Ancre

4 1943, replacing Cavallero, whom Mussolini thought was too proGerman when first considering defection from the Axis; became Inspector-General in the Badoglio government after the Italian capitulation in September 1943.

American Expeditionary Force

(aef). American armed forces sent overseas, 1917—18, during World War I. Gen Pershing was appointed to command the aef in May 1917.

American Volunteer Group (AVG) see “flying tigers”.

Amethyst incident (1949). In April 1949, during the Chinese Civil War, communist armies prepared to cross the Yangtze Kiang to assault Nanking. On April 20, the frigate hms Amethyst (Lt Commander J S Kerans), en route to Nanking, crossed the communist front and was subjected to an unprovoked barrage (22 killed; 30 wounded): temporarily disabled, she went aground. The destroyer HMS Consort, attempting to aid Amethyst from Nanking, came under fire (8 killed; 30 wounded) and was forced to retire; likewise, the cruiser hms London (15 killed; 20 wounded) and frigate Black Swan, from Shanghai. Amethyst remained trapped until the night of July 30—31, when Lt Commander Kerans daringly broke out, running the gauntlet of communist shore batteries over the 140 miles (225km) to Shanghai at an average speed of more than 22 knots. RO’N.

Amiens, Battle of (1918). By August 1918, after months of defensive battles, the Allies were ready to regain the initiative on the Western Front. On August 8, the British Fourth Army, under Gen Rawlinson, and the French First Army, under Gen Debeney, struck the German Second and Eighteenth Armies, east of Amiens. Showing just how far the British had profited from the tactical experience of the previous three years, the Fourth Army’s initial assault - following the example of Cambrai — was accompanied by a devastating surprise bombardment by 2,070 guns, using predicted shooting; 414 fighting tanks, supported by supply tanks.

Rolled forward through the morning fog, closely cooperating with the infantry; and ground-attack aircraft and wireless sets were also employed to great effect. On the first day, the comparatively fresh Canadian Corps advanced some 8 miles (13km). The Australian Corps, on its left, penetrated about 6 miles (10km) and even the British III Corps, in a sector where the Germans had been more alert, managed to cover 2 miles (3km). Although French progress to the south was generally slower, Raw-linson’s formations, on August 8, ii flicted losses of 400 guns and

27.000  men — including over

15.000  prisoners - on the Germans, at a cost of 9,000 casualties to themselves. The subsequent advances were less spectacular and, with only six tanks still left in action after five days, Haig persuaded Foch, on August 14, to switch the attack to Third Army’s sector farther north. However, Ludendorff recognized the decline in German morale and described August 8 as “the Black Day” of the German Army. PJS.

Amphibious craft and weapons.

The only purpose-built landing craft of World War I were the British “X-lighters”, although the Russians converted a class of dredgers as landing ships. A few experimental craft were built in Britain and the USA in the interwar years, but it was not until 1939 that the rn began to develop the armada of different types of landing craft and ships which were to be built in Britain and America during World War II. There were landing ships for infantry (lsi) and for tanks (lst) — the former mostly conversions, the latter nearly all purpose-built. Medium-sized landing craft for tanks (lct) and infantry (lci) were seagoing vessels in their own right. The smaller assault (lca) and other infantry craft (lcp) with the vehiclelanding vessels (lcm) were designed to be carried by larger craft. The Americans developed amphibious lorries (dukw) and tracked landing vessels (lvt) - some of the latter fitted as tanks. Landing craft were equipped with guns, rockets and other weapons to provide fire support (lcs) and also as anti-aircraft vessels (lcf). Perhaps the most interesting development of all was the landing ship which was capable of carrying smaller craft inside a dock within its hull (lso). This has developed since the war into the assault ship - also capable of operating those new features of amphibious warfare: helicopters and hovercraft. DJL.

Anami, Gen Korechika (18871945). Jap. As Vice-Minister of War to Tojo in 1940, Anami was influential in his chiefs succession to the Prime Minister’s office. After various combat commands, he became Minister of War in April 1945 and was the focus of the “fight to the death” faction, who expected him to support their coup against Hirohito’s “peace cabinet” in August 1945. Anami’s reluctance to oppose the Emperor and his consequent equivocation led to the coup’s failure. He committed suicide on August 15, shortly before the Emperor’s surrender broadcast.

Anatra DS Anasal (Russian, WWI). Two-seat reconnaissance, development of earlier and more numerous Anatra D. Operational from summer 1917; considered to be quite a successful type. Russian Revolution stopped production, approximately 70 built. 150hp or 160hp Salmson engine; max. speed 89mph (142kph) two rifle-calibre machine guns.

Anaya, Adm Jorge (b. l927). Argentinian. Argentine naval c-in-c in 1982 and most militant member of the three-man ruling junta. He was the chief architect of the Falk-lands invasion plan and was convinced that Britain would not take up arms to resist such a fait accompli, and that the US government would not be as supportive to the British cause as it was. He vigorously turned down all peace proposals, being confident that his navy would obtain mastery of the South Atlantic, but after the General Belgrano had been sunk he withdrew all major units to Argentine coastal waters, where they remained for the rest of the war. MH.

Ancre, Battle of the. Fought between November 13 and 19 1916, the Battle of the Ancre was the final phase of the British offensive-on the Somme in that year.