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Giffard MartelEnglish General
Date of Birth: 10.10.1889
Country:  Great Britain |
Content:
- G.P.R. Martel: An Influential British General
- World War I and Tank Development
- Interwar Period
- Mechanization Experimentation
- World War II and Commanding Roles
- Diplomatic Mission and Post-War Career
- Later Life and Legacy
G.P.R. Martel: An Influential British General
Early Life and Military EducationGeorge Philip Reginald Martel, the son of Charles Philip Martel and Lilian Mary, was born into a military family in 1890. In 1908, he joined the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich, where his training was accelerated to one year due to the impending threat of war with Germany. Upon graduation in 1909, he was commissioned into the Royal Engineers.
World War I and Tank Development
During World War I, Martel served in France and rose to the rank of captain in 1915. He was instrumental in the development of tank obstacles and the training of tank crews. In 1916, he was appointed to the newly created Tank Corps, where he worked under John Fuller and played a key role in the deployment of tanks in the Battle of the Somme.
Interwar Period
After the war, Martel returned to the Royal Engineers but remained passionate about tanks. He designed early tank-laying bridges and became an instructor at the Staff College, where he taught mechanized warfare. In 1925, he built a prototype for a one-man light tank.
Mechanization Experimentation
In 1926, Martel commanded an engineering company that was tasked with full mechanization. He also served in India and as a junior director of mechanization at the War Office. In 1936, he attended Soviet military exercises in Belarus, which influenced his thinking on armored warfare.
World War II and Commanding Roles
With the outbreak of World War II, Martel commanded the 50th Motor Division in France and led the British counterattack at Arras in May 1940. In December 1940, he was appointed Commander of the Royal Armored Corps.
Diplomatic Mission and Post-War Career
In 1943, Martel served as Chief of the British Military Mission in Moscow, where he met with Joseph Stalin. After returning to England, he was wounded in an air raid, losing an eye. In 1945, he unsuccessfully ran for Parliament as a Conservative candidate.
Later Life and Legacy
Martel retired from the army in 1946 and died in 1958. He is remembered as a pioneer in the development of armored warfare and a brilliant military commander. His ideas on mechanization and the use of tanks continue to influence military strategies today.
