Charles Edward Callwell facts for kids

Sir Charles Edward Callwell KCB (born April 2, 1859 – died May 1928) was an important officer in the British Army. He was from both England and Ireland. He worked in the artillery, gathered important information as an intelligence officer, and was a leader during the Second Boer War and World War I. Callwell was also a famous writer of books about military history and ideas.

Biography of Charles Callwell

Early Life and Military Start

Charles Callwell was born in London in 1859. He was the only son of Henry Callwell and Maud Martin. He was taught by a German teacher at home. Later, he went to Haileybury school.

In 1876, he joined the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich. This is where future army officers are trained. In January 1878, he became a lieutenant. He joined an artillery group in India. He served in the final parts of the Second Anglo-Afghan War.

In 1881, his group moved to Natal in South Africa. They arrived just in time for the end of the First Boer War. After this, Callwell returned to Woolwich. In 1884, he passed the test to enter Staff College. He studied there from 1885 to 1886. He was promoted to captain in March 1886.

Writing About Small Wars

In 1886, Callwell won a special award. It was the Trench Gascoigne Prize Essay Competition gold medal. He won it for his essay about lessons from British army campaigns since 1865. This essay later became a famous book called Small Wars: Their Principles and Practices. It was published in 1896.

The British Army used this book as an official textbook. It became very well-known. In his book, Callwell looked at military actions not just by Britain, but also by France, Spain, America, and Russia. His book became a key starting point for experts studying "counterinsurgency." This means fighting against smaller, often rebel, groups.

The book was updated and published again in 1899 and 1906. It was even translated into French. Members of the Irish Republican Army read it during the Irish War of Independence. The United States Marine Corps also used Callwell's ideas for their Small Wars Manual in 1935. His book was one of the first to study what is now called "asymmetric warfare." This is when armies with very different strengths fight. Because of this, his book became popular again in the 1990s and is still printed today.

Intelligence and Staff Work

In October 1887, Callwell started working in the Intelligence Branch at Army Headquarters. This meant he helped gather important information for the army. In July 1891, he became a Deputy Assistant Adjutant-General. He served until September 1892. Then he went back to the Royal Artillery as a captain.

Callwell returned to staff work in September 1893. He became a brigade major in the Western District of the Royal Artillery. He served there until September 1896. He was promoted to major in March 1896.

When the Greco-Turkish War started in April 1897, Callwell joined the Greek army. He spent a year in the Near East. In October 1899, the Second Boer War began in South Africa. Callwell joined the staff of Sir Redvers Buller. He was part of the operations that led to the relief of Ladysmith in February 1900.

In September 1901, he was mentioned in official reports by Earl Roberts. He was given the special rank of lieutenant-colonel in November 1900. He then led a mobile column, which is a fast-moving army unit. He served in the Western Transvaal and Cape Colony until the war ended in June 1902. He returned to England in August 1902.

A year later, in October 1903, he started working at the War Office again. By April 1904, he was back in Intelligence. In October 1904, he became an Assistant Director of Military Operations. He was given the full rank of Colonel. In June 1907, Callwell was made a Companion of the Bath, a special honor. At this time, he was a top staff officer at Army Headquarters. In October 1907, his staff job ended. He left the army in June 1909 to focus on writing.

Service in World War I

When World War I started in August 1914, Callwell was called back to duty. He was made Director of Military Operations at the War Office. He was given the temporary rank of major-general. He did a lot of important work. This included preparing plans for the Dardanelles campaign. He personally did not agree with this operation.

In December 1915, the War Office was reorganized. Operations and intelligence were split into two separate departments. Callwell became the Director of Military Intelligence until January 1916. After that, he was sent on a special mission to Russia. His job was to help with supplying weapons to Russia. He also helped with Russia's overall role in the war.

In April 1916, the French gave Callwell a high honor, the Commandeur of the Légion d'honneur. In June 1916, he was given the honorary rank of major-general.

When he returned to England in late 1916, he worked for the Ministry of Munitions. He advised on how to supply ammunition to the different armies. In June 1917, he was made a Knight Commander of the Bath for his service during the war. Callwell left this position in October 1918. He then went back to writing books and articles.

For his service in the war, he received many awards from other countries. These included:

• The Order of the Rising Sun, 2nd Class, from Japan in October 1918.
• The Grand Officer of the Order of the Crown of Italy in November 1918.
• A Commander of the Order of the Redeemer from the King of the Hellenes in October 1919.
• The Order of the Crown from Belgium.
• The Order of the Crown from Romania.
• The Order of Saint Stanislaus from Russia.
• The Order of the White Eagle from Serbia.

Later Years and Legacy

After publishing Small Wars, Callwell was known as a military writer. He wrote about army tactics and topics related to World War I. He also wrote books that made fun of army rules and how the War Office worked. Some people think this might have stopped him from getting promoted faster. In 1921, he received the Chesney medal. This was from the Royal United Service Institution for his important military writings.

Major-General Callwell passed away in May 1928. He died at Queen Alexandra Military Hospital in London. He never married.