Biggest Mistakes the Axis made iyo.

[Lancer]

Sure, but the Brit blockade would have been a surface blockade conducted according to the rules of war. There would have been no passenger liners sunk with loss of American lives. The populace would have remained isolationist without these events. Nor do I see the US navy convoying merchant ships carrying war supplies under the guns of Brit battleships safely through to German ports. Though that would lead to war between the US and the Brits, I don't see it happening. It would be the same thing as a declaration of war by the US on GB. Compare it to the Sovs in '62 trying to escort their ships to Cuba. No, I don't see the US being so dumb as to get into a 'back down or get blown away' scn.

Though anything can happen, and the improbable isn't the impossible.


Also, the Germans speak German, that's a problem.

A scn that I consider more likely is that Bismark and GB form an alliance around 1900. Therefore GB and France never mend fences. France and Russia join in an alliance soon after. They get stuck with Italy. So, on the Central powers side you have Germany, GB, and Austria Hungary. On the Allied side you have France, Russia and Italy.

Archduke what's his name and his wife get assasinated by that Serbian guy in 1914.

Austria Hungary goes through its routine which ends in a declaration of war on Serbia. Russia supports Serbia and does its routine ending in war with Austria Hungary. Germany already exchanged happy letters with AH so they declare against Russia. The French, full of optimism, you know how they get, declare against Germany and begin ramping up for their vengeful 'march on Berlin'. The Brits then declare against the French and shut down their commerce (blockade) and begin stripping them of colonies, which they've gotten really good at over the centuries. Amazingly, Italy remains neutral

It would all be over in maybe 6 months...

This is the way things should have gone. It is the natural way of things. Germany and GB should have been allies, it was in the cards. Bismark didn't play them and the Kiaser burned them, pissed on them, burried the ashes in the ground and plowed salt into therein so that nothing could ever, ever, grow there. It was so bad that France and GB could mend fences, and Russia and GB could do the same. Amazing. History itself is totally improbable.

[Ned]

Like I said, the history of the 20th Century can be summed up in one phrase: Germany always underestimates the Brits.

For the 21st Century, it still looks like the Brits have their act together. They are faithful allies to the Superpower, and even have some influence on what the 800 pound gorillia does.

Meanwhile, Germany has again found itself at odds with the Brits (and the Americans). Stupidity is consistent it seems.

[BlackCat]

Originally posted by Ned
Meanwhile, Germany has again found itself at odds with the Brits (and the Americans). Stupidity is consistent it seems.

There is a slight difference between now and 1938. There doesn't sit a dictator with imperical dreams in Berlin today - that maybe prevent a WWIII.

[Lancer]

The time of europe is past ...unless they can form a political union none of the parts equal much of anything, and they'll never form a political union. They hate each other too much and are too greedy, each wanting a piece of the pie out of all proportion to their reality if not their egos.

[BlackCat]

Originally posted by Ned


BlackCat, well it does look like you are coming around. Britain has actively opposed the current great continental power over the centuries as a matter of essential self defense. Nazi Germany was just one more example. What the did in laying down a marker on Poland had nothing to do with Poland. It had everything to do with Britain.

And what is the problem in this ? Isn't the british allowed to defend themself ? Actually, it's quite funny because you have just given a good reason to why britain should interfere into the nazi claims in poland witch you several times has claimed that they didn't have.

[Ned]

Originally posted by BlackCat


And what is the problem in this ? Isn't the british allowed to defend themself ? Actually, it's quite funny because you have just given a good reason to why britain should interfere into the nazi claims in poland witch you several times has claimed that they didn't have.

BlackCat, I was trying to force you and others to admit that Britain intended to make war on Germany for its own interests, and was just looking for a pretext to justify it.

[BlackCat]

Originally posted by Ned


BlackCat, I was trying to force you and others to admit that Britain intended to make war on Germany for its own interests, and was just looking for a pretext to justify it.

Well, then you have failed. If the nazi regime hadn't attacked poland there would not have been a war.

[Ned]

Originally posted by BlackCat


Well, then you have failed. If the nazi regime hadn't attacked poland there would not have been a war.

True. But I said that already did I not?

"Pretext."

[Alexander's Horse]

its hard to win a war when you have a man who was probably suffering from a severe post combat traumatic stress disorder heading up your government

[BlackCat]

Originally posted by Ned


True. But I said that already did I not?

"Pretext."

Nope. You have consistently claimed that it was britain that started the war.

[Ned]

Blackcat, they did. The war between Britain and Germany.

[Alexander's Horse]

Originally posted by Ned
Like I said, the history of the 20th Century can be summed up in one phrase: Germany always underestimates the Brits.

The Anglo historical tradition puts it as "what's wrong with the Germans?" That is the central question.

For the 21st Century, it still looks like the Brits have their act together. They are faithful allies to the Superpower, and even have some influence on what the 800 pound gorillia does.

yeah right, dream on.

Meanwhile, Germany has again found itself at odds with the Brits (and the Americans). Stupidity is consistent it seems.

Really stupid? Germany is naturally achieving a political and economic domination of Europe via the EU which it never achieved by war.

An interesting anecdote - I heard a radio report recently in which primary school children were asked why they thought the EU constitution was a good idea. Amongst other reasons, one little girl replied the constitution is good because Europeans can all band together to fight back if the USA attacks them

Its a very sad commentary on transalantic relations that little kids think like that.

[BlackCat]

Originally posted by Ned
Blackcat, they did. The war between Britain and Germany.

Nope. That war started when nazi attacked poland.

Edit : AH got between.

[Ned]

Originally posted by BlackCat


Nope. That war started when nazi attacked poland.

Edit : AH got between.

Well, as a point of fact, Britain declared war on Germany two days later.

[Ned]

If you want to include small power skirmishes, the war really started when the Chinese blew up that RR in Manchuria. Another possible date is when Mao's troops attacked the Japanese in Peking. That whole misadventure is what got the US into the war with Japan, and the dates are far earlier than the German attack on Poland in '39.