Sir Richard Nugent O'Connor, KT, GCB, DSO, MC, ADC (21 August 1889 – 17 June 1981) was a British Army general who commanded the Western Desert Force in the early years of World War II. He was the field commander for Operation Compass, in which his forces completely destroyed a much larger Italian army — a victory which nearly drove the Axis from Africa entirely, and in turn, led Adolf Hitler to send the German Africa Corps under Erwin Rommel to try and reverse the situation. O'Connor was later captured and spent over two years in an Italian prisoner of war camp, but escaped and in 1944 commanded VIII Corps in Normandy and later during Operation Market Garden. In 1945 he was general officer in command of the Eastern Command in India, and then headed the North Western Army in the closing days of British rule in the subcontinent.
O'Connor's unassuming manner meant that he is less notable compared to more colorful Allied military leaders, such as George Patton and his colleague, Bernard Montgomery. His imprisonment during the conflict's truly decisive phases robbed him of many prime opportunities to prove his abilities further, and several of his peers and subordinates were promoted over him.citation needed] In honour of his war service, O'Connor was recognised with the highest level of knighthood in two different orders of chivalry. He was also awarded the Distinguished Service Order, Military Cross, French Croix de guerre and Legion of Honour and served as Aide-de-camp to King George VI.