Paul Erich von Lettow-Vorbeck

General Paul Erich von Lettow-Vorbeck (March 20, 1870 - March 9, 1964) was the commander of the German East Africa campaign in World War I, the only colonial campaign of that war where Germany remained undefeated.

Post-War career

After the war, von Lettow-Vorbeck organized efforts to repatriate German soldiers and POWs and to ensure the equal treatment of Africans. He also met Sir Richard Meinertzhagen, the British Intelligence Officer with whom he fought a personal war during the conflict.

Related Topics:
German - Richard Meinertzhagen - British Intelligence

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Thereafter, Lettow returned home in January 1919 to a hero's welcome and promotion to major general, the last edict of the Kaiser; von Lettow-Vorbeck's Schutztruppe was the only German Army allowed a victory parade throught the Brandenburg Gate for World War I, as not only did he never surrender, but frequently won against great odds, and became the only German commander to successfully invade British territory in World War I.

Related Topics:
1919 - Schutztruppe - Brandenburg Gate

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He soon became a right wing extremist who participated in the chaotic politics of the Weimar Republic. Following strikes and arrests, he served in the Reichstag from 1929 to 1930. As member of the German Nationals, he opposed the Nazis, who upon inception of power had tried to use him and his legend for their cause(curiously, considering the implications to the Nazi's skewed racial ideology). In 1938, 68 years of age, he did not oppose being named a general for special purposes, but was not recalled into service. After 1945, he resigned completely from public life, with only a 1959 visit to his other home, East Africa where he received a hearty welcome from his surviving Askaris. Smuts, along with former South African and British officers, arranged for a small pension to be paid to Lettow-Vorbeck until his death.

Related Topics:
Weimar Republic - Reichstag - 1929 - 1930 - German Nationals - Nazi - 1959

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Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck was a daring yet prudent commander who showed uncanny ability to fight a guerilla war in an unfamiliar terrain. With limited men and virtually no supplies, he tied down British forces ten to twenty times his own number. He could not have done more for the Imperial German cause. In the end, he still remained undefeated, only to surrender after learning of Germany's defeat by capturing a British messanger carrying news of the Armistice. He earned much respect from his fellow Askaris as well as white officers, friend and foe alike. He ranks as one of the greatest generals of the 20th century and a great guerrilla strategist of all time.

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One of his junior officers, Theodore von Hippel, used his experience under von Lettow-Vorbeck to form the Brandenburgers, the commando unit of the German Abwehr intelligence agency in World War II.

Related Topics:
Brandenburgers - Commando - Abwehr - World War II

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Upon his death in Germany, the government decided to distribute a sum of money to his veteran Askaris in Tanzania. If the veterans could correctly respond to German marching orders, they were allocated the stipend.

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