Poll: American?s disillusion with WW2

[Extraintrovert]

It's simple ethnocentricism, nothing more, and isn't exclusive to the USA or any nation. Hell, you should see how many people here in Australia praise our miniscule involvement in any war. We even have celebrations for the pitiful attempt of an invasion of the Ottoman Empire, despite it being a collosal clusterfuck on all sides and a massive waste of life even my the standards of The Great War.

Humans have a pathological need to shout "we are better than you" at every opportunity. This is merely another one of those.

 

[Ninjamedic]

I love how everyone at the outside America at the escapist seems to think all Americans love war or thought WW2 was some real glory days.

I was simply arguing how the US acted as a catalyst to the allied effort. Thanks for the generalization.

 

[Jenkins]

the French Partisans did wreck some havoc hidden away behind german lines, however if I remember correctly something like 95% of the french army had not even come in contact with the Germans before they surrendered, some of that army became the Vichy French army which fought against the allies, others became partisans but overall the french had a minor part in helping. The Ruskies took the brunt of the germany army against them, The British forces simply did not have enough men to push out against Germany and maintain land so the US provided manpower and production.


however, the US singlehandedly won the war in the pacific. The British had some navel ships there, but their fleet was decimated by the Japanese early on and they could not send more ships out because they needed to protect their country.

 

[Vilcus]

I recognize the contribution of all the nations who fought against the German forces. However, America struck directly at Japan in WWII, had they not done that Japan may have succeeded in taking many countries in Asia, and would have been able to aid Germany in Europe. Every nation was essential in the defeat of Germany, no one was more needed than another.

Everyone has their delusions of what happened. But the honest truth is that none of us have the whole story. Many acts of heroism went unnoticed and unreported for various reasons, and they may never come to light. No one has the right to say someone wasn't essential to achieving victory, because you have no way of knowing how things would have turned out without them.

 

[PeePantz]

Before i start, I am an American. Now thats over with theres something you need to understand: World War 2 was essentially the last war that was morally correct to be in. If you think of the vietnam war you think WHAT THE FUCK WERE WE THINKING?? When you think of Hitler you think of 6 million Jews that were killed, and that needed to be stopped. The rest of the wars (vietnam and iraq especially) were born out of paranoia. paranoia for communists at first with vietnam after the cold war, and with Iraq after 9/11 Iraq was a fucking mistake i mean they had nothing to do with 9/11 and the only reason that there may have been terrorists there is because WE were there blowing up their country. So basically I totally agree with the original thread, our government and the idiots in control of the media are essentially not allowed to talk about anything else because it just plain makes them look bad... stupid fucks.

Really? Really?? Listen, I don't agree with our country about 75% of the time, but at least I'm informed about such topics. I think you might want to do some research before making such bold comments. I think you're listening a little too much to this government controlled media.

OT: Please do not let this quoted post cement your feelings on Americans.

 

[Snotnarok]

I love how everyone at the outside America at the escapist seems to think all Americans love war or thought WW2 was some real glory days.

I was simply arguing how the US acted as a catalyst to the allied effort. Thanks for the generalization.

No one was pointing fingers, you know who you are when you read my post. I didn't even read yours so perhaps you just have a guilty conscious

I think it's somewhat irritating how everyone thinks America loves war, the government does. And a lot of people also seem to think that supporting troops is supporting a war, no. I support the troops because I like people not to die, do I think the war in Iraq was good? No but I'm not about to wish ill will toward any man like that.

Unless it's a video game I don't care for war, and I'm from America. Let's stop the generalizing people this isn't gamefaqs forums.

 

[kickyourass]

I have pretty much the same opinion as you, yes American troops WERE fairly instrumental in winning the war, but anyone claiming that we were "The only reason the Allies won" or some similar nonsense needs a swift kick in the ass.

 

[oveper]

You seem to have a lot of illusions yourself of Britains importance in the war. The true praise belongs to the russians who killed over 70% of german forces, and where the ones to invade Berlin.

Thanks to American trade. Check out the book "The Economics of World War II: Six Great Powers in International Comparison" and "Cross of Iron"

I am aware of what the americans did, and I am not saying US was irrelevant in the war. The US was very important, and without it the war would probably have been a lot longer and a lot bloodier. But suppling a lot of resources and equipment does not more than destroying over 70% of the german army and losing over 30 million people in the process. Besides the germans would have lost eventually even if the US did not supply the Soviets. The soviets were moving a lot of their industri east and the germans did not have infinite resources themselves, so eventually they would have starved.

 

[Woodsey]

You seem to have a lot of illusions yourself of Britains importance in the war. The true praise belongs to the russians who killed over 70% of german forces, and where the ones to invade Berlin.

I wouldn't exactly give them praise for it, considering it was only after Hitler tried to invade Russia, and this is Stalin we're talking about - a man whose body count surpasses Hitler's.

 

[Ninjamedic]

Let's stop the generalizing people this isn't gamefaqs forums.

Then why do You think I said that America Loves war when I Said:

I choose to think the Americans acted as a catylyst, not essential to the war, but a Great help.

I'm Irish and I think we should have fought in the war.

 

[Turing]

The U.S for materials, the USSR for the numbers, the french for the entertainment

 

[dogenzakaminion]

If you take anyone of the main allied countries out of the equation I doubt the allies would have won World War II.

Every country has its major contribution to WW2 and for The United States its mostly production, not to mention the P-51 Mustang. Britain was vital, a staging area for bombers and the entire Invasionary force and another huge aspect of the Air war. The Soviet Union of course made Germany fight a 2 front war. Not to mention Australia Canada and other countries that contributed to the entire war effort.

So basically if you didn't have the US you would have lost a huge amount of air power, without Britain you wouldn't be able to get anyone to Europe safetly and without Russia you have all the Germans fighting on the Western front.

This is the best answer I've heard all day. Even little occupied Norway helped by sabotagin ships taht would've flanked Russia and Britain. Every little piece helps

 

[Tdc2182]

snip.

I find amusement in the fact that you are claiming the British and Canadians put more into the war effort, when you failed to mention Russia's involvement at all. Comparatively, Russia has all the bragging rights in the world.

Also, does this matter at all? It honestly seems to me that you saw a show about the Americans in conflict like Band of Brothers or Flags of our Fathers, and then presumed that we immediately all think we won the war single handedly. You weren't there, you don't get a say of "who did more"

I'd also like to point out that I have not once seen a British hate thread from the American side of the Escapist. You never see "Why do all the British think ____".

But to get back to my original point, I'll just let this guy tel you whats up. He said it better than anyone else so far.

Personally, I don't think it's right to dole out praise based solely on how much of an impact a country made in the war effort. Are you going to tell Polish veterans their sacrifice meant nothing because their country was the first to be knocked out? Are American vets supposed to be looked down upon because the U.S. didn't join the war until 1942? Are German vets supposed to be treated like monsters because they fought on the "wrong" side?

Please stop with the self-righteous chest-pounding, everyone. Instead let's acknowledge the incredible human cost of the war and the sacrifices that were made regardless of nationality.

 

[BleedingPride]

Before i start, I am an American. Now thats over with theres something you need to understand: World War 2 was essentially the last war that was morally correct to be in. If you think of the vietnam war you think WHAT THE FUCK WERE WE THINKING?? When you think of Hitler you think of 6 million Jews that were killed, and that needed to be stopped. The rest of the wars (vietnam and iraq especially) were born out of paranoia. paranoia for communists at first with vietnam after the cold war, and with Iraq after 9/11 Iraq was a fucking mistake i mean they had nothing to do with 9/11 and the only reason that there may have been terrorists there is because WE were there blowing up their country. So basically I totally agree with the original thread, our government and the idiots in control of the media are essentially not allowed to talk about anything else because it just plain makes them look bad... stupid fucks.

Really? Really?? Listen, I don't agree with our country about 75% of the time, but at least I'm informed about such topics. I think you might want to do some research before making such bold comments. I think you're listening a little too much to this government controlled media.

OT: Please do not let this quoted post cement your feelings on Americans.

1st i noticed my spelling error and made the edit accordingly. 2nd im not an idiot, its just my opinion that our country is a little too focused on WWII. 3rd I was merely stating that given certain events in the past fear is a major and unfortunate part of our media. You ever hear the term "if it bleeds, it leads"? 4th Bit of a strong reaction don't you think? I was only giving an opinion

 

[Snotnarok]

Let's stop the generalizing people this isn't gamefaqs forums.

Then why do You think I said that America Loves war when I Said:

I choose to think the Americans acted as a catylyst, not essential to the war, but a Great help.

I'm Irish and I think we should have fought in the war.

For the second time...I never read your post, I was not talking about you, I was talking to the general opinion I've read. Not toward you. If I was referring to your post I would have quoted you.

 

[Ninjamedic]

Snip

My apologies then, its just when you said "everyoneat the outside America" I thought i was included.

 

[Snotnarok]

Snip

My apologies then, its just when you said "everyoneat the outside America" I thought i was included.

That was more of a broad statement since it's people outside America I hear this nonense from.
I'm friends with people outside the country who think NY is like a never ending Die Hard movie with shoot outs happening hourly. Our Scottish friend's wife wouldn't come to New York because she was worried about shootings. Which I think is funny, but I know a few who say we're all baby eating war mongers.

There's also people who think we love war, I've yet to meet someone here that loves war, I'm sure there is but I'm sure any country today has a person who wants to see a war with another country.

 

[IsraelRocks]

Before i start, I am an American. Now thats over with theres something you need to understand: World War 2 was essentially the last war that was morally correct to be in. ... When you think of Hitler you think of 6 million Jews that were killed, and that needed to be stopped.

You need to get your facts straight.the Holocaust was not the reason the U.S joined the war.
it is a well known fact that the allies knew at some point during the war about what was going on in the death camps but did nothing to stop them(such as bombing them).
some say that the U.S intentionality avoided bombing the camps because they didn't want people back home to think they are fighting this war because of the Jews.


Don't have a solid opinion on the rest of the matter discussed so i cant really contribute