For PanzerJaeger, comparing the armies of WW2

[Conradus]

On the other hand lets talk about bad army. How about Japanese army?

The Japanese did have the highest morale imo in the entire war. Of course that didn't really help them in the end.

I'd have to say that the German army probably was the best of the entire WWII. They managed to conquer most of Europe in under 3 years. It's only logical that they lost, given the sheer amount of men and industrial power massed against them, and the stupidity of Hitler and other german commanders during the latter part of the war.

The Finns of course deserve an honourable mention.

[KarlXII]

Well, I'd give the Japanese some recognition. Tehcnologically inferior land wise, they still managed to conquer a large amount of land the years they were alive.

[rotorgun]

Here is an interesting link where you can take a brief quiz to see what type of army WW II army you would have likely preferred:

http://quizfarm.com/test.php?q_id=194168

Here were my results, which I found interesting in that I am currently serving in the US Army National Guard, and have served as a regular in my past. I guess I have some "Limey" tendencies-odd as I am of French/Canadian descent.

In which World War 2 army you should have fought?
You scored as a British and the Commonwealth
Your army is the British and the Commonwealth (Canada, ANZAC, India). You want to serve under good generals and use good equipment in defense of the western form of life.
British and the Commonwealth
94%
Finland
75%
Italy
75%
Poland
63%
United States
50%
France, Free French and the Resistance
38%
Soviet Union
31%
Germany
25%
Japan
13%

Anyone else up for the quiz?

[KarlXII]

You scored as a British and the Commonwealth
Your army is the British and the Commonwealth (Canada, ANZAC, India). You want to serve under good generals and use good equipment in defense of the western form of life.
British and the Commonwealth
94%
Finland
88%
Poland
81%
France, Free French and the Resistance
75%
Italy
69%
Germany
56%
Japan
50%
United States
44%
Soviet Union

Surprisingly, Finland was right behind.

[Evil_Maniac From Mars]

You scored as Germany
Regardless of what are your political views, you could have made a career in German army. You believe in effective warfare by method of combined arms and superior military training.
Germany
88%
British and the Commonwealth
81%
Finland
63%
Poland
63%
Italy
56%
Japan
50%
France, Free French and the Resistance
44%
United States
44%
Soviet Union
38%

[rotorgun]

It seems that both SwedishFish and Evil_Maniac From Mars may have a Kamikaze death wish lurking in their deepest subconcious thoughts. You both scored 50% in favor of Japan. Is there some European "Code of Bushido" that compels the two of you? As Mr. Spock might say....Fascinating

[KarlXII]

Is there some European "Code of Bushido" that compels the two of you? As Mr. Spock might say....Fascinating

Must be the viking in me.

[KrooK]

Japanese army conquered big part of the world but...
1) there were practically no real defense
2) Japanse army had support from powerful Japanese fleet
3) morale were high but what is morale if commanders don't think

[Csargo]

You scored as a British and the Commonwealth
Your army is the British and the Commonwealth (Canada, ANZAC, India). You want to serve under good generals and use good equipment in defense of the western form of life.
British and the Commonwealth
81%
Germany
81%
Poland
63%
Finland
56%
France, Free French and the Resistance
50%
Soviet Union
50%
Italy
44%
Japan
38%
United States
31%

[rotorgun]

I found this curious site while looking for information about the Japanese Imperial Army (IJA). It's a copy of the actual handbook issued to the US Army describing the IJA. It's a pretty good read, and is a pretty objective look at them, this at a time when propaganda attempted to denigrate the performance of Japan's army.

http://www.diggerhistory3.info/japan/

While reading a Wikipedia article about the IJA, I found it interesting that France had a great deal of influence in the forming of the modern Japanese army and navy. I always thought that it was the British who they emulated. They also developed their concept of a General Staff from the Prussians. Both these facts would explain their emphasis on aggressiveness during an offensive (A French ideal), and the reliance on fortifications and defense in depth (A Prussian-like approach). Here is that link as well:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imperial_Japanese_Army

After reading these articles, one comes away with more respect for the abilities of the Japanese army. It was really the great material deficiencies compared to the US and its allies, and a tendency of rigidity that resulted in their eventual defeat IMO.

[Brenus]

“France developed that myth because they didn't uderstood blitzkrieg.” Blady French, can’t trust them, I am telling you… Bench of cowards and liars, nothing more… Er, when France did produce this myth? (Books, movies, soaps, series, name them, I am interested to know what the Polish like you suppose I learned when at school: by the way, it was the Heroic Polish attacked on both sides…) Not to disturb you, carry on…

“Italian campaign 1945”: A Blitzkrieg, Italy…?

And the Gustav line was broken by the French (battle of Carigliano and Liri) because they had donkeys -named by the English the Royal Brele Force- (Tirailleurs Algeriens) at the price of 7000 casualties. The French won the battle the 13th of May and broke the Gutav Line on 12 km deep. The Polish took Casino the 18th.
“like capture of Monte Casino”: Again, not a denial of the heroism of the Polish soldiers, by the German Paratroopers evacuated Monte Casino (thank to the French, we are welcome) when the Polish took it. The Anzac and others didn’t attack in the same conditions…

I won’t mention all this if you hadn’t your systematic anti-French stance and again, I don’t deny the Polish heroism.

The Finns were probably the best army during the 1st war.
Then I think the best army, from 1943-1944 was the Red Army. The over manoeuvre the Germans, even if some defensive battles of withdrawal from the Germans were stunning. However, in the over all, the soviet tactic in combining Infantry and Tanks, covered by powerful artillery and the best of the Assault planes, just submerge the Germans like they ( the Germans) did to the French, the English, the Polish, Yugoslav etc…

[rotorgun]

This is an excellent source for an analysis of the German army's tactics, it is also an excerpt from an actual US Army WWII publication:

http://www.hpssims.com/Pages/FreeFil...%20tactics.txt

It's a long, but interesting read that might help us all to have some information that will be useful to our discussion. It always helps me to have some sources to refer to.

[Veho Nex]

In which World War 2 army you should have fought?
You scored as a Finland
Your army is the army of Finland. You prefer to win your enemy by your wit rather than superior weapons. Enemy will have a hard time against your small but effective force.
Japan
94%
Finland
94%
Italy
81%
Poland
81%
British and the Commonwealth
69%
France, Free French and the Resistance
63%
United States
50%
Germany
44%
Soviet Union
13%

[LittleGrizzly]

I was 96% on poland and finland, the tiebreaker won it for poland, i like a heroic defense against the odds (in desperation)