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General Forums => The O' Club => Topic started by: Curlew on November 02, 2009, 03:47:01 PM

Title: Forum Debate: Greatest Commander of all time!
Post by: Curlew on November 02, 2009, 03:47:01 PM
Technology is not an issue, numbers are not an issue, just who would win in a fair fight, and you must provide evidence as to why your canidate is better then the last.

So prove your commander is better than mine: Atilla the Hun
Title: Re: Forum Debate: Greatest Commander of all time!
Post by: minke on November 02, 2009, 04:10:54 PM
say no more

(http://img509.imageshack.us/img509/4428/zappbrannigan.png)

"Fly the white flag of war"
Title: Re: Forum Debate: Greatest Commander of all time!
Post by: druski85 on November 02, 2009, 04:17:32 PM
Curlew I'm really happy for you and I'mma let you finish, but the Cobra Commander was the best commander of all time.
(http://www.millionaireplayboy.com/mpb/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/cobra_commander.jpg)
Title: Re: Forum Debate: Greatest Commander of all time!
Post by: wrag on November 02, 2009, 04:22:05 PM
Genghis Khan
Title: Re: Forum Debate: Greatest Commander of all time!
Post by: Curlew on November 02, 2009, 04:27:06 PM
say no more

(http://img509.imageshack.us/img509/4428/zappbrannigan.png)

"Fly the white flag of war"

(http://www.futurama-madhouse.com.ar/fanart/lee/leela_mad.jpg)

Zap Branigan....
Title: Re: Forum Debate: Greatest Commander of all time!
Post by: Nwbie on November 02, 2009, 04:34:33 PM
(http://www.frostfox.com/blogpics/norris1.jpg)

sorry to end the thread so fast, but goes without saying....

 :)
Title: Re: Forum Debate: Greatest Commander of all time!
Post by: DYNAMITE on November 02, 2009, 04:39:11 PM
ghi

/thread
Title: Re: Forum Debate: Greatest Commander of all time!
Post by: minke on November 02, 2009, 04:48:10 PM
(http://www.frostfox.com/blogpics/norris1.jpg)

sorry to end the thread so fast, but goes without saying....

 :)

not fair,calling upon the norris to win the fight. Sign of desperation
Title: Re: Forum Debate: Greatest Commander of all time!
Post by: phatzo on November 02, 2009, 05:07:36 PM
DrDeath
Title: Re: Forum Debate: Greatest Commander of all time!
Post by: Becinhu on November 02, 2009, 05:58:58 PM
Way to ruin a good debate nwbie......Chuck must not be brought forth until at LEAST the 5th page.
Title: Re: Forum Debate: Greatest Commander of all time!
Post by: StokesAk on November 02, 2009, 05:59:56 PM
(http://www.frostfox.com/blogpics/norris1.jpg)

sorry to end the thread so fast, but goes without saying....

 :)

+100
Title: Re: Forum Debate: Greatest Commander of all time!
Post by: 68ZooM on November 02, 2009, 06:20:46 PM
Have to admit NwBie's right.

(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s35/68zoom/1237811519_chuck-norris-approves.gif)
Title: Re: Forum Debate: Greatest Commander of all time!
Post by: wrag on November 02, 2009, 08:17:46 PM
Way to ruin a good debate nwbie......Chuck must not be brought forth until at LEAST the 5th page.


AHHHH HAAAAAA  :O :O :O

NwBie is BUSTED!   :neener: :neener: :neener:
Title: Re: Forum Debate: Greatest Commander of all time!
Post by: Masherbrum on November 02, 2009, 08:21:33 PM
Chuck Norris is a tool. 
Title: Re: Forum Debate: Greatest Commander of all time!
Post by: Becinhu on November 02, 2009, 08:26:08 PM
Chuck Norris is the destroyer of worlds.  The greatest actor of all time. He also carries a third fist in his beard.
Title: Re: Forum Debate: Greatest Commander of all time!
Post by: Masherbrum on November 02, 2009, 08:32:44 PM
Chuck Norris got pwned by CBS.
Title: Re: Forum Debate: Greatest Commander of all time!
Post by: 68ZooM on November 02, 2009, 08:49:14 PM
Chuck Norris came to my BBQ last summer, ate all the red hot charcoal out of the grill and then proceeded to fart out large diamonds for the ladies in the awe-struck crowd.

 
Title: Re: Forum Debate: Greatest Commander of all time!
Post by: Die Hard on November 02, 2009, 09:05:51 PM
Sun Tzu or Carl von Clausewitz, I can't decide which.
Title: Re: Forum Debate: Greatest Commander of all time!
Post by: Lusche on November 02, 2009, 09:23:13 PM
Carl von Clausewitz

Clausewitz was mainly a historian and military theorist. Not a commander. Didn't actually command any larger bodies of troops in a battle.
Title: Re: Forum Debate: Greatest Commander of all time!
Post by: Die Hard on November 02, 2009, 09:46:55 PM
Pitty you don't know more about this great countryman of yours.

Clausewitz entered the Prussian military service at the age of twelve years as a Lance-Corporal, eventually attaining the rank of Major-General. He served in the Rhine Campaigns (1793–1794) e.g. the Siege of Mainz, when the Prussian army invaded France during the French Revolution, and later served in the Napoleonic Wars from 1806 to 1815. Clausewitz served during the Jena Campaign. Clausewitz, serving as Aide-de-Camp to Prince August, was captured in October 1806 when Napoleon invaded Prussia and defeated the massed Prussian-Saxon army commanded by Karl Wilhelm Ferdinand, Duke of Brunswick (who was mortally wounded), in twin battles at Jena and Auerstedt (see Battle of Jena-Auerstedt) on October 14, 1806.

Opposed to Prussia's enforced alliance to Napoleon, he left the Prussian army and subsequently served in the Russian army from 1812 to 1813 during the Russian Campaign. Like many Prussian officers living in Russia, he joined the Russo-German Legion in 1813. In the service of the Russian Empire, Clausewitz helped negotiate the Convention of Tauroggen (1812), which prepared the way for the coalition of Prussia, Russia, and the United Kingdom that ultimately defeated Napoleon I of France and his allies.

In 1815, the Russo-German Legion was integrated into the Prussian Army and Clausewitz thus re-entered Prussian service. He was soon appointed chief of staff to Johann von Thielmann's III Corps. In that capacity, he served at the Battle of Ligny and the Battle of Wavre during the Waterloo Campaign in 1815. The Prussians were defeated at Ligny (south of Mont-Saint-Jean and the village of Waterloo) by an army led personally by Napoleon, but Napoleon's failure to actually destroy the Prussian forces led to his eventual defeat a few days later at the Battle of Waterloo when the Prussian forces arrived on his right flank late in the afternoon and joined the Anglo-Dutch forces pressing Napoleon's front. At Wavre, Thielmann's corps, greatly outnumbered, prevented Marshall Grouchy from reinforcing Napoleon with his corps.

Clausewitz was promoted to Major-General in 1818 and appointed director of the Kriegsakademie, where he served until 1830. In the latter year, the outbreak of several revolutions around Europe and a crisis in Poland appeared to presage another major European war. Clausewitz was appointed chief-of-staff to the only army Prussia was able to mobilize, which was sent to the Polish border. He subsequently died in a cholera outbreak in 1831. His magnum opus on the philosophy of war was written during this period, and was published posthumously by his widow in 1832.
Title: Re: Forum Debate: Greatest Commander of all time!
Post by: Lusche on November 02, 2009, 09:49:07 PM
I knew all that.

But how does that make him the greatest commander of all time?
Title: Re: Forum Debate: Greatest Commander of all time!
Post by: Karnak on November 02, 2009, 09:50:53 PM
Alexander.  The victories he pulled off against much larger, and still skilled, enemy forces have yet to be equaled, in my opinion.
Title: Re: Forum Debate: Greatest Commander of all time!
Post by: Die Hard on November 02, 2009, 09:51:43 PM
I knew all that.

But how does that make him the greatest commander of all time?

Perhaps it does not. Who is "greater" in your opinion, and why?
Title: Re: Forum Debate: Greatest Commander of all time!
Post by: Die Hard on November 02, 2009, 10:07:37 PM
"Greatest" is a very subjective term. In my opinion to be considered the greatest commander of all time the person in question must have been more than just successful on the battlefield; he must have changed how wars are fought. Sun Tzu and Von Clausewitz did that, and their teachings are still compulsory reading in most military academies across the world.
Title: Re: Forum Debate: Greatest Commander of all time!
Post by: Masherbrum on November 02, 2009, 10:09:54 PM
Alexander III of Macedon
Title: Re: Forum Debate: Greatest Commander of all time!
Post by: Anaxogoras on November 02, 2009, 10:12:21 PM
Themistocles
Title: Re: Forum Debate: Greatest Commander of all time!
Post by: USRanger on November 02, 2009, 10:19:56 PM
(http://img41.imageshack.us/img41/3156/bagdadboblarge.gif) (http://img41.imageshack.us/i/bagdadboblarge.gif/)
Title: Re: Forum Debate: Greatest Commander of all time!
Post by: Denholm on November 02, 2009, 10:33:54 PM
The Soup Nazi.
Title: Re: Forum Debate: Greatest Commander of all time!
Post by: Tordon22 on November 03, 2009, 12:00:36 AM

Zap


Yay!
Title: Re: Forum Debate: Greatest Commander of all time!
Post by: Chalenge on November 03, 2009, 12:06:31 AM
Im thinking of a commander that defeats his enemies without fighting battles. In fact he can disarm and win against any opponent by using only one word. Rather than make you all appear foolish I will not share his name so that none of you soil your undies or die of embarrassment over the poor souls you have mentioned already.  :D
Title: Re: Forum Debate: Greatest Commander of all time!
Post by: Tac on November 03, 2009, 02:43:48 AM
I think its very relative.

Commander by definition is a leadership position; military.

So...

Commander as in leader of all the armed forces of his entire nation/tribe?

This one I'd say Napoleon. The fact that he royally screwed up in Russia and later lost in Waterloo is beyond the point. The guy was in charge of ALL the military of his nation and led it to victory after victory to the point where several powerful nations had to join up and declare war not on France but on HIM personally.

Commander as in leader of a force engaged in battle?

I'd say whatever the name is of the Roman general that led the legions against the uprising of bodaciea (sp?) in the british isles. It was what? 100 thousand britons vs 2000 roman legionairres and the romans not only won but slaughtered like half of them while losing under 100 men. In an age of swords thats pretty damn impressive.

And no, the 300 spartans dont beat them because the spartans had the luxury of time to choose their battlefield, a massive terrain advantage and they weren't 300 but 10,000+ defending the pass. This roman fellow was marching his 2000 legionairres to meet another force of roman soldiers to link up and then squash the rebellion... and they were almost ambushed by the 100k rebels...it was the roman commander's quick thinking and skill that led his few men to a position on a field with forests covering both their flanks and make their stand. And he won. O.o

Commander as in leader of a limited number of forces of his nation/tribe?

This one's a tough one since theres so many good ones. McArthur, Patton, the Taiko (jp medieval period), joan d'arc... all led incredibly sucessful campaigns so it depends on what you use to define 'greatest'.


Title: Re: Forum Debate: Greatest Commander of all time!
Post by: Angus on November 03, 2009, 02:44:19 AM
Hannibal had some good moves...
Title: Re: Forum Debate: Greatest Commander of all time!
Post by: Angus on November 03, 2009, 02:57:16 AM
Oh and since fighting overwhelming numbers comes into mind, how's 130 holding of 4000-5000 men?
Rorke's drift 22 to 23 January of 1879
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rorke%27s_Drift
Images from that war are 7:56 minutes in this clip:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-dfOpRTHPE&feature=related

Title: Re: Forum Debate: Greatest Commander of all time!
Post by: Anaxogoras on November 03, 2009, 06:16:23 AM
And no, the 300 spartans dont beat them because the spartans had the luxury of time to choose their battlefield, a massive terrain advantage and they weren't 300 but 10,000+ defending the pass.

That is a huge exaggeration, and I'm no defender of what we saw in the movies.  Perhaps you are conflating the initial number of Greeks who went to defend Thermopylae with the number who actually remained to die there.  That number might be closer to 2,500-3,000, but we will never know for certain.  Sparta herself could never have fielded 10,000 of her own citizens in a military campaign because of a fear of helot revolt in Lacedaemon.
Title: Re: Forum Debate: Greatest Commander of all time!
Post by: Ghosth on November 03, 2009, 07:11:25 AM
Belisarius
Title: Re: Forum Debate: Greatest Commander of all time!
Post by: Swager on November 03, 2009, 11:39:24 AM
Hannibal.

Gave the Romans a pretty good butt kickin.....

.......in their own land!
Title: Re: Forum Debate: Greatest Commander of all time!
Post by: Blooz on November 03, 2009, 06:04:17 PM
For me it's a tie between Vo Nguyen Giap and George Washington.

Both commanded in two wars. Both rose to the top of their profession. Both defeated strong enemies.

Title: Nimitz Foo!!!
Post by: LLogann on November 03, 2009, 06:53:37 PM
If it weren't for the fact that my vote goes with Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz

Alexander.  The victories he pulled off against much larger, and still skilled, enemy forces have yet to be equaled, in my opinion.

Jan. 1905 - Annapolis (19 year old graduate)
(http://www.nimitz-museum.org/images/nimitzandg%27father.jpg)

~1907 - Probably the Philippines
(http://www.naval-history.net/WW1NavyUS-Ranks60EnsNimitz1.JPG)

May 1939 - USS Arizona (Relieving command of Battleship Division 1)
(http://www.pastfoundation.org/Arizona/images/h62013WilsonRelievesNimitz1939.jpg)

Jan. 1943 - Button Naval Base (Nimitz & "Bull" Halsey)
(http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/images/g30000/g34822.jpg)

Early 1945 - Pearl Harbor (Only 1 of 4 five-Star Admirals during WWII, Fleet Admiral)
(http://www-tc.pbs.org/weta/carrier/assets/img/history/chester_nimitz.jpg)

Fleet Admiral Chester Nimitz died at home in San Francisco on February 20, 1966.  A few days before his 81st birthday.  His funeral..... Was on his birthday.  He was the last surviving five-star admiral.
(http://www.nimitz-museum.org/images/nimitzleaving.jpg)

He literally ended WWII.

Decorations and awards from foreign governments include:
Britain - Order of Knight Grand Cross of the Bath
Greece - Grand Cross of the Order of George I
China - Order of the Grand Cordon of Pao Ting (Tripod) Special Class
Guatemala - LaCruz de Merito Military de Primera Clase
Great Britain - Pacific Star
The Netherlands - Order of Orange-Nassau with Swords in the Degree of
the Knight Grand Cross
France - Grand Officer in the National Order of the Legion of Honor
Cuba - Grand Cross of the Order of Carlos Manuel de Cespedes
Argentina - Order of the Liberator
Belgium - Grand Cross of the Order of the Liberator, Grand Cross Order of
the Crown with Palm, Croiz de Guerro with Palm
Italy - Knight of the Grand Cross of the Military Order of Italy
Philippines - Medal of Valor
Ecuador - Star of Abdon Calderson (1st Class)

(http://www.coverbrowser.com/image/time/1148-1.jpg)








Even Chalenge is hinting at Nimitz.......  :salute
Im thinking of a commander that defeats his enemies without fighting battles. In fact he can disarm and win against any opponent by using only one word. Rather than make you all appear foolish I will not share his name so that none of you soil your undies or die of embarrassment over the poor souls you have mentioned already.  :D




AND..... I have confirmation from the FBI & CIA, as well as the Sec of Defense that the only thing to ever defeat Chuck Norris was the USS Nimitz....
(http://guykawasaki.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341c527353ef01156fc18c74970c-pi)

So there!
Title: Re: Forum Debate: Greatest Commander of all time!
Post by: killjoy1 on November 03, 2009, 07:38:26 PM
Field Marshal Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington, KG, KP, GCB, GCH, PC, FRS

He's remembered for Waterloo, but his action during the Peninsular War with Napoleon's army was reasoned brilliance.  He went from surrounded in Lisbon, Portugal (look at the map) with crap for support in England to conquering Spain and invading France and then defeating Napoleon the first time. 

What other general could marshal resources from England to Lisbon for 30,000 soldiers and fight an army three times his size.  Take a look at a list of victories during this 6 year campaign. 

Battle of Roliça,
Battle of Vimeiro,
Second Battle of Porto, he crossed the Douro river in a daylight coup de main, and routed Marshal Soult's French troops in Porto
Battle of Talavera. For this, Wellesley was ennobled as "Viscount Wellington of Talavera and of Wellington"
Buçaco

He prevented the French from taking the Lisbon peninsula by his massive earthworks, the Lines of Torres Vedras, which had been assembled in complete secrecy and had flanks guarded by the Royal Navy. The baffled and starving French invasion forces retreated after six months.

Battle of Sabugal
Battle of Fuentes de Onoro
Ciudad Rodrigo
Badajoz
Battle of Salamanca

He liberated the Spanish capital of Madrid. As reward, he was created "Earl" and then "Marquess of Wellington" and given command of all Allied armies in Spain.

Battle of Vitoria  - He personally led a column against the French centre. Promoted to Field Marshall,
Pamplona
San Sebastián
Pyrenees,
Bidassoa
Nivelle
Orthez
Toulouse

The simple fact, however, is that Wellington was never defeated by Napoleon or by any of Napoleon's generals.

Now if this is not enough, consider that Wellington's first act as Prime Minister was to pass the Beer Act of 1830 designed to move the populace away from “spirits” such as gin, the Beer Act entitled nearly anyone to manufacture, sell, and consume large amounts of beer and ale.  By 1831 there was in England and Wales a licensed drinking establishment for every one-hundred and sixty-eight members of the population. 

Wellington should be the Patron Saint of Aces High.
Title: Re: Forum Debate: Greatest Commander of all time!
Post by: wrag on November 04, 2009, 09:28:17 AM
Genghis Khan...

conquered more territory then Alexander or Napoleon...............

many scholars suggest we might all be speaking Arabic without him...........
Title: Re: Forum Debate: Greatest Commander of all time!
Post by: themaj on November 04, 2009, 10:39:11 AM
Lord Nelson

 "Legacy of Lord Nelson

Nelson was noted for his considerable ability to inspire and bring out the best in his men, to the point that it gained a name: "The Nelson Touch". Famous even while alive, after his death he was lionised like almost no other military figure in British history (his only peers are the Duke of Marlborough and Nelson's contemporary, the Duke of Wellington). Most military historians believe Nelson's ability to inspire officers of the highest rank and seamen of the lowest was central to his many victories, as was his unequalled ability to both strategically plan his campaigns and tactically shift his forces in the midst of battle. Certainly, he ranks as one of the greatest field commanders in military history. Many consider him to have been the greatest warrior of the seas."
Title: Re: Forum Debate: Greatest Commander of all time!
Post by: cpxxx on November 04, 2009, 11:12:38 AM
Field Marshal Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington, KG, KP, GCB, GCH, PC, FRS

etc

The simple fact, however, is that Wellington was never defeated by Napoleon or by any of Napoleon's generals.

Now if this is not enough, consider that Wellington's first act as Prime Minister was to pass the Beer Act of 1830 designed to move the populace away from “spirits” such as gin, the Beer Act entitled nearly anyone to manufacture, sell, and consume large amounts of beer and ale.  By 1831 there was in England and Wales a licensed drinking establishment for every one-hundred and sixty-eight members of the population. 

Wellington should be the Patron Saint of Aces High.
Not only all that but he was Irish too! Actually that's who I thought of first. Although I didn't know about the beer.
Title: Re: Forum Debate: Greatest Commander of all time!
Post by: Chalenge on November 06, 2009, 11:42:12 PM
Okay... (not that either of these is the one I was hinting at before)...

General John J. Pershing OR General Douglas MacArthur.

Every other name mentioned (except Nimitz) fails to measure up because of the lack of sophistication in warfare of their era. I am leaning toward MacArthur but Pershing saved millions and millions of lives by circumnavigating the trench warfare ideal. MacArthur saved millions too so its hard to pick which one was the better commander.

Nimitz did make some bullheaded mistakes though...