Remember that MOST of World War I was on French soil with the second most on Belgium. France lost over 2 million soldiers (Germany about 3.5 M) before United States even thought about that nasty Europeon war. Remember that WWI was almost over by 1917 (Austria, Germany, Turkey) were almost out of resources (including men and machines). By march 1918, United States had a small force training in England.
Now you are very accurate here. The Vichy government under Marshall Petin was a prime example of collaberation (and capitulation). The "French Resistance" was so full of collaberators, that the general order for the allied forces was to avoid contact and not trust them.
This fear of collaberators remained until Operation Market Garden when Eisenhower refused to trust the Dutch resistance (under the command of Prince Bernard - who was in London). The Dutch gave intelligence that Field Marshall Model and the 5th SS Panzer Division were resting in Nimegan and Arhnem (mispelt names I do believe). Well the Dutch were trustworthy, but the French were definitely untrustworthy.
Remember the French fleet at Malta, PM Winston Churchill ordered the surrender or pending destruction. Petin did not respond and unfortunately 5000+ French sailors died. Unfortunately this is still an issue in France, but considering the quick surrender in 1940, I feel that Churchill was quite correct in ordering the destruction of the fleet.
But before the French fleet was destroyed, it had one battle success (it's only one). This was against the naval forces supplying Patton who attempted to cut off Rommel's North Africa corp, just before Field Marshall Montgomery took command of the North African Commenwealth Forces (British, Canadian, Australian, New Zealand and South African) forces who pushed Rommel out.
Rommel of course did push out Patton (the "great" armoured tactition - note my sarcasim) before he was beaten by Montgomery.
History totally escape you. Then again you appear to be totally ignorant about WWII history.
Question:
Who invaded France during WWII?
Answer:
Britain
1940
Pas De Calaise
1941
Canada - Dieppe
1944
Britian (largest force), Canada (third largest force), France (Free French - small but present), Polish (small but present), Dutch (small but present), United States (Second Largest - just marginally bigger than Canada's force)
Wake up and take a little bit of WORLD history, not Rah Rah America History for American Dummies!
Snaz
Retired Captain (real soldier with an actual education)
Then again, those lazy French, British, Canadians, South Africans, Dutch, Polish, Belgians, Norwegians, Czechoslovakins had nothing to do with the Normandy invasion whatsoever.
The primary invasion forces were British, Canadian, French, AND Americans.
Learn a little bit about history!
It is interesting reading the comments concerning the French government's banning of the the sale or Nazi related items.
For the less enlightened Americans reading this, I will begin a LONG list of enfractions and issues with the American government and in turn the support given by the American population (not all Americans thank God).
The beginning:
Vericruz
Mexico (various times, Texas, California etc), Canada (war of 1812)
Panama (various times including a couple of years ago, nice of the US government to arrest there own hatchet man)
Grenada (I was there at the time, those Cuban combat engineer's building bridges and houses were really ruthless!)
Vietnam (the French were losing after Dien Bien Phu - so bring in the Americans)
Cambodia (of the course this never really occurred, same as the bombings never really occurred)
Puerto Rico (How exactly did those Spanish ever decide to leave on there own anyways?)
US Virgin Islands (Damn those Spanish anyways)
Cuba (Bay of Pigs anyone)
Various arrests including those involved with various horrible but quite illegal activities OUTSIDE OF US BORDERS:
The Nigerians
The Somalians
The Cubans
The Panamians
The Salvadorians
The Grenadans
The Guyanese (I was in Guyana after Jonestown)
The Columbians
The Mexicans
Air America
Nicuragua
Contra's
Namibia
etc etc etc
On and on and on and on and on and on.
Now a lot the individuals involved with activities, incidents and locations deserved to be punished or dealth.
BUT THE US government on a near daily basis does what it wants and does not give a damn about the consequences. Whether the initial situation was legal or not (more often illegal in another country)
Please give relevant responses and not a bunch or Rah Rah America nonsense. Keep in mind that the French have quite a wretched record as well and the list has only begun.
Once again, most of my American friends do not like or support their government's activities in the various illegal schemes that they are involved with, but also they are not planting bombs and killing innocent civilians like Timothy McVeigh.
-* Snaz *-
Slashdot Mirror
Remember that MOST of World War I was on French soil with the second most on Belgium. France lost over 2 million soldiers (Germany about 3.5 M) before United States even thought about that nasty Europeon war. Remember that WWI was almost over by 1917 (Austria, Germany, Turkey) were almost out of resources (including men and machines). By march 1918, United States had a small force training in England.
Or course WWI ended on November 11th 1918.
Now you are very accurate here. The Vichy government under Marshall Petin was a prime example of collaberation (and capitulation). The "French Resistance" was so full of collaberators, that the general order for the allied forces was to avoid contact and not trust them.
This fear of collaberators remained until Operation Market Garden when Eisenhower refused to trust the Dutch resistance (under the command of Prince Bernard - who was in London). The Dutch gave intelligence that Field Marshall Model and the 5th SS Panzer Division were resting in Nimegan and Arhnem (mispelt names I do believe). Well the Dutch were trustworthy, but the French were definitely untrustworthy.
Remember the French fleet at Malta, PM Winston Churchill ordered the surrender or pending destruction. Petin did not respond and unfortunately 5000+ French sailors died. Unfortunately this is still an issue in France, but considering the quick surrender in 1940, I feel that Churchill was quite correct in ordering the destruction of the fleet.
But before the French fleet was destroyed, it had one battle success (it's only one). This was against the naval forces supplying Patton who attempted to cut off Rommel's North Africa corp, just before Field Marshall Montgomery took command of the North African Commenwealth Forces (British, Canadian, Australian, New Zealand and South African) forces who pushed Rommel out.
Rommel of course did push out Patton (the "great" armoured tactition - note my sarcasim) before he was beaten by Montgomery.
History totally escape you. Then again you appear to be totally ignorant about WWII history.
Question:
Who invaded France during WWII?
Answer:
Britain
1940
Pas De Calaise
1941
Canada - Dieppe
1944
Britian (largest force), Canada (third largest force), France (Free French - small but present), Polish (small but present), Dutch (small but present), United States (Second Largest - just marginally bigger than Canada's force)
Wake up and take a little bit of WORLD history, not Rah Rah America History for American Dummies!
Snaz
Retired Captain (real soldier with an actual education)
Then again, those lazy French, British, Canadians, South Africans, Dutch, Polish, Belgians, Norwegians, Czechoslovakins had nothing to do with the Normandy invasion whatsoever. The primary invasion forces were British, Canadian, French, AND Americans. Learn a little bit about history!
It is interesting reading the comments concerning the French government's banning of the the sale or Nazi related items. For the less enlightened Americans reading this, I will begin a LONG list of enfractions and issues with the American government and in turn the support given by the American population (not all Americans thank God). The beginning: Vericruz Mexico (various times, Texas, California etc), Canada (war of 1812) Panama (various times including a couple of years ago, nice of the US government to arrest there own hatchet man) Grenada (I was there at the time, those Cuban combat engineer's building bridges and houses were really ruthless!) Vietnam (the French were losing after Dien Bien Phu - so bring in the Americans) Cambodia (of the course this never really occurred, same as the bombings never really occurred) Puerto Rico (How exactly did those Spanish ever decide to leave on there own anyways?) US Virgin Islands (Damn those Spanish anyways) Cuba (Bay of Pigs anyone) Various arrests including those involved with various horrible but quite illegal activities OUTSIDE OF US BORDERS: The Nigerians The Somalians The Cubans The Panamians The Salvadorians The Grenadans The Guyanese (I was in Guyana after Jonestown) The Columbians The Mexicans Air America Nicuragua Contra's Namibia etc etc etc On and on and on and on and on and on. Now a lot the individuals involved with activities, incidents and locations deserved to be punished or dealth. BUT THE US government on a near daily basis does what it wants and does not give a damn about the consequences. Whether the initial situation was legal or not (more often illegal in another country) Please give relevant responses and not a bunch or Rah Rah America nonsense. Keep in mind that the French have quite a wretched record as well and the list has only begun. Once again, most of my American friends do not like or support their government's activities in the various illegal schemes that they are involved with, but also they are not planting bombs and killing innocent civilians like Timothy McVeigh. -* Snaz *-