Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

General Discussion

LanternWaste

(37,748 posts)

16. An army on its own, no matter how devastating, will not win battles. It stands or falls with its com

Reply to KG (Original post)

Fri Sep 26, 2014, 02:33 PM

Sep 2014

Finland held off a much larger Soviet invasion (19 Soviet division versus eight Finnish) for almost six months. Henry V defeated the French forces (close to 30,000 total ) with only 6,000. Hannibal defeated the Romans at Cannae. During the Battle of The Battle of Longewala, Indian Major Chandpuri and the 47 mend under his command held off a force of 3,000 Pakistanis in 1971.

An army on its own, no matter how devastating, will not win battles. It stands or falls with its commander. It would be comprehensive to look at the leaders of both sides, their experience, motivations, drive, etc.

Edit history

Please sign in to view edit histories.

Recommendations

0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

29 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

ISIS -approx 10-20k barely trained lightly armed. Iraqi Army approx 250k [View all] KG Sep 2014 OP

Motivation. hobbit709 Sep 2014 #1

perhaps the corporate media that has been lying about everything J_J_ Sep 2014 #2

oh, we're being sold a war. damn straight. KG Sep 2014 #3

The Kurdish military is another couple hundred thousand as well. The media narrative is missing a Chathamization Sep 2014 #4

Supposedly America already spent $20 billion training and equipping these Iraqi security forces think Sep 2014 #5

Think we can get a refund? Autumn Sep 2014 #6

I wish! Unfortunately it appears we plan to double down... /nt think Sep 2014 #8

Well there's plenty of programs we can cut to piss away another 20 billion. Autumn Sep 2014 #10

This whole 'Medicare' thing makes seniors lazy leftstreet Sep 2014 #18

Hell better yet why not just ask us the enlist. We would have a premanent job. jwirr Sep 2014 #26

Well... linuxman Sep 2014 #7

Ummmm.... I know. I know. 99Forever Sep 2014 #9

If they're that easy to corral, then one U.S. jet should be enough, right? randome Sep 2014 #11

Then you haven't been paying attention. Dreamer Tatum Sep 2014 #12

Yep. The army we already paid $20 billion to arm and train dropped their weapons and ran think Sep 2014 #13

I didn't claim it was a good investment. Dreamer Tatum Sep 2014 #14

Sorry. Was venting and was more of a general statement rather than a direct response. think Sep 2014 #19

Iraq also has 500k+ reserves leftstreet Sep 2014 #15

They're trying to figure out Twitter. randome Sep 2014 #20

85% Shia AnalystInParadise Sep 2014 #28

An army on its own, no matter how devastating, will not win battles. It stands or falls with its com LanternWaste Sep 2014 #16

"In war, numbers alone confer no advantage. Do not advance relying on sheer military power." LittleBlue Sep 2014 #17

Actually ISIS has 30,000 fighters AnalystInParadise Sep 2014 #21

You make some good points CJCRANE Sep 2014 #24

Sounds like a weapons embargo might have been in order leftstreet Sep 2014 #25

Interesting but comes from from CIA to CNN....(a reliable mouthpiece for MIC) KoKo Sep 2014 #27

"I was only there for the paycheck," moondust Sep 2014 #22

You have just about everything wrong. cali Sep 2014 #23

Want to buy some Iraqi rifles...? Bigmack Sep 2014 #29