Commanders

Commanders of Military Forces have a significant impact upon wars and battles. A disciplined military force will follow the commands of their leader to the best of their ability, until their morale fails or casualties prevent their ability to execute their orders. A great commander can lead an inferior force to victory, and a weak commander can lead a superior force to ruin.

History has created a number of great commanders, many of whom are household names. Some have been Kings and Emperors with the ultimate responsibility of the military and civil destination of their nation, others have been officers within their nations forces. Some have started as military leaders and then become the leaders of their nation, either by democratic means, or by force.

Armies and Navies have nearly always had some type of military command structure, ranging from tribal loyalties to the formal command structures of modern military forces. Command structures have fluctuated between rigid adherence to pre-defined orders through to complete autonomy and reliance on their own initiative. The air forces of the world have adopted these command structures in the last century to reflect the way air power is deployed. Speed of communication has often been one of the defining factors in command structures.

The truly great commanders have always understood the operational boundaries in which they operated. They have often sort to prepare the environment through attention to details such as equipment and logistics. They have either issued specific or general orders and ensured that their subordinates understood their role. They have also seized opportunities when presented with them, and taken risks where appropriate.

However, Napoleon once asked, when being told the virtues of a junior officer, 'Is he lucky''? Luck has a significant impact on the careers of many of the great commanders, and the troops they have commanded.