Author Topic: Could World War II Have Been Won... (Read 2193 times)

AKS\/\/ulfe · « **Reply #45 on:** May 31, 2004, 06:01:18 PM »

Best bet is to look at Afghanistan and then compare. A war worth fighting and all that. We seem to be doing fairly well over there.
-SW

Shuckins · « **Reply #46 on:** May 31, 2004, 06:11:48 PM »

Sandman,

Didn't really mean for this to be a debate about modern troops versus WWII GIs. Our technology is greater, true, and that allowed us to win a quick victory in Iraq.

But if you study the history of land warfare during the Second World War you would find numerous examples of armies winning rapid and stunning victories over enemies whose technology was roughly on a par with their adversaries. Many of the tactics used by our forces in Iraq are based on the "blitzkrieg" first used by the Germans in Europe, North Africa, and the Soviet Union.

My premise is that the modern populace, if transplanted to the time of Pearl Harbor, would not have had the stomach to sustain the type of casualties necessary to win that conflict.

Feel free to take that premise apart.

Regards, Shuckins/Leggern

Gunslinger · « **Reply #47 on:** May 31, 2004, 06:17:11 PM »

alot of the public doesnt realize they are part of the "war effort" There was still one senator that voted no on the vote to declare war on japan if my memory serves correct ( I could be wrong I'm not sure)

today's public would not tolerate the casualties and images from war. I thank God himself that we no longer have the communist threat....imagine a war against the warsaw pact today with the peace loving public.

Sandman · « **Reply #48 on:** May 31, 2004, 06:24:17 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Shuckins

My premise is that the modern populace, if transplanted to the time of Pearl Harbor, would not have had the stomach to sustain the type of casualties necessary to win that conflict.

Feel free to take that premise apart.

If the cause is just, and the danger is clear and present, I think the people would indeed tolerate it. Unfortunately, the only example of this since WWII is our invasion of Afghanistan.

Creamo · « **Reply #49 on:** May 31, 2004, 06:58:59 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by lazs2
things are easier now than even 30 years ago but... people are much softer. they are soft physicaly and mentaly.

we are becoming some kind of Orwell Ayn Rand mix of a novel.

lazs

Damn, I am impressed. Old limping bikers that are smart, ought to hold some type of office. California might be better off.

Now if only the Grateful Dead won't do a reunion...

Hawklore · « **Reply #50 on:** May 31, 2004, 07:05:07 PM »

Just so others understand I was only reflecting on the Press part not the bush part..

DrDea · « **Reply #51 on:** May 31, 2004, 07:36:55 PM »

Hey Hawk send me the link for the bop's web page will ya?

ravells · « **Reply #52 on:** May 31, 2004, 07:47:54 PM »

True Scholz...also back then, people (in the west, anyway) had a lot less in terms of possessions - social order was more rigid and many more people lived in rural, rather than urban areas, which I think gives a person a very different perspective.

Also, death, whether in the form of disease or accidents was more commonplace, and wasn't sterilsed in the way it is now.

Ravs

-tronski- · « **Reply #53 on:** May 31, 2004, 07:51:14 PM »

, we seem to be in it from the start of all the big ones, and some of the bad ones......

I couldn't imagaine we wouldn't be in it again...

Tronsky

Saurdaukar · « **Reply #54 on:** May 31, 2004, 08:13:09 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by midnight Target
Aren't you really asking wether or not the generation of the 40's could have pulled it off given the current state of information exchange?

I refuse to believe that those people are or were any different in general than people today.

The information exchange is the reason they were different.

We dont hear any good news and they didnt hear any bad news.

eskimo2 · « **Reply #55 on:** May 31, 2004, 08:29:09 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Saurdaukar
The information exchange is the reason they were different.

We dont hear any good news and they didnt hear any bad news.

If you study US propaganda in WWII, there was a general trend at the beginning of the war to shield the public from disturbing images and stories. As the war progressed, censorship became more and more graphic. By the end of the war, some pictures and stories that were shown in US papers were outright horrifying.

Clearly your statement was meant as a generalization.

eskimo

Saurdaukar · « **Reply #56 on:** May 31, 2004, 09:47:09 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by eskimo2

Clearly your statement was meant as a generalization.

eskimo

Clearly. Cherrio.

Hawklore · « **Reply #57 on:** May 31, 2004, 10:17:45 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by DrDea
Hey Hawk send me the link for the bop's web page will ya?

Haha,

I can't remember it.. I'll try and remember...

Captain Virgil Hilts · « **Reply #58 on:** May 31, 2004, 11:27:10 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Chairboy
Here shuckins, let me give you the answer you obviously expect:

Lordy lordy no, we're all a bunch of spineless cowards! I say, I say, please suh, stop with all the war! We all want to surrender because we're nothing compared to the self proclaimed 'greatest generation'!

There is no "self proclaimed greatest generation". Not one of those men and women I've ever met, and I know several who are genuine heroes, would ever even think of even modestly stating their accomplishments. Your statement is one of the most insulting pompous spews of unadulterate bull***** I've ever heard. The term "greatest generation" was coined by those who came later, and recognized what they did.

Chairboy · « **Reply #59 on:** May 31, 2004, 11:50:41 PM »

My mistake, then I amend my statement to finish:

We all want to surrender because we're nothing compared to 'greatest generation', as characterized by those who realize and appreciate their contributions.

As for the rest of my response, I stand by it. To diminish the resolve and strength of my countrymen by pitting them in a hypothetical and unsupportable 'what if' scenario is disrespectful and smacks of thinly veiled bigotry.