I am persisting, in spite of the personal attacks because this issue is important and I am hoping that open minds might consider it. Please address the issue not me.

As far as personal attacks go……its been pretty tame. I’v seen it alot worse, so……….concider urself lucky and move on…..

What is the chance against the indonesian Su-27/30?

VERY good. Especialy with the 737AAWAC…….

But it’s not the Kaiser’s fault that there was a Kaiser or a second Reich at all. Blame the Swedes for repeated land grabs in various northern German Catholic states during the 30 years war, and Napoleon for conquering Berlin and creating a real threat and reason for Bismarck to form a unified Germany. 😉

Valid point, I’ll grant you….but it was still pretty lame to get in a dreadnaught building race with the Brits.

[QUOTE=sealordlawrence;1198444]

I know exactly what happened, the western alliance (Britain and France) were in most respects better armed and equipped than Germany. However they were doctrinally inferior (some what ironic considering it was the British who invented Blitzkrieg in its mechanised form) and so they lost.

You are wrong in stating that the western allies were better armed than the Germans. The allies did have more tanks, and some of these tanks had better armor protection and better firepower than German tanks……which in no way makes them “better”. German tanks were much more “fightable” (for want of a better word) than either the S35 or the Char B1bis……..one man turrets would just not cut it. The Brit Matilda 2 was the best allied tank, and had its day at Arras, but there were nowhere near enough of them. The French had just 3 flawed armored divisions that were too new to accomplish much. As far as the air war went…….the D.520 was outmatched (just) by the BF109E and again, there werent enough. The Hurricane could hold its own, and the Spitfire wasnt commited to France. German tactical doctrine was far greater than the French Army’s and they had better morale. But the allies being better armed “in most respects” is simply not true.

[QUOTE=Sens;1198136]

The political power change in Germany took place 1932/33.
When Hitler took office in 1933 he could built his future Wehrmacht from the core of the Reichswehr. Britain and France did a lot in 1919 (Versailles) and afterwards to bring Hitler into office, but did nothing after 1933 to stop Hitler in his built-up really.
The war in Europe did start in Spain already, when Britain and France took a “blind eye” too.
To avoid any misunderstandings I am in deep regret about the power-change from 1933.
Therefore I choose 1930 as example, because all critical elements were at hand already and the later development could be forseen to some degree, but the fatefull power change had not taken place.

My argument was that during the 30s build up of German military power, Britain and France did virtualy nothing until it was too late. (for France anyways….allmost for Britain) The point being…..regardless of intentions today……what China will be like in 10 years is an unknown. They ARE building their armed forces up with very modern equipment , and to not take a long hard look at that and react in an appropriate way would be…..well…..very much like the allied powers in the 30s.

Merlin in the tanker role? Can’t see it happening. As far as the F-35B operating as a tanker……it could probably be done…….maybe hang the pod on a wing station? But it doesnt look like anyone is gonna do it. Could the 35B carry stores on centerline?

China is not going to over run Asia.

Kens post is all the more important today. Europe faces no immediate military threat to its security and it is difficult to see on on the horizon, unlike the US the EU seems to have largely seperated national pride from military prowess/power and in many if not most quarters the word ‘war’ is a dirty one. Yet the UK insists upon involving itself in every conflict that presents itself seemingly irrelevant of capability. The UK establishment seems to regard this as an expression of importance and yet they wish to avoid talking about it and funding it. The fact is that the UK’s current posture seems to be to involve itself in all available conflicts and crisis whilst preparing for none.

I’m sure most Europeans thought Germany was finished as a military power in 1930…….but as we all know, things change. Dangerous assumptions to make regarding China. And it looks like Russia may be a major player again soon.

How does it stand up to the A129?