Paul Von Lettow Vorbeck

In january 1914 colonel paul von lettow vorbeck was given command of colonial forces in german east africa.

Paul von lettow vorbeck. 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 africans he held in check a much larger force of 300 000 british indian belgian and. He quickly realized that with only a few hundred european and 2 000 local soldiers he could not defeat the british. Paul von lettow vorbeck was commander of the german colonial troops in east africa from 1914 to 1918. Paul von lettow vorbeck middle with two other germans 1919.

Lettow vorbeck faced far superior british south african belgian and portuguese forces but only surrendered after hostilities ended in europe. Paul emil von lettow vorbeck 20 maret 1870 9 maret 1964 adalah jenderal kekaisaran jerman dan komandan pasukan di afrika timur jerman selama perang dunia i dalam waktu empat tahun dengan jumlah pasukan yang tidak pernah melebihi 14 000 3 000 orang jerman dan 11 000 orang afrika ia berhasil menahan pasukan britania belgia dan portugal yang jumlahnya mencapai 300 000. He thus became one of the most popular war heroes in germany and probably the most respected german officer among his british opponents. With a force never great than 14 000 in total comprised of 3 000 german and 11 000 askari native african troops lettow vorbeck ran rings around allied forces for the most part british and south african that were ten times larger.

Lawrence lawrence of arabia lettow vorbeck similarly was a master of guerrilla warfare this time in east africa. He has also been called a true representative of all that imperial germany was and stood for. Afterward the prussian officer spent a few years back in his homeland of germany until 1914 when he was promoted to lieutenant colonel and given command over colonial troops in german east africa. Paul von lettow vorbeck has been called the leader of the greatest single guerrilla operation in history by edwin palmer hoyt an american writer of military history.

Paul von lettow vorbeck born march 20 1870 saarlouis rhine province prussia now in germany died march 9 1964 hamburg lieutenant colonel commanding germany s small african force during world war i who became a determined and resourceful guerrilla leader hoping to influence the war in europe by pinning down a disproportionately large number of allied troops in his area. Paul emil von lettow vorbeck 20 march 1870 9 march 1964 also called the lion of africa german. Often compared with the better known t e. Paul von lettow vorbeck also known as the lion of africa was commander of the german colonial troops in german east africa during world war 1.