Generalship: Instinct versus Hard Study & Work

“Do make it clear that generalship, at least in my case, came not by instinct, unsought, but by understanding, hard study and brain concentration. Had it come easy to me I should not have done it as well.” T.E. Lawrence (aka Lawrence of Arabia) as quoted in Lawrence of Arabia by B.H.L. Hart. Reference Hale,… Read More

Mistakes versus Designs…

“I am more afraid of our own mistakes than of our enemies’ designs.” Pericles (Greek Statesman, Orator & General) in a speech to the Athenian Ecclesia I, 432 B.C. Reference Jowett, B. (1900) Pericles To The Athenian Ecclesia I. Thucydides: The Jowett Translation. Available from World Wide Web: http://www.classicpersuasion.org/pw/thucydides/thucydides-passages.php?pleaseget=1.140-1.144&passageid=Pericles%20To%20The%20Athenian%20Ecclesia%20I. [Accessed: 31 July, 2016].

Officers’ Competence & Soldiers’ Performance…

“There are no bad regiments; there are only bad colonels.” Often attributed to Napoleon Bonaparte (1769-1821) and Ulysses S. Grant (US Civil War General). Other variations include: “There are no bad troops. There are only bad leaders.” Brigadier General S.L.A. Marshall “In the British Army, there are no good battalions and no bad battalions, no good… Read More

Leaders: Lions fighting Deer and Sheep!

“An army of deer led by a lion is more to be feared than an army of lions led by a deer.” This quote and its many derivatives are often attributed to Polybius (Roman historian), Philip of Macedon (382-336 BC) and his son (Alexander the Great), and also Chabrias (|Athenian general who died ?357BC), around… Read More

War Philosophy: Science, Art or Trade

“War is a science for those who are outstanding; an art for mediocrities; a trade for ignoramuses.” Frederick II, aka Frederick the Great (1712 to 1786) The King of Prussia from 1740 until 1786, he is renowned for his reorganisation of the Prussian Army and military victories.