B. H. Liddell Hart

Date of Birth: October 31, 1895

Zodiac Sign: Scorpio

Date of Death: January 29, 1970

Biography

Sir Basil Henry Liddell Hart, commonly known as B. H. Liddell Hart, was an influential British military historian, theorist, and prolific writer. Born on October 31, 1895, in Paris, France, he was the son of a Methodist minister. Liddell Hart was educated at St Paul’s School in London and later at Corpus Christi College, Cambridge. His military service during World War I, where he served as an officer in the King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, profoundly influenced his later work. After being severely wounded in the Battle of the Somme in 1916, he transitioned from active service to a role as a military theorist and historian. Liddell Hart is most renowned for his theories on armored warfare and his advocacy for the indirect approach in military strategy. His works, including “The Strategy of Indirect Approach” and “History of the Second World War,” have had a lasting impact on military thought and have influenced both British and international military doctrine. His writings on military strategy emphasized the importance of mobility, surprise, and psychological warfare. In addition to his contributions to military theory, Liddell Hart was a prolific author and editor, producing numerous books and articles on military history and strategy. He also served as a military correspondent for several newspapers, including The Times. His correspondence and interviews with key military figures of his time, such as Heinz Guderian and Erwin Rommel, provided valuable insights into the minds of those who shaped the course of 20th-century warfare. Liddell Hart passed away on January 29, 1970, but his legacy endures through his extensive body of work, which continues to be studied by military professionals and historians alike.

5 Interesting Facts about B. H. Liddell Hart

1. Liddell Hart served as a captain in the King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry during World War I and was severely wounded in the Battle of the Somme.

2. He was a proponent of mechanized warfare and greatly influenced the development of armored tactics used in World War II.

3. Liddell Hart’s theories on the “indirect approach” in warfare were foundational to modern military strategy.

4. He interviewed several prominent German generals after World War II, including Erwin Rommel and Heinz Guderian, providing unique insights into their strategies.

5. Liddell Hart was knighted in 1966 for his contributions to military history and theory.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from B. H. Liddell Hart

1. “The profoundest truth of war is that the issue of battle is usually decided in the minds of the opposing commanders, not in the bodies of their men.”

2. “The only thing harder than getting a new idea into the military mind is to get an old one out.”

3. “History is too important to be left to the historians.”

4. “Loss of hope, rather than loss of life, is what decides the outcome of battles and wars.”

5. “The principles of war are fundamental truths that require a constant application of judgment to adapt them to circumstances.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

As a historian and military theorist, precise financial details about Liddell Hart’s net worth are not well-documented. However, his extensive publications and contributions to military theory made him a respected and influential figure in his field.

Children

B. H. Liddell Hart had one son, Adrian Liddell Hart, who followed in his father’s footsteps to some extent by also engaging in military history and writing.