Who do You think is Britain's greatest military hero?
OspreyRich
If you have seen my blog (www.ospreypublishing.com/blog/ britains_greatest_ever_military_hero ) you will know that I have challenged the recently published list of Britain's Greatest ever military heroes. I would love to hear what you all think, who is Britain's greatest hero?
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| Silent Hunter |
1
In terms of skill and success it would have to be the Duke of Wellington.
Posted: 12-Aug-2008 11:34
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| Commando |
2
Orde Wingate has to be Britain’s greatest military hero. The creator of the Special Night Squads, Gideon Force and the Chindits, he was one truly awesome soldier!
Posted: 12-Aug-2008 12:29
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| wardog |
3
Has to be Nelson. Ever victorious. If it hadn't been for him, Napoleon would have conquered Britain. Also, he made the navy humane, instead of treating sailors, like slaves.
Posted: 12-Aug-2008 23:38
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| franks4history |
4
what about slim in burma in ww2
Posted: 13-Aug-2008 16:50
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| SJay |
5
If you have to pick one, Wellington would be my vote as without the peninsular campaign Napoleon would have been better able to consolidate his forces and resources.
Among the many worthy "Honorable Mention's" listed here, how about General Edmund Allenby. He was one of the few WWI commanders to show a real appreciation for mobile warfare and his campaigns in Palestine were masterful.
Posted: 13-Aug-2008 22:57
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| formwiz |
6
Agree with Slim - ten times the general Monty was - Alamein was largely the Auk's doing. And, though it's similar to putting Mackenzie or Miles on the same footing as Grant and Lee, where's Wolseely?
Posted: 14-Aug-2008 22:33
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| F Troop |
7
1) Marlborough - Strategic and political acumen with tactical ability and luck .
2) Douglas Haig - Victory in 1918 after the Germans had their last throw with troops released from the German victory on the Eastern front. He was confronted with the great leap in to industrial total war.
3) Wellington - Napoleon was past it after Russia in 1812 and Leipzig . Great general and lucky but without Blucher the evening at Waterloo might have looked different.
4) Nelson - But did he face first rate opposition? I think not.
Posted: 19-Aug-2008 17:51
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| Draconifer |
8
For their fortitude during the blitz my vote is for the Queen Mother and Her Majesty.Unlike
their Georgian predecessor they did not contemplate fleeing the country. The Quintessential attributes of Britishness were thus exemplified. During a time of defense rather than invasion they deported themselves with inspiring dignity and fortitude.
As far as generals no one single-handedly was champion of Britain.
It is only fair to aknowledge singular regiments
and squadrons.
Posted: 24-Aug-2008 06:22
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| IWM |
9
Posted on the Blog - but needing to make a point.
Military Hero - Or military Leader.
I give you.
Captain Noel Chavasse.
Won two VC’s in World War One. Qualified as a doctor, Chavasse joined the Royal Army Medical Corps (RAMC) when World War One broke out. His unit of the RAMC was attached to 10th Battalion King’s (Liverpool) Regiment which fought at the Battle of Hooge near Ypres in 1915. The ferocity of this battle was such that out of 900 men in the 10th battalion just 140 men and 2 officers survived. For his gallantry, Captain Chavasse was awarded the Military Cross. On Day 1 of the Battle of the Somme, the battalion was ordered to attack the fortified village of Guillemont. Along with many other units, the 10th battalion suffered major casualties. Chavasse tended as many of the wounded as he could even into the night- time. He was hit by shrapnel twice and on one occasion carried a wounded man 500 metres back to safety. Chavasse also collected as many dog tags as he could of men killed in the attack. The citation for his first VC stated: “Altogether he saved the lives of some twenty badly wounded men, besides the ordinary cases which passed through his hands. His courage and self-sacrifice were beyond praise.” Chavasse received his VC from King George V in February 1917. In July 1917, Chavasse saw action at the Battle of Passchendaele. With his men, he set up an advanced first-aid post in a captured German dugout. The Germans shelled this position and Chavasse was hit in the head, fracturing his skull. He received treatment for this serious injury and despite advice to the contrary, returned to his first-aid post. Further shelling led to two more head injuries. On his orders, stretcher-bearers took other wounded men back to relative safety, as Chavasse believed that he had to stay where he was to support men who were there. On August 2nd, 1917, another shell blast resulted in a severe stomach wound, which required treatment at a casualty clearing station. However, the wound was so severe that Chavasse died on August 4th aged 32. The citation for his second VC stated: “Though severely wounded early in the action whilst carrying a wounded soldier to the dressing station, he refused to leave his post, and for two days not only continued to perform his duties but went out repeatedly under enemy fire to search for and attend to the wounded who were lying out. During these searches, although practically without food, he assisted to carry a number of badly wounded men over heavy and difficult ground. By his extraordinary energy and inspiring example he was instrumental in rescuing many who would have otherwise undoubtedly succumbed under the bad weather conditions.” Chavasse was buried in the military cemetery at Brandhoek in Belgium. His headstone is the only one in the world engraved with two VC’s. (Although there have been other double winners.)
Now people - that's what you call a hero.
Posted: 25-Aug-2008 23:47
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| OspreyRich |
10
I read this article on the scientific theory of bravery: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/science/article4615314.ece. As one reader points out maybe a bit obvious?
Posted: 27-Aug-2008 11:56
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