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Slim, the Standardbearer
Sir William Slim's 14th Army in Burma was the largest British army of World War II; this is his official biography.
350 pages, Hardcover
First published December 1, 1976
About the author
Ronald Lewin
17 books7 followersRonald Lewin was a British military historian, radio producer and publishing editor who has wrote several books on World War II and several of the WWII commanders like Lieut-General Vyvyan Pope, Montgomery and Rommel.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
December 27, 2024
The best that can be said is that Lewin potrays the warmth in Slim's common-touch character, but this sympathy still makes for a slim biography if you want to prepare tackling "Defeat into Victory". Louis Allen's "Burma" has served that purpose better.
March 8, 2018
Well executed biography of Lord Slim of Burma. It is well researched and beautifully written. Slim was the epitome of the English gentleman soldier. This should be required reading at West Point and Sandhurst.
July 13, 2026
This is a workmanlike biography of an interesting man. The major part of the book focusses on the Burma Campaign, which in a sense is right and proper, but I when I finished the book I felt a little short-changed, as Slim has written so well about that himself. I was hoping for a little more insight into the man than this book delivered, but it was still worth reading to remind oneself of what an extraordinary life he led.
The son of a failed businessman, Slim dreamed of an early age of joining the army, but funds (lack of) seemed to scupper that wish, until the advent of war in 1914. Despite the myth that Slim became a Field-Marshall from the ranks, he was actually commissioned immediately as a second lieutenant owing to his time spend before the war in the Birmingham University OTC (despite not being a student at the University - the first example of "Slim's luck"). He was sent to Gallipoli, where he was wounded: after his recovery he was sent to Mesopotamia to assist in the relief of Kut, where he was wounded a second time.
After the war he was transferred to the Indian Army where he served with Gurkhas. It seems that this was one of the happiest times of his life - there was much low-level action against rebellious tribes, he met and married his wife, and slowly made his way through the ranks, impressing at Staff College in Delhi and at the Imperial Defence College.
Interestingly he also spent these years writing short stories for money (even though Lewin's book is only just short of a hagiography, Slim's nose for cash runs through the book, from ensuring expense accounts were suitably large, to augmenting his pension in any way he thought he could), which I think is a fascinating detail, although one that Lewin doesn't ponder too much.
Although he is famous for his campaigning in Burma in World War Two, he also served in Ethiopia against the Italians (where he was wounded yet again), and in Iraq, before being sent East. There, in Burma, he famously led the retreat back to India, and then the advance back to Rangoon, through a series of excellent strategic and tactical manoeuvres, and (with the close support of Louis Mountbatten, Supreme Commander of the South East Asian Theatre) working his way through the politics of logistics, supply and recalcitrant commanders (Wingate, Stillwell).
This is the major part of Lewin's work, and he describes well what is required of someone commanding an Army, and how the fighting is just one part. It was in Burma that Slim's ability to get people to follow him, his ability to listen, to plan on the run, and to connect with the average soldier were so much on display. Burma in many ways was (and is) a forgotten campaign, and so Slim's capability has been lost in time as the European and Pacific Campaigns have garnered most of the glory. He was probably the best British field commander of the War.
After the War Slim finally got the job for which he had been destined for a long time - Chief of General Staff. It was a difficult time to undertake the role, with the Army moving from a wartime footing to understanding what it's role would be during the Cold War. Slim instituted many reforms during this time.
Then seemingly out of the blue he was asked to be Governor-General of Australia. He took on the role with gusto, and was again a trailblazer, being the first of the "modern" G-Gs, touring the country and being a force for unification, while trying to stay outside of politics.
His final years as Constable of Windsor Castle were ones of enjoyment and social activities, before his decline and death in 1970.
Lewin's book covers this all in appropriate detail, but with little verve or insight - there is a later biography by Robert Lyman which may be better than this one.
Check out my other reviews at https://aviewoverthebell.blogspot.com/
The son of a failed businessman, Slim dreamed of an early age of joining the army, but funds (lack of) seemed to scupper that wish, until the advent of war in 1914. Despite the myth that Slim became a Field-Marshall from the ranks, he was actually commissioned immediately as a second lieutenant owing to his time spend before the war in the Birmingham University OTC (despite not being a student at the University - the first example of "Slim's luck"). He was sent to Gallipoli, where he was wounded: after his recovery he was sent to Mesopotamia to assist in the relief of Kut, where he was wounded a second time.
After the war he was transferred to the Indian Army where he served with Gurkhas. It seems that this was one of the happiest times of his life - there was much low-level action against rebellious tribes, he met and married his wife, and slowly made his way through the ranks, impressing at Staff College in Delhi and at the Imperial Defence College.
Interestingly he also spent these years writing short stories for money (even though Lewin's book is only just short of a hagiography, Slim's nose for cash runs through the book, from ensuring expense accounts were suitably large, to augmenting his pension in any way he thought he could), which I think is a fascinating detail, although one that Lewin doesn't ponder too much.
Although he is famous for his campaigning in Burma in World War Two, he also served in Ethiopia against the Italians (where he was wounded yet again), and in Iraq, before being sent East. There, in Burma, he famously led the retreat back to India, and then the advance back to Rangoon, through a series of excellent strategic and tactical manoeuvres, and (with the close support of Louis Mountbatten, Supreme Commander of the South East Asian Theatre) working his way through the politics of logistics, supply and recalcitrant commanders (Wingate, Stillwell).
This is the major part of Lewin's work, and he describes well what is required of someone commanding an Army, and how the fighting is just one part. It was in Burma that Slim's ability to get people to follow him, his ability to listen, to plan on the run, and to connect with the average soldier were so much on display. Burma in many ways was (and is) a forgotten campaign, and so Slim's capability has been lost in time as the European and Pacific Campaigns have garnered most of the glory. He was probably the best British field commander of the War.
After the War Slim finally got the job for which he had been destined for a long time - Chief of General Staff. It was a difficult time to undertake the role, with the Army moving from a wartime footing to understanding what it's role would be during the Cold War. Slim instituted many reforms during this time.
Then seemingly out of the blue he was asked to be Governor-General of Australia. He took on the role with gusto, and was again a trailblazer, being the first of the "modern" G-Gs, touring the country and being a force for unification, while trying to stay outside of politics.
His final years as Constable of Windsor Castle were ones of enjoyment and social activities, before his decline and death in 1970.
Lewin's book covers this all in appropriate detail, but with little verve or insight - there is a later biography by Robert Lyman which may be better than this one.
Check out my other reviews at https://aviewoverthebell.blogspot.com/
November 17, 2023
Bust.
I've had Lewin's works on my to read list for over a decade but in all cases I've been disappointed. These are not tactical, operational or strategic histories/analysis of the war but rather books on leadership or national hero worship.
Engagements are not described or analysed in any real way.
I've had Lewin's works on my to read list for over a decade but in all cases I've been disappointed. These are not tactical, operational or strategic histories/analysis of the war but rather books on leadership or national hero worship.
Engagements are not described or analysed in any real way.
January 2, 2017
Willim J. Slim was a somewhat unlikely major figure in World War II. He came from a less than grand background, his father being unsuccessful in his business career. As a result, Slim went into the British military. In World War I, he survived the ghastly Gallipoli campaign and then served in what is now Iraq. After that, service in the Indian Army. World War II? He made his major contribution as an officer in Burma, and is often overlooked as a result.
He began WW II as a corps commander. The British were driven out of Burma by the Japanese. Slim had become commander of British forces when they reengaged in Burma. The book does a good job of describing his strategic and tactical sense as, slowly, the British began to take control against the Japanese. Slim made major contributions as commander. He developed a good working relationship with Lord Mountbatten, a leader in the far eastern campaign. This stood him in good stead when he was the target of a sacking, even after some impressive successes in the theater.
The book does a nice job, on the one hand, describing his "comeback" in Burma. However, the book is not very well written and there is a paucity of maps to help the reader make sense of his campaigns. And, sometimes, the text becomes confusing with its enumeration of units and oddities like a discussion of General Wingate;s death--followed by many pages about the tense relations between him and Slim.
Still, if one is interested in the less well known campaigns of the far east, this is a good, solid work. As well, one gets a sense of Slim's later career--quite successful.
He began WW II as a corps commander. The British were driven out of Burma by the Japanese. Slim had become commander of British forces when they reengaged in Burma. The book does a good job of describing his strategic and tactical sense as, slowly, the British began to take control against the Japanese. Slim made major contributions as commander. He developed a good working relationship with Lord Mountbatten, a leader in the far eastern campaign. This stood him in good stead when he was the target of a sacking, even after some impressive successes in the theater.
The book does a nice job, on the one hand, describing his "comeback" in Burma. However, the book is not very well written and there is a paucity of maps to help the reader make sense of his campaigns. And, sometimes, the text becomes confusing with its enumeration of units and oddities like a discussion of General Wingate;s death--followed by many pages about the tense relations between him and Slim.
Still, if one is interested in the less well known campaigns of the far east, this is a good, solid work. As well, one gets a sense of Slim's later career--quite successful.
August 8, 2013
This book informed me in great detail and with great skill and careful wording on the life and skills of the Field Marshal Slim. While in the beginning of this book I was reluctant to admit to the author's claim that the Viscount should be considered the second military man in British history after John Churchill, I am now inclined to agree with that statement -- so powerful and convincing would I describe this book.
A good deal of quotes have been added in to enliven the storytelling, and that only enhances the plentiful qualities of this work.
A good deal of quotes have been added in to enliven the storytelling, and that only enhances the plentiful qualities of this work.
August 8, 2016
Good overview of Slim's life with the emphasis on his years with the 14th Army and their gallant return to Burma. I have always felt that Slim did not receive the total recognition that his service deserved, possibly because of too much focus on Montgomery and the Europeon Theatre.
The author is definitely an admirer of Slim, which clearly shows through in the descriptions of his many services to the army and his country. The Field Marshal made some mistakes, but, by and large, did a tremendous job in difficult circumstances.
The author is definitely an admirer of Slim, which clearly shows through in the descriptions of his many services to the army and his country. The Field Marshal made some mistakes, but, by and large, did a tremendous job in difficult circumstances.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews