General William Howe was a British Army officer during the American Revolutionary War. He is best known for his role as Commander-in-Chief of the British forces in North America from 1776 to 1778. Howe led British troops in several key battles, including the Battle of Bunker Hill and the Battle of Long Island, where he achieved significant victories. Howe's strategy focused on capturing major cities, which he believed would weaken the American resolve. However, his decision to not pursue the Continental Army after the Battle of Saratoga ultimately allowed the Americans to regroup and gain support from foreign allies, such as France.