Timothy Ashby

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July 23, 2012 By Timothy Ashby 8 Comments

The German General Who Told Hitler to Go Screw Himself

I am fascinated by colorful historical characters, especially military or naval figures.  Very few of these people could be considered truly heroic.  One of the rare exceptions is Paul Emil von Lettow-Vorbeck, commander of a small German army – largely composed of black troops – that fought the British Empire in East Africa during World War I – The German General.

 A master of guerrilla warfare, General von Lettow-Vorbeck lived by a warrior’s code of chivalry embodying honor, respect for one’s enemies, and humanitarian treatment of his men as well as civilians.  During a world war in which the U.S. Army actively discriminated against black soldiers, von Lettow-Vorbeck treated his African Askaris no differently from white Germans under his command.  His fluency in the Swahili language earned the respect and admiration of his African soldiers; he appointed black officers and “said – and believed – [that] ‘we are all Africans here’.”  In one historian’s estimation, “It is probable that no white commander of the era had so keen an appreciation of the African’s worth not only as a fighting man but as a man.”

General von Lettow-Vorbeck was never defeated in battle, and only surrendered after learning about the Armistice in November 1918.  The British repatriated the white German soldiers but confined the Askaris in squalid camps.  General von Lettow-Vorbeck refusedto leave until he had won promises of decent treatment and early release for his black troops.  

.Returning to Germany as a national hero, von Lettow-Vorbeck became active in politics and tried to establish a conservative opposition to the Nazis.  He was able to bring some of his black officers with him to serve in the German Freikorps.  When Hitler offered him the ambassadorship to the Court of St. James’s in 1935, he “told Hitler to go fuck himself.”  Although repeatedly harassed by the Nazis, he survived their regime due to his popularity as a genuine hero of the old school.  

The old general never forgot his Askaris, and he returned to East Africa in 1953 where he was tearfully welcomed by his surviving soldiers.  Upon returning to Europe, he campaigned to provide for their welfare.  When von Lettow-Vorbeck died at the age of 93 in 1964, the West German government and the Bundeswehr flew in two former Askaris as state guests so that they could attend the funeral of “their” general.  A few months later, the old warrior’s fondest wish became reality when the West German Bundestag voted to deliver back pay to the 350 surviving Askaris in Africa.

A fitting way to say “f*ck you” to Hitler and Germany’s racist past.

Filed Under: Real Heros, Then and Now

Comments

  1. Nicole von Bauer says

    March 2, 2014 at 2:19 am

    I just found out that he is my great great uncle, such great news and am honored. He was a badass!

    Reply
  2. Paul Kelly says

    February 25, 2014 at 1:47 am

    I first discovered this famous General when I read the book “the Battle for the Bundu”, back in 1973! If you ever get a chance to read this book,please do! General Lettow stood up to Hitler, and Hitler backed down! unfortunately, both of General von Lettow’s son’s were killed in action during World War II.

    Reply
  3. Geir Holte says

    January 13, 2014 at 9:07 pm

    I wrote my Master degree in history about WW1 in EA.
    How come you do not mention the hundreds of thousands civilians who starved because of Lettow-Vorbeck`s scorched earth tactics and “confiscation” of their food? Or the numerous murders of often forced carriers who could not carry their loads any more (confirmed by his own officers)?

    A strategic mastermind, with some tactical shortcommings as showed in some battles, but humantiarism towards civilians? I`d recommend Paice`s book. Might be a surprise to a lot of people I think may rely solely on Lettow-Vorbeck`s own memoirs.

    Reply
  4. chibamba says

    May 21, 2013 at 7:12 pm

    In January this year I visited Mbala, a small colonial-era town in Northern Zambia. I saw the actual location where General Lettow laid down his arms after surrendering to the Northern Rifles at the end of WWI. The date was November 25th 1918. The inscription at the Cenotaph reads ‘ Near this place on 25 November 1918 the German forces in East Africa commanded by General Von Lettow Vorbeck Laid down their arms before General W.F.S Edwards, C.M.G., D.S.O’.

    Reply
  5. craig says

    February 15, 2013 at 4:54 am

    thought i`d share ,Von Lettow-Vorbeck gets an honourable mention, see 19:45
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T7fX9H7blDY&feature=share&list=PL7B0DF97546052C42

    Reply
  6. G. de Bivar C. da Silva says

    December 6, 2012 at 4:54 pm

    I am very pround that my grand grand father Portuguese Navy Comander Weinholtz de Bivar and a few of portuguese heros from 1st WW fight against this brave German soldier.

    Reply
  7. Jillian Kirby says

    October 29, 2012 at 3:30 am

    A good hearted hero.

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. 7 Most Badass Soldiers in the East Africa Campaigns | Too Late For Worms says:
    May 6, 2014 at 1:53 pm

    […] 1935, he declined a diplomatic position from Hitler by telling the mustachioed dictator to ‘Go fuck himself.’ Seriously. This was Hitler, the man who would enter the annals of history as a villain […]

    Reply

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About Me

An international lawyer, businessman and writer, Tim Ashby worked in Washington DC as a counter-terrorism consultant to the U.S. State Department, and then as a senior official at the U.S. Commerce Department. He holds a PhD degree from the University of Southern California, a JD from Seattle University Law School, and an MBA from the University of Edinburgh Scotland. Tim Ashby currently lives in the south of France. Read More

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