Best!

This is coolbert:

Here with a listing from blog entries, current and past, related to the topic of "best". BEST of course being that subjective judgment, many arbitrary, often "fuzzy", sometimes right-on-the-money contradictory criteria being taken into consideration.

1. P-51 Mustang fighter plane. Best fighter plane of World War Two [WW2].
2. British RAF fighter pilots. "The most aggressive and capable fighter pilot during the Second World War". Best!
3. General Sarath Fonseka. Best army commander in the world.
4. "Hermann Goering" division. Best unit in the German army, WW2.
5. Hezbollah fighters. Best light infantry in the world.
6. U.S. cavalry, circa 1870's. Best army in the world.
7. Chinese Communist 8th Route Army, circa 1930's. "The best organized, best led fighting force in the world for its size and purpose."

Comments and elucidation regarding each "BEST":

1. As pronounced by the recently deceased Gunter Rall, the P-51, was, in his experience, the best fighter plane of WW2. According to Rall, had unheard of [for a German pilot or any other allied pilot of WW2 for that matter!] luxuries. A fighter plane, the P-51 Mustang, also having the unique capability [??] using drop tanks, to accompany long-range bomber aircraft of the USAAF] all the way to the target, provide protection, and return to base.

2. Again, according to Gunther Rall, the British Royal Air Force [RAF] pilotwas the finest combat fighter aviator of WW2. "The most aggressive and capable fighter pilot during the Second World War."

[Since Gunther Rall was himself an outstanding combat flier, flew on all fronts of WW2, and experienced aerial combat against British [Spitfire], American [P-51], and Soviet [Lavochkin] combatants, the pronouncements of Rall should carry great weight?]

3. General Sarath Fonseka. Commander of the Sri Lankan Army. Presided over the recent defeat of the EELAM Tamil Tigers. Was able to achieve victory while others were not. Mobilized his forces, developed a strategic vision employing the operational art to attain that victory. Obliterated a wily and industrious enemy on the battlefield in a fashion that was thought to be impossible.

4. "Hermann Goering" division. BEST unit in the German Army, WW2? Combined arms unit, fighting on all fronts of WW2, exceeding [?] the performance of other outstanding German combat units. Rated #1 unit by the American military historian and researcher Trevor Dupuy.

5. As stated by the # 3 man at the FBI. Hezbollah fighters are not only able to perform in the conventional light infantry role on the battlefield, but are also able to conduct operations of a quasi-military nature in furtherance of the "cause", far from home base, acting autonomously, often a lone "troop". And having an intense fanaticism. Devoted to the cause in the extreme.

6. U.S. cavalry, circa 1870's, fighting the American Indian on the high plains of North America, in combat with a skilled and determined foe, American cavalry, often outnumbered and sometimes outgunned, able to accomplish their mission without a whole lot of support, living rough for an extended period, units fighting often independently, having commanders of high caliber exercising initiative. This is what Lord Wolseley had in mind?

7. Chinese Communist 8th Route Army. Rated "the best organized, best led fighting force in the world for its size and purpose." . This determination made by the U.S. Marine observer Evans Carlson in the later part of the 1930's. 8th Route either able to fight as a conventional unit or disperse and operate as a guerrilla army, on command and by design. Doctrine, concept and tactics all facilitating the insurgency of the Chinese communists under Mao.

These subjective judgments as to what constitutes the "BEST" is in large measure correct according to the expertise of the observer and commentator? A Gunther Rall, an Evans Carlson, the # 3 man at the FBI were and are persons qualified and able, having the experience and the knowledge to pass judgment that is valid and solid!

coolbert.