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Top 10 Worst Generals in History
Ever find yourself in a situation where you’re looking for at your manager and thinking ‘I could do a better job than you!’? Such sentiments are to be encouraged when we look at the role of managers in high-pressure situations. Scroll down our top ten list of the worst generals in military history.
10. Philip VI
Ever left a team meeting with a sharp pain in your back? At the battle of Crecy (1346), Philip VI decided to annihilate his own army. He sent 4000 Genoese mercenaries with crossbows against the English line of attack. The English having LONGBOWS swiftly cut down this ‘attack’. Observing the few Genoese crossbowmen retreating, angered Philip and ordered his forward knights to kill them. This strategy amused the English who continued to rain down arrows on both parties. In the confusion, Philip ordered 15 charges of mounted knights against the English line who were similarly stopped by the English arrows. Philip survived but the battle was lost as he lost 4000 men.
9. Marcus Licinius Crassus
In 54 B.C, the Roman General Crassus was collecting tribute money and enriching himself in Syria, while the Parthians (his enemies) massed their forces for battle. A year later, Crassus with 50,000 men marched into Parthia. Crassus entrusted himself to a local ‘guide’ who led him into the Mesopotamian desert where the whole Parthian army awaited him. The Parthians, who battled on horseback, rode in circles around the Romans firing volley after volley of arrows. Bewildered by this style of combat, Crassus sent his men to RUN after the Parthians – who simply retreated and drew the Romans into an ambush. Its still ranks as Rome’s greatest defeats as Crassus was killed and 60% of his army were vanquished.
8. General Horatio Gates
Managers manage action, don’t they? At the battle of Saratoga the American commanding officer Gates fought more with his subordinate, a Benedict Arnold, than against the British army. Gates possessed little or no military experience and received his command by political appointment. As the battle rages, Gates refused to leave the safety of fortified camp and ordered his men to remain inactive. Arnold sensing that independence might have to fought for, disobeyed and engaged the British. So during battle of Bemis Heights, Gates sat in his tent and speculated with a British prisoner about the revolution whilst Arnold defeated the British Army. On losing the battle of Camden Gates was dismissed from the army.
7. General Antonia Lopez De Santa Anna
Sleep is for losers. In 1836 in the Texas War, Santa Anna wasted men and time storing the Alamo. He then marched north and encamped with his army at San Jacinto River for water. Unfortunately, a Texan army was only a few miles away. The Texans attacked while Santa Anna and his troops were taking a SIESTA. The Mexican Army was destroyed and Santa Anna captured. In the Mexican-American War (1846 -1848), Santa Anna had the dubious distinction of losing every battle he fought.
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