Popski on Leadership and Teamwork

Lieutenant-Colonel Vladimir Peniakoff, DSO, MC, better known as 'Popski', was the leader of 'Popski's Private Army', a small band of British commandos that reconnoitered and raided behind German lines in North Africa and Italy during World War 2. Of Russian origin, Peniakoff had lived in Egypt before the war and spoke a number of languages, including Arabic, fluently.

In the North African campaign, Popski's Private Army worked with the legendary Long Range Desert Group, which Peniakoff regarded as "the finest body of men in any army". The LRDG carried out deep penetration missions of exploration, reconnaissance and raiding. It comprised New Zealanders, Rhodesians and Brits - men who were tough, resourceful, and skilled in navigation, mechanics, and fighting. Peniakoff formed a particularly close bond with the New Zealanders, describing them as "a superior kind of humanity".

Peniakoff wrote a memoir about his wartime service - Popski's Private Army (1950). It is an earthy and gripping account of war, desert exploration, intelligence gathering and raiding, the harshness and beauty of deserts and mountains, and the camaraderie of life among soldiers and Senussi tribesmen. It also contains practical advice about leadership and teamwork.

The following passage gives great insight into how one can build a team, develop its ethos, and foster strong comradeship in a way that is natural and unforced:   

As soon as we set out from Shweref I realized that the minor operations on which some of us had recently been engaged had borne fruit. Our men, no longer merely thrown together by the chance of recruiting, had now some common memories, excitements experienced together, private jokes, a certain pride in their achievements (somewhat magnified no doubt), a desire to do more, and the beginnings of confidence in their fellows and reliance on their commanders.

Peniakoff survived the war, but died of a brain tumour in 1951.

Comments

[SethP]

Great post. I read Popski's book years ago - your right, its a great read. Do you know if there are any books written on the LRDG?

[strategist]

Hi Seth - you could start with 'Kiwi Scorpions', by Brendan O'Carroll. As the title suggests it focuses on the New Zealanders in the LRDG.

Peter

[Dick Ansell]

The book by (Bob) Park Yunnie is a much better read than Popski's own IMHO.
It was originally published as Warriors on Wheels and many years later as Fighting with Popski's Private Army. There is also a book by Bob Owen which I have never got hold of.

Long long overdue for a film, Ridley Scott please note!

[Kotare]

Thanks for the recommendation, Dick. I'll have to see if I can get hold of a copy.

[Dick Ansell]

Oops sorry it should be Ben Owen not Bob, just found it listed out of print on on Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Popskis-Private-Army-Ben-Owen/dp/1857565452 so maybe it's one for Alibris.co.uk