French Army

[jzmtl]

As much as English speaking world love to make fun of the ineptness of French military, the fact remains they are one of the best trained and equipped in the world, and in WWII British folded just as quickly before the Germans and only saved by the English channel.

I came across this article offering some insights, thought it was an interesting read:

http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/story/2013/04/24/f-vp-stewart-french-army.html

[PTRSAK]

   

[Boyo17]

As much as English speaking world love to make fun of the ineptness of French military, the fact remains they are one of the best trained and equipped in the world, and in WWII British folded just as quickly before the Germans and only saved by the English channel.

I came across this article offering some insights, thought it was an interesting read:

http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/story/2013/04/24/f-vp-stewart-french-army.html

If you are going to selectively miss-quote history, perhaps you will redress the balance by stating how the British and US and Canadian and allied forces subsequently freed all of occupied France and also freed the half of France that had chosen to collaborate with the Nazis,,,,,, all from the ravages of Germanic invasion and rule

I have never "loved to make fun of the ineptness of French military" that is reserved for the Italians

[Grumpy]

 

[Chako]

Wow! This went political quick. 

[Top-Gear-24]

This topic is bound to go wrong ... 

I believe what jzmtl was trying to say is, that a lot of the armies from the occupied countries in both World Wars are wrongfully getting branded as being weak, incompetent and even cowardly.  Although the "blitzkrieg tactics" from the mighty German Army also surprised the Brittish Army in the first days of World War 2, and forced them to retreat over the channel to reorganize themselves (and there's absolutely no shame in that).

As a Belgian I'm used of people making fun of our country/army (even by Jeremy Clarkson  ), but I've done a lot of research and know better, so I don't really care what other people say or think about it.

[Taxi Dad]

PLAY NICELY CHAPS !
it's easy to offend without meaning to , we are all (or should be !) proud of our brave soldiers.
what may be 'lighthearted' banter might not be seen as such by those on the recieving end 
we're not talking 'football clubs' here it's peoples familys and national pride !

[Grumpy]

PLAY NICELY CHAPS !
it's easy to offend without meaning to , we are all (or should be !) proud of our brave soldiers.
what may be 'lighthearted' banter might not be seen as such by those on the recieving end 
we're not talking 'football clubs' here it's peoples familys and national pride !

+1

[kkokkolis]

People are people, whatever language they speak, god they believe, country they live. We shouldn't argue about this matters. Or before we do, we should consider the whole picture. Like, what would we all be like without La Révolution Française (dead before 40 with lungs filled with coal and empty stomachs history of medicine dictates). Or the Industrial Revolution on the other hand. People from everywhere contributed to modern achievements, good and bad.

[Boyo17]

Sorry folks ,,,

[nuphoria]

Sorry folks ,,,

S'all good.... we just have a big fat NO politics/religion rule here. It means we can all be lovers instead of fighters

[firiki]

  (Jacques Brel, though he was Belgian.)

[jzmtl]

Yeah, never mind, just delete the thread...

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

I don't think anyone who's read about how hard the maquis and other resistance groups fought, could ever doubt there bravery

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2

[Boyo17]

Is this thread still here??

I agree that huge numbers of the French Resistance and ordinary members of the French population showed extreme bravery in their fight against the Occupying army.  I often wonder how such resistance would manifest itself in today's society,,,, but looking at the problems the British police and military have in controlling relatively minor riots and protests by citizens in our era I guess that resistance would be very strong against any occupying force.  Our spirit lives on

There is a darker side of course,,,,, there's always a dark side!!        There were members of the French resistance who were working for the German and assisted in the capturing of fellow citizens and even family. The captured were often summarily executed or tortured by the Gestapo to release more details.  And there were many more people coerced and threatened to assist the Germans.  I don't think it's fair to label collaborators as weak or cowards,,, I think they were brave as well,, but trapped in their personal hell with no easy way out   

 

[Taxi Dad]

Boyo, to address your comments about the Brits of today offering 'resistance against an occupying force' and compairing it to the 'riots' of moddern times. All i can say is WTF are you on ? the 'rioters' were nothing more than cowardly thugs out purely to cause harm and line thier own pockets !!! hardly my idea of the Great british spirit 
the modern police (and nobody would call me thier biggest 'fan') are governed but all manner of 'rules' , and 'occupying force' would present a much firmer hand. The pathetic little idiots wouldn't have anyone to go crying to when they were treated rough ! i'm sure most of the 'Rioters' would have stayed indoors and hoped to be rescued by the the braver members of society (ie. the Army !)

[Grant Lamontagne]

This is getting very close to crossing the line. We don't allow political discussions here as I'm sure most of you already know.

 This thread is been good so far please don't force us to lock it.

Def

Sent from my Motorola Atrix digital multitool.

[Taxi Dad]

I'm trying to be good 

[Grant Lamontagne]

No worries!  I know folks can behave here!

Def

Sent from my Motorola Atrix digital multitool.

[Boyo17]

.