Yet, it was Germany who won the Battle of France. In about a month, no less. Why?
In actual fact, the problem with France then was quite similar to the problem with them now -- an absolute, unshakeable certainty in their own superiority. Despite the lessons of the Great War, they still believed in the doctrine of offensive. They had hoped that the Maginot Line would hold back the Germans on the right long enough for the French Army and BEF to counterpunch them back through the low countries on the French left.
Well, the Maginot Line did hold on the French right. And they probably would have succeeded in counterpunching well enough in the low countries on the left. They only forgot about one thing -- the center. The Germans simply came through the "impassable" Ardennes, with all of their armor. And proceeded to stomp a mud hole in French behinds.
So what is to be learned historically from this episode? First, while not lacking in courage, the French possess a paucity of strategic insight, at least since the days of Napoleon (who was a Corsican, anyway). Second, they are unaware of their lack of strategic genius, again thanks to the Napoleonic legacy, and consider any non-Frenchman to be automatically, a fool. Finally, that most of the war jokes made at French expense are not deserved, but at least some of them are.
Yes, I know that DeGaulle warned them about the tanks. A prophet is without honor in his own land.
Using Nationalist Socialism he rebirth Germany gave them a sense of purpose that of the creation of the Master Race. Germany was promised a bright future.
What chance did a divided people the French have.
Cheers for the debate, it is good to exercise the old bean know and again.
The good thing is that there special ops are on the ground with are lads.
I feel that something has changed this war against Terrorism has united the West in a way I have never seen in my life time.
Tony