Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck

Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck
Lettow-Vorbeck in 1914
Nickname(s)	Der Löwe von Afrika The Lion of Africa
Born	(1870-03-20)20 March 1870 Saarlouis, Rhine Province, Prussia
Died	9 March 1964(1964-03-09) (aged 93) Hamburg, West Germany
Allegiance	German Empire (1890–1918)  Weimar Republic (1918–20)
Service/branch	Imperial German Army  Prussian Army  Reichsheer
Years of service	1890–1920
Rank	General der Infanterie
Unit	4th Foot Guards Schutztruppe of German South-West Africa XI Corps
Commands held	2nd Sea Battalion Schutztruppe of German East Africa
Battles/wars	Boxer Rebellion Herero Wars Battle of Waterberg World War I East African Campaign Battle of Tanga Battle of Jassin Battle of Mahiwa Battle of Ngomano Battle of Lioma Battle of Kisaki Battle of Nambanje Battle of Kondoa Irangi Battle of Mlali Battle of Namacurra Battle of Dutumi Battle of Kibata Battle of Kilosa German Revolution
Awards	Pour le Mérite with Oak Leaves
Other work	Public speaker, writer

Paul Emil von Lettow-Vorbeck (20 March 1870 – 9 March 1964), popularly known as 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 Africans), he held in check a much larger force of 300,000 British, Indian, Belgian, and Portuguese troops.^[1] He is known for never being defeated or captured in battle.^[1][2][3]

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".^[4]