Originally Posted by Bipat (Post 12101293)

Also with the help of the Commonwealth forces.

Originally Posted by EMR (Post 12101245)

Just look up Lend lease or the fact that Hitler switched from the west to planning his invasion of Russia in October 1940.
Its not your little island its our island an Island that countless numbers of many nations gave their lives for.
Remember that on Sunday, when you watch all the representatives of all the nations who fought alongside us lay their wreaths at the cenotaph.

Originally Posted by la mancha (Post 12101422)

I also have a list, a lot longer than yours but I do not have to post it to justify a point.

It is you who needs to look up history. Dunkirk, 1940. The Battle of Britain, 1940. The Blitz, 1940. Lend-Lease, 1941. How can you say ‘Our little Island would not have fallen because the US was rearming us and would not have let it happen,’ when the real threat was already over by 1941? (Even you admit there was a threat in 1940.) Where was America and lend-lease in 1940? Hitler only switched to the East when the Battle of Britain was lost and Operation Sealion was no longer possible.

Hitler did not authorise the invasion of Russia until December 1940 and invaded in June 1941.

I do know my island and I do not need anyone to tell me we are a little island when Europe would not be there in its present form if it were not for Britain standing alone against German tyranny. That is my point.

Originally Posted by Fredbargate (Post 12101354)

Judging by the markets today it would appear that the crash of the £ was down to the fears of Clinton becoming President and not Brexit ;)

£= €1.15 & $1.25

Originally Posted by Bipat (Post 12101293)

Also with the help of the Commonwealth forces.

Originally Posted by EMR (Post 12101436)

You should look at the billions the UK spent buying arms aircraft and munitions from 1939 onwards from the US.
You seem to be ignoring the efforts of all those who fought alongside the UK.
We were not alone far from it.
Visit a wargraves cemetery if you need proof.
Visit the Polish and Czech war memorials.

Originally Posted by la mancha (Post 12101446)

You are spinning out of control again. You do not know your dates or the facts. I am stating that Britain as a nation stood alone in Europe against German tyranny. If you can prove otherwise I will listen, but for now I am done with this.

Originally Posted by EMR (Post 12101448)

As I said, just visit a few wargraves cemeteries and look at the nationalities.

Your little Englander atititude insulting no more so than at this time of the year..

Originally Posted by la mancha (Post 12101208)

You what?! Idiot. Do you know nothing? If my little island had fallen in ’39 or ’40 Europe was finished as a free continent. If Germany had followed up on Dunkirk we, and Europe, were finished. What American arms?

Quote: ‘We were not under threat in 1939, just a few months in 1940’

What difference does it make? You have just admitted that we were under threat.

The Poles, French, Belgians, Danes. Norwegians, etc. had already fallen under the Nazi jackboot, the Yugoslavs in early ’41. The Commonwealth would not have been able to fight for Europe’s freedom without my little island. The Americans came into the war after December 1941. They, too, would not have fought for Europe if my little island was under the Nazi Jackboot. And the Russians had signed a pact with the Nazis. They, too, would not have fought for Europe. My little island stood alone in Europe in ’39 and ’40 and '41 against the Nazis and their allies. None of the forces you mention could have fought for Europe if they did not have a free little island standing alone against German tyranny.

Sorry to go off-topic but some things need answering!

Originally Posted by morpeth (Post 12101498)

I had several uncles who fought in the war. British courage and determination showed when it stood alone in the war- but also Australians, South Africans, Canadians, Rhodesians and American volunteers all contributed.

Originally Posted by la mancha (Post 12101513)

What the hell is wrong with you all? I said ‘Britain stood alone as a nation in Europe against German tyranny.’ As a nation in Europe. Do you understand? I have not mentioned nationalities.

Originally Posted by SultanOfSwing (Post 12101506)

Don't forget Indians and the Gurkhas :nod:

It was a team effort. Britain's role is not to be underplayed, but to pretend that they did not have support from all of these forces is doing a disservice to all who stood by her side.

Originally Posted by morpeth (Post 12101518)

Well worded. I think Britain can feel proud of that period. Germany because of not conquering Britain had to leave more soldiers in France than they otherwise would have- which may have had an effect in the East where in the end the war was really lost for the Germans. ( Having said that, Hitler's heart by all accounts wasn't for conquering England, he repeatedly offered a truce and offered troops defend the British empire).

But as you say , Britain had allies who also contributed and can be appreciated as well. I love the Gurkhas- when I was eight years old communist union organizers, with support from certain ministers in the Indian government, came to murder my father ( and maybe us as we were in the house)and a small band of Gurkhas. faced down a crowd of over 1,000. ( Later the leader of that effort against my father appointed a minister in Indian government !) God bless the Gurkhas !

In North Africa one of my uncles described the bravery of Gurkhas who fought with him. I have no doubt if they let the Gurkhas loose without interference, they would take care of Isis quickly !