Moravec, Frantisek (1895-1966). Czech. Deserted from Austro-Hungarian army to Russians in
1916. Head of Czechoslovak intelligence, 1937-45, escaping from Prague to London in March 1939; escaped again 1948, to work with US intelligence.
Morgan, Lt Gen Sir Frederick.
Br. See cossac.
Morice Line see Algerian campaign.
Moroccan War (1907-12). The “special interests” in Morocco of France and Spain were recognized by other North African colonial powers at the Algeciras Conference, 1906. Moroccan resentment led in 1907 to riots in Casablanca; French troops occupied the city following a naval bombardment on July 20. Following the unpopular Sultan’s request for further Fran-co-Spanish support, Rif (Muslim Berber) tribesmen attacked Spanish forces in northern Morocco and, in April 1911, moved on Fez, which the French occupied. Germany, claiming that French expansion threatened her own North African interests, dispatched the gunboat Panther to Agadir, July 1 1911. Britain strongly supported France, and a European war seemed possible until, in November, Germany recognized France’s Moroccan claims in return for the cession of French territory in the Congo. On March 30 1912, the Treaty of Fez established Morocco as a French protectorate (Spain subsequently gaining suzerainty over northern enclaves) and Lyautey became France’s Resident-General. RO’N.
Morrison shelter. British steel indoor table shelter, 1941-45, named after Herbert Morrison, Home Secretary and Minister of Home Security.
Morshead, Lt Gen Sir Leslie James (1889-1959). Australian. A much-decorated battalion commander on the Western Front, 1916-18, Morshead became commander of the newly raised 9th Australian Division in February 1941. Only part-trained, but sustained by his hard-driving leadership (he was nicknamed “Ming the Merciless”), 9th Division bore the brunt of the siege of Tobruk from April 1941 until relieved in October. Appointed goc, aif. Middle East, Morshead led 9th Division at Alamein before transferring with it to Southwest Pacific Area, where, as goc. New Guinea Force, and then goc, I Australian Corps, he ably directed the amphibious operations resulting in the securing of Borneo, May-August 1945. RO’N.
Mort Homme see verdun (laie).
Mortain (Brittany) see avranches,
BATTLE OF (l944).
Anti-tank gun teams outside Moscow
Moscow, Battle of (1941). Hitler’s indecision regarding the primary strategic objectives to be pursued in the invasion of the Soviet Union led, on August 21 1941, to his ordering Army Group Centre to halt its advance on Moscow. Resources were diverted to assist in operations in the Ukraine and it was not until the end of September that Field Marshal von Bock’s forces were able to renew their attack. Throughout October they made rapid progress and the threat to Moscow was so strong that the Soviet administration prepared to evacuate the city and, on October 20, a state of siege was declared. But the German advance was beginning to slow down in the face of deteriorating weather conditions and stubborn resistance by the Red Army. But on November 15, with muddy roads firmed by frost, von Bock’s armour struck from the north and south of the city, reaching its outer suburbs by the end of the month. However, the cold grew increasingly severe with the temperature dropping to -30 degrees centigrade and heavy falls of snow hampered movement so greatly that, on December 5, the German attack ground to a halt. That same day the Soviet commander, Gen Zhukov, unleashed his counterattack. Reinforced by fresh, seasoned troops from Siberia and Mongolia, the Kalinin, Western and South Western Fronts took the Germans by surprise and forced them to retreat. Although Zhukov’s plan for a concentrated thrust was adulterated by Stalin’s intervention, by the end of the year the threatened German encirclement of Moscow had been removed. MS.
Moscow Conference. Meetings between Stalin and Churchill and their military advisers in Moscow on August 12-16 1942. Churchill’s principal task was to assure Stalin of Anglo-American support, but also to convince him of the impracticability of an invasion of Northern France in 1942. To some limited extent he succeeded and the two leaders gained a certain degree of mutual respect.
Mosley, Sir Oswald Ernald
(1896—1980). Br. Leader of British Union of Fascists (1932-40); detained in 1940—43 under the terms of Defence Regulation 18B.
Mosquito, de Havilland DH 98
(Br, WWII). Two-seat bomber/ photographic reconnaissance/ fighter/shipping strike. Prototype flew November 25 1940; effective bomber deliveries April 1942; first bombing mission May 31 1942. Fighter prototype flew May 15 1941; first squadron formed December 1941. Mosquito’s exceptional performance and versatility led to many variants, extensive development, and widespread use. Production (continued until 1950): 6,411 in Britain, 1,134 Canada, 212 Australia. Mosquito B XVI had two l,680hp Rolls-Royce Merlin engines; max. speed 415mph (668kph); 4,0001b (1,800kg) bombs. Fighter versions had four 20mm cannon and four 0.303in machine guns.
Motor Gun Boat (MGB). A class of naval vessels displacing about 100 tons, capable of up to 40 knots and armed with light guns.
Motor Torpedo Boat (MTB). A
Class of naval vessels displacing about 100 tons, capable of up to 40 knots and armed with torpedoes. MTBs were extensively used in World War II.
World History
