The French are no longer redefining Overlord

Can I read it first? 😀

Regards,

kev35

Kev,

Yes, it is the same Colin Smith. I must say it opened my eyes ! Extraordinary.

I’d like to know what you think.

John.

Just ordered a copy of that book and should get it within a couple of days. If it’s the same Colin Smith who wrote Singapore Burning it should be very readable.

Regards,

kev35

Here is an interesting article a slight thread drift though. I must admit I did not know about this
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French-Thai_War

j jza80

Two good and generally accepted points.

The Mers el Kebir/Oran naval engagement was entirely the fault of the French Govt. Either of the two options they were presented with provided them with enough excuse to escape the Navy’s attack. Even so, Somerville did not satisfactorily complete the job.

The French wouldn’t mind creating the illusion that solely the Americans liberated them. What they would strenuously object to is any inference of liberation concerning the British – after seven or eight hundred years of almost continuous wardare – mostly unsuccessful – that would not be on the menu – ever. I wonder what French history books write about the matter.

Moggy,

Opening sentence of 17 !! The petition? Certainly!

Kev 35 and any others.

“England’s Last War Against The French”, Fighting Vichy France, 1940 -42, Colin Smith, ISBN 978-0-7538-2705-5

This book will change perceptions and entrenched views – and some !

. I am pleased about that so we have a closely shared experience but, for some reason you have yet to explain, come to quite different conclusions following our experience.
.

Many regard the destruction of the French fleet at Mers el Kebir as a national tragedy, and still harbour (not meant as a joke) resentment for it. There also seems to be a general feeling that the Americans liberated them, while British and Commonwealth troops were a sideshow.

This is from my own experience.

Signed

You’re accusing me of making an assumption, while making two?

If you must know, I’ve spent years among French populations in various countries (including France). I have nothing against the French personally, and have many French friends and colleagues.

I prefer a balanced view of the world. I’m a realist, not an idealist.

I haven’t made any, just copied yours to make the point. I am pleased about that so we have a closely shared experience but, for some reason you have yet to explain, come to quite different conclusions following our experience.

I agree totally and my advocacy of the realistic point of view jars with one or two other members.

Signed

Of course I signed it, its up to 3435 sigs now

Paul.

You know full well that I was referring to the German invasion.

Regards,

kev35

I know that but I was just pointing out we were in action prior to that date.

I wish I hadn’t started this thread.

On the other hand if all of you have signed the petition (?), for whatever good it does, then I will chill about the squabbling

Moggy

Paul.

You know full well that I was referring to the German invasion.

Regards,

kev35

The 10th May 1940 was when the fighting began, or haven’t you read your history?

Regards,

kev35

Bit of a one sided fight but SS Athenia sunk on the first day of the war
The raid on Rosyth on October 16, 1939
December 1939 Battle of the River Plate
(No French involved)

What’s your evidence for your last statement or are you simply trotting out the perennial anti-French prattle? Just like a sizable part of the English population dislike the French I suppose……that’s certainly the tabloid view.

You’re accusing me of making an assumption, while making two?

If you must know, I’ve spent years among French populations in various countries (including France). I have nothing against the French personally, and have many French friends and colleagues.

I prefer a balanced view of the world. I’m a realist, not an idealist.

What’s your evidence for your last statement or are you simply trotting out the perennial anti-French prattle? Just like a sizable part of the English population dislike the French I suppose……that’s certainly the tabloid view.

For whatever reasons, apologists and revionist ‘historians’ are trying to undermine the importance of Britains contribution to the allied effort in WW2.

Having grown up in Elvington, I’m all too aware of the sacrifice made by many French servicemen, in the defence of our island, and I’m eternally grateful to them. However, many French do resent our actions, and there is certainly an undeniable dislike towards the British in a sizeable part of their population.

The 10th May 1940 was when the fighting began, or haven’t you read your history?

Regards,

kev35

The WW2 French Army totalled about 4 million in 1939. I doubt whether they were ALL fighting with the British, otherwise the outcome might have been very different. Where did the 10th May come from? I said in 1939. Another instance of you not properly reading what is in front of you.

I was not referring to YOU creating statistics. But, to the ease with which I could do it rather than waiting to quote from my reference book. I can’t at the moment quote because I don’t have the book – I’ve lent it out. When I get it, I’ll happily quote from it till the cows come home.

.