Static and Dynamic Strategy Making: Egypt, Singapore, Dill and Brooke

Abstract

In 1941 Britain faced the strategic dilemma of how to apportion forces between the defence of the British Isles, the Mediterranean and its interests in Australasia. Determining the priorities between these theatres and the required balance of forces was the cause of disagreement between Churchill and his successive Chiefs of the Imperial General Staff, Sir John Dill and Sir Alan Brooke. Ultimately, Brooke was successful in maintaining the trust of Churchill, and retained his job; while Dill was unsuccessful and was sacked. This paper examines the different analytical processes, static and dynamic, that Dill and Brooke employed to determine strategy.