Choose your Leader

I don’t think Gaius Julius is underrated, although most people think of him as Dictator and Caesar, not as millitary commander, he have a track record for winning with less soldiers, and this could be b/c roman soldiers was better trained, but he also won against Pompey, and Pompey also had roman soldiers. I think Julius may be overrated as Caesar, but he deserves to “overrated”, due to his great achievements both as General and politician.

Carl Gustav Fleischer

@Jermofoot:

That or Zhuge Liang.  Actually, I’d choose Zhuge because he knew of what Sun taught (and used it on Sun’s descendants) and applied it to everything else he knew.

That’s interesting: some people say that Zhuge Liang’s campaigns on Wei weakened too much Shu and leaded to Shu’s fall. Maybe if Shu saved more force and focused in defense they could hold more against Wei. On the other hand, I think both Sima Yi and Sun Quan handled better their resources (after all, Wu was the last of 3 kingdoms to fall and only fallen to Jin - Sima Yi’s descendants)

I find that similar to Justinian’s dream of recovering Roman Empire: it only wasted Bizantium’s resources to a lost cause, and let they in bad shape to fight against the real threat: Persians and, later, muslims

@Funcioneta:

@Jermofoot:

That or Zhuge Liang.  Actually, I’d choose Zhuge because he knew of what Sun taught (and used it on Sun’s descendants) and applied it to everything else he knew.

That’s interesting: some people say that Zhuge Liang’s campaigns on Wei weakened too much Shu and leaded to Shu’s fall. Maybe if Shu saved more force and focused in defense they could hold more against Wei. On the other hand, I think both Sima Yi and Sun Quan handled better their resources (after all, Wu was the last of 3 kingdoms to fall and only fallen to Jin - Sima Yi’s descendants)

That could very well be.  But Zhuge pacified the south before marching North, and really only saw defeat through running out of supplies.  He created alliances when necessary but also had the keenest tactical sense out of everyone in the Three Kingdoms era.  Even while dead he caused fear in the enemy.  He just didn’t have enough competent officers to finish out the plan of restoring the Han.

@Jermofoot:

He created alliances when necessary but also had the keenest tactical sense out of everyone in the Three Kingdoms era

Yep, this is true, Zhuge Liang was the best tactician. Also probably was a diplomatic genius. But from a strategical point of view, both Sima Yi and Sun Quan performed better.

I mean, Zhuge Liang, as you say, managed make Shu a solid stronghold. But by then Wei was simply too big and all Shu could make was make a unstable alliance with Wu to force a draw. If Shu would focused in defense they could have a chance of surviving (after all, Jin itself collapsed in a couple of generations), if teamed right with Wu. But going with that continue series of attacks in northern plains only exausted Shu without real hope of managing a decisive victory (Wei simply could retire to east if, say, Chang An fallen to Shu)

I think that only a solid defense allied with Wu could save Shu in long race. But their only real hope of beating Wei was an exterior force that could cripple enough Wei (Xionghu?)

Anyway, not all fault goes to Zhuge Liang. Jian Wei continued the attacks after Zhuge’s death and whe have that patetic Liu Chan and his eunucs

@Jermofoot:

Even while dead he caused fear in the enemy.  He just didn’t have enough competent officers to finish out the plan of restoring the Han.

Both things are true. I like the first sentence, because it reminds me Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar (el Cid, Castille 11th century). He also was famed by winning battles after dead  :-D Of course, it’s not the same because Díaz was a warrior and Zhuge was mainly a intelectual. But it show how history repeats

Alexander the Great, Duh  :wink:

I definitely can see your argument, Fun.  Did they translate 3 Kingdoms in Spanish?  Or did you read an English copy?

Another good one would be Cpt. Price (From COD2)

Red beret + Handlebars= awesome :mrgreen:

Bill Slim

Squad Leader Sgt ‘Chip’ Saunders, 361st Infantry K Company, Serial #: 227-06-22

I would have to say George Washington although Rommel would be good too.

@Imperious:

Squad Leader Sgt ‘Chip’ Saunders, 361st Infantry K Company, Serial #: 227-06-22

Good to know I’m not the only one that still watches COMBAT!

@Jermofoot:

I definitely can see your argument, Fun.  Did they translate 3 Kingdoms in Spanish?  Or did you read an English copy?

An English copy. I had to download it from internet (kongming.net, I think), because is not traslated to Spanish and I didn’t found the English version in a book store

Those things usually never reach Spain. I think they are making a film based on Red Cliffs (Chi Bi) battle this very year, but there aren’t previews of it on Spanish cinemas

@Funcioneta:

@Jermofoot:

I definitely can see your argument, Fun.  Did they translate 3 Kingdoms in Spanish?  Or did you read an English copy?

An English copy. I had to download it from internet (kongming.net, I think), because is not traslated to Spanish and I didn’t found the English version in a book store

Those things usually never reach Spain. I think they are making a film based on Red Cliffs (Chi Bi) battle this very year, but there aren’t previews of it on Spanish cinemas

Oh yeah, totally forgot about kongming.  Named after you know who.  :-D  That’s how I read most of it until I got a paper copy.  Reading on the internet is fine, and their additions and commentary are great, but I preferred one of the older translations that had some great word and phrase choices.

I totally forgot about the movie until I ran across it the other day.  Both parts have already been made but I didn’t see any indication it was going to be released anywhere but the Far East (China, Japan, S. Korea).  Hopefully I can find some subtitled transfers on the internet somewhere, it was supposed to be a big deal.

@Jermofoot:

Hopefully I can find some subtitled transfers on the internet somewhere, it was supposed to be a big deal.

If you find one, please PM the link. Thanks in advance

Beetle Bailey  :roll:

Thats a really great Q?

My Gut says Rommell or Eisenhower, Either one is a winner.

Yammamoto isn’t a bad choice Either.

any of these 3 I would be Happy with

Sgt. Chip Saunders, King company, 351st infantry

Best military mind of all time?
It’s hard to argue against Clausvitz. Dude, the guy wrote the first basic strategy book “On War” that was ever really used by military schools about strategy. And, it’s still in use today.
That’s my thoughts.