Bfore WW2...Which Country Was To Believe Had The Most Powerful Military Forces In Europe (198)
Kill me Bungallow Bill
, i won't care,if it can relieve you from some hate inside of you ... no problem... then take rendez-vous with the nearest psychiatrist, you really seem in an urgent need of it 
, i won't care,if it can relieve you from some hate inside of you ... no problem... then take rendez-vous with the nearest psychiatrist, you really seem in an urgent need of it 
bungallow55: lovemedorfr
You going to get mad at me...De Gaulle was too arrogant
he never gave credit to the allies for forcing the German invaders
out of France.
You going to get mad at me...De Gaulle was too arrogant
he never gave credit to the allies for forcing the German invaders
out of France.
Bung,
De Gaulle was avoided by the allied commanders as he demanded a lot from them. They decided they didn't want him at Yalta, I can see why with Stalin present.
But he was relentless until he got it. It wasn't arrogance, but strength of character.
As a Colonel, he tried to modernize the tanks as he saw it as a decisive weapon after WWI.
As a personal opinion, he was one of the greatest man in France, as a WWII General and as a President. Like many great man, history has showed that eventually they will fall from grace.
Whatever he did was for his country and he wasn't an hypocrite as other politicians.
After him, no president ever came close to his stature.
I appreciate your opinion, mine is based in history, not because he was French. I also admire Churchill, Mc Arthur, Bradley, Patton.
Many have forgotten the deeds of great men in the past World Wars, the rows of white crosses of Allied Cemeteries in Northern France, I haven't. They have my respect and gratitude.
lovemedofr: Garbage ! have you ever met him during the Last War ? my parents did ! so please talk of your Puertoricain if you ever like it but don't spit on one of the biggest heroes of the Planet !!!!!!!! and what a writter, what a great man with a very simple, humble life ... he had a girl mongolian and has written so beautiful things about her, you def should read him!
He may have been you hero, but he was incredibly arrogant and his treatment of the allies especially the British, was appalling, remember this was the man who ran away to England from France when Germany attacked, he organised his armies from England yet refused to take part in the D-day landings.
A clever man and a wonderful leader, but he was not a nice man nor a grateful one.
From Wiki "When, in May 1945 the German armies surrendered to the Americans and British at Rheims, a separate armistice was signed with France in Berlin. De Gaulle refused to allow any British participation in the victory parade in Paris. However, among the vehicles that took part was an ambulance from the Hadfield-Spears Ambulance Unit, staffed by French doctors and British nurses. One of the nurses was Mary Spears, who had set up the unit and had worked almost continuously since the Battle of France with Free French forces in the Middle East, North Africa and Italy. Mary’s husband was General Edward Spears, the British liaison to the Free French who had personally spirited de Gaulle to safety in Britain in 1940. When de Gaulle saw the Union flags and Tricolours side by side on the ambulance, and heard French soldiers cheering, "Voilà Spears! Vive Spears!" he ordered that the unit be closed down immediately and its British staff sent home. A number of French troops returned their medals in protest and Mary wrote, "it is a pitiful business when a great man suddenly becomes small."
bungallow55: You see? I knew Mussolini was in North Africa, when American forces landed in North Africa, the first army they faced were Italians.
The Germans were smarter, they used the Italians soldiers as a shield
The Germans were smarter, they used the Italians soldiers as a shield
Ahh actually the first forces the Americans faced in North Africa were the Vichy French forces during Operation Torch in Nov 1942.
Delatude: Bung,
De Gaulle was avoided by the allied commanders as he demanded a lot from them. They decided they didn't want him at Yalta, I can see why with Stalin present.
But he was relentless until he got it. It wasn't arrogance, but strength of character.
As a Colonel, he tried to modernize the tanks as he saw it as a decisive weapon after WWI.
As a personal opinion, he was one of the greatest man in France, as a WWII General and as a President. Like many great man, history has showed that eventually they will fall from grace.
Whatever he did was for his country and he wasn't an hypocrite as other politicians.
After him, no president ever came close to his stature.
I appreciate your opinion, mine is based in history, not because he was French. I also admire Churchill, Mc Arthur, Bradley, Patton.
Many have forgotten the deeds of great men in the past World Wars, the rows of white crosses of Allied Cemeteries in Northern France, I haven't. They have my respect and gratitude.
De Gaulle was avoided by the allied commanders as he demanded a lot from them. They decided they didn't want him at Yalta, I can see why with Stalin present.
But he was relentless until he got it. It wasn't arrogance, but strength of character.
As a Colonel, he tried to modernize the tanks as he saw it as a decisive weapon after WWI.
As a personal opinion, he was one of the greatest man in France, as a WWII General and as a President. Like many great man, history has showed that eventually they will fall from grace.
Whatever he did was for his country and he wasn't an hypocrite as other politicians.
After him, no president ever came close to his stature.
I appreciate your opinion, mine is based in history, not because he was French. I also admire Churchill, Mc Arthur, Bradley, Patton.
Many have forgotten the deeds of great men in the past World Wars, the rows of white crosses of Allied Cemeteries in Northern France, I haven't. They have my respect and gratitude.
Well said Delatude
bungallow55: Why is it hard for you people to recognized that without the allies today you would be speaking German not French...French arrogance.
I'll be one to recognize it Bung.
But no need to judge everyone for the deeds of a few based on some polls.
Yes, arrogance exists and when I told some elders who experienced the war of the respect due, they told me some stories of Americans acting like conquerors trying to buy favors from poor ladies with chocolate.
A kind embarrassed black GI saw it and gave it to them without asking anything in return.
But the same applies, you can't judge a nation by the actions of a few.
bungallow55: You see? I knew Mussolini was in North Africa, when American forces landed in North Africa, the first army they faced were Italians.
The Germans were smarter, they used the Italians soldiers as a shield
still doesn't change the Fact that Mussolini's Fiasco in Greece delayed Barbarossa for three months!The Germans were smarter, they used the Italians soldiers as a shield
justjim63: Ahh actually the first forces the Americans faced in North Africa were the Vichy French forces during Operation Torch in Nov 1942.
You are right Jim, but they didn't last very long.
The French weren't to happy when Churchill ordered the sinking of the French fleet before it fell to the German.
Delatude: Bung,
De Gaulle was avoided by the allied commanders as he demanded a lot from them. They decided they didn't want him at Yalta, I can see why with Stalin present.
But he was relentless until he got it. It wasn't arrogance, but strength of character.
As a Colonel, he tried to modernize the tanks as he saw it as a decisive weapon after WWI.
As a personal opinion, he was one of the greatest man in France, as a WWII General and as a President. Like many great man, history has showed that eventually they will fall from grace.
Whatever he did was for his country and he wasn't an hypocrite as other politicians.
After him, no president ever came close to his stature.
I appreciate your opinion, mine is based in history, not because he was French. I also admire Churchill, Mc Arthur, Bradley, Patton.
Many have forgotten the deeds of great men in the past World Wars, the rows of white crosses of Allied Cemeteries in Northern France, I haven't. They have my respect and gratitude.
De Gaulle was avoided by the allied commanders as he demanded a lot from them. They decided they didn't want him at Yalta, I can see why with Stalin present.
But he was relentless until he got it. It wasn't arrogance, but strength of character.
As a Colonel, he tried to modernize the tanks as he saw it as a decisive weapon after WWI.
As a personal opinion, he was one of the greatest man in France, as a WWII General and as a President. Like many great man, history has showed that eventually they will fall from grace.
Whatever he did was for his country and he wasn't an hypocrite as other politicians.
After him, no president ever came close to his stature.
I appreciate your opinion, mine is based in history, not because he was French. I also admire Churchill, Mc Arthur, Bradley, Patton.
Many have forgotten the deeds of great men in the past World Wars, the rows of white crosses of Allied Cemeteries in Northern France, I haven't. They have my respect and gratitude.
My grandfather fought in Belgium and France in world war one as part of the Australian corps. We were one of only two fully volunteer forces of the war and suffered a 65% casualty rate.
Ahh actually the first forces the Americans faced in North Africa were the Vichy French forces during Operation Torch in Nov 1942.[/quote
I'm not sure about that...but I think were the British
facing Vichy...the British attacked the French when they didn't
surrendered their vessels.
I'm not sure about that...but I think were the British
facing Vichy...the British attacked the French when they didn't
surrendered their vessels.
Delatude: I'll be one to recognize it Bung.
But no need to judge everyone for the deeds of a few based on some polls.
Yes, arrogance exists and when I told some elders who experienced the war of the respect due, they told me some stories of Americans acting like conquerors trying to buy favors from poor ladies with chocolate.
A kind embarrassed black GI saw it and gave it to them without asking anything in return.
But the same applies, you can't judge a nation by the actions of a few.
But no need to judge everyone for the deeds of a few based on some polls.
Yes, arrogance exists and when I told some elders who experienced the war of the respect due, they told me some stories of Americans acting like conquerors trying to buy favors from poor ladies with chocolate.
A kind embarrassed black GI saw it and gave it to them without asking anything in return.
But the same applies, you can't judge a nation by the actions of a few.
No I can't judge every one...my admiration goes to the French resistnace, they had another name, right now I can't remember that name.
rizlared: He may have been you hero, but he was incredibly arrogant and his treatment of the allies especially the British, was appalling, remember this was the man who ran away to England from France when Germany attacked, he organised his armies from England yet refused to take part in the D-day landings.
I am not going to say if the story is true or not, I wasn't there.
Perhaps a conflict of cultures, Rizlared.
The English and French have been in conflict since the Middle-Ages, it might have something to do with it?
"Various shots of the allied troops marching during Victory parade in Paris - French, British, Colonial, etc. French President Charles de Gaulle and Britain's Prime Minister Winston Churchill standing in open car, driving through crowded streets. Several shots of Churchill and De Gaulle paying tribute at the Tomb of Unknown Soldier. More shots of the parade and huge crowd at the streets. Churchill and De Gaulle watching parade, Anthony Eden is with them."
bungallow55: Ahh actually the first forces the Americans faced in North Africa were the Vichy French forces during Operation Torch in Nov 1942.[/quote
I'm not sure about that...but I think were the British
facing Vichy...the British attacked the French when they didn't
surrendered their vessels.
I'm not sure about that...but I think were the British
facing Vichy...the British attacked the French when they didn't
surrendered their vessels.
Refer to post #250, and read the quote from Yourself, You're contradicting Yourself Bung.
justjim63: My grandfather fought in Belgium and France in world war one as part of the Australian corps. We were one of only two fully volunteer forces of the war and suffered a 65% casualty rate.
My respect to them Jim. Many good men gave their lives and it should never be forgotten. Twice in a century.
justjim63: Refer to post #250, and read the quote from Yourself, You're contradicting Yourself Bung.
Well I guess I'm getting tired...no more WW2 for me
at least for now
bungallow55: No I can't judge every one...my admiration goes to the French resistnace, they had another name, right now I can't remember that name.
Bung,
Hard to say. After the war they had more resistance fighters than Germans.
It happens that many collaborators switched to be resistance fighters after the war. Many entered politic and their records disappeared.
A blemish and insult to the real resistance heroes. The one at the liberation were the "Forces françaises libres" or the FFL and the others were the "Forces françaises interieure" or FFI.
Delatude: I'll be one to recognize it Bung.
But no need to judge everyone for the deeds of a few based on some polls.
Yes, arrogance exists and when I told some elders who experienced the war of the respect due, they told me some stories of Americans acting like conquerors trying to buy favors from poor ladies with chocolate.
A kind embarrassed black GI saw it and gave it to them without asking anything in return.
But the same applies, you can't judge a nation by the actions of a few.
But no need to judge everyone for the deeds of a few based on some polls.
Yes, arrogance exists and when I told some elders who experienced the war of the respect due, they told me some stories of Americans acting like conquerors trying to buy favors from poor ladies with chocolate.
A kind embarrassed black GI saw it and gave it to them without asking anything in return.
But the same applies, you can't judge a nation by the actions of a few.
yes, I am sure they were all hungry, The women didnt fight in the war, but I am sure shielded many, and paid a price...
Women often talk about when the Russians came and stuff....
Delatude: You are right Jim, but they didn't last very long.
The French weren't to happy when Churchill ordered the sinking of the French fleet before it fell to the German.
The French weren't to happy when Churchill ordered the sinking of the French fleet before it fell to the German.
Couldnt they move the fleet?
Delatude: Bung,
Hard to say. After the war they had more resistance fighters than Germans.
It happens that many collaborators switched to be resistance fighters after the war. Many entered politic and their records disappeared.
A blemish and insult to the real resistance heroes. The one at the liberation were the "Forces françaises libres" or the FFL and the others were the "Forces françaises interieure" or FFI.
Hard to say. After the war they had more resistance fighters than Germans.
It happens that many collaborators switched to be resistance fighters after the war. Many entered politic and their records disappeared.
A blemish and insult to the real resistance heroes. The one at the liberation were the "Forces françaises libres" or the FFL and the others were the "Forces françaises interieure" or FFI.
Do you know the French Foreign Legion have many SS marching songs as their own songs these days.
bungallow55: lovemedorf,
your laughter showed your ignorance, we Puerto Ricans we are U.S. citizen, which mean any war America gets involved there we go as any u.s. citizen, so now laugh louder, including WW1, Korea, Vietnam, Panama, Granada, Iraq and Afghanistan.
your laughter showed your ignorance, we Puerto Ricans we are U.S. citizen, which mean any war America gets involved there we go as any u.s. citizen, so now laugh louder, including WW1, Korea, Vietnam, Panama, Granada, Iraq and Afghanistan.
Sounds like Che and Castro land to me.
Delatude: Bung,
De Gaulle was avoided by the allied commanders as he demanded a lot from them. They decided they didn't want him at Yalta, I can see why with Stalin present.
But he was relentless until he got it. It wasn't arrogance, but strength of character.
As a Colonel, he tried to modernize the tanks as he saw it as a decisive weapon after WWI.
As a personal opinion, he was one of the greatest man in France, as a WWII General and as a President. Like many great man, history has showed that eventually they will fall from grace.
Whatever he did was for his country and he wasn't an hypocrite as other politicians.
After him, no president ever came close to his stature.
I appreciate your opinion, mine is based in history, not because he was French. I also admire Churchill, Mc Arthur, Bradley, Patton.
Many have forgotten the deeds of great men in the past World Wars, the rows of white crosses of Allied Cemeteries in Northern France, I haven't. They have my respect and gratitude.
De Gaulle was avoided by the allied commanders as he demanded a lot from them. They decided they didn't want him at Yalta, I can see why with Stalin present.
But he was relentless until he got it. It wasn't arrogance, but strength of character.
As a Colonel, he tried to modernize the tanks as he saw it as a decisive weapon after WWI.
As a personal opinion, he was one of the greatest man in France, as a WWII General and as a President. Like many great man, history has showed that eventually they will fall from grace.
Whatever he did was for his country and he wasn't an hypocrite as other politicians.
After him, no president ever came close to his stature.
I appreciate your opinion, mine is based in history, not because he was French. I also admire Churchill, Mc Arthur, Bradley, Patton.
Many have forgotten the deeds of great men in the past World Wars, the rows of white crosses of Allied Cemeteries in Northern France, I haven't. They have my respect and gratitude.
Climbing the ranks in the military is a very political process. Nobody makes it to the top levels without being a skilled politician.
Patton, McArthur, Montgomery, Eisenhower, DeGaulle, (etc etc) were always trying to grab the spotlight. It's the nature of the beast.
DeGaulle may have been a pain in the a-- for his allied counterparts but then again he had different imperatives. He wanted to free France from the Germans without falling under the domination of the allies.
And he managed to accomplish that.
He had a great influence on France. Not because he was any sort of military genius, but because he was resolute in pursuing the true interests of France, first against the Germans, and then against the English and Americans.
MADDOG69: Do you know the French Foreign Legion have many SS marching songs as their own songs these days.
Right after WWII, many Germans joined the Foreign Legion, so it wouldn't surprise me. I don't know the statistics, but they probably were a majority in the Legion. In the 60's, after retirement they went back to live in Germany. Met one in the Army hospital of the Napoleon Compound in Berlin, had to get treated there for an old wound.
Right now, many recruits come from everywhere, so the SS songs wouldn't have so much meaning for them.
Torless: Ray, how many Maki compared to resistance were there? I haven't heard them mentioned much, only collaborators?
There were initially a lot of different groups with different leadership and different political views and agendas.
The word "maquis" doesn't actually refer to an organization but rather to the rough terrain where they hid out.
Later, many of them did organize into a loose confederation that coordinated operations under DeGaulle's leadership (by coded messages from England).
As to how many there were altogether, I don't know. But it must have been in the thousands.
Delatude: Right after WWII, many Germans joined the Foreign Legion, so it wouldn't surprise me. I don't know the statistics, but they probably were a majority in the Legion. In the 60's, after retirement they went back to live in Germany. Met one in the Army hospital of the Napoleon Compound in Berlin, had to get treated there for an old wound.
Right now, many recruits come from everywhere, so the SS songs wouldn't have so much meaning for them.
Right now, many recruits come from everywhere, so the SS songs wouldn't have so much meaning for them.
I saw a documentary about the Foreign Legion here in France and I was surprised that they speak their own dialect. The "French" that they speak to each other within the Legion is so different from normative French that even the French people can't understand it.
Of course some of them also speak real French as well but that's not what they use among themselves. I can only imagine that it's done that way by design, to keep them "foreign".
According to the London International News Service "dated 31 January 1946, when the wives of American soldiers arrived in Germany, they received special permission to wear military uniforms, because the U.S. soldiers did not want the occupying troops to mistake their wives to be froylyan [it. girls]."
RayfromUSA: I saw a documentary about the Foreign Legion here in France and I was surprised that they speak their own dialect. The "French" that they speak to each other within the Legion is so different from normative French that even the French people can't understand it.
Of course some of them also speak real French as well but that's not what they use among themselves. I can only imagine that it's done that way by design, to keep them "foreign".
Of course some of them also speak real French as well but that's not what they use among themselves. I can only imagine that it's done that way by design, to keep them "foreign".
I would imagine that two Mongolians would speak their own language outside the compound, but they have to speak French on the base or they are severely punished.
There is no reason to keep them foreign.
The proof Ray, there is even Americans from Texas in France and they can speak their own language.
MADDOG69: According to the London International News Service "dated 31 January 1946, when the wives of American soldiers arrived in Germany, they received special permission to wear military uniforms, because the U.S. soldiers did not want the occupying troops to mistake their wives to be froylyan [it. girls]."
Yes, Fraulein. I can see why, but the behavior of the troops were a little better 20 years later. For the French conscripts, they had to stay in uniform when on leave.
@maddog, it must have been terrifying, and of course the subsequent children...
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He was the biggest moron of the story. His attack from Albania was doomed as he had to cross the mountainous range of Pindos during the winter. He didn't make plans for land invasions behind the Greek lines of defense, maybe because he was too blinded by his sense of superiority and his own propaganda.