Who were some of the last heads of state in the world to lead an army in battle?

Pruitt

Joined Sep 2012

2,715 Posts | 1,029+

Tarkington, Texas

• Mar 10, 2021

• #21

Napolean III was captured by the Prussian Army. I am unsure if he was in charge of the French Army there.

Pruitt

 

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History follower

Joined Mar 2021

450 Posts | 199+

Between past and present

Discussion Starter
• Mar 10, 2021

• #22

M9Powell said:

Any opinions on whether CIC or a civilian involved in building a defensive barricade during a battle would be a legitimate target? I say yes, but not certain of that?

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I guess it would depend in part on whether they were voluntary or forced labour. In Lincoln's case, obviously not the latter, but if we're speaking generally about this...

 

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M9Powell

Joined Oct 2014

4,952 Posts | 261+

appalacian Mtns

• Mar 10, 2021
• Last edited: Mar 10, 2021

• #23

Last edited: Mar 10, 2021

History follower said:

I guess it would depend in part on whether they were voluntary or forced labour. In Lincoln's case, obviously not the latter, but if we're speaking generally about this...

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Militarily speaking IMO whether or not said laborers were forced or not is immaterial. They are involved in military activities that threaten my military activities. It's regretful, but they are still legitimate targets IMO. In WW2 did we refuse to bomb Nazi factories that used slave labor? I think not. I've not checked the dates but I wonder if Early's assault on Washington happened before or after Sherman's depredations became common knowledge? After that I can see not being too concerned with waging war in a getlemanly manner.

 

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History follower

Joined Mar 2021

450 Posts | 199+

Between past and present

Discussion Starter
• Mar 10, 2021

• #24

@M9Powell I guess it comes down to laws on paper vs personal morality ... if that sharpshooter from your story was aware that his targets were forced labour, would he still pull the trigger even if it was legal to do so on paper? Some might, others might prefer to shoot the guards...

In any case, I think it's safe to assume that a head of state would not be in the position of forced labour. I'm just not familiar enough with international law to say whether a civilian doing what he did would be considered a legit target.

 

Philliposeur

Joined Feb 2015

2,047 Posts | 2,279+

Lindum Colonia

• Mar 10, 2021

• #25

Pruitt said:

Napolean III was captured by the Prussian Army. I am unsure if he was in charge of the French Army there.

Pruitt

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He was Commander-in-Chief of the French Army of the Rhine. From volume I of Quintin Barry's 'Franco-Prussian War 1870-1871':

"The order for mobilisation was finally sent out on July 14 and it was just two weeks after this that Napoleon arrived at Metz to take command."

Although it sounds from that as though Napoleon was only commanding part of the French forces in the field, as Barry later explains:

"On July 11, as the prospect of war was becoming very apparent, the decision was taken to abandon the proposed formation of three armies, and instead to concentrate the field army in one command as the ‘Army of the Rhine’. It was a decision which Le Boeuf believed to have been taken for purely political reasons, based on the illusory hope of Austrian cooperation. The eight corps of which the Army of the Rhine was to consist were to be under the overall command of the Emperor, with Le Boeuf acting as his Chief of Staff."

 

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Sundiata1

Joined Jul 2019

1,936 Posts | 6,397+

Ghana

• Apr 20, 2021

• #26

Idriss Deby, president of Chad for the past 31 years, was reportedly killed today on the frontline while leading the army against northern FACT rebels, invading from southern Libya.

 

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MAGolding

Joined Aug 2015

4,706 Posts | 1,102+

Chalfont, Pennsylvania

• Apr 20, 2021

• #27

Rabih az-Zubayr (c. 1842-1900) took over several countries in more or less central Africa. He led his trouops in various batltes in various wars. Countries conquered by Rabih included Baguirmi, whose Sultan Abd ar-Raman Gwaranga led his followers in several attempts to regain Baguimi, and allied with the French in their war against Rabih.

Rabih and Gwaranga were both present at the Battle of Togbao 17 July 1899, where Gwaranga was wounded but escaped. They were also both present at the Battle of Kousseri on 22 April 1900, where Rabih was killed.

 

betgo

Joined Jul 2011

11,340 Posts | 2,849+

• Apr 21, 2021

• #28

A head of state killed in battle yesterday takes the cake.

President Madison was present at the Battle of Bladensburg. It is not emphasized, as the militia ran and the British burnt Washington later in the day. There is more written about Dolly Madison saving the portrait of Washington and other valuables from the White House.

 

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Michele A

Joined Apr 2021

4,208 Posts | 3,218+

Italy

• Apr 22, 2021

• #29

Sundiata1 said:

Idriss Deby, president of Chad for the past 31 years, was reportedly killed today on the frontline while leading the army against northern FACT rebels, invading from southern Libya.

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He obviously wins.
However, I'm surprised nobody mentioned Napoleon I.
Later on, Petar I of Serbia is said to have personally led the remains of his army in the combat retreat to the coast in 1915. I don't know if he actually issued orders, or if he delegated that to generals, but certainly he was with the army, at 71 years of age.

 

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betgo

Joined Jul 2011

11,340 Posts | 2,849+

• Apr 22, 2021

• #30

Michele A said:

He obviously wins.
However, I'm surprised nobody mentioned Napoleon I.
Later on, Petar I of Serbia is said to have personally led the remains of his army in the combat retreat to the coast in 1915. I don't know if he actually issued orders, or if he delegated that to generals, but certainly he was with the army, at 71 years of age.

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Yes, Napoleon was an old fashioned conquering emperor, who absolutely gave the orders. He didn't inherit his position as emperor though.

This President of Chad was President for 30 years and now his son takes over, so it doesn't sound real democratic. Apparently, he was visiting soldiers at the front fighting insurgents.