British Lieutenant General Michael Barker, (1884-1960) speaking with a Palestine Police Force officer at Lydda Airfield (now Ben Gurion Airport) in Palestine.
Two months later, Michael Barker was appointed commander of the 1st Army Corps of the British Army in France. “Only a madman could give a corps to General Michael Barker” (Bernard Montgomery).
In May 1940, during the retreat to Dunkirk, Michael Barker showed indiscretion, which almost led to the defeat of the corps by the advancing German troops. He was removed from office and replaced by the commander of the 1st Division, Major General Harold Alexander.
Michael Barker was discharged from the British Army at the end of 1941.
Source: US Library of Congress.
Location: Lydda, Palestine
Photo time: February 15, 1940
Photo by: E. Matson