the next event,
Where Jew and Arab wouldn't relent.

Jews he favoured in this timeless war,
Advising how, to settle the score,
Night patrols and surprise tactics,
Developing his bag of tricks.

Diverse, changing, never the same,
Frustrating Arabs in this little game,
Haile Selasse wanted him next,
Italian soldiers his country annexed.

Wingates skill came to the fore,
Soon Italians reigned no more,
Haile Selassie back on the throne,
Ruling Ethiopia virtually alone.

Burma next and different terraign,
Japanese soldiers ruled this domain,
Wingate ruthlessly over the top,
His badly wounded instantly shot.

But Japanese soldiers not easily fooled,
In jungle tactics efficiently schooled,
Burmese, Ghurkas, and British elite,
Speedily outwitted and made to retreat.

Deep penetration his last campaign,
For him a theory it would remain,
In 44' he took to the sky,
At 41 years young Wingate would die.

Jb. A coy 3 para.©©