Favorite Armies?

[James Gryphon]

This can include fictional or non-fictional armies. For the sake of diversity and fairness, the armies should not be from your home country or religious canon.

Three of my picks:

The Czechoslovak Legion

Betrayed by their patrons, and badly outnumbered by the Bolsheviks that were taking over Russia, the Legion nevertheless secured large swathes of the trans-Siberian Railway, and did their best to fight their way out of the country.

The notion of being stuck in a foreign land, with only your friends to cover your back, taking on all comers is what I think really sticks out to me. Of course, it really helps that it had a happy ending (as they ultimately successfully reached a port and set sail for their new homeland of Czechoslovakia).

Alexander's Greco-Macedonian army

The model of what a world-beating army would look like for over a thousand years to come, they conquered the eastern part of the known Mediterranean world and were undefeated for as far as they could be compelled to go.

The Blood Guard (fictional, mine)
Without going into detail about all of their fashion choices and eccentricities, the Guard are the elite fighting force for the Red Empire in my imaginary "Color Empires" world. I designed them to consistently embody the supreme fearlessness and determination sometimes demonstrated by some of the most famous (or infamous) historical armies, such as the French Foreign Legion (such as at Camarón), or the Imperial Japanese in the island campaigns. A mysterious, exclusive order of supremely well-drilled fanatics, Guardsmen live by the legendary statement attributed to one of Napoleon's commanders: "The Guard dies; it does not surrender".

[Lady Ashenwyte]

Alexander's Greco-Macedonian army. I like the way it allowed for many simple yet effective strategies.

[LT Sandpaw]

Some of my choices would be the Stonewall Brigade from the Civil war, and the Marines, and the 101st Airborne, and the Rangers, The Israeli IDF and British SBS and SAS units, Marius' Mules of the Roman Empire, The Rohirm from LoTR, the Long Patrol from Redwall series, the UNSC from Halo, the French Foreign Legion, the Zulu warriors, Sun Tzu's Peasantry army, the Knights of Santiago from the Spanish/Portugal kings, the Bretonnian Grail Knights from Warhammer, the Firegate Riders of Elestria, and the Men of the Knights watch from GoT.

I'm sure you get the picture.

So just to choose one, here is my top pick:

For number one is an obvious favorite of mine; the German Army or Heer during World War Two. It was one of the, if not the, most impressive military war machine to ever be fielded. Led by competent generals and Field Marshals, they were a force to be reckoned with and feared.

The most notable aspect of the German Army was its use of Blitzkrieg and Panzer divisions. Armored tanks, vehicles, and mechanized infantry preforming a literal lightning war; storming uncontested across Europe. They were the first to use combined warfare utilizing the Luftwaffe and ground forces to their full extent.

Its sad that sometimes the greatest things, rise from the greatest evils.

[Hickory]

Not going to post any images here.

The Armies of Gondor is a favorite of mine. They're one of the strongest militaries in Middle Earth and were crucial to the downfall of Sauron in the Second Age. And their outfits are just plain awesome.

The Imperial Army of the Galactic Empire is also super cool.

Now, the Roman army was a great power in its time. How else did Rome conquer the entire Mediterranean? Although they did fall, terribly, they were still a strong fighting force.

Finally, the British army during the time of the American Revolution. As one of the world's superpowers, they were and are famed for their almost unbeatable navy and, at the time, the best ground troops. Until the Americans started using unconventional battle tactics (cheaters!) the Nritish were a force to be feared. (And still are!)