Bennett replaced as CO 8th Australian Division

In early August 1941 Percival had an opportunity to have Gorden Bennett replaced as CO of the 8th Australian Division. He chose not to, partly so as not to get involved in the Australian politics of it. However let’s say he did, who would have been the replacement commander in August 1941.

My front runners would be

Stanley Savige – 50 years old, Brid Gen commanding the Australian 17th Inf Bde, through Libya, Greece and Syrian campaigns. He was promoted to Maj Gen, and given command of the 3rd Militia Div on arrival in Australia in Jan 1942. He’d proved to be good, but it was thought he desperately need a rest, and Malaya could have been considered a good fit.

Sydney Rowell – 46 years old, newly promoted to Maj-Gen, into the Deputy Chief of the General Staff post, he had previously been GSO1 of first the 6th division, and then Brig General Staff, Australian I corps. Pre-war he had attended Staff College, Camberley and the Imperial Defence College, and had been an exchange officer with the British Army. He knew, and was known and respected in British circles. Blamey thought quite well of him, but considered he need a break, Malaya may have been considered ideal.

Alan Vasey – 46 years old, started as Quartermaster Gen of 6th Australian Div, briefly GSO1, then given 19th Brigade, which he led in Greece, and then again in Crete. Despite the defeats, Vasey’s performance was considered very good. Malaya would have been a good promotional reward for him.

Any others, or is it one of these three?


Regards

Fatboy Coxy
 
I suppose a consideration has to be given as to the succeeding Commander being a Regular or Militia (CMF) officer. A Regular officer succeeding could be seen as a slur on Militia officers, given that Bennett was so vocal about the abilities of Regular officers. Certainly good consideration would have to be given as to where Bennett was moved/promoted to.
 
Percival and Bennetts other superiors and equals would still fuck up the defence of Malaya and Singapore would still fall.
 
Riain, I wasn't suggesting this would be the saving of Singapore, just speculating who might have replaced Bennett.

No, but in my experience Bennett is often mentioned in the same breath as Percival as a reason for the fall of Singapore while Admiral Phillips' actions are divorced from the outcome and Governor Shelton and CO of the Indian Corps LtGen Heath are virtually unknown. I was simply pointing out that if Alexander the Great was the CO of 8AIF he'd be on a hiding to nothing due to his superiors.
 
Surely Bennett's fame or notoriety is due to his leaving Singapore and his command at the surrender. I don't think he was any more incompetent than others, and indeed the performance of the Australian units in Malaya was superb, which helped hide his failings. Could another commander have done better with the 8th Australian though. Bennett's handling of Westforce was awful, and although it was probably too late to save the campaign then, a better handling of Westforce may have lead Wavell to replacing Percival with the Australian commander.
 
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