Comments on: 10,000 Spitfires Head for Germany

By: yetanotherjohn

yetanotherjohn — Mon, 05 Jun 2006 19:42:43 +0000

DC loser,

I honestly can't say I have found any war the France has won that they weren't allied to the US or UK.

I did find the great stormin normin quote.
"Going to war without the French is like going deer hunting without your accordion".

By: DC Loser

DC Loser — Mon, 05 Jun 2006 19:28:31 +0000

YAJ, I can't go back that far :) But at least they did win the World Cup in '98.

By: yetanotherjohn

yetanotherjohn — Mon, 05 Jun 2006 19:16:14 +0000

DC Loser,
I suppose it depends on the definition of a war, but certainly Grenada and Panama were without France. WWII had France as "junior" partner, but I guess we can't count that.

I suppose the last major war without the French (excluding the current Iraqi situation) would be the Spanish American war.

So now, how about providing the answer about the last war the French won with out being allied to the US or UK.

By: DC Loser

DC Loser — Mon, 05 Jun 2006 17:26:23 +0000

Just as an aside, can anyone name the last war The US won without being allied to France? :)

By: yetanotherjohn

yetanotherjohn — Mon, 05 Jun 2006 15:27:34 +0000

Well at least its better than re-enacting the battle of Trafalgar with the red and blue teams so no one's national pride gets hurt.

Just as an aside, can anyone name the last war France won without being allied to either the US or the UK?

By: DC Loser

DC Loser — Mon, 05 Jun 2006 15:17:40 +0000

John, somehow the name Heinkel or Dornier aren't as catchy as Messerschmitt. How about a V-1 model?

By: John Burgess

John Burgess — Mon, 05 Jun 2006 15:13:48 +0000

DC Loser: I think the HEINKEL HE-111 would be more apposite.

By: DC Loser

DC Loser — Mon, 05 Jun 2006 12:10:51 +0000

I'm just waiting for some German football fans trying to sell inflatable Messerschmitts in Old Blighty.

By: Tim Worstall

Tim Worstall — Mon, 05 Jun 2006 06:57:26 +0000

Thereâ��s a line in the newspaper piece that James hasnâ��t used from an Asst Chief Constable: "Germans do have a sense of humour".

By: John Burgess

John Burgess — Mon, 05 Jun 2006 03:58:59 +0000

There's a British expression that seems to fit: "Too clever by half." Yes, it's a cute idea. But it's brainlessly stupid, too. Maybe in another generation--after all those who survived the various blitzes and massive bombings raids are gone--everyone might find it amusing. Until then, though, it's pretty callous. That "Fawlty Towers" episode ("Don't mention the war.") seems not to have been very popular among Germans, either...

By: Cernig

Cernig — Mon, 05 Jun 2006 00:28:03 +0000

I think you nailed it with "the combination of xenophobia, alcohol, and soccer". The logic, if it can be called that, seems to be that Germany has won more World Cups but England has won more World Wars. It's a nasty kind of little-england hooliganism which would conjoin the two and which is hardly condusive to international sporting friendship.

Regards, Cernig @ Newshog