G_X
Posts: 518
Joined: 7/7/2002
From: Atlanta, Georgia
Status: offline
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You're wrong Hades, American backed countries can lose. South Vietnam no longer exists to prove that.
Not to be mean, but the Soviets had it right, yes I am a little biased, but the point remains that America's first true modern war was Vietnam, which was lost. If you look at just how close America really came to winning, you would want to know how we lost it.
America has problems because of the way it is, these are not just problems, but also the blessings that make america what it is, that's the Freedom of Speech and Government by the people. Most people during Veitnam era however were too ignorant about the war in Vietnam to know that if they stopped shouting and complaining because of the Draft, and most of them were using school as an excuse to not be drafted might I add, they might have realized that Vietnam was not just winnable, but that victory was within reach, imagine if the US started getting more recruits who were willing to serve, Army morale would have jumped immediatly, and happy troops are better troops.
Not to say the USSR didn't do the EXACT SAME THING later on, in Afghanistan, trying to beat a guerilla force on it's home turf using conventional methods.
But on another point, the all time greatest army? Hmm, depends on Era, I'd have to agree, Macedonians, then Romans, (When you think about it, they were as well organized as most of today's armies are, with their own civil and martial engineering corps, these guys were not just soldiers but they built all the roads in the Empire), Then the Mongols, Dark Ages are kinda hard to prove, so much petty fighting, no one country had a true army, but I'd have to say the Church, Further on, Probably my vote goes to Great Britain, then it shifts, alot of places were good, none too great...Starting in late 1800's I'd say the Prussians, they were disciplined, taught honor, and well equipped and trained. As of WWI, probably still Prussia, after WWI, Easily America, right before WWII, A toss up between Germany and USSR, Germany because of tactics and know how, USSR because of it's resources.
During WWII, for the early part, the German Army outclassed almost everyone, then at the end I have to say that while the American's showed great ingenuity, the brits had great spies, and the Germans still were holding their own...I'd have to say the best army at that point was the USSR, Stalingrad basically proves my point.
One factor alot of you are totally disregarding is the fact that sometimes Manpower is a use in itself, if you can throw 3 guys at a MG nest, and then have the 4th guy with a gun shoot the guy with the MG in the nest, then those first 3 didn't die in vain. Also, USSR's tank corps was amazing, rather brilliant, fending off Panzers that usually outclassed them.
After WWII, during Korea...probably USA, USSR caught up after a while and they balanced out, basically equal, and striving for that equilibrium. Up to Modern Day I'd have to say that US Army, while an effecient fighting force is not the best. Might I add to the Aussie that the SAS is a specialist in what it does, while the Rangers are Recon and Airborne specialists, and are simply elite troops, and that if they wanted a real match for the SAS they should try picking on some Marine Recon boys :P, IDF is very impressive, it lacks true numerical advantages, and while it's equipment lately has outclassed it's neighbors, it was not always so. The IAF is simply astounding, I wish we could send every pilot we have to spend a year learning to fly the way the IAF do.
If you want to get into sheer numbers, then there's no doubt that China can hold it's own, something like 2 million plus men in it's army?
I guess my vote gets to be assigned to...This really is a tough one, but the German Federal Army also comes to mind, and I'm biased in that direction too. I suppose if I had to pick a single fighting force, it'd be the U.S. Marines, because of their ability to attack with Fixed-Wing Aircraft, Helicopters, and Ground troops in a trully effective fashion.
SEALs could kick the Army's *** any day of the week too ;)
So...I really don't think there is a true Best Army of All Time, since as someone said, a Platoon of Infantry from almost any country (Hell if you gave them enough ammo the Somali's could even do it.) could fend off an attack from Spartans, Romans, or Mongols :)
Egads, I forgot ole Boney.
Napolean's army definitly had some spunk, and alot of tactical talent, not just Boney's own.
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