Air Chief Marshal Sir Arthur Longmore

Kai-Petri · #1 (**permalink**) September 22nd, 2007, 07:54 PM

Air Chief Marshal Sir Arthur Murray Longmore
(8 October 1885 - 10 December 1970)

The outbreak of the Second World War found Longmore an Air Chief Marshal and in charge of Training Command. On 2 April 1940, he was appointed Air Officer Commanding in the Middle East. He did not long enjoy the full confidence of Winston Churchill in that position and was relieved of his command in May 1941.

Arthur Longmore - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

He was replaced by Tedder (?). Anyone know the reason why Longmore was sacked or was it just the situation in WW2 at the time?

TA152 · #2 (**permalink**) September 23rd, 2007, 08:17 PM

I read someplace during this period when they needed more air crew for the war that air training command was only training monday thru friday and taking holidays and did not train in bad weather ect. After this was found out the training moved to 7 days a week.

I guess Longmore took a fall for this. But it is only a guess by me.

Forrest Anderson · #3 (**permalink**) September 24th, 2007, 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kai-Petri

Air Chief Marshal Sir Arthur Murray Longmore... was replaced by Tedder (?). Anyone know the reason why Longmore was sacked or was it just the situation in WW2 at the time?

The Oxford Dictionary of National Biography says the following about Longmore during the first few months of 1941:

Longmore's constant demands for reinforcements resulted in some unwelcome attention from Churchill, who hated pessimists and senior commanders who complained about their lack of resources. After some acerbic correspondence, in which Churchill accused Longmore of failing to make proper use of the manpower and aircraft he had, Longmore was recalled to London in May 1941. He was succeeded in the Middle East by Air Chief Marshal Sir Arthur Tedder...

Forrest

Mahross · #4 (**permalink**) September 24th, 2007, 06:44 PM

Kai

Longmore is another one of the commander who falls foul of Churchill quite early on. He is accused of not using manpower effectively.

From the ODNB entry:

'Longmore's constant demands for reinforcements resulted in some unwelcome attention from Churchill, who hated pessimists and senior commanders who complained about their lack of resources. After some acerbic correspondence, in which Churchill accused Longmore of failing to make proper use of the manpower and aircraft he had, Longmore was recalled to London in May 1941. He was succeeded in the Middle East by Air Chief Marshal Sir Arthur Tedder, and was made inspector-general of the RAF, a post which he held until the following year, when he retired officially from the service, having been appointed GCB.'

Reference: David Lee, ‘Longmore, Sir Arthur Murray (1885–1970)’, rev. Christina J. M. Goulter, Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, 2004

An unfair event for him as his demands, like that of Wavell, was more than justified.

Ross

Mahross · #5 (**permalink**) September 24th, 2007, 06:46 PM

Now that is timing. Both at the same time witht he same quote.

Ross

Kai-Petri · #6 (**permalink**) September 26th, 2007, 09:05 AM

Thanx alot for the help here, Gentlemen!

Mahross · #7 (**permalink**) September 26th, 2007, 03:21 PM

Your welcome Kai

Ross

Liberator · #8 (**permalink**) September 27th, 2007, 10:14 AM

Longmore's son, Wing Commander Richard Maitland Longmore OBE, was killed on 4 October 1943. W/C Longmore was the OC of No.120 Squadron RAF Coastal Command and on the day he was killed he was flying Liberator FL923/V escorting convoy ON204. When in 6357N, 2850W they sighted U 539 (Oblt. Lauterbach-Emden) on the surface. The U-boat decided to remain on the surface and fight it out resulting in the loss of the Liberator and its crew.