George Washington Britain's greatest ever foe

[KittySpit]

The American was voted the winner in a contest run by the National Army Museum to identify the country's most outstanding military opponent.

He was one of a shortlist of five leaders who topped a public poll and on Saturday was selected as the ultimate winner by an audience of around 70 guests at a special event at the museum, in Chelsea, west London.

In second place was Michael Collins, the Irish leader, ahead of Napoleon Bonaparte, Erwin Rommel and Mustafa Kemal Atatürk.

At the event, each contender had their case made by a historian giving a 40 minute presentation. The audience, who had paid to attend the day, then voted in a secret ballot after all five presentations had been made.

Dr Stephen Brumwell, who had championed Washington, said: "As British officers conceded, he was a worthy opponent."

The shortlist of five were selected from an initial list of 20 candidates, drawn up by the museum's curators.

To qualify, each commander had to come from the 17th century onwards – the period covered by the museum's collection – and had to have led an army in the field against the British, thus excluding political enemies, like Adolf Hitler.

The contest was designed to not only identify Britain's most outstanding opponent, but also to draw attention to some lesser-known adversaries.

Most of the 20 fought in various colonial wars, such as Ntshingwayo kaMahole, the Zulu leader and victor of Isandlwana, one of the British army's greatest military defeats, and Tipu Sultan, known as the "Tiger of Mysore", who resisted British expansion in India.

Alongside Rommel, the only Second World War leader was Tomoyuki Yamashita, the Japanese commander who oversaw the fall of Singapore. The one woman on the list was Rani of Jhansi, who fought British forces in nineteenth century India.

The online poll was launched in the middle of February, and around St Patrick's Day – March 17 – there was a surge in support for Michael Collins, although several people pointed out on the museum's website that, technically, the guerrilla leader never led an army on a battlefield.

He took a strong lead, but the contest was later featured in the Turkish media, leading to wave of support for Atatürk, who ended up winning with more than 3,000 votes – 40 per cent of those cast.

The museum selected the format – of an online poll followed by a closed vote – to filter out tactical voting, reducing the risk that a candidate could win thanks to orchestrated "block" voting – along national lines – rather than on the specific criteria of their performance in battle against the British. The eventual winner, George Washington, came fourth in the online poll, with less than two per cent of the vote.

The top five:

George Washington (1732-99) – 45 per cent of the vote in the final round

Guided the American rebels to victory over the British in the War of Independence. Often outmanoeuvred by British generals with larger armies, his leadership enabled him to hold together an army of secessionists from 13 different states and keep it in the field – and ultimately prevail – during the protracted struggle.

Stephen Brumwell, author and specialist on eighteenth century North America, said: "Washington scores highly as an enemy of Britain on three key grounds: the immense scale of damage he inflicts upon Britain's Army and Empire – the most jarring defeat that either endured; his ability to not only provide inspirational battlefield leadership but to work with civilians who were crucial to sustain the war-effort; and the kind of man he was. As British officers conceded, he was a worthy opponent."

Michael Collins (1890-1922) – 21 per cent

Helped transform the Irish Republican Army into a powerful force which fought the British to a standstill in the Irish War of Independence, securing the separation of most of the island of Ireland from the rest of the United Kingdom.

Under him, the force waged a guerrilla campaign, mounting attacks and ambushes on barracks, police stations and convoys before quickly withdrawing. His tactics made much of Ireland ungovernable – with an army that never exceeded 3,000 active volunteers at any given time.

Gabriel Doherty, lecturer at University College Cork, said: "He was much more than just a great military leader. He had many different hats and his political and administrative skills tend to be a lot more overlooked."

Napoleon Bonaparte (1769-1821) – 18 per cent

Emerged from the turmoil and terror of revolution to become France's greatest military commander, conquering much of Europe. His greatest victories were against other countries, but his final campaign, culminating in the Battle of Waterloo, tested the Duke of Wellington to the limit.

Alan Forrest, professor of modern history at the University of York, said: "Napoleon was, of course, a supremely gifted general and military tactician, and he also had an unerring gift for propaganda and self-promotion. He recognised in Britain his most implacable opponent, and concentrated all his resources – political and economic as well as military in his attempt to defeat him."

Erwin Rommel (1891-1944) – 10 per cent

A decorated veteran of the First World War, he led the German "Blitzkrieg" of France in the Second World War before making his name battling British forces in North Africa, where he earned the nickname "Desert Fox". His skill at handling armoured formations enabled his "Afrikakorps" to consistently outmatch his opponents, often against heavy odds.

Dale Clarke, a reservist officer in the Royal Artillery, author and technical adviser on historical films and television shows, said: "A myth may have grown up around Rommel but there is an underlying truth that he was a superb leader who knew that in war you have to instantly grasp the initiative and keep your men moving forward. He is still the ultimate enemy, because of his sheer tenacity and skill."

Mustafa Kemal Atatürk (1881-1938) – 6 per cent

Fought a tenacious defensive campaign at Gallipoli in 1915 which forced the Allied invasion force to withdraw. Displayed great leadership and tactical acumen, reacting immediately to the landing at Anzac Cove to launch successful counter-attacks, preventing his opponents from securing high ground.

Matthew Hughes, from Brunel University, said: "Atatürk resisted the British-led amphibious landings and was the man at the front who stopped the enemy troops taking the peninsula, advancing on Istanbul and knocking Turkey out of the war."

It makes sense that you would vote an American your worst foe ever, and it makes me proud to be an American.

Article here;
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/history/9...-ever-foe.html

[gambino316]

http://forums.liveleak.com/showthread.php?t=91875

[fazzazz]

However, George Washington's ancestors were from Sunderland, which means he was genetically a feral English mackem.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washington_Old_Hall

[mouseITup]

This article has produced one of the best Telegraph reader comments section I've seen in ages. Some are pure gold.

[UKatheist]

Originally Posted by mouseITup

This article has produced one of the best Telegraph reader comments section I've seen in ages. Some are pure gold.

like this?
George Washington named Britain's greatest foe(ever) George Washington (1732-99) – 45 per cent of the vote in the final round Napoleon Bonaparte (1769-1821) – 18 per cen Michael Collins (1890-1922) – 21 per cent t Erwin Rommel (1891-1944) – 10 per cent Mustafa Kemal Atatürk (1881-1938) – 6 per cent Gog Megog is the magic.UK being Magic of Alice wonderland,innovation ,British Raj, Anglican (Protestant).Innovation being song of songs 5.16 Muhammad being interpreted with Dodi Fayed and Princess Diana atarting with 1757 India gadr and after transfer of spanish Muslim documents.To start with song of song 5.16 with Dodi and pregnant diana being wring(I think).No basis to the fact.This current situation went awfully wrong with one sided killing torture dispute with each other.Muslim took over Roman empire and opened Mosque in China right within life time of the Prophet of Islam.Land belongs to the God or parliament vs Land belong to Queen ,Kings ,sheik sultan is the dispute.Religion vs Man made Conflict.Said Napolean:”I am heading towards Tippu Sultan after 1757 Gadr.HM Queen victoria queen of Canada queen of UK controversy began 1857 while Mahatma Gandhi was born In 1869.I myself saw or met from close proximity before 1947. UK Canada wants Islam destroyed ?This is where is conflict Man ( UK ) vs Religion of universe..I found even UK and world intellectuals not quite understanding what they are up against with incompetence..Indonesia being biggest muslim Nation which new PM David cameron trying to start towards conquering religion without basis.12th Imam Menhdi with presumed second coming of Jesus (together) had been forcasted(prophecy) with some visible sign 1400 yrs ago(in writing).Fact is that that what islam wrote about Prostration ,Lunar eclipse solar eclipse within one month as happened on June 1,2011 and june 15,2011 within few days of Month of fasting amid simultanous creation of Israel and subsequent fight between Syria Israel Qureish with evenual victory of Syria .Muslims are not bad folks at all. Holy Prophets’s love for Muslims reflected when he said I wish I had met met my brothers.The people around got puzzled and said:”O prophet(S),Are we not your brothers”.He replied:”you are my dear companion” My brothers will be future Islam Followers who would reflect as my brothers to reciprocate this Love”. Yesterday,NASA pointed out billions of stars .God of none speed of light with Light existed always.That makes Darwin einstein and hindus 350 m gods or even curren human as Stars or as God become null void with all above. The fact is that almighty God (god to be none radiation acidic Light)and all other prophets with none radiation or impurity or hurts do exist.Name it Jesus Moses abraham isaa Ishmael Muhammad Noah Adam (pbut) all are alive.What seperates is just our sleep.
Look at the photos of as given proof...
http://islamicsocialclub.wordp...
(clicks everything) If human or exhuman who came recently after Adam Eve implant cannot be Lord of the universe - why Muslims not reciprocate love.Holy prophet was 40 and his christian wife was 55 when Islam came Upon confirmation by the Christian reverend uncle Wife daughter Fatima and few friends had become muslim.Today we have 2.1 Billion amid allegation and difficulties.The clue is Billions of stars as in Photo and Love of the Prophets to reciprocate by all umma for umma and others to be invited.Imagine Moses was for the jews but 1400 yrs later It was Moses(pbuh) who had helped islam do just 5 prayers/day.This is Miraj relativity superior than Darwin or Einstein or Hinduis stars being Lords.now 1400 yrs later 12th Imam ?Is it gimmick ,to put it in writing which seem to have come true .I simply assembled info.The first and foremost victim of this dispute is my family and I in most disgusted manner around UK EU Canada and elsewehere.This was their error manifest past 40 Yrs.I even find BBC and ITV as much incompetent as others in the same period.Northing goes in their head.



brilliant.

[mouseITup]

Lol, well I think that one was pretty much one of a kind, I hope. (Wonder what the hell goes on in his mind when he actually thinks before typing.)

One that made me laugh, from an American (I think?)-

Lori Snyder: Had George not won, we would have had cool accents now