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Basil Henry Liddell-Hart
(1895-1970)
Basil Liddell-Hart, as a military writer, was considered to be one of the most creative and influential strategists of the 20th century. During World War I, he served in the infantry and was twice wounded. While redrafting Britain's official infantry training manual in 1920, he evolved the "expanding torrent" method of attack, based on wartime infiltration tactics. He pressed for Tank Corps autonomy as well as advocating surprise and mobility, mechanization, armored warfare, and air power.
Liddell-Hart's ideas were quickly adopted by the Germans, especially by General Heinz Guderian in evolving the "Blitzkrieg." However, it was only after much opposition that it was adopted by the British. He is reported to have had influence in determining British strategy at the outbreak of war against Germany in 1939. |