Leeto Van Der Merwe

*Général de l'armée* **Leeto Van Der Merwe** GC, MC, MHS, MMM, , , GLM (19 August 1885—21 December 1925) was a Kenyan military commander that served in the Kenyan War of Independence and the Soviet—Kenyan War, he would serve and important role during the Battle of Verdun. He was also kenyan commander who yelled "On ne passe pas!" or "Ils ne passeront jamais!" both meaning that the they shall not pass through Verdun.

## Early life

Leeto Van Der Merwe was born in north-western Kenya in 1885. He would join school in 1890 when he was five and instantly showed that he was immensely smart and he would skip 3 grades by age 12. When he graduated, he joined the popular independence movement against the Russian crown. In 1921 his whole life changed when the Russian monarchy exploded and revolutions were happening everywhere, he quickly joined the Kenyan Royal Legion and fight in the new War of Independence.

## Military career

### War of Independence

Leeto would be sent in as a brigade commander of the 11. Battalion of the Royal Legion and would go on to help win the Siege of Wobulegherita securing the western part of Kenya. He would then offer his services to the Kenyan White Army and he would be in charge of the 189th White Guards Regiment and would secure the final bits of Kenya during the Zandre Offensive.

### Kenyan Republic and Legion

In 1922, Leeto would be asked to help form a corps of foreign trained divisions from the Kenyan Republic, an offer which he quickly accepted. He then was asked to travel to the Kingdom of Kongo to get material and training support. After a week of diplomatic talks, the King of Kongo agreed and sent attachés to the republic. Upon his return, he found out he now had commanding officer, General Phillippus Verwoerd, a welcome site since they had become friends during the Siege of Wobulegherita. The two quickly formed a plan to help secure the state since they were told the Soviets were trying to reinvade and conquer Kenya using remnants of the Kenyan Red Army. After the training was complete he asked Verwoerd to have some foreign trained division train domestic trained division.

### Battle of Verdun

Leeto would be an instrumental commander at turning back the Red Army during the Battle of Verdun. Though his unit was inside the city for most of the battle, he would help plan strategies to help strengthen the defensive works and counter attacks. During the Battle of Van Onselen Point Leeto brought 4th Company of the 18th Infantry to counter attack and retake the vital point. Leeto's luck would finally run out on the 21st of December, when during the Battle of Fort Olivier he would be shot while leading his division during the legion's counter attack. During his final moments he was quoted yelling, "Ils ne passeront jamais!" meaning "They shall never pass". He would die on Hill 246 at Fort Olivier.

## Legacy

Leeto would be fondly remembered and martyred by the Kenyan public and the RAF. After the defeat of the republicans at the Second Battle of Verdun his grave was defiled and he buried in an unmarked grave somewhere on the outskirts of the city. He would be given a new tomb after the modernRepublic of Kenya won the Second Kenyan Civil War.

## Honours and decorations

### National

* Gallantry Cross (x2)
* Military Cross (x3)
* Medal for Honour and Service (x5)
* Military Merit Medal (x3)

### Foreign

* Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire - (British Empire)
* Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Rhodesia - (Federation of Rhodesia)
* General of the Legion of Merit - (Nyasaland)