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#81
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"Seraphim" a écrit dans le message news: ... (snip) What happened to our army in 1939-40 had little to do with what was achieved in 1917-18... I've always thought it had everything to do with it. World War I basically destroyed the cream of a generation for France. After the horrors of the first war, it was decided that sending their men off to die in the trenches was stupid, and that they were better off just making things so difficult on the enemy that an attack would never come. Unfortunately for the French, the attack did come, but not where they had prepared for it, and due to this France did not have the means avaible to respond properly. In short, the French army got their butt kicked in WWII because they were trying to avoild another WWI. Or because they stuck too hard to the illusion that they had fought the last one of their history, an illusion certainly linked to the horrors of WW1. Christophe |
#82
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"Keith Willshaw" wrote in message ...
"Stuart Wilkes" wrote in message om... "Keith Willshaw" wrote in message ... "Stuart Wilkes" wrote in message om... E. Barry Bruyea wrote in message . .. On 22 Oct 2003 02:44:52 -0700, (Stuart Wilkes) wrote: Indeed, the Western powers were concerned to keep the Baltic States out of Soviet hands. However, in the Anglo-German negotiations of the summer of 1939, the British offered to recognize Eastern Europe as a German sphere of influence. Last time I checked, the Baltic States are in Eastern Europe. So the Western powers were indeed resolved to keep the Baltic States out of Soviet hands, in order to preserve them for the Nazi variety. What Anglo German negotiations ? The ones described in Ambassador von Dirksen's cable from London to Berlin of 24 July 1939: "General ideas as to how a peaceful adjustment with Germany could be undertaken seem to have crystallized... On the basis of political appeasement, which in to ensure the principle of non-aggression and to achieve a delimitation of political spheres of interest by means of a comprehensive formula, a broad economic program is being worked out... About these plans entertained by leading circles, State Advisor Wohlthat, who, on British initiative, had long talks about them during his stay in London last week, will be able to give more detailed information. The problem that is puuzzling the sponsors of these plans most is how to start the negotiations. Public opinion is so inflamed, that if these plans of negotiations with Germany were to bedcome public they would immediately be torpoedoed by Churchill and others with the cry 'No second Munich!' or 'No return to appeasement!' So we have a report of discussions within the German embassy No. As I show below, they quite accurately report the content of the discussions between Wohlthat and Sir Horace Wilson. The latter was not, to my knowlege, assigned to the German embassy. about PLANS for negotiation not negotiations themselves and certainly no offers of recognition as you claimed. How does that explain the discussions State Advisor Wohlthat had in London, on British initiative... It dosen't of course. The persons engaged in drawing up a list of points for negotiation A confirmation that at this point no negotiations have occurred Nonsense. The discussions Wohlthat held with Sir Horace Wilson are mentioned specifically. Wohlthat and Wilson met on 6 June, 7 July, 19 July, 21 July, and 31 July. Here's Zachary Shore "What Hitler Knew" Oxford University Press, 2003, pg 89, on these negotiations: "Sir Horace presented a detailed plan for Anglo-German accord that began with a proposal of a nonaggression pact. ... There would be a recognition of spheres of influence. Eastern and southeastern Europe were to be designated as Germany's sphere. Third, there would be agreements on arms limitations for land, sea, and air power (Chamberlain had long sought an air pact with Germany, as this was a particular concern for British security.) Fourth, colonial issues would be resolved, including how best to develope Africa. ... Sir Horace Wilson said that the conclusion of a non-aggression pact would release Britain from her commitments to Poland; thus, the Danzig question would lose much of its importance for Britain." Wohlthat asked what authority lay behind these British proposals. "When asked whether Chamberlain had approved these plans, Wilson asserted that the Prime Minister had given his full consent." - Shore pg 90. therefore realize that the preparatory steps vis-a-vis Germany must be shrouded in the utmost secrecy. So you think these were discussions "...vis-a-vis Germany..." held between the German themselves. Or, you're just trying to weasle out of their uncomfortable implications. The latter, I think. Only when Germany's willingness to negotiate has been ascertained, One might think that the German Embassy might already have an idea of Germany's willingness to negotiate. Or, you're just trying to weasle out of their uncomfortable implications. The latter, I think. and at leaset unanimity regarding the program, perhaps regarding certain general principles, has been attained, will the British government feel strong enough to inform the public of its intentions and of the steps it has already taken. If it could in this way hold out the prospect of an Anglo-German adjustment, it is convinced that the public would greet the news with the greatest joy, and the obstructionists would be reduced to silence. So much is expected from the realization of this plan that it is even considered a most effective election cry, one which would assure the government parties a victory in the autumn elections, and with it the retention of power for another five years. So we have is the German belief that Britain would not in fact declare war over Poland but would if forced negotiate, they were wrong They had not the slightest indication of a serious British intention to go to Poland's aid. ...In conclusion, I should like to point out that the German-Polish problem has found a place in this tendency toward an adjustment with Germany, inasmuch as it is believed that in the event of an Anglo-German adjustment the solution of the Polish problem will be easier, since a calmer atmosphere will facilitate the negotiations, and the British interest in Poland will be diminished." Wishful thinking in action since on the 14th July Sir Nevile Henderson discussed with Baron von Weizsäcker, German State Secretary at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, a statement by one of the German Under-Secretaries that "Herr Hitler was convinced that England would never fight over Danzig." Sir Nevile Henderson repeated the affirmation already made by His Majesty's Government that, in the event of German aggression, Great Britain would support Poland in resisting force by force And what did HMG do in the interval to acquire the capability to support Poland in resisting by force? Hitler saw no such actions or preparations. Hence, he discounted the threat. In Halder's war diary entry for 14 August, concerning a discussion he had with Hitler that day, Hitler is noted as saying that the British haven't even given a loan to the Poles, indicating that they think the Polish position bankrupt, and not worth spending money on. Hitler had another test of British intentions: From Shore, pg 112, on German Foreign Ministry official Erich Kordt's contact with Sir Robert Vansittart: "I learned from Hewel that Hitler said...that it it comes to the conclusion of an alliance between the Western powers and the Soviet Union, then he would cancel the action against Poland... But if the Western Powers embarass themselves and go home empty-handed, then I can smash Poland without the danger of a conflict with the West." Shore goes onto say: "Kordt related this information to (British Foreign Office Chief Diplomatic Advisor) Vansittart because he, along with Weizacker, hoped that the British would be sufficiently disturbed by the news that they themselves would conclude an alliance with the Soviets and discourage Hitler from war." Shore goes on to note the increasing pressure on Chamberlain to conclude the Grand Alliance, but he manfully resisted. Far from being disturbed into a hasty alliance with the USSR, he increased contacts with Germany. "Rather than seeking to discourage Hitler by intensifying the triple alliance talks, Chamberlain did precisely the opposite." (pg 114) snip From March onwards (when Germany seized the remains of Czechoslovakia) there was a deterioration of relations which made everbody understand the inevitability of war Sure, once the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact put paid to the idea of Anglo-German agreement: "For all the other acts of brutality at home and aggression without, Herr Hitler had been able to offer an excuse, inadequate indeed, but not fantastic. The need for order and discipline in Europe, for strength at the centre to withstand the incessant infiltration of false and revolutionary ideas - this is certainly no more than the conventional excuse offered by every military dictator who has ever suppressed the liberties of his own people or advanced the conquest of his neighbors. Nevertheless, so long as the excuse was offered with sincerity, and in Hitler's case the appearance of sincerity were not lacking over a period of years, the world's judgement of the man remained more favorable than its judgement of his actions. The faint possibility of an ultimate settlement with Herr Hitler still, in these circumstances, remained, however abominable his methods, however deceitful his diplomacy, however intolerant he might show himself of the rights of other European peoples, he still claimed to stand ultimately for something which was a common European interest, and which therefore could conceivably provide some day a basis for understanding with other nations equally determined not to sacrifice their traditional institutions and habits on the bloodstained altars of the World Revolution. The conclusion of the German-Soviet pact removed even this faint possibility of an honorable peace." Lord Lloyd of Dolobran "The British Case" Eyre & Spottiswoode Limited. London, 1939, pgs 54-5, with a preface by Lord Halifax, the Foreign Secretary. And Lord Lloyd was no isolated right-wing crank. Within months of his book being published, he was a member of Churchill's Cabinet, the Secretary of State for Colonies. No he was a realist, A realist... who retained a touching faith in Hitler's "sincerity" right up until the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact. ROTFL!! the Soviet German pact was clearly intended to give Germany a free hand to start a war against the West. There's no suggestion here that Lloyd was in favour of such an agreement or was stating that such an agreement was being negotiated. It shows that that Hitler was thought worthy of the benefit of every doubt, until the M-R Pact. He's simply pointing that AFTER the pact was signed it was clear that Germany was planning war with Soviet connivance. It shows that as long as the merest, threadbare shred of a hope of a possibility of a chance that maybe, someday, in the course of time, Hitler will join HMG in an anti-Soviet agreement, it is sufficient reason to trust Hitler's sincerity and continue to judge him as better than his actions. In April Germany denounced the Anglo German Naval Agreement The Germans alsocomplained about the negotiations Britain was pursuing with the USSR complaining that Britain and the Soviet Union were trying to encircle Germany. And the British offered to end those talks. Molotov ended those talks. Once they were clearly going nowhere. After all, nobody on the British delegation he was talking to had any authority to agree to anything. They need not have feared since it was the Soviets who scuppered any chance of an alliance to oppose Germany when Molotov first sharply criticized the British suggestions of a defensive alliance against Germany and Italy and then rejected a series of drafts in negotiations Actually, it was the Soviet draft of 17 April 1939 that formed the basis of the discussions, and as late as 19 August 1939, a mere week before the planned start date for the German invasion of Poland, the British delegation at the Moscow military staff talks had no authority to commit to anything. snip Without immediate and effective Russian assistance the longer that war would be, and the less chance there would be of either Poland or Roumania emerging at the end of it as independent states in anything like their present form. We suggest that it is now necessary to present this unpalatable truth with absolute frankness to both the Poles and to the Roumanians. To the Poles especially it ought to be pointed out that they have obligations to us as well as we to them; and that it is unreasonable for them to expect us blindly to implement our guarantee to them if, at the same time, they will not co-operate in measures designed for a common purpose. The conclusion of a treaty with Russia appears to us to be the best way of preventing a war. ... At the worst if the negotiations with Russia break down, a Russo-German rapproachment may take place of which the probable consequence will be that Russia and Germany decide to share the spoils and concert in a new partition of the Eastern European States." Clear evidence that the British were attempting to come to an agreement with the USSR Clear evidence that the Deputy Chiefs of Staff thought the Soviet position a very good idea. Too bad PM Chamberlain wasn't convinced. The Soviet position was refused, despite this advice from the Deputy Chiefs of Staff. The British delegation at the Moscow military staff talks was not authorized to agree to it. Clear evidence that the British government had no intention to come to an agreement with the USSR, despite this good advice from the Deputy Chiefs of Staff. Thank You More twisting, worming, weasling from you. But you're clearly helpless. These demands were clearly impossible to accept and were almost certainly intended to end all such talks as the USSR was already secretly negotiating with Germany. No, these Soviet proposals were nothing more than the minimum of what was militarily necessary for successful resistance to Nazi Germany. No wonder Chamberlain had no interest in them. It was of course Stalin who offered Germany a free hand in Western Europe while the USSR would have a free hand in the east and split Poland between them. Much better than letting Nazi Germany get it all. Germany did get it all After paying a much higher price in blood than they would have if they'd gotten it straight from Poland. Stuart Wilkes |
#83
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#84
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#85
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On Thu, 23 Oct 2003 21:59:47 +0200, "Christophe Chazot"
wrote: "Peter Skelton" a écrit dans le message news: ... (snip) They'd have gotten their butts kicked in the last war too, didn't have reserves, didn't have telephones at HQ, unbelievable stuff. Unbelievable, indeed, but a logical consequence of the sending the army in Belgium. The defensive strategy (or whatever one call it) that prevailed prewar had planned that, in cas of an attack, all the national telephone system would pass under military rule and will be used as the main military communication system. Correct but the turkey in command didn't even have a civilian phone (let alone radio) at his chalet. He intended to depend on messengers. Peter Skelton |
#86
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"Fred J. McCall" wrote in message news Seraphim wrote: :I've always thought it had everything to do with it. World War I basically :destroyed the cream of a generation for France. After the horrors of the :first war, it was decided that sending their men off to die in the trenches :was stupid, and that they were better off just making things so difficult n the enemy that an attack would never come. Unfortunately for the French, :the attack did come, but not where they had prepared for it, and due to :this France did not have the means avaible to respond properly. France had the means to respond properly. They had more and better armor than the Germans did. Their armour was not better than the German armour, you have fallen into the common trap of only comparing how big the gun was and how thick the armour plating was. |
#87
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"L'acrobat" wrote in message ... France had the means to respond properly. They had more and better armor than the Germans did. Their armour was not better than the German armour, you have fallen into the common trap of only comparing how big the gun was and how thick the armour plating was. There are pros and cons on either side, the big difference was doctrine. If the Germans had the French tanks and vice versa the Germans would still have won. Keith |
#88
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"Keith Willshaw" wrote in
: "L'acrobat" wrote in message ... France had the means to respond properly. They had more and better armor than the Germans did. The French had ~3400 tanks, vs ~3200 German ones. Not a huge difference. Their armour was not better than the German armour, you have fallen into the common trap of only comparing how big the gun was and how thick the armour plating was. There are pros and cons on either side, the big difference was doctrine. If the Germans had the French tanks and vice versa the Germans would still have won. Probably true, but it would have been much harder for the Germans. French tanks were *slow*. Of the 3,473 French tanks, ~1,400 were only capable of 12mph on roads, and another 1,000 or so could only do 18mph. Compare that to the 3,200+ German tanks that were all capable of 25+mph. The size of your gun, and the thickness of your armor doesn't matter if you never get to engage another tank. |
#89
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Fred J. McCall wrote in
news Seraphim wrote: :I've always thought it had everything to do with it. World War I :basically destroyed the cream of a generation for France. After the :horrors of the first war, it was decided that sending their men off to :die in the trenches was stupid, and that they were better off just :making things so difficult on the enemy that an attack would never :come. Unfortunately for the French, the attack did come, but not where :they had prepared for it, and due to this France did not have the :means avaible to respond properly. France had the means to respond properly. They had more and better armor than the Germans did. The french had ~210 more tanks than the Germans. This is out of forces that were measured in the thousands. However, the French majority tanks were SLOW, makeing it very difficult to get them into positions where they could actually do something productive. : In short, the French army got their butt kicked in WWII : because they :were trying to avoild another WWI. No, the French army got their butt kicked in WWII because their generals were idiots and didn't use the forces they had properly. Right, but why didn't they use the forces they had? |
#90
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Seraphim wrote:
Fred J. McCall wrote in news No, the French army got their butt kicked in WWII because their generals were idiots and didn't use the forces they had properly. Right, but why didn't they use the forces they had? I think that's covered under "their generals were idiots." If anybody wants a really good read on the subject I highly recommend Ernest R. May's "Strange Victory." -- Nik Simpson |
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