Conquered by Command – General Downfall

As General McChrystal is relieved of his duties, we take a moment to reflect on other military leaders who have fallen from grace.

Today General Stanley McChrystal’s career was announced as the latest casualty in the bout of vicious infighting at the White House. Bleak though McChrystal’s prospects may look now, it could be much worse.

The top US general in Afghanistan made relatively minor indiscretions of the loose tongue variety, but they caused enough of a stir back home to prompt President Obama into relieving him of his duties. This might have spelled the end for the General’s place in high command, but if you review some of the spectacular downfalls military leaders throughout both history and popular imagination, Stanley’s situation no longer looks quite so grim.

Here’s a few cautionary tales of how the mighty have fallen.

Napoleon Bonaparte

Though at one time poised to subjugate all of Europe, Napoleon risked it all and paid the price. The Battle of Waterloo not only ended his chances of pan-European dominance, but also inspired the creation of one of Abba’s most banal number one hits. A double dose of downfall.

Emperor Palpatine

Despite counting a fully operational Death Star and a mastery of the dark side in his arsenal, even the Sith Lord himself couldn’t halt his very swift and very literal downfall.

General George Patton

Commanding troops often has a confusing set of boundaries, as General Patton found out to his cost. You can push them out of planes, you can march them ragged for days on end, you can even send them to their certain deaths, but never, ever slap them. Patton received a serious reprimand for slapping a shell-shocked private whilst visiting a field hospital in Sicily.

Though technically not a downfall, as Patton was never relieved of his command, he came pretty damn close to it.

General M Bison

A visionary in terms of world domination strategies, M Bison was a most dangerous threat to international stability. Unfortunately the General was destined to meet his demise by that classic tyrant-toppler: being kicked in the face. Perhaps he shouldn’t have paid his minions in Bison Dollars.

Alexander the Great

Ranked as one of the greatest generals of all time, Alexander the Great rampaged his way through Eastern Europe and Asia Minor. Unfortunately, Alex was a real ‘burn the candle at both ends’ type of leader. After a hard day’s conquering, he could invariably be found demolishing wine jars.

Historic sources argue the toss as to what caused the lengthy fever which ultimately led to Alexander’s death, some citing poisoning and others the strain of his lifestyle. None of them consider the possibility the Alexander had predicted the terrible prospect of being played by Colin Farrell in a tedious biographical movie. That’s enough to drive any man to drink!

General Thomas ‘Stonewall’ Jackson

A great Confederate general in the American Civil War. After the Battle of Chancellorsville, Jackson and his aides were tragically mistaken for a Union cavalry force and the General was fired upon by his own troops. His wounds led to the amputation of his left arm and he was too weak to fight off his ensuing case of pneumonia.

Upon hearing of Jackson’s imminent death, Confederate leader Robert Lee kindly wrote: ‘Inform the General that although he has lost his left arm, I have lost my right.’ General McChrystal probably shouldn’t expect a similar message from his own Commander-In-Chief.

Adolf Hitler

Proud owner of perhaps the greatest downfall in history. So spectacular that it has become a vehicle for every disastrous situation on the internet. From being banned on World of Warcraft to the resignation of Sarah Palin, all of life’s trials and tribulations can be set to the tune of Hitler’s downfall.

By Tom Murray posted June 24, 2010 1:14 PM