Most elite fighting forces of history From the beginning of time-19th Century

[Rogov]

Cataphracts are NOT the ancestors of medieval heavy cavalry, they had no stirrups and holded their lances with two hands. But yes, definitly a special force.

I would still argue that they played a significant role in pioneering the shock tactics of armoured heavy cavalry and in introducing this style of warfare to Europe. Where this eastern influence combined with the feudal system would eventually lead to the knights of medieval Europe.

I mean, I'm sure the cataphracts would have used stirrups and couched lances had those innovations been available to them.

Anyways, I think the English longbowmen could be classified as an elite force, due to their lengthy training, resulting skill, and remarkable battlefield success (particularly during the Hundred Years War).

[Hawke]

BRITISH REDCOATS!!!!

Meh.

British Line>Dutch Line.

[Friedrich]

Cataphracts are NOT the ancestors of medieval heavy cavalry, they had no stirrups and holded their lances with two hands. But yes, definitly a special force.

I would still argue that they played a significant role in pioneering the shock tactics of armoured heavy cavalry and in introducing this style of warfare to Europe. Where this eastern influence combined with the feudal system would eventually lead to the knights of medieval Europe.

I mean, I'm sure the cataphracts would have used stirrups and couched lances had those innovations been available to them.

Anyways, I think the English longbowmen could be classified as an elite force, due to their lengthy training, resulting skill, and remarkable battlefield success (particularly during the Hundred Years War).

But then we would have a time delay of around 600 years in central and north europe seeing heavy cavalry on battlefield (well in fact we havn't funds of cataphracts in central europe (france/germany/britain), I'm not sure but maybe some in hungarian/romanian castellums). Sure, the Byzantine Empire hold still the tradition of the cataphracts, but they never saw service above the balcans. The first using of heavy cavalry in central/northern europe is visually marked with 1066, the battle of Hastings (Bayeux Tapestry). But we have earlyer no visual or archeological fact of heavy (shock) cavalry in europe. So I don't see for the central european knighthood the same tradition as the one of the cataphracts.

[Rogov]

Alright, that makes sense. Thanks for elaborating.

[Chosen1]

In order

3. The Old Guard

2. The Spartans

1. Alexander with his Macedonian Army

[Hekko]

Cataphracts are NOT the ancestors of medieval heavy cavalry, they had no stirrups and holded their lances with two hands. But yes, definitly a special force.

I would still argue that they played a significant role in pioneering the shock tactics of armoured heavy cavalry and in introducing this style of warfare to Europe. Where this eastern influence combined with the feudal system would eventually lead to the knights of medieval Europe.

I mean, I'm sure the cataphracts would have used stirrups and couched lances had those innovations been available to them.

Anyways, I think the English longbowmen could be classified as an elite force, due to their lengthy training, resulting skill, and remarkable battlefield success (particularly during the Hundred Years War).

The longbowmen are a fairly good choise, since their success stems mostly fom training not equipment or technology.

Also the british > dutch thing depends on the era. There was the whole glorious revolution business.

In the interest of fairness and while missing the point a bit; I think medieval European knights deserve some recognition as well. It's impossible to categorise them into a certain corps which makes them ineligable I suppose. But the fact is, they dominated warfare for centuries, they defined the socio-economic structure of society, and they were incredibly skilled at what they did. Sure , it's their equipment that ultimately makes them neigh unstoppable, but that doesn't change the fact that most of them were some incredibly skilled and dedicated people.

[Tiberius]

The Knights Hospitaller comes to mind when thinking of elite knights.

[Tali]

The Old guard is a interesting choice. As far as I know, they did not rely on (much) equipment that was not available to the regular ranker, they won engagements  because of their skill, and because of their reputation.

[Duuring]

ok,, DUTCH MILITIA 1815!!!!

Well, the 5th militia did charge a Brigade of Frenchman and managed to push back three cavalry charges, without forming square. Just sayin'...

[zac]

they were charging french troops,,that deosnt count

[Tiberius]

For the Napoleonic era I would say the KGL and the French horse grenadiers

[Duuring]

they were charging french troops,,that deosnt count

Well, in that case, Wellington's army was one big band of sissies.

(Oh come on, that was just too easy!  )

The Old guard is a interesting choice. As far as I know, they did not rely on (much) equipment that was not available to the regular ranker, they won engagements  because of their skill, and because of their reputation.

I agree and disagree a bit - While the guard was indeed made up of Veterans and men of valor, without anything more then a bigger hat (Not even kidding), the amount of times they were used is not that much. At the other hand, WHEN they were used, they pulled out a victory over and over again.

[Craig]

The Old guard is a interesting choice. As far as I know, they did not rely on (much) equipment that was not available to the regular ranker, they won engagements  because of their skill, and because of their reputation.

I agree and disagree a bit - While the guard was indeed made up of Veterans and men of valor, without anything more then a bigger hat (Not even kidding), the amount of times they were used is not that much. At the other hand, WHEN they were used, they pulled out a victory over and over again.
[/quote]

Why commit your finest units every time? The old Guard weren't for fighting little wimps (aka everyone that wasn't a member of the old guard, they were for FUCKING SHIT UP LIKE A BUNCH OF WELL DRESSED SAVAGES!

[Tiberius]

The old guard where misused a bit, but in my opinion, a elite fighting force.

[Duuring]

The old guard where misused a bit, but in my opinion, a elite fighting force.

Agreed!