Introduction Paul Emil von Lettow-Vorbeck (20 March 1870 to 09 March 1964), also called the Lion of Africa (German: Löwe von Afrika), was a general in the Imperial German Army and the commander of its forces in the German East Africa campaign. For four years, with a force of about 14,000 (3,000 Germans and 11,000… Read More
“Leadership is the courage to admit mistakes, the vision to welcome change, the enthusiasm to motivate others, and the confidence to stay out of step when everyone else is marching to the wrong tune.” E.M. Estes (1916-1988) Elliot Marantette “Pete” Estes was an American automotive engineer and executive; he is best known as the fifteenth… Read More
“Are you a good leader? Are you worthy to lead men? Have you considered what war may require of you? Have you confidence in your men? Have your men faith in you?‐‐are some of the questions you must ask yourselves, and until you can answer them in the affirmative you cannot claim to be a… Read More
“Leadership presupposes two things:‐‐ A leader, and men capable of being led. A stag cannot lead an army of lions; a lion cannot persuade an army of stags to follow. What then is required? A lion leading lions. In other words, the qualities of leader and led are very similar.The chief of these qualities are:‐‐(1)… Read More
“Prestige is the basis of discipline, ‘for we shall not lead our men by force or by fear, but solely by the prestige which we hold.’” Captain J.F.C. Fuller (1878 to 1966), from ‘L’Ame du Soldat,’ quoted in Captain J.F.C. Fuller, Training Soldiers for War, 1914 Major General John Frederick Charles ‘Boney’ Fuller, CB, CBE,… Read More
“Command and control of armed forces is an art, a creative activity based on character, ability, and mental power … Mission-oriented command and control is the first and foremost command and control principle in the army, of relevance in war even more than in peace. It affords the subordinate leader freedom of action in the… Read More
“Hereafter, if you should observe an occasion to give your officers and friends a little more praise than is their due, and confess more fault than you can justly be charged with, you will only become the sooner for it, a great captain. Criticizing and censuring almost everyone you have to do with, will diminish… Read More
