Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck
Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck | |
|---|---|
Lettow-Vorbeck in 1914 | |
| Nicknames | Der Löwe von Afrika The Lion of Africa |
| Born | 20 March 1870 |
| Died | 9 March 1964 (aged 93) |
| Allegiance | German Empire (1890–1918) Weimar Republic (1918–1920) |
| Branch | Imperial German Army Reichsheer |
| Service years | 1890–1920 |
| Rank | Generalmajor General der Infanterie (Charakter) |
| Unit | 4th Foot Guards Schutztruppe of German South-West Africa XI Corps |
| Commands | 2nd Sea Battalion Schutztruppe of German East Africa |
| Conflicts | |
| Awards | Pour le Mérite with Oak Leaves |
| Other work | Public speaker, writer |
Paul Emil von Lettow-Vorbeck (popularly known as the Lion of Africa (German: Löwe von Afrika; 20 March 1870 – 9 March 1964), 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 Africans), he held in check a much larger force of 300,000 British, Indian, Belgian, and Portuguese troops. He is known for never being defeated or captured in battle.
Lettow-Vorbeck was the only German commander to successfully invade a part of the British Empire during the First World War. His exploits in the campaign have been described by historian Edwin Palmer Hoyt as "the greatest single guerrilla operation in history, and the most successful".