ABSTRACT
Following Paget’s graduation from Staff Col lege in 1920, he held three instructional posts where his teaching ability was fully exercised. By ill for tune he was only to serve in action for seven days during the whole of World War II. In that event ful week, however, he accomplished an outstand ing feat of arms. Given command of British forces in Norway in 1940, he found the troops illequipped for fighting in the narrow valleys and snow-covered hills. Despite this, and the loss of his artillery and transport when the ship carrying this equipment was sunk, he used his small force to the best advantage. The Germans had air superiority and outnumbered the small British task force. Paget requested reinforcements only three days after his arrival to take command; nonetheless, he was ordered to extricate his troops and evacuate Norway. He succeeded in achieving this after fight ing five very skillful rear-guard actions and inflict ing heavy damage on the German forces. His skill and determination during this short campaign brought high praise from the prime minister in the House of Commons.
