• @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!


  • @Crazy:

    Alexander the Great, Duh  :wink:

    Do you want your commander to believe he is a deity. Danderous choice, but Julius Caesar has some risk also.


  • @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

  • Moderator

    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.


  • Clausewitz is more philosopher than strategist/commander, although he was an officer in the Prussian army. I read Clausewitz and it was very interesting, and innovative thoughts. But it’s not military in the same sense as Rommel, who was an innovative military field commander.

    Clausewitz said that wars and battles have a political goal, we want to force the enemy/opponent to concede, not with economy or diplomatic ways, but with physical force.

    Personally I think Clausewitz is much more interesting than Rommel/Patton, I did not read any books by any of those, but he was not famous for being a commanding general or admiral like many military minds, from Agrippa until Tommy Franks.

    If we can include also Emperors, not only field commanders, I would say Hadrian and Octavian as one of my favorites.


  • WW2 favorite general- Big fan of Chuikov, CG 62nd Army, Stalingrad, later 8th Guards, Shock Army AND he conquered Berlin.  A ruthless SOB, who threw his men into the meat grinder without counting.  Not a brilliant tactical leader by any stretch (compared to Manstein for example), but he understood the Blitzkreig notion of the Schwerpunkt.


  • Patton - and I will defend my choice.

    Many commanders are famous for how the excelled at some particular facet of war; logistics, politicking, inspiring loyalty, etc etc.

    Patton, in my opinion, could be dumped at almost any point in human history, given some sort of fighting force, and he would study the situation and excel.

    Thus, I feel it is fair to compare him to naval, air, artillery commanders, etc. because he would probably have been talented at any aspect of making war.

    my $.02


  • @ABWorsham:

    I beleive Caesar may be one of the most underated commanders.

    and criminals.

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