Bugeaud, Galliéni, Lyautey:

The Force Publique’s campaigns in the Congo-Arab War, 1892-1894

“…Artillery was considered cumbersome and burdensome to colonial operations. 95 Light field and mountain pieces had found specific roles, but its general experience had shown 'an average expenditure of shell far below what is usual in Continental campaigns.' 96 For the Force Publique, however, the moral and operational advantages of deploying artillery was somewhat out of step with contemporaneous trends of thought.…”

“…If this meant 'going native' and assimilating oneself in the cultural and military practices of one's enemy, as the French were more wont to do than the British at times, then so be it. 6 These were the kinds of transferable principles that might be adapted to accommodate the vagaries of different colonial campaigns. Certainly, this is where it is possible to trace a degree of universality between the Congo-Arab War and the better-documented French and British experiences.…”

“…Soon attitudes hardened, sensibilities were anesthetized and any political or military goals beyond utter devastation were lost in an orgy of brutality and excess. 28 Indigenous populations who were unwilling to 'accept the yoke of conquest' after witnessing the devastation wrought by a flying column could expect 'a war of extermination'. 29 However, for those willing to submit, Bugeaud was prepared to accompany his military successes with a durable political plan to pacify the region.…”

“…Bugeaud had operated under similar principles in Algeria when utilising a combination of intelligence and mobility to strike deep into areas that would keep his enemy off-balance. 78 In spite of the humiliating reverses at Isandlwhana (1879) and Majuba Hill (1881), Callwell could also see the benefits, under certain circumstances, to trust in the separation of forces to secure an operational advantage against a disorganised enemy. He wrote, If each part of a divided army is in itself a match for whatever force the enemy may bring against it, defeat in detail is not to be feared.…”