Page 52 - All About History - Issue 18-14

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WrittenbyJamesHoare

Meet ten of the world’s most incredible military strategists who could

turn the tide of even the fiercest battle, no matter the odds

istory can sometimes be reduced to a series Thedeedsthatuniteourgreatesttacticiansare French emperor who shook up the entire balance
of incredible individuals, whose reputation an alchemical mix of great planning, bold tactics, of power in Europe. Other leaders were desperate
cuts through the fog of centuries like a an almost supernatural ability to second-guess defenders against overwhelming odds, such as
searchlight. A great military commander the enemy and the confidence to make difficult Tran Hung Dao, the Vietnamese general who
His more than just a great warrior, though; decisions amid the thunder of battle. They are the waged vicious guerrilla warfare to thwart a Mongol
a great commander will be brave and daring but commanders who claimed victory when defeat invasion, and Kwon Yul, the Korean commander
also have the skill to calmly evaluate a battle to should have been the only option. who led a bloody last-ditch action against a huge
outmanoeuvre their opponents. These figures Some of these great commanders were seeking samurai army. All of them changed the world with
take centre stage in legend and national myth and the glory of empire-building, like Alexander the a single command; read on to discover the battles
their statues stand proudly outside palaces and Great, the Macedonian warrior king who terrorised they won thanks to their brilliance – the ones that
parliament buildings, revered for all time. the ancient world, and Napoleon Boneparte, the turned them from leaders to legends.

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