Constand Viljoen vs Holland Smith

Viljoen was appointed Chief of the South African Defence Force (SADF). He oversaw the military's operations in the Border War in Angola and Namibia, as well as internal counter-insurgency operations against anti-apartheid forces.

Viljoen retired from the South African Defence Force after a distinguished career. He became a leading figure in the Afrikaner community and advocated for a negotiated settlement to end apartheid, rather than continued armed conflict.

Viljoen participated in the Convention for a Democratic South Africa (CODESA) negotiations, representing Afrikaner interests. He advocated for constitutional protections for minorities and the possibility of a Volkstaat.

Viljoen founded the Afrikaner Volksfront, a political organization that sought to protect Afrikaner interests and promote the idea of a separate Afrikaner homeland (Volkstaat). He aimed to achieve this through peaceful means.

Viljoen played a crucial role in preventing a violent Afrikaner backlash against the 1994 democratic elections. He urged his followers to participate in the process and accept the outcome, helping to avert a potential civil war.

Smith helped develop and refine US amphibious warfare tactics and equipment during the interwar period, including landing craft, beach assault techniques, and naval gunfire support coordination.

Smith commanded the V Amphibious Corps during the Battle of Tarawa, the first major US amphibious assault against a heavily defended Japanese atoll. The high casualties and tactical lessons learned shaped future amphibious doctrine.

During the Battle of Saipan, Smith relieved Army General Ralph Smith of command, citing lack of aggressiveness. This interservice controversy led to a major Army-Navy dispute over command authority in the Pacific.

Smith commanded the V Amphibious Corps in the Battle of Iwo Jima, one of the bloodiest battles in Marine Corps history. The capture of the island provided emergency landing strips for B-29 bombers.