Quote:
Originally Posted by cheesehawk
I don't know if America is exactly in denial, but our powers that be definitely put a spin on how we won the war. We fought in proxy, giving the Brits their 100 octane, which has already been proven to have defeated Germany by itself on these very forums (sarcasm off now). That and the other goodies through lend-lease that enabled Britain and Russia to continue the war in our stead, so we could come in at the end and get our share of the plunder (mostly just reinforcing the superiority of capitalism). America was a de facto participant in the war since early 1940, and if the Japanese didn't attack Pearl Harbor, who knows how much longer our boys would have stayed here before finally rolling up our sleeves to get involved in blood instead of just sweat.
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Now that is something I have to take issue with (And i think I'm right in assuming that your irony tongue is well and firmly in your cheek!). I reckon America would've become involved at some stage anyway.
The role of America is all too often underplayed by the British, including members of my own family. I don't consider December 1941 to be the 'end' of the war, nor do I espouse the view that 'we won the war with the help of America and Russia', which in fairness is all too prevalent in some.
There are ordinary people in Britain who realise that but for the economic and industrial power of America, and the quite unbelievable resilience of the Russian people and their armies, Britain would have been hard put to continue the war in any form, which of course is why the UK ended the war in debt to America to the extent that rationing only totally ceased in 1958.
It also bankrupted the Empire, and I'm convinced that Churchill knew this when he said 'no matter what the cost, or the agonies may be', with which statement he made clear that he was willing to sacrifice that which he and the majority of the British populace held most dear.
I suppose that it's this level of sacrifice, to rid the world of a 'monstrous tyranny never surpassed in the dark and lamentable catalogue of human crime' that makes us Brits so adamant.
We bloody won the Battle though. So there.
