Author Topic: I find something really amusing... (Read 269 times)

wulfie · « **on:** February 06, 2003, 11:29:12 PM »

...with regards to people's current dislike of the attitude of the French Government.

It seems that a dislike of the attitude of elected (as with the U.S., almost never by a large majority of votes) French politicians is somehow 'morphed' into a 'lesson' on the 'lack of toughness of the French military'.

For those inclined to understand the truth...the average guy carrying a rifle for France does not have a history of being a 'wuss'.

The Germans, when they invaded France in 1940, lost alot of guys. The French soldiers fought them 'tooth and nail'. France was defeated rapidly due to inferior operational and strategic (not tactical) doctrine. They lost fast because their HQs were being overrun at a rate that the French generals, 50+ miles behind the front line (as opposed to 'on the front line' for the German generals) deemed 'impossible'. When all your HQs are gone you can't fight as a coordinated battalion, regiment, divison, etc. Against a well trained enemy (the Germans) with superior C3, you are toast.

I'm in the U.S. military, and I'll remind everyone that there's not one case of a French regiment in WW2 turning and running for their lives like the U.S. Army did at Kasserine pass.

One of the most telling things I've ever read was a suicide note from a French infantry Lt. in 1940. It basically said something to the effect of 'My Country is lost - I am killing myself as I have nothing to live for. My men fought bravely but bravery was not enough. They are all dead and soon I will be with them.'

I've worked with guys in the French military. Guys that carry rifles for a job. I would find it very amusing to watch *some* (probably 2 or 3 at most) of the people posting on the alleged cowardly demeanor and/or ineptness of French combat troops explain this 'reality' to the face of some of these guys.

Here's a hint - you'd be going to the dentist and the doctor for awhile.

I cannot stand some of the political actions conducted by the Government of France. I agree with the general consensus on the French *government* and the current situation in Iraq. These things have nothing to do with the French military.

There were French commandos at Dieppe. The 'Free French' army was all volunteers.

French intelligence and CT personnel have caused alot of headaches for 'the bad guys' both before and after 9/11/01.

It wasn't the French military that denied airspace to U.S. warplanes during the attack on Libya.

People comment (rightly so) on how some in France should remember the U.S. role in liberating France from Germany. Some people in the U.S. should also remember that the U.S. would not be the same Nation it is today without some help from the French long, long ago. There's a reason that General Pershing acted like he was repaying a large debt when he arrived in France in WW1.

Revisionist history is always wrong.

'FYI'.

Mike/wulfie

Hangtime · « **Reply #1 on:** February 06, 2003, 11:33:17 PM »

Well said.

Sic the french military on the french government for me will yah?

...and there's this french waiter I've still got on my list...

weazel · « **Reply #2 on:** February 06, 2003, 11:35:14 PM »

I would like to see *any* of this UBBs French military bashers go through the French Commando School.

Would be a *lot* of armchair warriors sucking some wind.

Karnak · « **Reply #3 on:** February 06, 2003, 11:51:34 PM »

That sums up what I've long said in verbal conversations.

The French fighting men (and women in the Marquis) fought HARD. France did not fall due to any lack of bravery on the part of the French soldiers and airmen, it fell due to the mistakes of the French government.

~~France, and thanks for being there for us two hundred and twenty years ago.~~

Hangtime · « **Reply #4 on:** February 07, 2003, 12:18:22 AM »

jeezus popsicle.

i don't give a rats bellybutton how gawdamned brave and well trained their military is. or was.

no more than i give a rats bellybutton about how well trained the german army is. or was. same goes for the russians.

what matters is the policy and politics of the governments they serve. and it follows that if these are freely elected governments, then the constituents, leaders and voting boys in uniform can share the onus of all being pinheads together.

so; if it floats yer puppet; all hail the well trained and glorious french freakin pinhead military.

and, i suppose a heartfelt and well deserved 'attaboy' should be extended to the brave german whermacht and the re-constituted red army.

damn.. talk about weazel wording around national responsibility.

'vive la resistance!"

hawk220 · « **Reply #5 on:** February 07, 2003, 01:19:25 AM »

Hangtime, you've got a lot of baggage.