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Who Was the Greatest Commander to Face the British?
The online voting has now closed and we can reveal that the five military leaders to be represented at our a celebrity speaker event Enemy Commanders: Britain's Greatest Foes on Saturday 14 April 2012 are:
Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, Michael Collins, Erwin Rommel, Napoleon Bonaparte and George Washington.
Enemy Commanders: Britain's Greatest Foes | Online Exhibitions | National Army Museum, London
Turkey Trumps Ireland for First Place
Last updated: 30 March 2012
Mustafa Kemal Atatürk the ‘Father of Turkey’ has successfully fought off Michael Collins and other fellow foes, to capture first place in the Enemy Commanders: Britain’s Greatest Foes online poll. The Turkish statesman and solider outmanoeuvered his competitors to win with 3,090 votes - a clear 303 votes ahead of his closest rival.
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The online poll was created by the National Army Museum both to highlight the achievements of Britain’s most celebrated enemies and to draw attention to some of our lesser-known adversaries. Since it opened, on 13 February, the contest has seen many twists and turns and sparked much heated debate.
There have been several frontrunners. Napoleon led the field for much of February with Rommel a close second. In early March the Rani of Jhansi and Tipu Sultan rose steadily through the competition’s ranks, but their advance was swiftly halted with the advent of St Patrick’s Day and a surge of votes for Collins. Despite great support the ‘Big Fella’ did not stay on top for long and was soon toppled by Atatürk.
The poll, which closed at 10.00am today, has attracted almost 8,000 votes and over 300,000 web hits. The top five commanders, as determined by the poll, now go forward to be represented at an all-day celebrity speaker event on Saturday 14 April 2012. Only the votes registered at this live event will count towards the naming of the overall winner. So don’t forget to book your ticket and have a say in deciding the ultimate foe!
Turkey Trumps Ireland for First Place | Press Release | National Army Museum, London
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2012/0320/1224313581655.html
Collins one of Britain
Mustafa Kemal Atatürk
Dates: 1881-1938
A seasoned veteran of the Balkan Wars, Kemal fought a tenacious defensive campaign at Gallipoli in 1915 which forced the Allied invasion force to withdraw. He would later become the ‘Father of modern Turkey’.
Mustafa Kemal Atatürk | Enemy Commanders: Britain's Greatest Foes | Online Exhibitions | National Army Museum, London
Gallipoli (2005) Trailer - YouTube
Mustafa Kemal Ataturk Documentary Promo (English) - YouTube