Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Most Effective Military Offensive?

I have been getting a lot of feedback on my Remembrance Day polls, so I would like to put this one up for a nomination process before I launch the poll. The best instance where a military offensive scored a decisive victory. More points are awarded for low casualty rates of the attacking force, and the speed of the victory. But I suppose most important, are the long term gains of defeating the enemy. Nelson's win at Trafalgar essentially guaranteed that Napoleon could never cross the English channel. The German invasion of France was remarkable for its quick victory.

Here are some nominees, preliminary ideas. I ran 7 options in the other poll, so I may have to eliminate a few options. I just want to make sure that I don't dishonour the fallen by forgetting an impressive victory.

1) Patton; which is his most stunning victory?
2) MacArthur recaptures Philippines
3) Napoleon crushes 3rd Coalition at Austerlitz
4) Wellington at Waterloo
5) Giap's siege of Dien Bien Phu
6) Normandy
7) Lord Nelson at Trafalgar
8) Desert Storm
9) Iwo Jima; wasn't quick and easy, but impressive. Should another island amphibious invasion be nominated instead? Yes Clint made a nice war movie about this one.
10) Panzers roll over the Maginot Line

4 comments:

  1. I like the RCRs at Batoche SK

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  2. I guess that it would be politically incorrect to include any Canadian content huh?

    Ya, okay! I'll go away and be quiet.....lol

    ps tons of fun...good job!

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  3. How about the surge in Iraq? One of the most successful counterinsurgency operations of modern times.

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  4. TangoJuliete sez:

    Jake - don't count out the Queen's Own Rifles as well. Batoche, Duck lake, Battleford

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