The Soldiers' General: Burt Hoffmeister at War

by Douglas E. Delaney

By the end of the Second World War, Bert Hoffmeister had risen from Captain to Major-General and won more awards than any Canadian officer in the war. This native Vancouverite earned a reputation as a fearless commander on the battlefield – one who led from the front, one well loved by those he led. With an astute analytical eye, Delaney carefully dissects Hoffmeister’s numerous battles to reveal how he managed and how he led, how he directed and how he inspired.

Genres: History, Canada

320 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

Reviews

[Nicholas · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an excellent case study of one of the most prominent Canadian leaders during the Second World War. It details Bert Hoffmeister's rise from pre-war world 2 militiaman to a Company Commander at the beginning of the war and on to a successful divisional commander at the end. The author Douglas Delaney is a former Patricia and presents excellent analysis of tactics, organizational and leadership techniques, and training plans employed by Hoffmeister. The picture is not of a man who was so naturally talented that he was destined for military greatness but rather a man who succeeded as a result of his excellent self-awareness and his appreciation of the human factor. Hoffmeister recognized the deficiencies in this own training and actively sought to rectify them when the training establishment wouldn't. In this way when he did first see action in Sicily he was prepared. Being aware of his and his organizations deficiencies was often his greatest strength; although he did falter a number of times as he rose through the ranks but always made a point of analyzing and internalizing those failures to ensure that he and his organizations always improved. Having recognized deficiencies he would establish progressive training (especially focused on his leaders) that would address them. When he learned a lesson the results would be apparent in subsequent operations. For example he very early on learned the value of combined arms groupings for control and coordination as a battalion commander and as a brigade and divisional commander would always look to form combined groupings before crossing the line of departure to avoid conducting that coordination on the fly. His leadership style was very collaborative and relied heavily on enabling and trusting his subordinates. While he was still finding his feet Hoffmeister's kept his tactics simple and in keeping with the doctrinal template of the 8th Army of which he was a part. As he and his organizations gained more experience he would get more creative although never groundbreaking. His strength was not his tactical brilliance but rather simple application of te appropriate established tactical methods. Overall Hoffmeister is an excellent example of how to overcome a lack of experience and learn quickly.

[John Fysh · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well written biography. Highly recommended.

[Lyle Lawson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very well written account of a great man.