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** "If I had to take hell, I would use the Australians to take it and the New Zealanders to hold it." - Erwin Rommel
** "If I had to take hell, I would use the Australians to take it and the New Zealanders to hold it." - Erwin Rommel
** Though nowadays overshadowed by Rommel, Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck (commander of the German forces in Tanzania during [[WW 1]]) qualifies as well. So [[Badass]] was he that he surrendered ''after'' the war was over in Europe, despite being completely cut from any source of supplies and reinforcements. The British were so impressed that they paid his retirement pension. It also helped that he gained the reputation for giving Hitler the shaft. An anecdote had Charles Miller ask the nephew of a Schutztruppe officer, "I understand that von Lettow told Hitler to go fuck himself." The nephew responded, "That's right, except that I don't think he put it that politely."
** Though nowadays overshadowed by Rommel, Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck (commander of the German forces in Tanzania during [[WW 1]]) qualifies as well. So [[Badass]] was he that he surrendered ''after'' the war was over in Europe, despite being completely cut from any source of supplies and reinforcements. The British were so impressed that they paid his retirement pension. It also helped that he gained the reputation for giving Hitler the shaft. An anecdote had Charles Miller ask the nephew of a Schutztruppe officer, "I understand that von Lettow told Hitler to go fuck himself." The nephew responded, "That's right, except that I don't think he put it that politely."
*** There's a very clear reason why he didn't like Hitler, unlike Rommel - with half of his force made up of local soldiers, his men were ''living proof'' that Hitler's ideas were bullshit.
*** There's a very clear reason why he didn't like Hitler, unlike Rommel - with most of his force made up of local soldiers, his men were ''living proof'' that Hitler's ideas were bullshit.
*** Karen von Blixen - who would later write the novel ''Out of Africa'' - actually travelled on the same ship with von Lettow-Vorbeck on her way to Africa. She would describe him as the strongest example of what the German Empire truly stood for.
*** Karen von Blixen - who would later write the novel ''Out of Africa'' - actually travelled on the same ship with von Lettow-Vorbeck on her way to Africa. She would describe him as the strongest example of what the German Empire truly stood for.
** In the same vein as Erwin Rommel, the German WWII officer Hans von Luck (seen by Rommel as a sort of adoptive son) could count. He was all over the map in WWII, being first of the German Panzer forces to the sea, furthest into Moscow, in the Africa campaign (he even captured the founder of the SAS, who escaped during a lavatory break), on the defense during the battle of Pegasus Bridge, and eventually spent years in a Stalag before arriving back in West Germany. When he visited the site of Pegasus Bridge, the British commandoes, to a man, pretended he was polish to get him past the embittered old woman who had been liberated decades before. He also gave lectures to former Allies' military trainee officers, and generally was completely accepted. His opinion of the Allies in WWII was more of the same - he mentions that he and the Allied desert scouts had a ceasefire every night at 6pm, arranged prisoner exchange, and on one occasion, his car was attacked by a fighter - which refused to shoot until the Germans were out of the vehicle.
** In the same vein as Erwin Rommel, the German WWII officer Hans von Luck (seen by Rommel as a sort of adoptive son) could count. He was all over the map in WWII, being first of the German Panzer forces to the sea, furthest into Moscow, in the Africa campaign (he even captured the founder of the SAS, who escaped during a lavatory break), on the defense during the battle of Pegasus Bridge, and eventually spent years in a Stalag before arriving back in West Germany. When he visited the site of Pegasus Bridge, the British commandoes, to a man, pretended he was polish to get him past the embittered old woman who had been liberated decades before. He also gave lectures to former Allies' military trainee officers, and generally was completely accepted. His opinion of the Allies in WWII was more of the same - he mentions that he and the Allied desert scouts had a ceasefire every night at 6pm, arranged prisoner exchange, and on one occasion, his car was attacked by a fighter - which refused to shoot until the Germans were out of the vehicle.
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* Union and Confederate soldiers in [[The American Civil War]] sometimes conducted temporary truces to trade for tobacco, food, or alcohol, with or without their superior officers' knowledge or consent. There is at least one documented instance of soldiers deserting and joining the opposing side because their commanding officer killed a soldier they had made a truce with.
* Union and Confederate soldiers in [[The American Civil War]] sometimes conducted temporary truces to trade for tobacco, food, or alcohol, with or without their superior officers' knowledge or consent. There is at least one documented instance of soldiers deserting and joining the opposing side because their commanding officer killed a soldier they had made a truce with.
** Also from the Civil War: General Robert E. Lee was well respected by many members of the Union, including [[Abraham Lincoln]]. Before the Civil War, Lincoln had requested that Lee be the commander of the Union Army. The only thing that kept him from joining was because he had been born in the confederate state of Virginia, and couldn't bring himself to fight against the place he was born.
** Also from the Civil War: General Robert E. Lee was well respected by many members of the Union, including [[Abraham Lincoln]]. Before the Civil War, Lincoln had requested that Lee be the commander of the Union Army. The only thing that kept him from joining was because he had been born in the confederate state of Virginia, and couldn't bring himself to fight against the place he was born.
** [[Ulysses S. Grant]] was similarly well respected by Lee, who, after the war, never, ever tolerated an unkind word about Grant in his presence. Joseph Johnston was similarly disposed towards his rival. Considering that the rival in question was the oft-villainized William T. Sherman, that's saying something. Johnston even served as a pallbearer at Sherman's funeral, and refused to cover up despite poor health and the bone-chilling cold. Because of this, he caught pneumonia and died shortly afterwards. When a friend advised him to at least put on his hat (hats aren't worn at military funerals as a sign of respect), he told him "If I were in his place and he were standing here in mine, he would not put on his hat."
** [[Ulysses S. Grant]] was similarly well respected by Lee, who, after the war, never, ever tolerated an unkind word about Grant in his presence. Joseph Johnston was likewise disposed towards his rival. Considering that the rival in question was the oft-villainized William T. Sherman, that's saying something. Johnston even served as a pallbearer at Sherman's funeral, and refused to cover up despite poor health and the bone-chilling cold. Because of this, he caught pneumonia and died shortly afterwards. When a friend advised him to at least put on his hat (hats aren't worn at military funerals as a sign of respect), he told him "If I were in his place and he were standing here in mine, he would not put on his hat."
*** Exemplified by Lee's surrender to Grant at Appomattox. To quote the other wiki: "Dressed in an immaculate uniform, Lee waited for Grant to arrive. Grant, whose headache had ended when he received Lee's note, arrived in a mud-spattered uniform—a government-issue flannel shirt with trousers tucked into muddy boots, no sidearms, and with only his tarnished shoulder straps showing his rank. It was the first time the two men had seen each other face-to-face in almost two decades. Suddenly overcome with sadness, Grant found it hard to get to the point of the meeting and instead the two generals briefly discussed a previous encounter during the Mexican-American War." Grant was surprised that Lee, a cavalry colonel from a famous military family, remembered who he was, as at the time, he was a very junior infantry lieutentant.
*** Exemplified by Lee's surrender to Grant at Appomattox. To quote the other wiki: "Dressed in an immaculate uniform, Lee waited for Grant to arrive. Grant, whose headache had ended when he received Lee's note, arrived in a mud-spattered uniform—a government-issue flannel shirt with trousers tucked into muddy boots, no sidearms, and with only his tarnished shoulder straps showing his rank. It was the first time the two men had seen each other face-to-face in almost two decades. Suddenly overcome with sadness, Grant found it hard to get to the point of the meeting and instead the two generals briefly discussed a previous encounter during the Mexican-American War." Grant was surprised that Lee, a cavalry colonel from a famous military family, remembered who he was, as at the time, he was a very junior infantry lieutentant.
** Joshua Chamberlain ordering his men to carry arms as a salute to the surrendering Confederates at Appomattox comes to mind as well.
** Joshua Chamberlain ordering his men to carry arms as a salute to the surrendering Confederates at Appomattox comes to mind as well.
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** The Johnny Horton song "Johnny Reb" is this trope, from the POV of the Union after the war.
** The Johnny Horton song "Johnny Reb" is this trope, from the POV of the Union after the war.
* Raizo Tanaka. He was one of Japan's finest naval officers and the leader of the legendary Tokyo Express in the Solomon Islands Campaign in 1942-43. He kept Japanese outposts alive, and evacuated them when the time came, in the teeth of the American naval and air forces, fighting a number of fierce actions. Fortunately for American arms, envy of his success and anger at his lack of tact caused the Obstructive Bureaucrats of the Imperial Japanese Navy to beach him.
* Raizo Tanaka. He was one of Japan's finest naval officers and the leader of the legendary Tokyo Express in the Solomon Islands Campaign in 1942-43. He kept Japanese outposts alive, and evacuated them when the time came, in the teeth of the American naval and air forces, fighting a number of fierce actions. Fortunately for American arms, envy of his success and anger at his lack of tact caused the Obstructive Bureaucrats of the Imperial Japanese Navy to beach him.
** Isoroku Yamamoto, the architect of Pearl Harbour, had a tremendous respect and appreciation for the military power of the United States, gained whilst working as a Japanese naval attache in Washington. He repeatedly advised the Japanese government not to pursue a course of war against the USA and was vocally opposed to the Tripartite Pact (the alliance with Germany and Italy), which led to him receiving death threats. When ordered to present a plan for a sneak attack on the US fleet, he judged it futile, claiming that even in the best-case scenario (the destruction of the US carriers), all he would gain is six to twelve months of freedom of action in the Pacific before the US gained the upper hand, and sure enough, the US achieved this by winning the Battle of Midway just six months after Pearl Harbour. Whilst Yamamoto's respect for the military and naval power of the United States was high, this was not entirely reciprocated, as his role in planning the 'cowardly' Pearl Harbour attack made him more a figure of hate than respect. That said, the Americans did 'honour' him by going to the trouble of sending a long-range intercept mission to shoot down his aircraft when they learned its flight-plan through code intercepts.
** Isoroku Yamamoto, the architect of Pearl Harbor, had a tremendous respect and appreciation for the military power of the United States, gained whilst working as a Japanese naval attache in Washington. He repeatedly advised the Japanese government not to pursue a course of war against the USA and was vocally opposed to the Tripartite Pact (the alliance with Germany and Italy), which led to him receiving death threats. When ordered to present a plan for a sneak attack on the US fleet, he judged it futile, claiming that even in the best-case scenario (the destruction of the US carriers), all he would gain is six to twelve months of freedom of action in the Pacific before the US gained the upper hand, and sure enough, the US achieved this by winning the Battle of Midway just six months after Pearl Harbor. Whilst Yamamoto's respect for the military and naval power of the United States was high, this was not entirely reciprocated, as his role in planning the 'cowardly' Pearl Harbor attack made him more a figure of hate than respect. That said, the Americans did 'honour' him by going to the trouble of sending a long-range intercept mission to shoot down his aircraft when they learned its flight-plan through code intercepts.
* The military ethic has analogies to the legal ethic in that it presumes that a professional soldier will do his best for the State he serves (barring Very Exceptional Circumstances like [[Those Wacky Nazis]]) just as a lawyer does the same for his client. Thus many soldiers do not think it contradictory to try to kill someone and yet admire them, as killing is their job but hating isn't, as, after all, enemy soldiers [[Not So Different|aren't much different from themselves]].
* The military ethic has analogies to the legal ethic in that it presumes that a professional soldier will do his best for the State he serves (barring Very Exceptional Circumstances like [[Those Wacky Nazis]]) just as a lawyer does the same for his client. Thus many soldiers do not think it contradictory to try to kill someone and yet admire them, as killing is their job but hating isn't, as, after all, enemy soldiers [[Not So Different|aren't much different from themselves]].
** The problem with this is, while it sounds nice and fine when you talk about it theoretically in your peaceful home, in real wars, people always develope hatred and contempt for their opponent. It's always "exceptional" when it's real. Turn on the TV. When was the last time you saw any soldier bow to their enemy's guts or cleverness?
** The problem with this is, while it sounds nice and fine when you talk about it theoretically in your peaceful home, in real wars, people always develop hatred and contempt for their opponent. It's always "exceptional" when it's real. Turn on the TV. When was the last time you saw any soldier bow to their enemy's guts or cleverness?
*** It happens more often than you'd think, at least among infantrymen. In ''House To House: A Soldier's Memior'', which chronicles the 2nd Battle of Fallujah, Staff Sergeant David Bellavia repeatedly noted and acknowledged the bravery and cleverness of the ambushes he and his troops were encountering. There was some rage and contempt, but an equal amount of respect and admiration for the insurgents they were fighting.
*** It happens more often than you'd think, at least among infantrymen. In ''House To House: A Soldier's Memior'', which chronicles the 2nd Battle of Fallujah, Staff Sergeant David Bellavia repeatedly noted and acknowledged the bravery and cleverness of the ambushes he and his troops were encountering. There was some rage and contempt, but an equal amount of respect and admiration for the insurgents they were fighting.
** This is probably due to the changing nature of warfare in the 20th-21st centuries, with emphasis shifting towards irregular forces, guerrilla warfare, false-flag operations, killing civilians, terrorism, and all the rest of it. It was different back when armies clashed formally on more or less pre-designated battlefields.
** This is probably due to the changing nature of warfare in the 20th-21st centuries, with emphasis shifting towards irregular forces, guerrilla warfare, false-flag operations, killing civilians, terrorism, and all the rest of it. It was different back when armies clashed formally on more or less pre-designated battlefields.
* "[http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Casabianca_%28poem%29&action=edit Casabianca]", also known as "The boy stood on the burning deck", is a poem by British poet Felicia Hemans, first published in August 1826. The poem commemorates an actual incident that occurred during the Napoleonic Wars. In the 1798 Battle of the Nile, the French ship "Orient" caught fire while fighting the ships of the British Royal Navy. Giocante, the young son (his age is variously given as ten, twelve and thirteen) of commander Louis de Casabianca, remained at his post and perished when the flames caused the magazine to explode. Many generations of romatic young Englishmen were taught to admire the heroic young Casabianca and seek to emulate him, despite his having been an enemy who died fighting against their country.
* "[http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Casabianca_%28poem%29&action=edit Casabianca]", also known as "The boy stood on the burning deck", is a poem by British poet Felicia Hemans, first published in August 1826. The poem commemorates an actual incident that occurred during the Napoleonic Wars. In the 1798 Battle of the Nile, the French ship "Orient" caught fire while fighting the ships of the British Royal Navy. Giocante, the young son (his age is variously given as ten, twelve and thirteen) of commander Louis de Casabianca, remained at his post and perished when the flames caused the magazine to explode. Many generations of romatic young Englishmen were taught to admire the heroic young Casabianca and seek to emulate him, despite his having been an enemy who died fighting against their country.
* What with the glorification of chivalry, the Middle Ages should have been full of these, but one outstanding example is Saladin of the Third Crusade who treated Richard the Lionheart with a profound respect. Given the contention surrounding the events that took place during the Crusades, how true this really was may never be known.
* What with the glorification of chivalry, the Middle Ages should have been full of these, but one outstanding example is Saladin of the Third Crusade who treated Richard the Lionheart with a profound respect. Given the contention surrounding the events that took place during the Crusades, how true this really was may never be known.
** Since a good deal of Saladin's praise comes from christian monks who chronicled the events, it's hard to argue. On the other side, muslim chroniclers exclaimed that Balian, who had defended Jerusalem, held a rank in their eyes equal to a king. He had asked Saladin for leave to evacuate his wife and children from the Holy City, and Saladin agreed on the condition that he does not return to take up arms. When Balian got there though, the people implored him to stay, citing the greater need of Christendom. He stayed and defended the city, and when the time came to negotiate terms with Saladin, the sultan reportedly held no ill feelings to Balian for breaking his oath, and sent an escort to guide his family back to Tripoli.
** Since a good deal of Saladin's praise comes from Christian monks who chronicled the events, it's hard to argue. On the other side, Muslim chroniclers exclaimed that Balian, who had defended Jerusalem, held a rank in their eyes equal to a king. He had asked Saladin for leave to evacuate his wife and children from the Holy City, and Saladin agreed on the condition that he does not return to take up arms. When Balian got there though, the people implored him to stay, citing the greater need of Christendom. He stayed and defended the city, and when the time came to negotiate terms with Saladin, the sultan reportedly held no ill feelings to Balian for breaking his oath, and sent an escort to guide his family back to Tripoli.
** Richard the Lionheart was apparently this back to Saladin, as he was in general. In fact, he ordered the crossbowman who had mortally wounded him to be pardoned and set free. Unfortunately, after Richard died, a certain mercenary captain in his army, named Mercadier, said Screw it, Richard won't argue, and had the poor kid flayed alive.
** Richard the Lionheart was apparently this back to Saladin, as he was in general. In fact, he ordered the crossbowman who had mortally wounded him to be pardoned and set free. Unfortunately, after Richard died, a certain mercenary captain in his army, named Mercadier, said Screw it, Richard won't argue, and had the poor kid flayed alive.
* In Budapest's historic Castle District, which had seen hard fighting in 1686 when a Christian army (re)conquered it after 150 years of Turkish rule, can be seen "The Monument of the last Turkish governor" erected by the victors, with the following epitaph:"Here fell the last Turkish governor, Pasha and commander of Buda, Abdurrahman Abdi Arnaut on 9 late-summer month of 1686, in his 70th year of age. He was a noble enemy and a hero, may he rest in peace." [http://www.multigotours.com/eng/travels/view/52\]
* In Budapest's historic Castle District, which had seen hard fighting in 1686 when a Christian army (re)conquered it after 150 years of Turkish rule, can be seen "The Monument of the last Turkish governor" erected by the victors, with the following epitaph:"Here fell the last Turkish governor, Pasha and commander of Buda, Abdurrahman Abdi Arnaut on 9 late-summer month of 1686, in his 70th year of age. He was a noble enemy and a hero, may he rest in peace." [http://www.multigotours.com/eng/travels/view/52\]
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** [[wikipedia:Charles Butler McVay III|United States Navy Captain Charles McVay]] was court martialed after World War II in response to the sinking of his ship, the heavy cruiser USS ''Indianapolis'', during the final days of the War while delivering the nuclear material and other parts for the two atomic bombs dropped on Japan. Imperial Japanese Naval Commander Mochitsura Hashimo, the commanding officer of the submarine that sunk the ''Indianapolis'', testified on McVay's behalf at his court-martial, and years later, joined the surviving crew members of the ship in a campaign to exonerate him.
** [[wikipedia:Charles Butler McVay III|United States Navy Captain Charles McVay]] was court martialed after World War II in response to the sinking of his ship, the heavy cruiser USS ''Indianapolis'', during the final days of the War while delivering the nuclear material and other parts for the two atomic bombs dropped on Japan. Imperial Japanese Naval Commander Mochitsura Hashimo, the commanding officer of the submarine that sunk the ''Indianapolis'', testified on McVay's behalf at his court-martial, and years later, joined the surviving crew members of the ship in a campaign to exonerate him.
* During the [[Thirty Years' War]], the Protestant King Gustav II Adolf of Sweden apparently respected devout Catholic commander Johann Tserclaes, Count of Tilly, enough that he sent his personal physician to tend to the man's wounds as he lay dying. Tilly, in turn, told the physician, "Your king is truly a noble knight."
* During the [[Thirty Years' War]], the Protestant King Gustav II Adolf of Sweden apparently respected devout Catholic commander Johann Tserclaes, Count of Tilly, enough that he sent his personal physician to tend to the man's wounds as he lay dying. Tilly, in turn, told the physician, "Your king is truly a noble knight."
* [[Adolf Hitler]], who had fought Canadians in [[World War One]], paid his respects to the Vimy Ridge Memorial. During the Germany occupation of France in [[World War II]], he posted guards to make sure that the site was not desecrated in any way.
* [[Adolf Hitler]], who had fought Canadians in [[World War One]], paid his respects to the Vimy Ridge Memorial. During the German occupation of France in [[World War II]], he posted guards to make sure that the site was not desecrated in any way.
** Hitler also praised the tenacity with which Greece held out, first against Italian invasion in late 1940 and early '41, and then against the German reinforcement.
* In the special features of one DVD version of ''[[We Were Soldiers]]'', [[Colonel Badass|Hal Moore]] says that he would like to meet the NVA commander.
* In the special features of one DVD version of ''[[We Were Soldiers]]'', [[Colonel Badass|Hal Moore]] says that he would like to meet the NVA commander.
* The legendary [[World War II]] dogfight between [[wikipedia:Saburō Sakai|Saburō Sakai]] and [[wikipedia:Pug Southerland|James 'Pug' Sutherland]], which saw both men display astonishing courage and skill in a dogfight that lasted several minutes in an era where dogfights were typically over in seconds. It eventually ended when Sakai shot down the crippled and disarmed Hellcat, but he had such respect for its pilot that he took care to aim his finishing shot at the engine rather than the cockpit so as to give the pilot a fighting chance of surviving. He did, but unfortunately died in a jet training accident in 1949.
* The legendary [[World War II]] dogfight between [[wikipedia:Saburō Sakai|Saburō Sakai]] and [[wikipedia:Pug Southerland|James 'Pug' Sutherland]], which saw both men display astonishing courage and skill in a dogfight that lasted several minutes in an era where dogfights were typically over in seconds. It eventually ended when Sakai shot down the crippled and disarmed Hellcat, but he had such respect for its pilot that he took care to aim his finishing shot at the engine rather than the cockpit so as to give the pilot a fighting chance of surviving. He did, but unfortunately died in a jet training accident in 1949.
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