Dale Clarke, Matthew Hughes, Alan Forrest, Stephen Brumwell and Gabriel Doherty
14 April 2012, 10.30am - 5.30pm
From the Rani of Jhansi to Erwin Rommel, who is Britain’s Greatest Enemy Commander? Who has given the British Army the most trouble? Join some of the country’s most eminent historians in a day of fascinating talks at the end of which you decide.
We have selected a 20-strong shortlist of the most outstanding military commanders ever to face the British. The top five commanders, as decided by an online poll, will be represented at our all-day event by five leading historians.
The online voting has now closed.
The event programme is as follows:
- 10:30 - Intro
- 10:40 - Erwin Rommel - Dale Clarke
- 11:20 - Q&A
- 11:35 - Speaker change over
- 11:45 - Mustafa Kemal Atatürk - Matthew Hughes
- 12:25 - Q&A
- 12:40 - Lunch
- 13:40 - Napoleon Bonaparte - Alan Forrest
- 14:25 - Q&A
- 14:40 - Speaker change over
- 14:50 - George Washington - Stephen Brumwell
- 15:30 - Q&A
- 15.45 - Break
- 16:15 - Michael Collins - Gabriel Doherty
- 16:55 - Q&A
- 17:10 - Conclusion
- 17:20 - Close
Tickets can be purchased in the following ways:
- Telephone: 020 7881 6600
- Online: Use the booking form on this page or visit the Museum Shop
- At the Museum
A concessionary rate is available to SOFNAM members, students, seniors and service personnel.
2 December 2011, 3.52pm
Some of the British Army's
Some of the British Army's greatest foes were its own generals -
the idiot at Tanga - some of the worse WW1 generals - Buller's leadership during Black Week.
Foreigner wise - Rommel consistently thrashed us even in France in 1940 - so he must be the winner.
Though Lettow-Vorbeck in WW1 and a number of Boer commanders also warrant consideration.
10 December 2011, 10.29am
George Washington was our
George Washington was our most successful foe. By his operational and strategic successes and inspirational leadership he defeated Brish attempts to retain the North American colonies. A history changing event. By comparison Rommel and Lettow-Vorbecks undoubted successes were reversable. Washington's was not.
19 December 2011, 10.53am
Directly and indirectly, the
Directly and indirectly, the Corsican ogre - Napoleone Buonaparte.
27 February 2012, 1.12pm
Rommell, De Wet, Washington,
Rommell, De Wet, Washington, Montcalm, William Wallace, William of Normandy, Cnut the Great.... William and Cnut did actually conquer England although as this question is Britain's greatest enemies then we are limited to after the act of union so my vote would be for Cristiaan De Wet.
1 March 2012, 2.53pm
William Wallace? Surely one
William Wallace? Surely one of Britain's greatest commanders, not foes...
15 March 2012, 4.16am
Is the reason Hugh O'Neill
Is the reason Hugh O'Neill doesn't make the list is it has to be after the act of union? Surely he would have to make the list otherwise. Maybe you should have an "England's greatest foes" to give the Great O'Neill his due.
19 March 2012, 7.09pm
Ireland's Michael Collins.
Ireland's Michael Collins. Unlike leaders of large, well equipped armies, Collins almost single-handedly organised the remnants of a crushed rebellion into such an effective guerilla force that the greatest empire of modern times was forced to sue for peace. Who else ever matched that?
20 March 2012, 7.18pm
Michael Collins. Took down an
Michael Collins. Took down an empire.
26 March 2012, 3.23pm
Hugh O'Neill who waged a 9
Hugh O'Neill who waged a 9 year war against the English crown in the 16th century should be on your list!
29 March 2012, 12.17pm
Among the Britain's Greatest
Among the Britain's Greatest Foes I've not seen any picture or word about Hitler. Do the British like him so much?
29 March 2012, 5.58pm
Michael Collins was the
Michael Collins was the greatest of all.
30 March 2012, 2.22pm
big commander is mustafa
big commander is mustafa kemal atatürk.Mustafa Kemal Ataturk has been the best leader and commanded of the world, I think.
30 March 2012, 2.29pm
I think atatürk is example
I think atatürk is example for Gandhi,Michael Collins and all of African commanders.
Everyone was saying"the sun does not set in this kingdom" before atatürk
30 March 2012, 3.19pm
Michael Collins, given his
Michael Collins, given his meagre resorces and volunteer soldiers against the might of the British Empire at the height of it's powers.
30 March 2012, 3.43pm
ASK WINSTON CHURCHIL, HE
ASK WINSTON CHURCHIL, HE KNOWS BEST
Ataturk has been Great Britain's most formidable foe of all times. His assumption of command at Gallipoli/Dardanelles in 1915 and eventual defeat of the combined Allied (British, French and Anzak) forces changed the course of the entire First World War. Their defeat at the hands of this military genius cost the Brits/French/Anzacs no less than 75,000 lives. This humiliating defeat was also a major blow to the British psyche, and a source of inspiration for the enslaved nations of the British colonies, who started questioning the might of the British Empire, and finally staged a gradual uprising against their colonial masters. And finally, failing to fight their way through the Dradanelles Straits to Istanbul, capital of the Ottoman Empire, the Allies have had to revise their strategy and amass their resources around the Middle East war theatre. This was a very costly enterprise that cost them dearly in human (another 40,000 some souls) and material resources, inducing the British public opinion to run counter to the war mongers in the British cabinet. Talking of war mongers, Winston Churchill, who as the Lord of Naval Operations and a member of the War Cabinet was the one who had mastermind the Gallipoli Campaign, was impeached for his massive failure in conducting this ill conceived operation. He was packed away soon after (as demoted to the rank of a major) to fight another war, this time against the Boers in South Africa. As someone with a first hand experience at being challenged by Ataturk, Winston Churchill knows best about who the greatest enemy of the British Empire was. He would refer to Mustafa Kemal Pasha as the military commander who cost the British Empire so dearly, not only at the Gallipo;li but also later at the Middle Eastern front. His choice was definitely Mustafa Kemal Ataturk.
30 March 2012, 3.59pm
As Britain's greatest
As Britain's greatest foe,Michael Collins,through his natural strategic skills,completely outmanoeuvred Britain's elite Secret Service at the time,as well as its war-hardened army of World War One experience.
30 March 2012, 9.59pm
Mustafa Kemal Atatürk the
Mustafa Kemal Atatürk the best leader.
30 March 2012, 10.43pm
A quote from "Historynet.com"
A quote from "Historynet.com" :"The tactics that he developed and perfected caused him to be widely regarded as the father of 20th century urban guerrilla warfare. Future revolutionaries such as Vladimir Lenin, Mao Zedong and Yitzak Shamir studied and adopted Collins' tactics. In fact, Shamir admired Collins so much that he used the code-name Michael during the Israeli war of independence."
31 March 2012, 10.34am
While sinking Britain's best
While sinking Britain's best naval pieces one by one, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk was also dealing with Italians, Greeks, Frenchs and Russians in WW1 at the same time.
31 March 2012, 6.32pm
I think is Mustafa Kemal
I think is Mustafa Kemal Atatürk.
Beacause, he isn't only a big commander but also known as a big personality. Everytime, humanity will remember him with his multiple meaning speaking after Dardanel War.
" Those heroes that shed their blood and lost their lives....You are now lying in the soil of a friendly country..Therefore rest in peace.
There is no difference between the Johnnies and the Mehmets to us where they lie side by side here in this country of ours...You, the mothers who sent their sons from far away countries wipe away your tears; Your sons are now lying our bosom and are in peace.
After having lost their lives on this land they have become our sons as well..."
31 March 2012, 10.17pm
the only one who managed to
the only one who managed to be the world leader in turkey and have been ATATURK M.Kemal
31 March 2012, 10.59pm
Of course, both Ataturk &
Of course, both Ataturk & Collins were fortunate in their opposite number: Winston Churchill(not a great war strategist).
31 March 2012, 11.00pm
Michael Collins, also known
Michael Collins, also known as "The Big Fellow", gained an insight into the English mindset while living in London before the war of independence (1918-1921).
1 April 2012, 1.31am
ATATÜRK I LOVE YOU
ATATÜRK I LOVE YOU
1 April 2012, 9.20am
k. ataturk is not impossible
k. ataturk is not impossible
1 April 2012, 9.55am
I think the biggest enemy of
I think the biggest enemy of army of England and English people is Mr. Churchill. He is also enemy of the world. I think Turkish and English people are not hating each other, there is problem between the bully governments. Because nationality and nation which we are born with it is not our choice. Therefore, i think there are 2 kind of people good ones and bad ones or thinkers and just animals.
Also as a Turkish man i think Atatürk spent all life for my life and my freedom and independence. Today, if i am not slave of Churchill i owe Atatürk this, so he is from good ones.
1 April 2012, 10.12am
According to me Atatürk and
According to me Atatürk and Michael Collins were the greatest leader in history. This list's reason is they didn't want to be england's dependencies. And i think; after that you should make a list
"Which Country Were Exploited Much More By england ?
Maybe South Africa maybe India ot others.
1 April 2012, 11.07am
Mustafa Kemal ATATÜRK is the
Mustafa Kemal ATATÜRK is the best commander that the world have ever seen and will be seen in the future. Long Live Mustafa Kemal ATATÜRK. Our Turkish victory over the allied forces , GELİBOLU in english gallipoli.
Our soldiers and Mustafa Kemal ATATÜRK that GALLİPOLİ is İMPASSABLE...
your wreck ships queen elizabeth ocean, french wreck bouvet have sank down to the deep of ÇANAKKALE PENINSULA.....
LONG LIVE TURKISH ARMY.
1 April 2012, 12.06pm
Definately undisputed Atatürk
Definately undisputed Atatürk , If we consider time and conditions , we will easily see that Atatürk is the first ,the best leader of all time history say that
1 April 2012, 2.12pm
I can not understand that,
I can not understand that, why M.K.A. choosen for that?Is that fair?First of all GB attacked Ottoman territory.Then M.K.A. defended their own land.On the other hand, Hitler directly attacked to GB.People, you need to read more history books.
1 April 2012, 2.47pm
F..k Ataturk..
F..k Ataturk..
1 April 2012, 5.10pm
The leader of the world's
The leader of the world's largest. Kemal Ataturk.Britain's leader should have been: (
1 April 2012, 7.20pm
ATATÜRK #1 No Wonder because
ATATÜRK #1 No Wonder because he is the only Man who had to managed to stop the British imperialism colonialism...
NE MUTLU TÜRKÜM DIYENE! Mustafa Kemal Atatürk
1 April 2012, 7.34pm
of course you said ataturk
of course you said ataturk because ataturk was defeat you ı think you always remember this ;)))
1 April 2012, 7.51pm
Congratulations ! You have
Congratulations ! You have declared what is already known . ATATURK has been YOUR "greatest" enemy that is why "The Washington-Brussels Axis of Evil" has made and backed the Islamist counter-revolutionaries in this country . ( "YOUR" refers to America and The European Union including Britain , National Army Muesum , the voters and "eminent" historians all against ATATURK for known reasons)
THERE IS NOTHING NEW ON THE WESTERN FRONT !! That is why the results are not surprising .
Finally , remember OUR motto : AD ASTRA PER ASPERA . ("Our" refers to "LAIC" Turks . Again , "laic" , not secular)
1 April 2012, 8.27pm
Mustafa Kemal ATATURK was the
Mustafa Kemal ATATURK was the greatest commander, if you consider the poor logistic support to his army. He had nothing but the spirit. If one wants to learn more about him, he may read Parick kinross's book "the birth of a nation" ....
1 April 2012, 9.03pm
There has to be no doubt that
There has to be no doubt that Michael Collins should top the list. He may not have been a politician but he was an amazing tactician. He inspired men and women. The Irish are in a league of their own and to paraphrase another great Irish patriot " a war is not won by those who inflict the most it is won by those who endure the most"
1 April 2012, 10.05pm
Big commander Mustafa Kemal
Big commander Mustafa Kemal ATATÜRK was the greatest of all...
1 April 2012, 10.14pm
father of the Turks is
father of the Turks is Atatürk said : " Peace at home, peace in the world" . Atatürk the best founder in the world. because he founded modern,secular,legal,social and peaceful republic of turkey.
2 April 2012, 2.22am
Mustafa Kemal Atatürk is the
Mustafa Kemal Atatürk is the most genius,powwerful and great leader in the world.miss you commander...
2 April 2012, 8.24am
Well, one is to ask why
Well, one is to ask why Ataturk is the greatest enemy of the Brits... Funny that the Brits don't ask themselves what they were doing fighting in other peoples countries.
Ataturk only defended his country against the brittish threat (united with many other armies) in his day and is therefore declared the enemy number 1 today... You brits are really something...
2 April 2012, 9.20pm
No doubt Mustafa Kemal
No doubt Mustafa Kemal Ataturk is the great commander and the leader in the world.
3 April 2012, 9.43am
Why are we discussing???
Why are we discussing??? Whole world and the other commenders had been even known that the best and the greatest commender and the leader is Mustafa Kemal Atatürk.
4 April 2012, 12.47pm
Of Course M.Kemal Atatürk He
Of Course M.Kemal Atatürk He fought under harsh conditions against most formidable foe in Gallipoli. I want to remind you that Turkish 57. Infrantry Regiment was under his command first day of the amphibious attack in Gallipoli. His forces ammo had run out and began to fall back. When He had seen his forces in a mess. He gave his soldier this command. I dont order you to attack I order you to DIE within time other commanders and forces can take our place. Could say me anyone better rule spirit of their soldier more than him ? I also appreciate Erwin Rommel. He deserves Desert Fox as a commander and soldier. but under very bad conditions M.Kemal won his battles against British forces. He and Glorious Turkish forces has changed world history forever causing October Revolution in Russia by cutting supply chain between Britain and Russia. If They hadnt done this by blocking straits. The British Supply could have been passed and War would have been over 1916 and Mutiny against Russian Tzar could have been prevented.At the same time They showed British Empire can be beaten. He is the GRATEST Comander and STATE MAN in the world. Noone of the Nominee has both of features on one man.
4 April 2012, 5.07pm
William the Conqueror has to
William the Conqueror has to take the prize. The irish crew beat us by treachery and murder. everybody else who beat us did so on their ground. William came here and beat us on our ground and subsquently changed the world
5 April 2012, 7.38pm
Mustafa Kemal ATATURK was the
Mustafa Kemal ATATURK was the greatest commander and greatest leader of the world.
5 April 2012, 7.55pm
Atatürk is the greatest
Atatürk is the greatest friend of the Great Britain Empire. He has never been a foe of the Great Britain Empire. It's the greatest lie, that he was a foe of the English people. He was the greatest defender of the Turko-British friendship. The most Turks are proud of Great Britain, because this great empire established the Turkish Republic and the 50 Arabic countries. Sincerely yours.
5 April 2012, 8.38pm
I think Atatürk is the
I think Atatürk is the coolest guy among these losers.
5 April 2012, 10.36pm
OF COURSE MUSTAFA KEMAL
OF COURSE MUSTAFA KEMAL ATATURK...
7 April 2012, 9.27pm
Who are the celebrity
Who are the celebrity speakers giving the talks?
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