Military Commanders Who am I? Flashcards
Born in 356 B.C, I never lost a battle in eleven years of combat. Perhaps my greatest tactical manoeuvre was my victory on the river Issus, where my numerically superior foe retreated so quickly, I was able to take his mother, wife and children captive. After conquering much of Asia, I began to return to my European home, but died of illness at the age of 33. Who am I?
Alexander the Great
I fought as a young officer in WWI, earning the Pour le Mérite for leading a bayonet charge against an Italian stronghold. In WWII, I continued to excel in several theaters of the war, being wounded during the fighting after D-Day. After being implicated in a ‘treasonous’ plot, I committed suicide, and received a full State funeral. Known as the Desert Fox, who am I?
Erwin Rommel
I was born in Dublin, but studied at Eton, proving what I’ve always said - because a man is born in a stable it does not make him a horse. Known as the ‘conqueror
of the conqueror’, I served my nation’s armed forces from a young age, leading my troops to many victories, eventually becoming Prime Minister. I fought my last battle at Waterloo in 1815. Who am I?
Arthur Wellesley, Duke of Wellington
I was one of the finest Admirals to have ever served on the high seas. My exceptional leadership during the naval battle that pitted the world’s two largest
fleets against each other is still studied by modern naval officers. I was killed in battle, aboard my flagship ‘Victory’, by a sniper positioned on an enemy ship.
Who am I?
Horatio Nelson
I was captured by pirates when I was in my 20s, but I ultimately tracked them down and killed them. I led my troops to conquer much of Europe after scoring a
victory in the Gallic Wars. After dispatching my mistress’ enemy, the King of Pontus, I said “Veni, Vidi, Vici”. I was killed by disloyal political assassins. Who am I?
Julius Caesar
Military affairs were in my blood, as I had military experts throughout my family. As a young man I read The Politics of War and the Journal of War. My famous
writings on war include the well quoted phrases ‘know the enemy, know yourself, and your victory will be inevitable’ and ‘avoid strength, attack weakness’. My most famous publication has 13 chapters. Who am I?
Sun Tzu
I was born into an influential family on the Onon River in the 12th century. As a military leader, I reorganised my units into groupings of 10. 10 men to a squad, 10
squads to a company, etc. My very mobile army was almost entirely cavalry of one kind or another, half being heavy cavalry, and the remainder being light
cavalry archers. I established an empire that lasted for over 150 years. Who am I?
Genghis Khan
I studied at Harvard from 1919 to 1921 and twice served as the naval Attache to Washington. A contemporary naval leader, I was missing two fingers on my left
hand due to battle injuries suffered as a young officer at the Battle of Tsushima. I first served my country as head of the aeronautics department and later as
commander of the First Carrier Division. Later in life, I was deliberately targeted by enemy fighter planes when the code containing my flight plan was broken. I
was the planner behind the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Who am I?
Isoroku Yamamoto
I was an illegitimate child of the 18th century. My name translates as ‘intestinal parasite’ or ‘bastard’, and so I always resented being called that. I completely
revolutionised my highly disciplined army by replacing ranged weapons for close quarters weapons. I forbade my troops, even old men, from marrying because I believed it would weaken their combat skills. Tactically, I used the ‘buffalo’ formation to great advantage. Later in life I was murdered by my half-brothers. Who am I?
Shaka
At the end of World War I i was taken prisoner near Malta and ended the conflict in a POW camp near Sheffield, England. I ordered my ships to not rescue anyone from enemy ships sunk. I was not a member of the Nazi Party. A U-boat captain of WWI, I went on to develop the Kriegsmarine’s WWII Atlantic “wolfpack” strategy. I succeeded Hitler, was the last Fuhrer of the Third Reich, and surrendered to the Allies. Who am I?
Karl Dönitz
An artillery officer, I was used to great effect in quashing domestic rebellion in my home country. I went on to lead my country in many victories across Europe.
Leaving my subordinates in charge of annexing Spain, my army suffered major problems. My troops nicknamed me ‘the little corporal’ due to my leadership presence at the front line. Who am I?
Napoleon Bonaparte
Born in Austria in 1889, I showed little promise when I failed high school. Growing up in the pre-war years as a postcard artist, I later served in WWI as an infantry
soldier and foot-messenger. I was wounded twice, once as a victim of Allied gas attack. I was decorated for bravery four times. I later went on to have a successful
life in politics, leading my party to a slim electoral victory. Who am I?
Adolf Hitler
Born as an illegitimate son to the Duke of Normandy, I was protected from my many enemies by the French King. One of my enemies cut the throat of my steward as he slept, perhaps thinking him to be me. Invading one of my neighbouring countries, I won the pivotal Battle of Hastings and was crowned King in 1066. Who am I?
William the Conqueror
I served as a cavalry commander during the Russian Civil War. A Russian General during WWII, I defended Leningrad (now St. Petersburg) and later in 1941 also Moscow against German attack, and later routed the 6th Army at Stalingrad with the same tenacity. I defeated the Germans at Kursk, and led the final assault on Berlin. Who am I?
Georgi Zhukov
The date and circumstances concerning my death remain a mystery to this day. My last name translates to either “shine” or “lightning”. I lost an eye during a
battle in my most famous campaign. I sustained a fifteen year campaign against the Roman legions, by using innovative cavalry techniques. Rather than wait forthe Romans to attack my home Carthage, I invaded Italy with my war elephants. Who am I?
Hannibal
