Fact Check Help?

[unionguy]

Wasn't D-Day the most complex and secretive operation the US military ever conducted in our history? Or was there one that was more so?

thanks!

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[Spitpatch]

"Complex" and "Secretive" are rather subjective criteria, certainly not numerically measurable as to determining "most" of either.

 

[msgriff]

As far as boots on the ground? Probably. I would argue that the Manhattan Project was more complex and secretive, though.

 

[Spitpatch]

"Large" (i.e.: "boots on the ground", or "square miles involved", or "financial outlay", etc.,etc., all measurable) does not necessarily translate to being "Complex".

"Secretive" does not necessarily mean primarily/deliberately so. (It could mean the enemy just never got tipped off for various reasons.)

I'd include Nathan Bedford Forrest's surprise attack on Sacramento, Kentucky in 1861. (And I'd dodge the "US Military" prerequisite by noting the CSA was an army formed from the previously United States, which was soon to became the United States again.)

 

[Stomper]

Wasn't D-Day the most complex and secretive operation the US military ever conducted in our history? Or was there one that was more so?

thanks!

D-Day wasn't so much secretive as it was deceptive. Time, date, and place had the Germans guessing.... ultimately, Hitler guessed wrong.

 

[obesechess]

[adjusting tin foil hat]

the most secretive is probably not one we've heard about.

 

[unionguy]

As far as boots on the ground? Probably. I would argue that the Manhattan Project was more complex and secretive, though.

very good one!

 

[unionguy]

D-Day wasn't so much secretive as it was deceptive. Time, date, and place had the Germans guessing.... ultimately, Hitler guessed wrong.

I can see that!

 

[unionguy]

"Large" (i.e.: "boots on the ground", or "square miles involved", or "financial outlay", etc.,etc., all measurable) does not necessarily translate to being "Complex".

"Secretive" does not necessarily mean primarily/deliberately so. (It could mean the enemy just never got tipped off for various reasons.)

I'd include Nathan Bedford Forrest's surprise attack on Sacramento, Kentucky in 1861. (And I'd dodge the "US Military" prerequisite by noting the CSA was an army formed from the previously United States, which was soon to became the United States again.)

thanks. never heard of that one, didn't even know there was a Sacramento in KY!

 

[TTSX]

The most complex and secretive operation is the US tax code

 

[MTpockets]

Missions are measured by their completion, while operations are measured by the success or failure of the overall objective.

Secretive and complex are descriptors used to convey the security, the discipline, and the difficulty.

When I get stuck on the words, phrases, or other elements someone is using, I usually redirect my focus to comprehending their intended meaning. In this case, I believe the Secretary of Defense had no ill intent, and/or did not purpose to dismiss the achievements of other historically complex military operations.

I believe we have, or soon will have, three U.S. Carrier Strike Groups in the Persian Gulf region. The missions run, the operations continue, and hopefully all objectives are achieved without loss of any of our military service members.

 

[Croat]

As far as boots on the ground? Probably. I would argue that the Manhattan Project was more complex and secretive, though.

I think you nailed it.

 

[CountryGent]

As far as boots on the ground? Probably. I would argue that the Manhattan Project was more complex and secretive, though.

My thought as well. The Manhattan Project involved nearly 130,000 people; scientists, engineers, construction worker, military personnel, administrative staff, etc. Close to a full 1% (0.9) of all the electricity being used in the country at the time was for the project. The cost was $2 Billion in 1945 dollars, which is in the $30-50 billion zone today, depending on the conversion factors used. And secrecy was certainly a very big deal.

The D-Day landings had more boots on the ground though, along with all the support behind it.

 

[AshWilliams]

Our AI overlords say

Most Complex (WWII era): D-Day

Most Secretive (ever): Manhattan Project

Most Precise Modern Operation: Neptune Spear

If you're measuring complexity in battlefield coordination, D-Day likely remains unmatched. But for secrecy and strategic impact, the Manhattan Project takes the crown.

 

[doninoregon]

Most Precise Modern Operation: Neptune Spear

That was the operation to take out bin Laden.

I think Mossad's pager attack ranks with that.

 

[CountryGent]

Some parts of the Manhattan Project are still classified. On the topic, an interesting video:

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rN8FUqmI_aw

 

[Duneblaster]

 

[unionguy]

Our AI overlords say

Most Complex (WWII era): D-Day

Most Secretive (ever): Manhattan Project

Most Precise Modern Operation: Neptune Spear

If you're measuring complexity in battlefield coordination, D-Day likely remains unmatched. But for secrecy and strategic impact, the Manhattan Project takes the crown.

thanks, I completely forgot about Neptune Spear!

 

[po18guy]

This thread is worthless without pics!

 

[MTpockets]

Here is a pic... The portrayed event was most-likely complex and secretive too...

...and like D-Day it involved capturing and/or killing Germans.

Emanuel Leutze - Washington Crossing the Delaware - American - The Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Met presents over 5,000 years of art from around the world for everyone to experience and enjoy.

www.metmuseum.org