If France had been ignored

Guys, I would think that at least on this board, the regular contributors DO treat the Germans with Respect and do not belittle them. I enjoyed 'Allo Allo but know that the humour is very tongue in cheek. As an Irishman I am well used to jokes both from within and without. You quickly learn though who is just joking and who is being genuinely disrespectful.

Now as to the French or British attacking in 1940 I doubt very much whether either army would have been able to attack in 1939-40. The French were in a better position than the BEF but years of defensive minded philosophy plus weariness about fighting sapped the French of any resillience towards the conflict. Where in 1914 the attitude had been "Vive le France" in 1939 the attitude was more like "lets get it over with".

 

Ha Ha Ha Do you really think that could happen?

If the French surprise attacked Germany in the same fashion as Pearl Harbor as Germany was mopping up Poland. France would have caused chaos to Germany's invasion plans. Germany had moved most of her resources into Poland to fight. Her Panzers and troops needed rest after the Battle and needed to be prepositioned in the West for the next Campaign. Interdiction!!!

Now it is quite possible that the French may have fought the same way the Italians did in North Afrika in the opening days, which would have been disasterous had the French just moved into the Saar and sat. They needed to all out attack if they were to have any effect.

If you say it wasn't in them than I agree. They would have needed a leader like Sherman or Grant or the Little Corporal.

(Remember honorable OstBlok Tank Driver this is Hypothetical...as in What if.)


Germans are not so stupid as to leave their border open.
What would France attack with? They had some trashcans they called tanks.

I could see that you don't appreciate the heroism, bravery, profesionalism and the discipline of the German soldier. It is clear that the Germans had "THE BEST" and most highly trained soldiers. The Prussian's knew how to fight and how to win a war.

My advice for you "Respect your enemy, like you respect your ally".

I believe with the right leadership and some radios in their tanks with ground to air communication the French Char B's would give the Germans some licks. Remember most of their Armor was in Poland. The French Air Force was not caught on the ground and many German planes might have been.(remember what if)

Did the French have it in them, probably not.

I have met several German soldiers and are familiar with their conduct.

I know about the abilities of the Landser. They were legendary. They just didn't know how to dress in the cold.

 

Oh i dont want this to happan im sure i will insult some one but i will not curve my soul ,french dont know how to fight in war.

 

Oh i dont want this to happan im sure i will insult some one but i will not curve my soul ,french dont know how to fight in war.


That's the sort of sweeping generalisation that you have tried to discourage when used about German forces.

I never thought that I would find myself standing up for the French and, if we are restricting this to the 1939 - 40 period, then obviously there were problems with their High Command and with the fact that the losses of the First World war which ended only 20 years before left a legacy which must have affected their judgement.

Nevertheless, individual units fought bravely and well in May - June 1940 even after it was obvious that all was lost.

I don't think that the level of debate is raised by insulting the population of a country which, let's face it, was not the aggressor in 1939 and who entered the war in defence of the Central European state of Poland (before another allegation of Western European isolationism wings its way over )

 

Dont forget about the resistence they fought really bravely and helped many british and US pilots to get back in there coutry.
The french army helped the allies to liberate a lot of the citys.France aweys was arogant coutry ,the french aweys though that they are beter then everyone else.They didnt learn they lesons in ww2 and they are even more arognat in our days then they were in ww2.France just lose my respect.

 

.They didnt learn they lesons in ww2 and they are even more arognat in our days then they were in ww2.France just lose my respect.

You think that you've got problems now ? Wait until you're in the European Union and your politicians start feeding at the same trough as theirs !

 

You think that you've got problems now ? Wait until you're in the European Union and your politicians start feeding at the same trough as theirs !
I know what will happan in EU to Bulgaria, but i was speaking about Frence.

 

The French don't know how to fight in war.

I don't think it is the French man that doesn't know how to fight. I think it is poor leadership, a loss of national pride and identity, a loss of nationalism period.

My commentary about 1939 was IF there was leadership and communication(which their wasn't) would then the French be tactically up to the job. Weapon wise, logistics, and core fighting ability. I thought yes, at least enough to give the Germans a bloody nose and make them think real hard about the French to the west and the Russians in Poland. If not then let's hear from those of you who feel that the French Army was an Army that was just on paper.

 

I was trying to think of good examples of good French soldiers well lead by NCOs and I came up with those units of the French Foreign Legion.

 

For French one could substitute Italian there were numerous recorded cases of Italians acquiting themselves well in North Africa it was the officer corps that let the side down. With no defined or definate strategy and apathy from above, the rank and file soldier ultimate carries the burden.

 

There go "The Gentlemen"