Giuseppe Garibaldi vs Lin Biao

Garibaldi commanded the defense of the short-lived Roman Republic against French forces sent to restore papal rule. Despite heroic resistance, the republic fell, and Garibaldi led a retreat through central Italy.

Garibaldi led a volunteer force of about 1,000 men to conquer Sicily and Naples. His campaign overthrew the Bourbon monarchy and unified southern Italy with the Kingdom of Sardinia.

Garibaldi's Redshirts defeated a larger Bourbon army at Calatafimi in Sicily. The victory boosted morale and demonstrated the effectiveness of his volunteers, opening the way to Palermo.

Garibaldi's forces defeated the Neapolitan army at the Volturno River. The victory secured his conquest of Naples and forced King Francis II into exile, completing the unification of southern Italy.

After conquering southern Italy, Garibaldi voluntarily handed over his conquests to King Victor Emmanuel II of Sardinia. This act unified Italy under the monarchy and avoided civil war.

Lin Biao commanded the 115th Division of the Eighth Route Army to victory at the Battle of Pingxingguan. This was the first major Chinese victory over the Japanese in the Second Sino-Japanese War, boosting Communist prestige.

Lin Biao commanded the Fourth Field Army, which played a decisive role in the Chinese Civil War. His forces captured Manchuria, then swept south to take Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou, securing Communist victory.

Lin Biao was officially designated as Mao Zedong's successor in the Communist Party constitution. He was named Vice Chairman and held immense power during the Cultural Revolution.

Lin Biao died when his plane crashed in Mongolia after an alleged failed coup attempt against Mao Zedong. His death ended the Lin Biao incident, a major political crisis that led to a purge of his supporters.