A Forgotten American Military Strategist: The vision and Enigma of Homer Lea
Abstract
Lea forecast the Japanese strategic campaign in the Pacific during World War II. precisely determined the tactical operations of the Japanese in their invasion and capture of the Philippines . . . over 30 years before their attack on December 12, 1941. A geostategist during the time of Alfred T. Mahan, Sir Halford Mackinder, Karl Haushofer and Rudolf Kjellen, his analysis and projections of warfare in the 20th century have been strikingly accurate. A lieutenant general in the Chinese Imperial Army, he became an advisor to senior military and political leaders in Europe prior to World War 1. His supporters in the United States included Elihu Root, a former Secretary of War and former U.S. Army Chief of Staff, Lieutenant General Adna Chaffee. His supporters saw Lea as a visionary who would accurately predict the nature and areas of conflict in the 20th century, his enemies described him as fascist-like and anti-semitic.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 19, 1994
- Accession Number
- ADA280397
Entities
People
- Richard F. Riccardelli
Organizations
- United States Army War College