July 18, 1917

Churchill’s old friend, mentor, and sometime rival, David Lloyd George became Prime Minister in December 1916. Believing that the anti-Churchill sentiment after the Dardanelles disaster could be overcome, Lloyd George controversially brought Churchill back into government as Minister of Munitions.

The strong reaction against the appointment came not only from the opposition but members of Churchill’s own party. The press attacked vociferously and both the First Lord of the Admiralty and the Secretary for War threatened to resign.
The opposition was eventually overcome, as it was not felt the matter was substantial enough that it should threaten the wartime coalition.

In typical Churchill style, he threw himself into the office at full speed ahead. He promised that he would make weapons not plans but that sentiment didn’t last long as he involved himself with all matters of strategy and tactics for the remainder of the Great War.