Originally posted by Dave Briggs
" Alexander is still my main man.
And I agree with you there...
though I have always been fond of Nimitz...
The Japanese were pretty much defeated 6 months after Pearl...
-V
Who was the greatest Military Leader of all time?
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Vincent Prochelo
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Naval outlook
If we are looking at naval commanders, then
Maarten Harperstzn. Tromp and
Michiel de Ruijter
have definitely their place in the galery of the Great.
Maarten Tromp made several innovations in (the application of) naval battle tactics. And was relatively popular with his crews.
Michiel de Ruijter was absolutely loved by his crews and was as masterful as Tromp in the control of his fleets and in choosing when and where to engage. He even picked up the english flagship from a major english naval base (Chattam).
On a side note, the experiences of these two admirals were the reason for the establishment of the worlds oldest marine corps. The Dutch marine corps was founded in 1665. And copied throughout the world.
Maarten Harperstzn. Tromp and
Michiel de Ruijter
have definitely their place in the galery of the Great.
Maarten Tromp made several innovations in (the application of) naval battle tactics. And was relatively popular with his crews.
Michiel de Ruijter was absolutely loved by his crews and was as masterful as Tromp in the control of his fleets and in choosing when and where to engage. He even picked up the english flagship from a major english naval base (Chattam).
On a side note, the experiences of these two admirals were the reason for the establishment of the worlds oldest marine corps. The Dutch marine corps was founded in 1665
. And copied throughout the world.Some great names missing
Horatio Nelson?
Scipio Africanus, the man who whipped Hanibal like a red-headed step-child?
George Washington?
Che Guevara? He beat all of Bautistas forces with some of his friends and a yacht.
I know Adolf was a prick, but he changed everything and managed to smack a lot of people around on the way.
McArthur actually proved to be an able statesman and run the enemies country. That seems great in its own way.
My head would explode if I tried seriously to answer this question, but I loved reading everyone's responses.
Scipio Africanus, the man who whipped Hanibal like a red-headed step-child?
George Washington?
Che Guevara? He beat all of Bautistas forces with some of his friends and a yacht.
I know Adolf was a prick, but he changed everything and managed to smack a lot of people around on the way.
McArthur actually proved to be an able statesman and run the enemies country. That seems great in its own way.
My head would explode if I tried seriously to answer this question, but I loved reading everyone's responses.
Diplomacy is the art of saying "nice doggy" until you can find a rock.
Quote
"Examine the Tyre campaign. He could not use his phalanx
there. It stretched out for almost two years."
LOL, I guess not since Tyre was on an island, about a half mile from the coast. It also took that long cause he had to build a mole all the way to the island. It was'nt cause he could'nt use his Phalanx there. Look at any siege, sheesh. It just takes time.
Quote
"When they reached India, the magnates there were not afraid
of him. They didnt know who he was. He got a MUCH tougher fight in even the minor skirmishes."
Thats right, and he ALWAYS won, even in a tough fight. Look at how he defeated King Porus' at the battle of Hydaspes. First, he could'nt cross cause it was in the rainy season, and the river was way flooded. So he took 13,000 men with him 17 miles up stream till he found a place to cross. After smashing a reconnoiting force of 2,000 men with 120 chariots, which included Porus' son, he met up with Porus' main force. Without going into detail, Alexander defeated a tough foe, who had 40,000 troops with Elephants and chariots, whose line stretched to about three or four miles, and did it with only him and 13,000 troops.
Also, you have to remember, by the time he did fight the tougher battles, alot of his troops were men taken from defeated foes, and added to his own army. But he always got the best of his men, whether Greek or Persian or Indian.
Quote
"I am not saying that Alex was a dumbass, he wasnt.
But it helps to have a machine that works, when the enemy doesnt."
Thats right, and it was Alexander who made the machine work the way it did.
Yes, Alexander WAS the Greatest of them all. So great even the bible prophesied about him. 'Nuff said.
"Examine the Tyre campaign. He could not use his phalanx
there. It stretched out for almost two years."
LOL, I guess not since Tyre was on an island, about a half mile from the coast. It also took that long cause he had to build a mole all the way to the island. It was'nt cause he could'nt use his Phalanx there. Look at any siege, sheesh. It just takes time.
Quote
"When they reached India, the magnates there were not afraid
of him. They didnt know who he was. He got a MUCH tougher fight in even the minor skirmishes."
Thats right, and he ALWAYS won, even in a tough fight. Look at how he defeated King Porus' at the battle of Hydaspes. First, he could'nt cross cause it was in the rainy season, and the river was way flooded. So he took 13,000 men with him 17 miles up stream till he found a place to cross. After smashing a reconnoiting force of 2,000 men with 120 chariots, which included Porus' son, he met up with Porus' main force. Without going into detail, Alexander defeated a tough foe, who had 40,000 troops with Elephants and chariots, whose line stretched to about three or four miles, and did it with only him and 13,000 troops.
Also, you have to remember, by the time he did fight the tougher battles, alot of his troops were men taken from defeated foes, and added to his own army. But he always got the best of his men, whether Greek or Persian or Indian.
Quote
"I am not saying that Alex was a dumbass, he wasnt.
But it helps to have a machine that works, when the enemy doesnt."
Thats right, and it was Alexander who made the machine work the way it did.
Yes, Alexander WAS the Greatest of them all. So great even the bible prophesied about him. 'Nuff said.
Interesting read.
What about Tshaka Zulu?
Built up from a village or two into the only? (non-colonial) empire south of the equator in Africa. Developed great tactics. Mind you, he also had a decent wingman or two, some of whom scarpered with a chunk of the zulus to create other "empires" - like the ndebele and shangaan.
Also Ghenghis Khan, as mentioned.
Who would agree that the mongol empire should rank up there with other great long-standing empires like Rome and the Chinese dynasties?
What about Tshaka Zulu?
Built up from a village or two into the only? (non-colonial) empire south of the equator in Africa. Developed great tactics. Mind you, he also had a decent wingman or two, some of whom scarpered with a chunk of the zulus to create other "empires" - like the ndebele and shangaan.
Also Ghenghis Khan, as mentioned.
Who would agree that the mongol empire should rank up there with other great long-standing empires like Rome and the Chinese dynasties?
greatest??
If the aim of war is to achieve the stated objectives, then all the talk of tactical vs strategic is moot.
Lee was a loved commander, so what??, buller was also loved by his troops and look what he did to them!!.
Giap never gets the press he deserves because after being a US ally and being trained by the US he promptly turned around and bit them.
The big Mac, ran away to fight another day.
In terms of how they affected history, then here are my contributions
Marlborough - changed the face of europe.
Gustavus Adolphus - likewise
Nelson - likewise
Ghengis Khan - likewise
Attila - likewise
alexander - reshaped the wolrd.
remember that europe was the world for these men.
Lee was a loved commander, so what??, buller was also loved by his troops and look what he did to them!!.
Giap never gets the press he deserves because after being a US ally and being trained by the US he promptly turned around and bit them.
The big Mac, ran away to fight another day.
In terms of how they affected history, then here are my contributions
Marlborough - changed the face of europe.
Gustavus Adolphus - likewise
Nelson - likewise
Ghengis Khan - likewise
Attila - likewise
alexander - reshaped the wolrd.
remember that europe was the world for these men.
"You ask, what is our aim? I can answer in one word. It is victory. Victory at all costs. Victory in spite of all terrors. Victory, however long and hard the road may be, for without victory there is no survival."
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JediMessiah
- Posts: 156
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- Location: Elmhurst, Il, USA
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im appalled that noone has mentioned oliver north or col klink
my vote would go for alexander the great....
his tactics and victories were a product of his intuitive grasp of logistics ("an army fights on its stomach" - not sure, "amatuers discuss tactics, professionals discuss logistics" - napolean)
id also have to mention all of those in beatposse's post
hard to deny conquering the known world
-jedimessiah
my vote would go for alexander the great....
his tactics and victories were a product of his intuitive grasp of logistics ("an army fights on its stomach" - not sure, "amatuers discuss tactics, professionals discuss logistics" - napolean)
id also have to mention all of those in beatposse's post
hard to deny conquering the known world
-jedimessiah
"Karate means never having to say you're sorry"
-E. Andrew Kovich
-E. Andrew Kovich
Hey CCB, Darth Vader is the Military Leader above all the other clowns.Originally posted by CCB
Oh that's easy, davewolf.
No wait maybe its wulfir.
No scratch that its definitely davewolf.
Yes, I'm quite sure its davewolf.
Though wulfir is quite good.....
You of all people should know that..
Semper in Primis
Darth? Bah!
Admiral Thrawn was a far better leader and he didn't even have a magical power to aid in his intimidation of his own subordinates.
On a more serious note, Otto Von Bismark is often considered
the greatest.
On a more serious note, Otto Von Bismark is often considered
the greatest.
Diplomacy is the art of saying "nice doggy" until you can find a rock.