When was Correlli Barnett born and where did he die?
Correlli Douglas Barnett was born on the 28th of June 1927 in Norbury, County Borough of Croydon. He died in 2022 after serving as a fellow of Churchill College Cambridge until his death.
Questions about Correlli Barnett
Short answers, pulled from the story.
What military service did Correlli Barnett complete before becoming an author?
From 1945 to 1948, Correlli Barnett served in the British Army during the Palestine Emergency. He held the rank of sergeant within the Intelligence Corps and gained direct experience of military operations and intelligence gathering in a volatile region.
Which book by Correlli Barnett challenged the narrative about World War II commanders?
Correlli Barnett published The Desert Generals in 1960 to challenge the established narrative surrounding World War II commanders. The book attacked the perceived cult of British Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery while assessing the roles of his sacked predecessors including Richard O'Connor and Sir Claude Auchinleck.
Why did Correlli Barnett oppose the invasion of Iraq in 2003?
In early August 2002, Correlli Barnett wrote to The Daily Telegraph opposing the American plan of invading Iraq because he believed Saddam Hussein's Iraq posed no threat compared to Nazi Germany disrupting the balance of power in Europe. He argued that attacking a sovereign state without external aggression breached international law.
How did Correlli Barnett describe Margaret Thatcher's impact on Britain?
During the 2005 general election, Correlli Barnett spoke of Margaret Thatcher with deep respect for her transformative impact on the country. He recalled living under state socialism before she came to power and noted how she transformed the economy by abolishing exchange controls and liquidating the state sector of industry.