Azety
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Apr 4, 2018 12:26 PM
Azety
160511
3137
110
Saker82
Didn't they also occupy Germany at one point?
Voidkom
One?
moefat
I have no time to laugh at French cliches, too busy eating my American Cheeseburger and Shooting my AR-15
irlborat
For those frenchies listening, please know we Americans are only joking about your sterotypes. We love you guys.
Fedotia
They arent fun anymore, it is like hearing the fox news chanting London=ISIS when they never set a foot there.
irlborat
I fully expect people to poke fun at American sterotypes as well, despite never having set foot here. As long as they know there just jokes
MPatoulachik
For each cross with a name on it there are 10 unidentified soldiers in the mass grave. Plaque: "Here died 8000 soldiers trying to gain 50m."
MPatoulachik
"the Germans took the 50m back some weeks later and this area had no strategic interest for either side anyway." -- Generic WW1 Cemetery
ARESFirewatch
On ne passe pas.
TCGView
I don't hate on the French. They helped out the USA during the revolution and gave us a cool statue. They're okay in my book.
foman13
France was one of the first countries to recognize Texas as an independent nation. Also provided support. Makes em good in my book.
TlsGrz
France has been a major military power basically since its founding, and people should be aware of that, even though the memes are still fun
Zetor
That's the thanks you get for helping.
Uhxohr
I'm french and I would honestly be fine with the jokes if they had some originality. But most of the time it's the same old one that 1/2
Uhxohr
we all have heard a billion times.Come on, step up the level! Is that really the british humoreveryone is talking about ?I don't think so :D
Electricfox5
"Mon centre cède, ma droite recule, situation excellente, j'attaque."
troelsm
According to Wiki, the French lent the US WWI expeditionary force 144 FT-17, because they couldn’t manage to produce any themselves.
NobodyknowthetroubleIsee
And planes, artillery, machine-guns...
Cheomesh
Relevant:
GuyDarras
From Forgotten Weapons
Vaars
France covered 2/3rds of the western front in ww1, and suffered more than twice as many casualties as great Britain. +1
nordicKitten
NOT to mention the american's cared little for helping until they themselves were put on the cutting block in WWII.
PippyStrelly
As a brit I've had to remind this fact far to often. Valient hearts: the great war video game is a good reminder to.
DanSeavey
Very true. Take into account that the British army was under 100 000 troops at the start of it though. It took time for them to ramp it up.
Vaars
True. GB is famous for disastrous offensives (particularly the Somme, Passchendaele, Galipoli, etc.)
Vaars
Hence why it's important to point out that France still suffered significantly more.
Nkcjjj
While true this is slightly misleading. Much of the French Front line was in unassailable terrain and as such had minimal military presence
Nkcjjj
The French used the arguement that they held to much of the front to try and force the british to send their massive home defence force to 1
Nkcjjj
the front, but instead the British just overstretched themselves resulting in the 1918 German Offensive that overran the entire front
Vaars
Aditionally, the battle of France was ferocious, with 500,000+ casualties in only a few Weeks.
TheThingsTheyCarried
It's the speed, though. Only took a few weeks to be overrun. That, plus Vichy, is what created the stereotype.
AnAverageJho
The stereotype was created in the late 1990's and in the 2000's by the US. It existed before, but more on a political level.
AnAverageJho
The French were always difficult to work with, but that was more attributed to political differences. This stereotype is almost 'personal.'
Vaars
All correct, I just feel many people don't think France fought at all, which is simply untrue.
lawideas
France has a better win/loss ratio in wars than any other country in Europe except Great Britain. Their "surrender" stereotype is unfair.
Degarafarat
Without France there would not be a USA.
CharlesGoodman
Was looking for this comment thank you!
Icanhearwhatyouresayingandtheanswerisno
Right, THAT is where the blame should be put.
CmdrEngineer
the french were amazing in both wars although as a brit im inclined to poke some fun at them
Csel
they weren't amazing in WW2, they were mediocre. using old tactics and untested equipment. They didn't mobilize fast enough to save Poland.
Fedotia
Why brits arent getting poked for running away through Dunkerque. France was basically fighting the 3rd Reich, Austria, and Italia alone.
dan10026
Despite the French resistance, I think their reputation comes from losing their country to the Nazis in 6 weeks. In France’s defense though,
dan10026
They were up against a well supported Rommel so they didn’t stand a chance to begin with.
SaintMaceToTheFace
The biggest issue is that then they went and started fighting FOR Germany as Vici France in Africa
420xxx69CommunismWillWin69xxx420
Vichy France was a neutral power and only fought when attacked, and even then more often than not turned to the Allied Side.
DavidBrooker
"Their business is war, and they mind their business." - Rudyard Kipling on the French
thesunemperor
http://www.online-literature.com/kipling/france-at-war/6/
Europhoric
Classy af
kaymon
The French were like the friend that helped us move out of our parents house while mom and dad tried to get us to stay.
neutronfish
Wasn’t it “do their business?”
DavidBrooker
I went by memory - apologies if I misremembered .
tehcno
Even if it was by memory it’s still pretty cool
ZuultheCat
Seriously. It really bothers me that France has this reputation of military incompetence. They have a rich history of kicking major ass.
TheThingsTheyCarried
Recent history?
Voidkom
France is currently fighting more than four different wars. It's the strongest military in europe and the most involved in Africa. So, yes.
OneUglyMuthaFukka
As an American, I hate these stereotypes. Without the French, we would still be a British colony.
Selerox
Unlikely. More likely you'd be a self-governing (and eventually independent) Dominion. Like a warmer Canada.
Csel
generalizing doesn't accomplish much
Azety
give back Louisiana please
TheWombatStrikesAgain
Unlikely. You would have probably acheived independence at some point. Though it might have become a completely different country.
konelhft
They'd probably be Canadian.
Pillpooper
Your BDs are underrated France! I love Sillage & La Quête de l'oiseau du temps!
TisIChenoir
Oh and you should also take a look at "De Capes et de Crocs" from Ayrolles and Masbou (And also "Garulfo" from the same authors)
TracynKyrayc
Cheers. Sillage is great ! Check out Arleston's BDs too. Kinda similar, and a huge, interesting universe with lovable characters.
Pillpooper
Speaking of Arleston, my new fave now is Ekhö monde miroir! It's drawn by Barbucci! Fourmille is sexy AF!
TracynKyrayc
Haven't read that one yet. I'm gonna fix this problem right away !
Pillpooper
If you're impatient, go read Tome 5 & 6 to see a lot of Fourmille ????
TisIChenoir
You should check out the works of Brugeas and Toulhoat. The whole Block 109 uchrony is a masterpiece
redge76
And even in WWII France lost 1.4% of its population. By comparison USA lost 0.32%. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_War_II_casualties
Failbotzz
Im pretty sure the only war that USA fought with close to those numbers was the Civil War. 2% of population.
redge76
of which 30% were military. That's half of the US death but for a country a lot smaller.
NobodyknowthetroubleIsee
And this number are terribly soft when you compare them to WWI.
DownsideToEverything
Upon annexing Syria after wwi, Henri Gouraud kicked motherfucking Saladins tomb and said "Awake, Saladin. We have returned." absolute unit
bigblindguy
People forget that when the nations on the Eastern end of Christendom cried for help, Norman French were there with the fire and sword :D
Icanhearwhatyouresayingandtheanswerisno
... to plunder them. SomethingsomethingConstantinoplesomething.
bigblindguy
You should read up about the crusades friend! They weren't all money grubbing blind italians.
NotaLizardmen
Yeah, there was also all that pillaging the "holy lands" of Hungary and the Baltics. Don't forget all the jew killing!
bigblindguy
Again, not the same crusade OR crusaders: the Teutonic Orders pacification and conversion of the baltic is NOT the Crusade to Jerusalem.
DenAzhir
When Surcouf was told by an english admiral that fenchies only fought for gold, contrary to brits who fought for honor... 1/2
DenAzhir
... He replied: "well... You only fight for what you lack..."
Jenjidai
IIRC in total France won more wars than they lost.
alliwantisagoddamecookie
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sggJWiqdICA
Salanari
France, I believe, has the most successful military record in history.
12rt2345g342563
France has an impressive military history. Despite dumb jokes about WW2.
Lisossoma
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_history_of_France “Out of 168 battles fought since 387BC, they have won 109, lost 49 and drawn 10”
Snooj
And the French Foreign Legion was a thing of legend.
Lykasmitts
is* lots of foreigners still flock to enlist with it.
SpringToMyWinter
They’d have to, to still be independent by this point.
TheUsernameIsSoLongThatYouCantActuallySeetheSpanishinquisition
You can win all but one and it's gone
MadMupp
Didnt Qi cover this? Turns out the records start at some time BC? Tune to 0:45 to get to the bit https://youtu.be/JzZq_ZVuX7w
Selerox
That's partly because they started most of them.
SkillerPenguin
That doesn't really have anything to do with winning or losing a war.
NautiGal
Yeah, in the Middle Ages, early Modern Era, and WW1, they were fucking badasses you didnt mess with
Poopoopeepeevagina
And gave us that nifty statue
Vendura
Sadly they lost the wrong Battles .
Lisossoma
France has the most successful military history of Europe. I´m not French btw.
Treblaine
Including WW2, which France technically won.
KiaOrafromtheTron
Nobody wins in war
Treblaine
bloodtypeinfinity
1) Since 387 BC, France has fought 168 major wars against such badasses as the Roman Empire, the British Army and the Turkish forces.
glock19
They stopped the Islamic invasion of Europe at the Battle of Tours, and eventually pushed the Muslims out of Europe. Losing today though..
GodEmperorLetoAtreidesII
The Battle of Tours was a glorified raid.
bloodtypeinfinity
2) Their track record isn't too shabby, either: They've won 109, lost 49 and drawn (or as close as you can "draw" a war) 10 times.
bloodtypeinfinity
3) Professional boxers have been crowned world champions on shittier records than that.
mibd
Yeah, better than the States:)
Jimthebutler
Which one did we lose again?
PolarBuddies
I'd say the Korean and Vietnam
Jimthebutler
Vietnam was france's war and we made a "peace" agreement with korea
DrFlump
Not really. The Geneva Conference ended the war between France and the Viet Minh with the same kind of deal that happened with Korea. 1/2
DrFlump
Does it mean that France won the war in Indochina then? It was the same kind of partition than Korea... 2/2
soulman2100
and you know helped us gain our independence. and you know was one of the only reasons were not British
DrHat
Is also the source of the liberty statue
tehPhreakmang
Being British can't be too bad... I mean the queen doesn't insult her people on Twitter.
Highlander8795
She doesn’t give opinions at all, just smiles, waves and says nice things at Christmas. It’s pretty great.
tehPhreakmang
Wishing I could use my Welsh heritage to go back to the motherland lol
IncorrektGramerNazi
*wear
RedDwarfIV
*we're/we are
ButchMcKenzie
See the username
RedDwarfIV
Huh
ButchMcKenzie
Username checks out
IncorrektGramerNazi
(relief when people get the joke rather than downvoting to oblivion for incorrekt gramer)
Rheios
Not to mention creating the iconic Statue of Liberty with us. (They paid for it and helped design it.) For a long time we were (1)
Rheios
Revolution Buddies, but I think a lot of things sortof shifted it sadly.I also think our vacation scuffles probably haven't improved views
spaghettiThunderbolt
Gotta forgive us for forgetting Lady Liberty. "Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, the wretched
spaghettiThunderbolt
refuse of your teeming shore" is pretty much lost on the current administration and a large segment of the population, as well.
Rheios
I mean its been something of a lost point since we put in immigration caps ages ago. Which I am in support of removing. That being said(1)
Euronyme
It was paid for, designed and constructed in France and shipped off to USA as a gift from the people of France
TheDudzzly
I always thought it was only made by french engineers, designers and architects. What help are you referring? (genuinely curious)
Scave
Ok a quick check and the Americans only built the pedestal, the rest of the statue was built in pieces in France and shipped to America.
TheDudzzly
Thx. I was wondering if what we learn in (french) schools was accurate ;)
derekjohn
The tank joke was always told about the Italians in the UK. Most of the people that I knew who lived through the war didn't blame the French
Selerox
The UK never blamed the French, but their top brass had some seriously dubious strategic sense...
Ferrumkit
The only party that has any real place to hold a grudge is the Poles due to the failure of the parties in keeping to their treaty agreements
lnsaneWolf
Even the French criticize the top brass, from my great-great-grand father to my father, all in the army since 1902
Rainmask
Plus you wrote the joke wrong. I'm guessing you're American.
Rainmask
As you're American I'll elucidate. Why would they need 6 reverse gears if they are attacked from behind? That would make them heroes surely?
Raltsun
I took it as the forward gear being in case they're attacked from behind, so they can "reverse" away by going forwards.
Rainmask
No the joke is that the tanks have 6 reverse gears so that they can reverse away from battle at high speed.
Tikityler
I like how you made fun of his nationality and his understanding of the joke as you proceeded to explain it incorrectly to the wrong person.
Raltsun
Yes, and the forwards gear is in case they get attacked *from* behind, as a retreat option...
NobodyknowthetroubleIsee
For those who don't understand the meaning of the last one : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Douaumont_Ossuary
celebratorygunfire
A truly terrifying place.
Belowaveragehardscoper
I’ve visited there and pictures don’t put into perspective how far those crosses stretch
elcee50
The sad thing is the whole thing exploded in '03 from France opposing the Iraq War, turns out they were right but still get that rep.
eddewarde
deVillepin was "right" by accident. France would veto enforcement of UN armistice terms after 12 years, the last chance to avoid invasion.
DarthVaderDidNothingWrong
The French had their aircraft carrier on the way to Iraq. Ordered it back when Germany said no to the war.
Defylightwithdarkness
People downvoting the truth, gosh, there ARE assholes on imgur!!!
spaghettiThunderbolt
Because it isn't the truth. The jokes have been around a whole lot longer than the last 15 years.
DougDeNasty
When they want to start a war against one of your best customers for weapons and technology, you protect your market share.
Cyzyk
Can we stop repeating something that's patently incorrect? French military being ineffective except when led by a foreigner goes way back.
Cyzyk
All the way back to Karl der Grosse. In the last 200 years, you have Viet Nam, WW1, WW2, Franco-Prussian War, 100 Days, and so on.
jdeman
I always find that weird because Canada opposed the Iraq war too and we never get hate for it
Janusha
The US Government ran anti-French campaigns. People renamed French fries to FREEDOM fries and smashing French wine in the streets.
Fedotia
Didnt you guys boycotted the brand FRENCH mayonnaise, which is 100% owned and produced in US of A?
Janusha
There was a lot of that. You could get death threats just for working in a "french" restaurant. For YEARS after.
Fedotia
I remember all the "cheese-eating surrendering monkeys" or "Bomb Saddam then bomb Paris" then asking for their help against insurgents.
0x5F3759DF
They were wrong to intervene in Libya, win some, lose some.
GnomeDeGuerre
Was there something more right?
cutedeadfox
Nobody should have meddled with Libya's authoritarian regime. Now they're worse. Stupid Hillary
Fedotia
You realize the decision was taken by Sarkozy-Obama?
cutedeadfox
Secretary of state Killary is just a victim...yeah right
Fedotia
You realize Clinton had no say in it and didnt killed anyone?
LosPer
I think it had more to do with their capitulation to the Nazis during WW2. Vichy France...
Begotten
Which was also still the right choice all things considered
cattoebeans
Right. France isn't mocked for losing not he battlefield; it's mocked for making a separate peace and collaborating with the Nazis in Vichy.
ocegur
He's not saying it comes from irak2, he's saying the stereotype gained traction again with irak2.
LosPer
His post was misleading, and meant to demonstrate France's "superiority" for not supporting the Iraq War.
ocegur
As far as I understand your comment, you were correcting him on the origin of the stereotype, not the superiority you're talking about now.
LosPer
Yes, and then I addressed the real intent of his post which was to prop up France's decision to not support the Iraq war.
sowasvonsowas
The French did most of the fighting & dying in the first World War.
DavelyGrave
Vietnam War, too. I'll see myself out.
Kakakarrakeek
After that was Britain and Canada.
ISayFuckAllTheTime
And the Polish had the biggest fuckin resistance in history. As a Polack, I still tell fucked up Polish jokes...
Attaroo
Lafayette, we are here!
TheRedMenace678
did most of the dying? take a look at russia first
thenewteddy
france was also THE military power to beat. The whole reason their surrender was so notable is nobody expected it.
thebumpinthenight
the french government/military surrendered. not its people. the people kept fighting a guerrilla insurgency all through WW2
gewalt
we wouldn't even be a country if the french didnt save our asses.
Snooj
They kinda helped in the Revolutionary War, too. Although that was more "Fuck the Brits" than "Save America". Which is common for anyone.
Gilganesha
It was mostly that but not only. The Enlightenment started a lot of changes in France and Europe. Many believed in ideals of freedom
woodrobin
The USA owes it's existence to the French taking our side in our Revolution against England, sending aid, etc. We seem to forget that often.
Ajapaneseschoolgirl
No wonder why they’re so good at it!
MarshallDaemon
They also rattled Germany after the war and poked it into another one.
LowlevelRebel
Ssh. Don’t tell the yanks
SinStar87
That France fought a stupid and ill-considered war that saw millions of its own people mowed down for no real reason? We know already.
ThomasPatterson1
Got to go down this rabbit hole. which war are you referring to ?
SinStar87
The one the thread is about, ww1
olderbrotherofsnagglepuss
The French had no choice but to fight, Germany invaded them
HiddenSanity
Come now, they didn't lose 'millions' in the American revolution.
SinStar87
Apologies, you missed that the context of the thread is the tragedy that is WW1. But, as an American, I do thank them for the check for that
CharlieWoolf
I’m not sure if you quite get what that first “W” means. It’s how mutual defence treaties work.
starlord56
The french also had a few failed coups before the war ended, before the US entered it would not have been long before they got out
bigblindguy
The soldiers were not going to give up mate: they disobeyed orders and refused to go over the top: they never left their positions tho. 1/2
bigblindguy
2/2 I don't think they would have, either: Germany had ran out of food in 1916, and the French soldiers were not about giving up their home.
cspinasdf
I mean the Germans and Russians lost more men. Also the Russians attacked whenever called upon to aid the western theater, ultimately to
cspinasdf
the determent of the czar. Russia was also punished for becoming Communist, leading to some bitterness that served Poland up.
tetter99
They also did a lot of surrendering when Prussia did the same strategy how many years before. So 1/3 on no surrendering
CassiusPolybius
Also Napoleon was a thing. Just, y'know, in general.
Throrf
He was a total jerk though.
CassiusPolybius
Yes, but he was a total jerk who was both french and the military bane of the rest of Europe.
Throrf
The least concerned about his soldiers getting offed, at least...
LongoloidFartExplosion
Good.
Cheomesh
See:
OlElonMusky
I’d say the Germans did considering they had way more fronts and bad allies.
reddogofchaos
They also executed their own soldiers for dirty pants.
arek314
Well, Germans, Austro-Hungarians and Thousand Nations of Russian and Ottoman empires did their part too..
arek314
Yup, Russian Empire had more than twice French casualties: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_War_I_casualties
Defylightwithdarkness
Alright, but France had much less inhabitants, and again, the war mainly took place on its territory.
Defylightwithdarkness
Yes, but the war took place in France mainly. There are still areas where nothing can grow after over 100 years.
MLUdrea
They did a lot of dying... And surrendering throughout both world wars.
[deleted]
[deleted]
Snooj
TIL Hitler was in both world wars.
PastaJesus
I mean he did literally fight in the WWI...
Snooj
Wow, I actually did just learn something. :-) Looks like that guy deleted his errant comment, though.
HiddenSanity
Yup, Hitler was a WWI vet, although not a major player in any sense of the word.
nia2k
I think you need to reread the comment.
DavidBrooker
Maybe he means personally, as an Infantryman :P
arse0132342
Nope - suprisingly the Turks and Germans did
Tampaps4
Russia lost the most men in WWII
bigblindguy
Turks did some good fighting, but they also, ultimately, lost.
Margrave9000
Still nope. It was Serbia who lost the most of its pre-war population.
Hutchy01
The French were to the First World War what the Russians were to the Second: The foreign manpower who used the Anglo-American materiel well.
420xxx69CommunismWillWin69xxx420
Utterly incorrect, The British and Americans were more prone to using French weapons than the Soviets ever were to American or British.
SoapyMammaryMasturbation
Not really. The British were on the front-lines with the French from the beginning, in Belgium and France. WW1 was very different from WW2.
Hutchy01
Yeah but we threw far fewer men at it than the french to my understanding it was the empire that provided most of our manpower
SoapyMammaryMasturbation
The British provided slightly higher manpower than the French overall, and the French had their own Empire to call upon. Individual...
SoapyMammaryMasturbation
...theatres may vary on the deployed demographics, but either way, the French as WW1's Soviet Union is a very poor comparison.
NobodyknowthetroubleIsee
US soldiers were using French tanks, French machine-guns, French Artillery and French planes when they start to fight at the end of 1917.
JudgementalMan
Chauchat sucked though
NobodyknowthetroubleIsee
You should watch this : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bCwP3Dm52Ls
nacham
Yeah, but their track record over the last 200 years overall has been pretty poor. WWII, wars in Africa, Dien Bien Phu
420xxx69CommunismWillWin69xxx420
Few people have a better record even over the last 200 years, slim-to-none have better over their entire history.
MlCE
Colonial wars after 1945 have been pretty poor in general all across the world to be honest. US, Russians, Dutch, Belgians, etc...
SurfHill
But what have they done lately?
Cheomesh
Minded their own shit.
CookieJedi
Well for starters, they haven't illegally invaded several countries on falsified claims.
SurfHill
Well not lately, but don't say that to a dozen islands spread between the Caribbean and South Pacific....
Iullabee
ugh *cough*libya*cough*... granted it's only one and thus not several, but still...
chipsykurwa
Is there any territorial occupation by the French in Libya ?
Iullabee
no. but we went there because our then president wanted to get rid of witnesses of his illegal financing for the presidential campaign
Svartlebee
And they get shit for dropping the ball in WW2.
thenewteddy
the (western) world was relying on their army, the reason their surrender is so remembered is how incredibly shocking it was.
istealthepixelsfromreposts
The thing was there were not a lot of men left to hold them.
SaintMaceToTheFace
Not true. At the onset of ww2 the French had the largest army in Europe
istealthepixelsfromreposts
In ww2 the french deployed 2.2 million soldiers. In ww1 8.3 million. In 1940 the wehrmacht had over 6.6 million soldiers.
Svartlebee
Yeah, they couldn't deploy that many conscripts because they got conquered so fast, not due to lack of men.
Crims0nTider
This. Anyone who gives the French shit about WW II doesn't know their history. Though relying on the Maginot line was naive at best...
H2O52
The real blunder was the position of the French reserve, on the north of the front near the sea and too close to the front line 1/2
H2O52
Couldn't help at Sedan (too far north), couldn't retreat (too far east), got encircled with the rest of the army. 2/2
Bassaker
It was the pinnacle of common tank doctrine. Germany just put it to the next level in using tanks for fast land grab instead bunkering in
d0o0o0d
Militarily, France's problem has never been the rank and file soldiers. Incompetent leadership and inept strategy are why they lost.
Anthemius
That's most countries' problem, separated by a few decades or so.
CliffWestern
They were also rather foolishly outdated with things like calvary but TBF the changes in that period were insane. Germans had an advantage1
CliffWestern
on that because they were a very recent country. 2
Mikaru86
And were basically completely disarmed after WW1 and had to stock up on new production.
Selerox
The French troops were let down by strategic idiocy of the highest order. It very nearly took the UK down with them.
LongoloidFartExplosion
Our moat protects us.
Paddychu
And they said we were silly to dig that moat.
420xxx69CommunismWillWin69xxx420
I wouldn't pretend that the UK had any better strategy in the early war, they were there when France fell after all.
Selerox
Not defending them in the slightest. The UK made a number of catastrophic strategic fuck-ups. Singapore for example...
420xxx69CommunismWillWin69xxx420
Indeed; wasn't saying that you were defending them, just thought it worth mentioning that the UK's only saving grace was the channel.
ino84
Considering that the only thing to stop the German advances was the Russian winter... what could France even have done?
smbzz
“The only”.. ok then. It was long winter (4 years), isn’t it?
ino84
I said advances, they took a while to get there but Stalingrad was already in 1941. And it obviously wasn’t just the winter, it was also >>
smbzz
Battle for Stalingrad: July 1942 - Feb 1943
ino84
The fact that Russia was throwing tremendous amounts of human suffering at the German army.
onetruecod
Not at all. The Line did its job: it was so fearsome Germany never considered attacking it at all. The Armée let it down.
smbzz
Ritter von Leeb would not agree (see operation Tiger). His army group “C” broke Maginot Line several times.
onetruecod
In June, after Paris had fallen. Holding for a month with no support is hardly an indictment of the fortification.
smbzz
Agree on that, fall of France is not about Maginot Line itself. But it seems possible for Germans to brake it even if it was completed
bud467
Well the germanz did eventually have to atrack points of it and it held up exactly how it was designed until they basically ran out of food
onetruecod
The whole purpose of it was to force the Germans to the Low Countries (where the French were waiting), Switzerland (not realistic), or...
onetruecod
...the Ardennes (not realistic according to the French; turned out badly). Early plans called for pincers against German forces there.
onetruecod
Unfortunately for France, they dropped an attack through the Ardennes as a possibility in later war plans.
PV2moller
Well, to be fair, the German troops were literally high on crack during the invasion, so that they would be more combat effective
TheEmperorOfMankind40000
I mean there is no way the French could have expected tank divisions pushing through a God damn forest faster than humanly possible.
OlDishandSwish
God damn blitzkrieg
HiddenSanity
There was some indication of that, but like always, the older brass were a bit slow to adapt to new tactics and technologies.
TheYoungBear
MonsieurLeMoustache
Funny how us French get oftenly bullied on this site (and others i guess). I'm proud to see we rarely overreact to this shit.
dannomite82
Generally speaking Europeans tend to enjoy making fun of each other.
oddmog
The French seem to have their stuff pretty well sorted, they look after their people and don't get involved unnecessarily. And I'm part Eng.
MikeArclight
most of us say it in jest, a gentle ribbing between friends; those who actually believe it are not worthy of your attention
UniqueManchild
I spent a few weeks in Paris, the French were so nice! One guy even taught me how to use the coin laundry.
BoltAurelius
We're all a bunch of cunts who had nothing to do with any of this.
owlest
lol wut since when were u often bullied
RomanCookieLord
Je suis pas le seul
SpartanStatic
Also funny that the states seem to think they're top shit for 'winning' WW2, when they joined the party late, when both Germany and England
SpartanStatic
were already suffering from attrition. That'd be like claiming you went 12 rounds with Ali and won, after tagging in at round 7.
irlborat
I never inderstood why Americans are so obsessed with the American forces in Europe. The main place where America mattered was the Pacific
RobertDeal
Two words: Opération Chammal. Their Air support was invaluable.
deathbycheese
sorry French never meant to offend you. I know my history if it had not been for you we would not have become a country.
CliffWestern
Well it is a joke. We make fun of pretty much all developed countries. You come from prosperity. You can take it.
CliffWestern
Hell I'm from a country that literally elected a joke and you aren't going to hear me complain about people making fun of that.
Deadpoolio7
Mon frere, as an Englishman, I say this with love
v
TheWombatStrikesAgain
A lot of the current disdain from the american right is because you didn't join them on the great (not to mention victorious) adventure (1)
TheWombatStrikesAgain
that was the Iraq war. Which is kind weird because neither did Germany, but we didn't get shit for it. (2)
vampirehedgehog
Germany has a good excuse for keeping out of wars, though.
NotGarrusVakarian
Isnt Germany still not allowed to have a proper army? Just a defense force?
vampirehedgehog
I never understood what the difference is supposed to be. A military force focused on defence is still a military force able to wage war.
misfit119
That's Japan.
Gibal
For you: https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0958/4824/products/1_f72aecbf.png
DukeofKMS
And i shouldn't. Us germans, we know the truth. It is one of histories greatest feats, that we are bredren again. Let's shape the future.
MoondanceRadio
Now go get those Limey bastards!
ryohji
That's the spirit!
helkafen
Hugs from France.
TearingAway
Now lets discuss Quebec....
IAProX
The French have long been at the forefront of weapons and military tech. Not so much in the last 70 to 80 years but before that....
IAProX
Not to mention the crazy bastards who were the French resistance. Those men, women and kids gave everything for their country
Thelrishlnquistion
This! All that military terminology which is French in origin. Cannon, general, grenade, artillery, bayonet...there’s a reason for that
IAProX
Rifling, very sophisticated anti personnel and anti tank landscaping for Forts. We have a few on the east coast by a famed French designer
packardcaribien
I rarely see anything truly positive about any country on here though, to be fair, including (or especially) the United States.
AFelineMassofEyes
We get flurries of Canada appreciation, once in a while.
packardcaribien
There are more than a few reasons to not appreciate or approve of it, but yeah, the stuff on here is mostly positive if stereotypical.
BatBruce
1 Yeah but the narrative and stereotypes are still set by americans. Making fun of yourself is not the same as having somebody else doing it
BatBruce
2/2 because others might not choose the things you're ok with being mocked about. It's an american site so american narrative it is though.
packardcaribien
It's definitely not just Americans on here, and plenty of the people bullying and mocking the US (here AND everywhere else) aren't American.
BatBruce
The majority is though. As for bullying...well, my comments got zeroed for saying the narrative is american. Whatever. I'm out of the convo.
NotGarrusVakarian
As an American I think nationality is kinda shit, it just gives reason to bully other people.
BatBruce
Nationality itself can't be bad. We are who we are. It's the mindset that matters and makes us do/not do things.
powershit
You can be proud to an American, where at least you know youre free. But seriously be proud, not a dick
FrankPerkele
I guess it's because of WW2. You guys have handled other conflicts on 20th century pretty nicely. WW1 and conflicts in Africa for example.1/
vampirehedgehog
Not to mention the early 19th century, which in Europe was pretty much France beating everyone else.
FrankPerkele
Yeah, I just wanted to point out their actions in 20th century. But yeah, they were basically the only country in the world hat could 1/
FrankPerkele
Stand up against British empire. Also that* 2/2
Camelspotting
Their conflicts in Africa were a shitshow.
FrankPerkele
I'm not a fan of what europeans did in Africa but french certainly didn't take shit from anyone over there. Even tho in the end they gave 1/
FrankPerkele
Up on their colonies as well. Not my strongest area of knowledge tho, I definitely have to do more reading about those times. 2/2
FrankPerkele
And you haven't really tolerated those terrorists either, which I appreciate! 2/2
DukeofKMS
France has won more wars than the US was able to start since 1790.
FrankPerkele
Indeed, and even today they are relatively strong military power with nukes and everything.
HiddenSanity
"Yeah, but they barely have enough nukes to singlehandedly cause ONE global apocalypse."
DidNotInhale
The incorrect reputation that the french surrender insulting to the millions who gave their lives, we stand as brothers on all sides (1)
DidNotInhale
with the fallen, i had to tell someone recently that no france never surrendered in ww1 (2) ps sorry about brexit. :(
SmolTenk
People dont know history. They also see us Germans as a strong military power, forgetting that we were walked over for hundreds of years.
none442
Yeah but you have a famous military history, sacking Rome, strong mercenaries, as well as Germanic countries having a military focus
AmArschdieRaeuber
Never forget
AustriaNotAustralia
Walked over? It took the whole world to beat Germany and Austria
SmolTenk
30 years war. Napoleon. Should I name more?
DukeofKMS
That's why we shouldn't repeat the error of letting our new home Europe become the next HRE. We gotta unite.
GeorgePC
From my understanding, European people have diverse cultures in each country and forcing them into a confederate state (EU) wouldn't work.
TonyTortellini44
Last time it was done right went pretty alright. Only real patrician kids will remember this.
SmolTenk
Worked with germany well enough. They key is finding what to leave to the states and what to fed. gov.
JonSnowAKAAegonTargaryen
People do forget history. Especially Russian winters.
GeorgePC
Funny, but the Russian military in ww1 and ww2 was more equipped than most people give them credit for.
Camelspotting
Not since the dark ages.
DukeofKMS
Germany was the pawn of the great powers until it truely united in 1871.
Camelspotting
Despite being loosely defined the HRE did a fine job of defending the German states, especially from the high middle ages to Napoleon.
DukeofKMS
The friggin 30 years war, dude. Look it up.
420xxx69CommunismWillWin69xxx420
You know, aside from all the devastating wars where Europe took turns to bring them to ruin.