“The only thing you mustn’t do is lose!”

“What is the worst thing done during war in history?”

I’ve been pondering this question for a while, and the recurring answer is also both the simplest and most complex at the same time:

“Lose.”

Take any conflict in human history and cast aside any biases you have towards who was the victor and who was vanquished. What you have left is ideological motivation – political, economic, spiritual, or sociological.

That motivation, on both sides, was enough to compel nations or states to raise armies… to inspire or intimidate average men into service… and to bring two forces crashing against each other. Both sides believed they were right in their cause; justified in their brutality… and they each threw everything they possibly could in support of their nation and their brothers-in-arms.

…And some lost.

To me, regardless of the cause, the worst thing done during war in history was to put everything on the line for an external reason… only to lose.

Does this mean that I champion every lost cause… every conquered nation/enemy as the victims?

Nope. Some causes, such as fascism, communism, or the ideas espoused by the Nazi party/puppets/supporters truly needed to go.

Does this mean that I hold every victor as faultless and noble forces of good?

Nope. One of the more interesting quotes I have come across recently is Erich Raeder’s blunt reaction to Nimitz’s acknowledgment of American unrestricted submarine warfare during the Second World War:

“You see! Unrestricted warfare! – anything is permitted as long as you win! The only thing you mustn’t do is lose!”

Victory or defeat, there will always be those who lose on either side.