Hi guy I’m new to this forum and any forum like it I’m a amateur history buff on world war 2 I thought I knew a lot about it but recently I started to search and take note on who had a big part in the war now I know the ussr had a Massive role with there lose of men and women more then others and most of Europe against the nazis but when searching my answer all points towards the us im from the uk and know we had a big part in most of not all of world war to conflicts on nearly all continents but us seem to take all the glory I’m slightly annoyed at this as the British was one of the first to defend Europe and gave a a lot in doing so am I correct in thinking this thanks guys and girls
Hi Daniel, welcome to the forum. Very interesting question, not sure, it was not already discussed before. Stefan.
Well, the problem with a question such as that would be - what parameters are you using to compare a nations 'part' in the war?? Numbers in military service/civilian population ratio Numbers killed Length of time in the war Amount of materials supplied/used Its a big open question TD
It was a concerted effort sometimes planned ,sometimes unplanned from all the Allies with a huge loss of life. Allies of World War II - Wikipedia
The bottom line is that every country commemorates its own efforts. Except us because we either conned or coerced everyone else in to doing the fighting for us so we should feel really guilty; apparently.
Some of the leading historians of the Second World War debunk nine widely held assumptions about the global conflagration
Even the transport animals were fearsome tank killers wich enabled the troops of fast movements under any circumstances Of perfect and flawless design to cause fear amongst the enemy whereas the mighty Luftwaffe swept the skies
Going back to the OP - we lived in rural France for 17 years and, talking to the locals, I was also a bit fed up at the little credit the UK was given for the early battles (eg Dunkirk) continual support and final liberations. No mention of the Russians this was SW France. By the time the USA entered the war the British had been trying to oppose the Nazis for a few years and were worn out - of money and manpower. But thank God for the Americans you did save the day and suffered huge losses. That's why the French people I spoke to remember you first. ps they hate Trump though.
The United Nations (as they called themselves) together won the war, but it is difficult to see how US and USSR would have entered an alliance had the British Empire gone down in 1940. (As I see things.) So Britain’s role is absolutely central.
If the size of their butchers bill is the measure then the Soviets followed by the Chinese take gold and silver but like many questions the this one is somewhat simplistic. What does big part mean? Ability to soak up huge numbers of casualties? Masses of space to lead your enemy into and exhaust his resources? The most powerful industrial complex? Control of access to most of the world's natural resources with a navy to protect them? When it comes to coverage just ask yourself - who has the most powerful modern media?
Canada, with a population of only 11 million in 1939, was never destined to play a big part in winning the war. We, like most countries, joined the Allied coalition as a role player in the collective effort. If there is any Canadian pride of achievement from WW2 it centres on our per capita contribution in terms of men and materials.
Canada played a big part simply by being where she was on top of the world's largest source of nickle a vital component in modern weaponry and machine tools
Now a very long time ago I read several of Williamson Murray's book on WW2 military effectiveness. He compares all the belligerents. See for pointers to his books: Williamson Murray - Wikipedia and university bio: Williamson Murray
