Narrative Tradition

In reading through some of John Keegan's book "The Face of Battle" the section on narrative tradition had some interesting insights into the ways that military history is recorded. He notes that military history is not about the soldiers, it is about their leaders. He also points out that the greatest fear of a soldier is "losing the one thing he is likely to value more highly than life- his reputation as a man among other men."

Is this not true for the leaders of those soldiers as well? Thus, I would assume in a battle report one is not admitting dereliction of duty, incompetence or lack of leadership ability. The battle report will reflect it's authors perceived strengths and will highlight his victories while downplaying his failures.

Keegan, John. The Face of Battle. Middlesex: Penguin Book, 1976.