[polemikos]

So England, America, and Europe all had Mars programs going on virtually simultaneously?

[witnesstothefall]

Yes

[John H K]

So England, America, and Europe all had Mars programs going on virtually simultaneously?

The Beagle 2 was carried to Mars attached to the European Mars Express; it dropped off when Mars Express arrived for its (failed) landing.

The Japanese sent an orbiter to Mars at the same time, but unfortunately it was trashed by solar flares.

[Calvin Locke]

...all had Mars programs going on virtually simultaneously?

The practical window for sending craft to Mars occurs about every two years. Don't remember the length of the window,
but the "traffic" from the last opportunity is attempting to come to fruition.