WHITE, Maj Gen Percival Napier (1901-1982)

Scope and Content

Papers relating to his work at SHAPE, 1953-1955, dated 1953-1955 and 1957, comprising 'Some brief thoughts on problem of co-ordination of progress in study of the tactical use of the atom bomb', draft text by White, Sep 1953; draft of directive from Supreme Allied Commander Europe to Commanders-in-Chief concerning the future form of land battle in Europe, 1954; typescript notes on 'The philosophy of the future land/air battle' written by White for FM Sir Bernard Law Montgomery, 1st Viscount Montgomery of Alamein and of Hindhead, Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe, Jun 1955; unsigned typescript 'Notes for discussion between Marshal Juin and Field Marshal Montgomery' on 24 Aug 1955, relating to the organisation of NATO land forces; 'Memorandum on the economics of Western defence' by Montgomery, dated 1955; 'Organisation for war in modern times', text of lecture to Royal United Service Institution by Montgomery, 12 Oct 1955; texts of Montgomery's final addresses to staff of SHAPE exercises CPX 5 and CPX 7, mainly concerning international organisation for future war, 1955 and 1957.

Administrative / Biographical History

Born in 1901; educated at Cathedral School, Worcester and Royal Military College, Sandhurst; 2nd Lt, Sherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regt), 1921; Lt, 1923; Adjutant, Territorial Army, 1928-1932; Capt, 1936; Maj, 1938; Bde Maj, 1938-1940; served in France, 1939-1940, and Middle East, 1941-1945; Lt Col, 1941; Col, 1946; Col, Sherwood Foresters, 1947-1958; Chief of Staff, Northern Command, 1951-1953; Assistant Chief of Staff (Organisation and Training), SHAPE, 1953-1955; Commandant, Joint Services Staff College, 1956-1958; retired, 1958; Controller, Army Benevolent Fund, 1960-1971; died in 1982.

Arrangement

1 file.

Access Information

Open, subject to signature of reader's undertaking form.

Acquisition Information

Presented to the Centre by Maj Gen P G Brooking, General Officer Commanding Berlin (British Section) in 1985.

Other Finding Aids

Summary guide available on-line at http://www.kcl.ac.uk/lhcma/top.htm, and in hard copy in the Centre's reading room.

Conditions Governing Use

Copies, subject to the condition of the original, may be supplied for research use only. Requests to publish original material should be submitted to the Trustees of the Liddell Hart Centre for Military Archives, attention of the Director of Archive Services.

Geographical Names