Britain's Greatest General

Posts : 2 Join date : 2011-02-04

Dear All

The National Army Museum has launched an online poll to discover Britain's Greatest General (A bit of fun and not intended to be taken massively seriously) However due to the actions of certain partisan groups the 20th century generals are romping away with it.
Now admittedly Lord Chelmsford has not made the cut to the final 20 but Sir Garnet has and surely we can't allow the likes of 'Bobs' and Fighting Bob Sale to languish at the bottom of the leader board while Haig Monty and Slim race each other for the tape.

Check out the leader board here http://www.national-army-museum.ac.uk/exhibitions/online-exhibitions/britains-greatest-general

And get voting

Subject: Re: Britain's Greatest General Fri Feb 04, 2011 11:21 pm

Gent’s. Julian Farrance is new to the forum. He has posted what I believe to be a very good question. Please stay on topic.

My vote would go with ( Duke Of Wellington)

Posts : 2308 Join date : 2010-07-02 Age : 44

I will go for "Oliver Cromwell" creator of the Modern Army. working-class men were able to become officers. Idea

England was at its best then.

Posts : 600 Join date : 2010-01-07 Location : UK

Hi all,
my vote would go with Montgomery, his months of pre planning pulled off what no one else could, stop the Axis forces and turn the tide of the war in North Africa.

Joe

Subject: Re: Britain's Greatest General Sat Feb 05, 2011 12:02 pm

Colin Campbell for me. I can't believe Haig is top of the list after his part in the Somme.

Subject: Re: Britain's Greatest General Sat Feb 05, 2011 12:14 pm

Haig for me.
Can't fault his leadership.
Tasker

Subject: Re: Britain's Greatest General Sat Feb 05, 2011 5:42 pm

Haig is top of the list because that is what most people think.
Without Haig's Somme Offensive, and his guts in seeing it through, the Allies may well have lost the Great War. Painful as it was, Haig got the job done. A few points to reiterate:
The Somme was a campaign lasting several months, not just a battle on 1-7-1916. The campaign ultimately was successful.
The German army had to be removed from their trenches and pushed back East, all the way to Germany. By 1916, the Germans were entrenched, and only had to sit and hold their ground and wait for an Armistice, then they would keep what they had.
Even today as in Helmand, the only way to remove an enemy from a stronghold is to go in on foot and it is painful and it costs lives. It cannot be done by shelling or air power alone.
Though the Somme Offensive was horrifying by today's standards, it was meticulously planned, checked and approved by the powers that were in charge at the time, using the tried and tested text book tactics of the day.

Subject: Re: Britain's Greatest General Mon Feb 07, 2011 9:19 am

Kids of today!!!
On asking my eldest son and his friends who they think Britain's greatest general was, there was a pregnant pause for 30 seconds, they then discussed for another half minute and eventually came up with "Lord Melchett!"

Subject: Re: Britain's Greatest General Mon Feb 07, 2011 2:46 pm

Does Winston count as a General ? I suppose not , in which case i also go for Arthur Wellesley .

Posts : 2 Join date : 2011-02-04

I do hope Gents that you are voting! despite a spirited resurgence by Bobs (now on 183 votes) the 20th century lads are still way out in front with Bill Slim on 521 and Dougie Haig on 620

http://www.national-army-museum.ac.uk/exhibitions/online-exhibitions/britains-greatest-general/leaderboard

Posts : 2008 Join date : 2011-08-01 Age : 27

I would say the Duke Of Wellington from what i gather he never lost a battle.

Regards Idea

Posts : 187 Join date : 2010-02-04

Drummer Boy 14 wrote:: I would say the Duke Of Wellington from what i gather he never lost a battle.

Regards

Just read the following, which I didn't know

Advancing into Spain in May 1813, he destroyed Joseph Bonaparte’s army at Vitoria, personally leading one of the columns against the French centre.

Subject: Britains greatest General Fri Oct 14, 2011 11:55 am

It has to be The Iron Duke

Wellington for me, a great man.

And if they do one for the Navy, it must be Nelson.

Posts : 187 Join date : 2010-02-04

Mr M. Cooper wrote:: It has to be The Iron Duke

Wellington for me, a great man.

And if they do one for the Navy, it must be Nelson.

How about Drake?

Posts : 116 Join date : 2011-06-17

Cromwell after what he did in Ireland never but always did admire Sir John Moore.

Subject: Re: Britain's Greatest General Tue Oct 18, 2011 5:12 pm

DLB and Mike Jackson have certainly been men I have looked up to with the most enormous amount of respect, both hugely influential and awe inspiring. Having met both (briefly), at various times, I'd nominate these fellas as truly extraordinary leaders; officers apart.
However, as fighting generals go, it would have to be Wellington wouldn't it? 17, 18 victories as leader in the Peninsula and Waterloo, India before that?

Subject: Britains greatest General Wed Oct 19, 2011 3:03 pm

Hi ciscokid

Yes, Drake is a good choice, and he did it between bowling matches :lol!:

Posts : 10 Join date : 2011-10-21

Has to be Wellington, then Slim ,Monty could've been but Arnhem was a disaster and his lack of decisive leadership on Italy was another let down

Subject: Re: Britain's Greatest General Fri Oct 21, 2011 3:03 pm

Had "Monty" swallowed his pride, and allow "Ike" to back Patton's drive instead of the Arnhem disaster, not only could the war have been shortened, but he would've showed himself a great general, so he doesn't get my vote.

Wellington... hmmm, bit of a Francophile when it comes to Napoleonics. He was very good.

I think I'd lean toward General William Howe from the American Revolution. Not only did he bust Washington's chops every time they met, he understood his government's approach to the crises wasn't the correct one, and did what he could on the diplomacy side of things to solve the problem, too. Retired while he was on top, too. A man who made good choices. Idea

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