The Kaiser's Last General

<p> At the outbreak of World War I Lieutenant Colonel Paul Emil von Lettow-Vorbeck military commander of Germany's East African Colony planned to divert British troops from Europe to East Africa. Knowing he could not defeat them in pitched battle he led a small force--never more than 15000 men--familiar with bush-fighting and the harsh environment on raids into British territory. A gifted tactician von Lettow-Vorbeck attacked only when odds were in his favor then fought defensive withdrawals into the German Colony maintaining short lines of supply while drawing the enemy deeper into hostile territory. The British and their allies committed 160000 troops in East Africa. He led them in a game of catch me if you can punishing them for every mistake. Promoted to major-general by the Kaiser in 1917 von Lettow-Vorbeck led the only undefeated German force to surrender to the Allies well after the end of hostilities in Europe. This history follows what began as a campaign of conquest and devolved into a hunt for a single general and his small loyal command.</p>