Best Infantry : The Viet Cong?

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GOP 11/7/2006 6:53:20 PM

Gurkhas won their "rifle greens" in Battle of Delhi, defending Hindu Rao's House with the Rifles Regiment. Before that they wore the standard Red Coats, and Indian Rifle Regiments (like Rajputana Rifles) wore "rifle black". Quite funny to hear you say that they are only good at jungles/mountains, when their very distinct formation was in recognition of their urban-combat service.

Since then the Gurkhas have been deployed as frequently in Indian cantonments, Hong Kong and Singapore as they have been in jungles/mountains. Their modern amphibious operations include Bangladesh Liberation War and Falklands War. Their battle honours includes places quite distinctly not jungles/mountains: France, Belgium, North Africa and Iraq.

While I wouldn't say they are the best (not knowing most of the forces out there), I will say its misleading to label Gurkhas as "only good at XXX".

actually, its almost downright insulting. btw, they were also in East Timor in 99 and caused a considerable change in attitude from the "idiot" element when they were deployed. Their reputation was and is fearsome.

The Sultan of Brunei also has a Ghurka contingent.

I better stop posting in this thread while I'm ahead...definitely not trying to insult the Ghurkas at all. I have always heard that they are extremely good in jungles and mountains, but weren't very good shots and had certain issues in MOUT scenarios.

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olive greens 11/7/2006 7:20:38 PM

The Sultan of Brunei also has a Ghurka contingent.

Well, yes. For the passionate it is downright insulting. Deliberately kept East Timor out of my post - don't want to have the charge of "Another jungle!" thrown back at me. Tried to recall the lowest elevation and/or least vegetation fields for making the point.

Brunei's contingent is not exactly his own, but rather one recruited and staffed for him by the British Royal Gurkha Rifles. Though Singapore recruits its own, its exclusively for armed police/paramilitary.

The real worth of a Gurkha - as a soldier - is not in his reputation for being fearsome, there are plenty of people with more savage and bloodthirsty records than the Gurkha. Its in his unflinching loyalty, iron self-discipline, instant action and famous ability to get along with others that make him such a valued soldier.

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olive greens 11/7/2006 7:37:48 PM

I have always heard that they are extremely good in jungles and mountains, but weren't very good shots and had certain issues in MOUT scenarios.

Somehow I suspect it was Herc the Merc's (typical) contribution to your education. I suggest you go back and read Yimmy's response as a person who has actually competed against them in a shooting contest.

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Neptune_333 11/7/2006 9:41:39 PM

DarthAmerica- The modern US Army Infantry Soldier or US Marine is without question the best trained, best equipped, best supported, most educated, most experienced, most dedicated, most motivated and most effective infantry force the world has ever known PERIOD. There isnt a single force in the history of war that the Modern US Infantryman could not defeat on a battlefield.

After reading some of your other posts, its safe to say you are the most ridiculous person I've ever come accross on any military forum anywhere.

You really have not been around here a lot now have you?

I've been around ...... gixxxerking/DarthAmerica

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ambush 11/7/2006 10:14:47 PM

I am going to say that there is no one “Best Infantry”. Compelling arguments can be made for many groups be it the BEF in 1914 or the US 10th Mountain in Afghanistan.