Harold Alexander

Field Marshal, though General for most of WWII, Harold Alexander was no typical military man. Far from his generally gruff colleagues, Alexander had an artistic strea, being a lifelong painter, and was known for his likeable, if not necessarily agreeable personality. General Patton once said ”an army is a team” - Alexander fit the role of the fair and personable team captain. In France, North Africa, Burma and eventually Italy, Alexander led the Allied forces through personal charm, persuasion and mediation - an approach that sometimes bordered on manipulation. Some would say it was warranted, however, in an army full of talented but headstrong types.