From ancient battles to modern warfare – here are some of the most terrifying and history-altering military campaigns humans have suffered through. All of these battles had far reaching historical repercussions, and they also had a strong strategic dimension –  the outcome was often the result of cunning and willpower rather than brute force overpowering a weaker opponent. These campaigns are quite different then the wars we are seeing today – which are often of a smaller scale but are bloodier and involve many more civilian casualties.

10. Vo Nguyen Giap

(1945 – 75) Forcing the U.S. out of Vietnam

It’s fairly an achievement for an undersized third world state to drive, what is the supreme military power in history, out of their country, using not much more than determination and revolutionary strategies.  The people of Vietnam that are willing to tolerate numerous decades of enormous carpet bombing for the only reason of what they feel is right. This campaign could have attained number 1 position in the list if United State’s forces were completely annihilated.

9. Invasion of Northern Germany

(1630) by Gustavus Adolphus

Gustavus Adolphus was trained and groomed by the king Charles IX to assume the crown. The future King learned courtly responsibilities but his devotion was to become the commander of British forces and therefore concentrated primarily on the education of military leadership. Gustavus’ assault of Germany assisted the Protestants seize triumph from crush at the hands of the influential Catholic association, presided by a globe dictating Spain. It also made Gustavus one of the most well-known martial leaders in account, even though the campaign lasted only two years. In such a short time he turned the Sweden into one of the greatest powers of the world.

8. Khalid ibn Walid

(636 AD) Campaign against the Byzantine Empire

He was one of the friends of last Prophet of Allah, Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH). He was accepted and admired for his bravery, valor, military tactics, absolute strategies and power of knowledge he possessed. Khalid engineered the early victories of the Muslim world, and smooths the path for the defeat of the Middle East, Persia, India, North Africa and even Spain, expanding Islam and establishing an authority that is still evidently observable thirteen centuries later, i.e. today.