Impact: Germany bypassed the line, rendering it useless.
France invested heavily in the Maginot Line, a complex system of fortifications along its border with Germany. However, the Germans simply invaded through Belgium, avoiding the line entirely during World War II. The French reliance on outdated strategy allowed for a rapid German victory in 1940.
The Battle of Little Bighorn (1876)
Mistake: Underestimating Native American strength and coordination.
Impact: The death of General Custer and most of his men.
General George Custer led his forces against a large coalition of Lakota, Cheyenne, and Arapaho warriors. Disregarding warnings and splitting his forces, Custer was overwhelmed and killed, along with over 260 men. The battle became known as “Custer’s Last Stand” and remains a symbol of hubris and poor intelligence.
The Vietnam War – U.S. Involvement (1955–1975)
Mistake: Misjudging the enemy and political climate.
Impact: Tens of thousands of U.S. deaths and a bitterly divided home front.
The U.S. entered Vietnam assuming it could contain communism through military intervention. But guerrilla warfare, public dissent, and unclear objectives turned the conflict into a prolonged, unwinnable quagmire. The war ended with the fall of Saigon in 1975 and is often cited as a prime example of military overreach. shutdown123