Shell Crisis of 1915 - "Daily Mail" Attacks Kitchener

"Daily Mail" Attacks Kitchener

A more sensationalised version of the story was printed in the popular "Daily Mail", blaming the Secretary of State for War Lord Kitchener, under the headline (21 May) "The Shells Scandal: Lord Kitchener’s Tragic Blunder”. Lloyd George had to warn Northcliffe that the campaign was counterproductive and creating sympathy for Kitchener.

Kitchener wanted to let the Shells Scandal drop. Van Donop, Master-General of the Ordinance, demanded an Inquiry to clear his name, but Kitchener persuaded him to withdraw the request as it would have led to French’s dismissal.

Although Lord Kitchener remained in office as Secretary of State for War, responsible for training and equipping the volunteer New Armies, he had lost control over munitions production and was increasingly sidelined from control of military strategy. Sir John French was also tarnished by his blatant meddling in politics, a factor which contributed to his enforced resignation in December 1915.

Read more about this topic:  Shell Crisis Of 1915

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