Wavell, Archibald Percival, 1st Earl Wavell (1883–1950)

British field marshal in World War II. As commander-in-chief in the Middle East, he successfully defended Egypt against Italy in July 1939 and successfully conducted the North African war against Italy 1940–41. He was transferred as commander-in-chief in India in July 1941, and became Allied Supreme Commander after Japan entered the war. He was unable to prevent Japanese advances in Malaya and Burma (now Myanmar), and Churchill became disillusioned with him. He was made viceroy of India 1943–47. He was honoured as a KCB in 1939, created Viscount in 1943, and Earl in 1947.