French Army alternatives, 1935-40 (41?)

[Admiral Beez]

To be fair, the US and UK pressured France into not attacking Germany at the time. The primary reasons were economic in nature - both in terms of possible effects on the world economy in the midst of the Great Depression, and the possible effects on the US and UK international corporations.

France should have told Britain to either step up or shut up. The US has already abandoned the League of Nations and can pound salt. France needed an interwar hero, and one who could focus the nation's defence and economic capabilities. It would not have been good for the world, but perhaps France needed its own fascist or communist dictator to purge the elites, obstructionists and sloths.

History of far-right movements in France - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[ThomasP]

I agree.

 

[Admiral Beez]

France was a mess....

French Left - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[SaparotRob]

I read a book by an author named Holland on the Battle of Britain a while ago. The first chapter or two dealt with the Battle for France. It was painful reading about the incompetent senior French officials and generals. I stopped reading about it and skipped ahead.

 

[Admiral Beez]

What about FIC? What can we give the French forces there to counter Japan's invasion in 1940? The Netherlands was defeated in 1940, but the DEI carried on preparing their defences into 1942.

They could use the help…

Van Doos to FIC, Feb 1940

In Sept 1939 the BEF began moving into France. Meanwhile, noticing that FIC now had an aggressive Japan right on its borders, the British war cabinet suggests that a francophone regiment be sent to FIC to bolster the French forces there, and to show unity. Chamberlain calls up PM Mackenzie...

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