"The 'fightin'est' Canadian general:" Brigadier Christopher Vokes and his approach to military command, June 1942 -- August 1943

Abstract

This thesis evaluates the manner in which Brigadier Christopher Yokes dealt with the technical and human aspects of command while commanding the 2nd Canadian Infantry Brigade from 25 June 1942 until the end of the Sicilian campaign in August 1943. It seeks to promote a greater understanding of brigade-level command and to rehabilitate Vokes's reputation as a commander, which has largely been based on certain negative personality traits. The author argues that Yokes was a successful commander because he maintained a good balance between technical skills such as planning and directing operations and his ability to understand, motivate, and lead soldiers, and because his actions were guided by a sound philosophy of command based on personal leadership and teamwork. These elements allowed Christopher Yokes to train and lead a highly effective and cohesive fighting force that defeated some of Germany's best troops in the physically demanding environment of the Sicilian battlefield.