JNA third or fourth biggest army in Europe?
Printed From: History Community ~ All Empires
Category: General History
Forum Name: Modern Warfare
Forum Discription: Military history and miltary science from the ''Cold War'' era onward.
URL: http://www.allempires.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=25580
Printed Date: 17-Apr-2024 at 20:06
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Topic: JNA third or fourth biggest army in Europe?
Posted By: evilbu
Subject: JNA third or fourth biggest army in Europe?
Date Posted: 02-Oct-2008 at 22:41
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Hi, I think a simple question like this one belongs in this part of the forum (that I discovered a few days ago but I think I'll stick around for a while, thanks for letting me join  )I often read that "in the Cold War" (I don't know exactly which period is referred to here) Yugoslavia had the third or fourth biggest army in Europe. How exactly is it measured when this is claimed, and which two (or three) armies were even bigger (UK, USSR, West Germany?) Thanks! |
Replies:
Posted By: Paul
Date Posted: 02-Oct-2008 at 22:59
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It's on populations. Large population = large army (except Britain and Spain) Poland, Germany, France, Soviet Union, Italy and Yugoslavia had the populations, so had the armies. ------------- Light blue touch paper and stand well back http://www.maquahuitl.co.uk - http://www.maquahuitl.co.uk http://www.toltecitztli.co.uk - http://www.toltecitztli.co.uk |
Posted By: Cryptic
Date Posted: 03-Oct-2008 at 01:01
That is usually true, but not with the JNA. The JNA 's size was out of proportion to Yugoslavia's population.
Huge reserves were factored into the total number. Even by Communist standards, the JNA practiced a very comprehensive form of total conscription for both regular forces and reserves. Part of the JNA' strategy (based largely on Tito's WWII experience) was that any invader would be met by armies of guerilla partisans created from the "every citizen a soldier" reserve system.
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Posted By: evilbu
Date Posted: 04-Oct-2008 at 00:04
So which two armies were bigger? Poland and Germany?
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Posted By: gcle2003
Date Posted: 04-Oct-2008 at 11:25
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Depends what period of the cold war (1947-1990 or so) you're talking about. France would have to be a contender.
Somewhat more importantly, the UK had nuclear weapons most of the time and the French caught up quite quickly. After 1955 (roughly) the British anyway switched to a nuclear defence policy, which allowed them to cut back their army, and end conscription.
West Germany of course didn't have an army at all for much of the early period.
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Posted By: Beylerbeyi
Date Posted: 04-Oct-2008 at 13:17
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According to my copy of War Atlas, in terms of military personnel in mid-1982, Yugo army was nowhere near the top in Europe. They barely made it to the top ten (they were 10th, if I haven't missed anyone). They had 255000 military personnel. UK had 327600, Turkey 569000, Spain 347000, Poland 317000, Norway 421000 (!!!), Italy 370000, West Germany 495000, France 492900 and of course the USSR had 3705000. The top three were therefore USSR, Turkey and FRG (closely trailed by France). ------------- |
Posted By: Guests
Date Posted: 20-Jul-2010 at 10:21
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The JNA was NEVER the 3rd largest army in Europe. It is a myth that the creators ended up deluding themselves about. In late 1990 and early 1991, Croatian nationalists/seperatists were briefing western journalists about their soon intended declaration of independence. In an attempt to gain international support as the underdog facing down a mighty goliath, they claimed the JNA was the 6th largest army. This was duly repeated endlessly - including by some who should know better. See the book / TV series "The Fall of Yugoslavia". By 1995, the myth had grown all out of proportion, and the then Croatian president Tudgman (himself a former JNA general) was publically claiming that they had defeated the 3rd largest army. Deluded garbage. Especially when you consider that by the end of 1991, the Croatian Army had more men under arms than the JNA that was supposed to be infinitely bigger. On the other hand, the initial Croat propagandists did a great job. Not only did they manage to convince their own president of a lie, they've still got millions around the world believing it too. |
Posted By: opuslola
Date Posted: 21-Jul-2010 at 08:18
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Quotes about "truth!"
http://www.10ktruth.com/the_quotes/truth.htm Enjoy! ------------- http://www.quotationspage.com/subjects/history/ |
Posted By: itmtrading
Date Posted: 10-Sep-2010 at 16:02
the red army of USSR IS the biggest among UK & West Germany army, the second biggest army is of UK and the third is West Germany of all three countries. ------------- |
Posted By: opuslola
Date Posted: 10-Sep-2010 at 21:00
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Ditto! ------------- http://www.quotationspage.com/subjects/history/ |
Posted By: medenaywe
Date Posted: 29-Dec-2010 at 15:35
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All in defense and protection ...will create army huge like human population of country...But this is waste of money and resources...New technologies today give a chances to those that owns them,to make a blitzkrieg using play station joy sticks and juveniles after a month of Counter Strike training!?!  |