Community hub
0 subscribers8 pages, 0 posts
Recent from talks
All channels
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Contribute something
Welcome to the community hub built to collect knowledge and have discussions related to Victor Fortune.
Nothing was collected or created yet.
Victor Fortune
View on Wikipediafrom Wikipedia
Major-General Sir Victor Morven Fortune, KBE, CB, DSO, DL (21 August 1883 – 2 January 1949) was a senior officer of the British Army. He saw service in both the First and Second World Wars. He commanded the 51st (Highland) Infantry Division during the Battle of France and was subsequently trapped and obliged to surrender to the Germans on 12 June 1940.
Key Information
Military career
[edit]After being educated at Winchester and the Royal Military College, Sandhurst, Fortune was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the British Army from December 1903, joining the 1st Battalion, The Black Watch (Royal Highlanders).[2][3] In November 1906 he was promoted to lieutenant.[4]
By the outbreak of the First World War Fortune had risen to the rank of lieutenant and was serving as a platoon commander in A Company under Major Lord George Stewart-Murray. The battalion sailed to France in August 1914, where Fortune saw initial action during the Retreat from Mons and the First Battle of the Marne. In September, he was promoted to captain,[5] taking command of A Company following the death of Stewart-Murray at the First Battle of the Aisne. Fortune led A Company ably through the First Battle of Ypres before moving up to battalion headquarters as adjutant on 11 November,[6] where he saw further action at Givenchy, Cuinchy, Neuve Chapelle, and Aubers Ridge.
Fortune served as battalion adjutant until 30 September 1915, when he was appointed as brigade major to the 1st Armoured Infantry Brigade, serving in this key role during the costly Battle of Loos. Almost exactly a year later, on 16 September 1916, Fortune returned to the 1st Battalion the Black Watch (Royal Highlanders) when, as an acting lieutenant colonel, he was appointed commanding officer during the Battle of the Somme.[7] He led the battalion competently through the final stages of the Battle of the Somme and the later Battle of Passchendaele before a transfer to command the Fourth Army Musketry School in January 1918. Fortune ended the war as commander of the 46th Infantry Brigade with the rank of acting brigadier general, having been promoted to that rank in June.[8] During his wartime service, Fortune was awarded the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) and five times was mentioned in despatches.[9][2]
After attending the Staff College, Camberley, from 1920 to 1921, Fortune returned to Sandhurst, this time as an instructor.[10] Promoted major in January 1923,[11] he was appointed assistant commandant of the Small Arms School, Hythe, Kent, in succession to Brevet Colonel Thomas Dalby.[12] This was followed in 1925 by a brief return to the 1st Battalion, the Black Watch (Royal Highlanders) in India; and then in 1927, having been promoted to substantive lieutenant colonel, he was appointed commanding officer of the 1st Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders.
In January 1930 Fortune was promoted to colonel, with seniority backdated to January 1923, and appointed GSO1 of the 5th Infantry Division.[13] He was subsequently commander of the 5th Infantry Brigade in March 1932[7] and became aide-de-camp to King George V in April 1934, in succession to Brigadier Bertram Sergison-Brooke,[14] and was promoted to major general in January 1935.[15] He relinquished command of his brigade in April 1935 and was placed on half-pay[16] until being made general officer commanding of the 52nd (Lowland) Infantry Division in September 1935.[17] He commanded the division, a Territorial Army formation, until August 1936, when he again went on half-pay,[18] before becoming commander of South Western Area in April 1937.[19] He was GOC of the 51st (Highland) Infantry Division, another TA formation, in 1937.[7][20]
The 51st Division remained in France after the general evacuation from Dunkirk, having been assigned to the French IX Corps. After naval evacuation proved impossible and supplies of ammunition had been exhausted, Major-General Fortune was forced to surrender the greater part of the Highland Division at St Valery en Caux.[21]
Fortune spent the rest of the war as a prisoner of war. As a senior British officer in captivity in Germany, he worked to improve the conditions of the men under his command. He suffered a stroke in 1944 but refused repatriation.[7] He was finally liberated in April 1945 and appointed a Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire shortly after.[7][20]
Several British writers have questioned the decision to remain with the French during the battle.[citation needed] However, General Charles de Gaulle stated, "For my part, I can say that the comradeship of arms, sealed on the battlefield of Abbeville in May–June 1940, between the French armoured division, which I had the honour to command, and the gallant 51st Scottish Division under General Fortune, played its part in the decision which I made to continue the fight at the side of the Allies, to the end, come what may". And he concluded by quoting the old motto of the Garde Ecossaise: omni modo fidelis – faithful in every way.[22]
References
[edit]- ^ "No. 34296". The London Gazette (Supplement). 19 June 1936. p. 3997.
- ^ a b Smart 2005, p. 105.
- ^ "No. 27627". The London Gazette. 18 December 1903. p. 8338.
- ^ "No. 27985". The London Gazette. 11 January 1907. p. 257.
- ^ "No. 28947". The London Gazette (Supplement). 20 October 1914. p. 8492.
- ^ "No. 29011". The London Gazette. 18 December 1914. p. 10818.
- ^ a b c d e "Major General Fortune". 51 Highland Division. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
- ^ "No. 30866". The London Gazette (Supplement). 23 August 1918. p. 9969.
- ^ "Victor Fortune". Generals.dk. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
- ^ Smart 2005, p. 105−106.
- ^ "No. 32812". The London Gazette. 6 April 1923. p. 2564.
- ^ "No. 32797". The London Gazette. 20 February 1923. pp. 1230–1231.
- ^ "No. 33569". The London Gazette. 10 January 1930. p. 207.
- ^ "No. 34041". The London Gazette. 13 April 1934. p. 2388.
- ^ "No. 34120". The London Gazette. 1 January 1935. p. 60.
- ^ "No. 34153". The London Gazette. 23 April 1935. p. 2738.
- ^ "No. 34207". The London Gazette. 11 October 1935. p. 6378.
- ^ "No. 34314". The London Gazette. 14 August 1936. p. 5344.
- ^ "No. 34387". The London Gazette. 9 April 1937. p. 2268.
- ^ a b Smart 2005, p. 106.
- ^ "The Heroes of St Valery". Retrieved 20 June 2020.
- ^ "Speech delivered by General de Gaulle at Edinburgh". 23 June 1942. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
Bibliography
[edit]- Smart, Nick (2005). Biographical Dictionary of British Generals of the Second World War. Pen and Sword. ISBN 1844150496.
External links
[edit]Victor Fortune
View on Grokipediafrom Grokipedia
Early life and education
Family background
Victor Morven Fortune was born on 21 August 1883 in Blelack, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, to John (Jack) Fortune, a prosperous East India merchant who owned the Bengairn estate near Castle Douglas in Kirkcudbrightshire.[5][4] The Fortune family had roots in Scottish farming communities, becoming landowners in the 19th century.[5] As the eldest son, Victor grew up in the rural setting of the Bengairn estate, immersing him in the traditions, outdoor pursuits, and communal life of the Scottish countryside during his early years.[5] The family's stable, landed background provided a context of responsibility and connection to the land, though specific parental influences on duty are not well-documented beyond the evident military inclinations in subsequent generations.[5] This environment of rural Scotland shaped his formative experiences before transitioning to structured schooling.Formal education
Fortune received his secondary education at Winchester College, where he attended from 1897 to 1901, an institution renowned for cultivating leadership and character among the British elite through its rigorous academic and extracurricular programs.[6] Following Winchester, influenced by his family's military traditions, he entered the Royal Military College at Sandhurst for officer training and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Black Watch in 1903.[2]Military career
First World War service
Victor Morven Fortune, commissioned into The Black Watch (Royal Highlanders) in 1903, served as a junior officer with the 1st Battalion during the early months of the war following its deployment to France in August 1914. As a lieutenant and platoon commander, he participated in the Retreat from Mons, the Battle of the Marne, and the First Battle of Ypres, where the battalion endured intense fighting amid the broader British Expeditionary Force operations to halt the German advance. His pre-war training at the Royal Military College, Sandhurst, proved foundational to his effectiveness in these initial engagements.[1][7] Promoted to captain by December 1914, Fortune commanded A Company during the Battle of the Aisne on 14 September 1914, leading half the company in an advance to the Chemin des Dames ridge under heavy fire. He continued in this role through the First Battle of Ypres, where on 2 November 1914, A Company executed a counter-attack along the Menin Road, sustaining significant casualties that reduced its strength from 120 to 75 men; by 11 November, Fortune remained the sole unwounded officer after prolonged combat. Gassed during the Battle of Loos on 27 September 1915, he briefly served as brigade major to the 7th Infantry Brigade from May 1915 before rejoining the battalion from the 3rd (Special Reserve) Battalion on 23 August 1915. He was mentioned in despatches for his actions in these early battles.[7] Fortune assumed command of the 1st Battalion as acting lieutenant-colonel on 17 September 1916, during a rest period at Bresle following the battalion's heavy involvement in the Battle of the Somme, including the assault on Flers. Under his leadership, the battalion engaged in the later phases of the Somme offensive and subsequent operations, demonstrating his recognized gift for command and devotion to the regiment. Promoted to brevet major and awarded the Distinguished Service Order for gallantry and leadership under fire, he guided the unit through the Third Battle of Ypres (Passchendaele) in 1917, actions in Houthulst Forest through early 1918, and the Battle of the Lys in April 1918. Fortune commanded the battalion for 16 months until his transfer on 17 January 1918 to the Fourth Army Musketry School, having been mentioned in despatches twice more during this period and later receiving the French Croix de Chevalier of the Légion d'Honneur. His departure was regarded as a significant loss to the battalion. In June 1918, he was appointed to command the 46th Brigade, a position he held until March 1919.[7][1]Interwar commands and roles
Following the First World War, Victor Fortune's distinguished service, including his command of the 1st Battalion, The Black Watch, and award of the Distinguished Service Order, facilitated his interwar advancement within the British Army.[8] In 1921, he assumed command of a company of Gentlemen Cadets at the Royal Military College, Sandhurst, a role he held until 1923, after which he served as Assistant Commandant of the Small Arms School at Hythe until 1925.[1] Promoted to major in January 1923, Fortune transferred to the Seaforth Highlanders and took command of the 1st Battalion in January 1927, leading the unit through regimental duties in the late 1920s until December 1929; this appointment marked his substantive promotion to lieutenant colonel on the same date.[1][8] In January 1930, with seniority backdated to 1923, Fortune was promoted to colonel and appointed General Staff Officer Grade 1 (GSO1) to the 5th Infantry Division, where he contributed to operational planning until March 1932.[1] He then assumed command of the 5th Infantry Brigade, receiving the temporary rank of brigadier in March 1932, and held this position until April 1935 while also serving as Aide-de-Camp to King George V from April to December 1934.[1][8] Fortune's brigade command transitioned to higher responsibilities in 1935, when he was promoted to major general on 1 January and appointed temporary General Officer Commanding the 52nd (Lowland) Infantry Division from September 1935 to August 1936, overseeing a Territorial Army formation during a period of expanding military preparedness.[1] From April 1937 to January 1938, he served as General Officer Commanding the South Western Area, focusing on administrative and training oversight for regional forces.[1] These roles positioned him for divisional command as tensions escalated in Europe.[8]Second World War involvement
Command of 51st Division
Major General Victor Morven Fortune was appointed General Officer Commanding (GOC) the 51st (Highland) Infantry Division on 3 January 1938, bringing his prior experience in interwar commands to the role.[1][9] The division, a Territorial Army formation primarily composed of Scottish Highland regiments, underwent mobilization on 24 August 1939 in anticipation of war.[9] During the Phoney War period from September 1939 to May 1940, the 51st Division focused on intensive training and organization in the United Kingdom, incorporating regular army battalions such as the 1st Black Watch and 1st Gordon Highlanders to bolster its strength while maintaining its territorial structure.[9][10] The division deployed to France on 24 January 1940 as part of the British Expeditionary Force (BEF), landing at Le Havre and initially taking up positions along the Franco-Belgian border near Armentières to relieve French units.[9][11] By late March, under Fortune's leadership, it moved to the Saar front in eastern France, where it was attached to the French First Army and assumed defensive responsibilities along the Maginot Line extensions.[11] This positioning reflected the BEF's strategy of supporting Allied defenses while awaiting potential German aggression, with the 51st Division conducting patrols and fortification work amid the ongoing lull in major hostilities.[9] As the Battle of France commenced with the German invasion on 10 May 1940, the 51st Division, still under French operational control, held defensive positions on the Saar front near Hombourg-Budange.[9][11] Fortune directed his brigades—152nd, 153rd, and 154th Infantry—to counter the initial German advances, engaging in skirmishes and supporting French withdrawals as the Wehrmacht's Blitzkrieg rapidly penetrated the Allied lines.[11] By mid-May, the division had relocated westward over 300 miles to the Somme River sector near Abbeville, where it reinforced French forces against the expanding German bridgehead, establishing a 23-mile defensive line from Erondelle to the coast and repelling probing attacks amid the chaotic retreat.[11] These early engagements highlighted the division's resilience under Fortune's command, though logistical challenges and coordination issues with French allies complicated operations.[9]Capture at St Valery-en-Caux
In late May 1940, as the German Blitzkrieg overwhelmed Allied forces in France, the 51st (Highland) Division, under Major-General Victor Fortune, found itself isolated following rapid Panzer advances. Erwin Rommel's 7th Panzer Division, part of the broader Fall Rot offensive, crossed the Somme River on 5 June and reached Rouen by 9 June, severing key escape routes and encircling British and French units near the coast. Fortune's division, attached to the French 10th Army's IX Corps, had been holding defensive positions along the Bresle River but faced mounting pressure from two German Panzer divisions, compounded by the collapse of French lines and poor inter-Allied communication.[12][13] Fortune opted to remain committed to his French allies rather than withdraw with the main British Expeditionary Force (BEF) evacuating from Dunkirk, a decision rooted in orders to support the French effort and maintain alliance cohesion. This led to intense fighting as the division retreated toward St Valéry-en-Caux, with detachments like Ark Force sent to secure Le Havre for partial evacuation under Operation Cycle on 10-11 June. However, heavy German artillery barrages, including from 88mm guns positioned on the cliffs, and thick fog disrupted naval support, preventing most ships from reaching the harbor and forcing the troops into desperate perimeter defenses alongside French units. Logistical shortages—exhausted ammunition, limited food, and no air cover—further hampered resistance.[12] On 12 June 1940, after a final night of bombardment and with the perimeter collapsing, Fortune surrendered to Rommel at approximately 10:30 AM, resulting in the capture of over 10,000 British troops from the 51st Division, alongside thousands of French and colonial soldiers. While some 11,000 men had been evacuated earlier via Operation Cycle, the surrender marked one of the largest British losses in the Battle of France. Fortune himself was taken prisoner, ending his active command.[12][14] The decision to fight on has drawn criticism for allegedly delaying withdrawal and exposing the division to unnecessary risk, with some contemporaries questioning Fortune's tactical judgment amid the chaos. Defenders, however, emphasize the impossibility of retreat without betraying French allies, the lack of clear evacuation orders from higher command, and the overwhelming German superiority, portraying it as a principled stand in an untenable situation. These debates highlight broader Allied coordination failures rather than individual fault.[13][12]Captivity and post-war years
Prisoner of war experiences
Following his capture at St Valery-en-Caux on 12 June 1940, Major-General Victor Fortune was initially imprisoned at Oflag VII-C in Laufen Castle, Bavaria, where he arrived in July alongside other officers from the 51st (Highland) Division. As the most senior British officer captured by German forces up to that point, Fortune quickly assumed the role of Senior British Officer (SBO) for all British POWs in Germany, a position that placed him at the forefront of negotiations with camp commandants and the protecting powers on matters of treatment and welfare.[15][5] Fortune was transferred multiple times between Oflag camps for senior officers, including to Oflag IX-A/H at Spangenberg Castle in late 1940, Oflag VI-B at Warburg in 1941, and later to Oflag XII-B at Hadamar in May 1944. In these facilities, he focused on improving conditions for his fellow prisoners, advocating successfully for measures such as all-day parole walks to allow exercise and mental relief, and organizing recreational programs—including sports and cultural activities—to sustain morale amid the hardships of confinement. He also oversaw the equitable distribution of Red Cross parcels, which provided essential food, clothing, and medical supplies, and maintained discipline to prevent reprisals from German authorities. While not directly involved in escapes, Fortune's leadership fostered an environment of solidarity that indirectly supported escape committees by emphasizing collective resilience and information sharing among inmates.[16][17][18] Throughout his five years in captivity, Fortune interacted with other prominent British POWs, including those from the 51st Division and later-captured senior officers, using his authority to mediate disputes and promote unity. His health declined progressively due to the stresses of imprisonment and limited medical care, culminating in a stroke in late 1944 while he was playing badminton at Oflag XII-B. Despite qualifying for early repatriation under Geneva Convention provisions for seriously ill officers, Fortune refused the offer three times, insisting on remaining with his junior officers to continue providing guidance and support until the war's end.[16][10]Release and final years
Fortune was liberated in April 1945 amid the Allied advances into Germany. Following his release from captivity, he returned to the United Kingdom for medical recovery, addressing lingering health effects from his imprisonment, including a stroke suffered in 1944 that contributed to his post-war decline.[2] He retired from active service on 20 September 1945, subsequently receiving honorary appointments as Deputy Lieutenant of Perthshire and Colonel of the Seaforth Highlanders.[1] Fortune resettled in Dalswinton, Scotland, engaging in limited public activities that reflected on his wartime experiences as a senior officer among British prisoners.[2] He died on 2 January 1949 at his home in Dalswinton from complications related to illnesses contracted during his five years of captivity, aged 65.[19]Honours and legacy
Military awards
Victor Fortune received several distinguished military awards for his gallantry, leadership, and service during the First and Second World Wars, as well as for his role as senior British officer among prisoners of war in Europe. These honours reflect his contributions across key battles and his steadfast conduct in captivity, where he organized resistance and welfare efforts for thousands of Allied prisoners. The Distinguished Service Order (DSO) was awarded to Fortune in 1917 for his gallantry in action during the First World War, particularly for leading assaults and maintaining positions under heavy fire near Arras. In 1936, he was appointed Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB) for his services during the interwar period.[20] Fortune was also appointed Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire (KBE) in 1946, recognizing his exemplary leadership as the Senior British Officer in German prisoner-of-war camps, where he advocated for better conditions and preserved morale among over 100,000 British captives. He received five mentions in despatches during the First World War between 1915 and 1918 for consistent bravery and command excellence in campaigns including the Somme. Foreign honours included the Legion of Honour (Chevalier class) from France in 1919 for his contributions to the Allied victory in the First World War, including coordination with French forces during joint operations. Additionally, in 1948, he was awarded Grand Officer of the Order of the Phoenix by Greece. He was appointed Deputy Lieutenant (DL) for Dumfriesshire in 1946.| Award | Year | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Distinguished Service Order (DSO) | 1917 | Gallantry in First World War combat leadership. |
| Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB) | 1936 | Services in the interwar period. |
| Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire (KBE) | 1946 | POW leadership and welfare organization. |
| Legion of Honour (France) | 1919 | Allied cooperation in WWI. |
| Grand Officer of the Order of the Phoenix (Greece | 1948 | Services to Allied efforts. |
| Deputy Lieutenant (DL) for Dumfriesshire | 1946 | Civil recognition post-war. |