Who are the best and worst soldiers of all time?

[Stars Down To Earth]

Every nation in the world has been at war, at least once. Some people are much better fighters than others. Which nationality do you think produces the best soldiers, and which one produces the worst?

For the best, I'd go with these, in no particular order:

1. British (and I'm including Scots, Canadians, Aussies and Kiwis)
2. Germans
3. Japanese
4. Jews
5. Russians

As for the worst:

1. Arabs
2. Sub-Sahara Africans (actually, all black people, not just in Africa)
3. North Africans
4. Albanians

[The Ripper]

Best:

Finns. The true elite, who you call upon when wanting the job done. You can forget about fancy military drills and formality, though.

Worst:

Anyone who has to face Finns on the battlefield. Look at the Russians. Everyone thought they were shit when we wiped our asses with their red flag. But then they went on to defeat the Germans, supposedly the best soldiers of all time. I rest my case. Finn supremacy on the battlefields is simple, empiric fact.

[Stars Down To Earth]

Well, that's what I expected from you.

Eh, I was thinking of the Finns but didn't include them. The Winter War against the Russians was fucking awesome, but it was a defensive guerrilla war. I haven't heard about Finland fighting a huge successful offensive war. I didn't put the Finns for the same reason I didn't put the Afghans (who are also skilled guerrillas).

[Ouistreham]

Every nation in the world has been at war, at least once. Some people are much better fighters than others. Which nationality do you think produces the best soldiers, and which one produces the worst?

For the best, I'd go with these, in no particular order:

1. British (and I'm including Scots, Canadians, Aussies and Kiwis)

In view of the miserable showing given by the Brits in both world wars, this sounds especially ironic.

Adolf Hitler would answer to the journalist Lutz Koch, coming back from Bir Hakeim: "You have heard, gentlemen, what Koch recounts. It is a new proof of the thesis I've always supported; namely, that French are still, after us, the best soldiers in Europe. France will always have the possibility, even with its current birthrate, to raise a hundred divisions. We will definitely, after this war, have to set up a coalition able to militarily control a country capable of such impressive military feats."

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

[Efim45]

Continentals followed by the Confederates.

[Stars Down To Earth]

In view of the miserable showing given by the Brits in both world wars, this sounds especially ironic.

Mate, just write your own list.

As a Scot, I quite like the French, so don't leap to conclusions like that.

[The Ripper]

Well, that's what I expected from you.

What, I thought that was the purpose of this thread?

Eh, I was thinking of the Finns but didn't include them. The Winter War against the Russians was fucking awesome, but it was a defensive guerrilla war. I haven't heard about Finland fighting a huge successful offensive war. I didn't put the Finns for the same reason I didn't put the Afghans (who are also skilled guerrillas).

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And only the fronts north of Ladoga can be described as guerilla fronts in the winter war.

[Rainraven]

My two cents...

Kudos to the Russians for there WWII effort, well played.

As for the Brits, the Gallipoli campaign (WWI) is a defining moment in New Zealand history and not a great one, so I feel biased against giving them top spot. As far as producing soldiers, historically they may have been best however modern times I wouldn't give them such a good chance.

That being said, I think few countries would fight a war the same way they did a few decades ago. Everyone lacks the patriotism

[Joe McCarthy]

I'm unsure why the Russians are on your list. They got mauled by the Germans despite overwhelming with sheer numbers and external aid. They were also seriously threatened by Sweden. Nothing they've done matches the American performance against Japan.

[Stars Down To Earth]

Joe, make your own list. And put other nations than America.

I'm unsure why the Russians are on your list.