5 Biggest American Military Disasters

[Peter1469]

5 Biggest American Military Disasters

Interesting article about the biggest US military disasters and their affects on US strategy.

1. The invasion of Canada (War of 1812)
2. The Battle of Antietam (Civil War)
3. Operation Drumbeat (WWII)
4. Across the Partition, 1950 (Korean War)
5. Disbanding of the Iraqi Army (Operation Iraqi Freedom)

American military failures have undoubtedly had an impact on the country’s strategic position, but have yet to fundamentally undercut national power. The United States recovered quickly from Operation Drumbeat, Antietam, the disbanding of the Iraqi Army and the defeat in Korea.


National greatness depends on more than simply victory in battle, as the persistence of U.S. power suggests. Nevertheless, each of these avoidable defeats proved costly to the United States—in blood, treasure and time.

[Captain Obvious]

Damn Canadians...

[Bob]

5 Biggest American Military Disasters

Interesting article about the biggest US military disasters and their affects on US strategy.

1. The invasion of Canada (War of 1812)
2. The Battle of Antietam (Civil War)
3. Operation Drumbeat (WWII)
4. Across the Partition, 1950 (Korean War)
5. Disbanding of the Iraqi Army (Operation Iraqi Freedom)

Did you read General Franks book on this matter?

America did not disband the army. They self disbanded.

[Peter1469]

The Iraqi army folded like a cheap rug after a short but intense complex attack by the US Army and Marines, but the US officially disbanded the Iraqi army after its rout as part of the silly de-baathification process.

[donttread]

5 Biggest American Military Disasters

Interesting article about the biggest US military disasters and their affects on US strategy.

1. The invasion of Canada (War of 1812)
2. The Battle of Antietam (Civil War)
3. Operation Drumbeat (WWII)
4. Across the Partition, 1950 (Korean War)
5. Disbanding of the Iraqi Army (Operation Iraqi Freedom)

Could we add #6) "Charlie Wilson's War"

[Peter1469]

Could we add #6) "Charlie Wilson's War"

Why not. Just support it. Like the OP did with each one that I listed. I am not sure what the author would say about that one. There are things that we could have tried after the Soviet withdrawal to prevent the rise of radical Islam.

[Mister D]

5 Biggest American Military Disasters

Interesting article about the biggest US military disasters and their affects on US strategy.

1. The invasion of Canada (War of 1812)
2. The Battle of Antietam (Civil War)
3. Operation Drumbeat (WWII)
4. Across the Partition, 1950 (Korean War)
5. Disbanding of the Iraqi Army (Operation Iraqi Freedom)

I don't think he supports #2 very well.

[Peter1469]

I don't think he supports #2 very well.

Why.

[Mister D]

Why.

He doesn't quite explain what was disastrous about the campaign or battle. Were there missed opportunities? Sure, but that's hardly worthy of the term "disaster".

[decedent]

America lost the civil war.