I'm a Brit and while not deying America became our ally in WW2 I would point out that it was not out of the kindness of their hearts. Rather America had no choice as nor did Russia, both these countries became involved in WW2 because Germany declared war on them. Britain was the only one of the allied countries that became involved in WW2 of it's own volition, all the rest had war declared on them by Germany. Since this time in every war America has been involved in and asked for help Britain has been there. Not one of these wars has been for American territory. When Britain had a war over the Falkland Islands,(British territory), and asked for American aid - America wouldn't even let us refuel our aircraft on American soil, or supply our ships. So let's be clear, Britain has continuously been America's ally over the years but it don't show the other way at all!!!
Exactly! Britain's definition of an ally is someone you can turn to and rely on when needed and help them when they need it. America's definition of an ally is just someone you can sell weapons to!
Russia was actually Germany's ally and took part in the invasion of Poland that started WW2. Only when AH turned on them, when he failed to invade the UK, did Russia became an ally. You're right that the USA was very reluctant to help us up to the end of of 1941 even though we stood alone against Germany in Europe. Had we not had support from the then Empire, it's doubtful we could have withstood the German attempt to defeat and invade us.
It makes me so annoyed that Americans seem to be taught that the war only really started when they joined - we went through hell. And they only joined because of Pearl Harbour.
It was no small thing for the US to voluntarily join a war halfway across the world that didn't really affect them. Nowadays we're used to America acting like the world's policeman. They can decide to offer military aid anywhere on earth and be there in a few hours and nobody at home is affected, but in the 40s it was very different. Joining the war meant shifting the entire nation's economy into war mode for years, and sending millions of soldiers and sailors and support staff abroad, against major powers who were their technological equals, at a time when getting boots on the ground in Europe or Asia meant sailing across oceans infested with deadly u-boats. The US had intervened in WW1 at tremendous cost in a conflict that didn't involve them, and 20 years later the same European countries were back at war again. There was understandable reluctance to get involved. Think about how NATO countries including Britain have so far refused to become embroiled in Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Morale of the story, the Brits are fierce. Best tacticians in the world also, which now teach tactics to their allied countries. Might be a small country but we cant be topped.
I wish I could agree bit your talking about my grandads and great grandads generation when this was England, there's no tactics anymore no army and not one young person will8ng to do what they did , this is not england anymore it's a mixed place of 6ft h8gh walls no neighbourhood and where I am 40 percent of people not even born here or still even have been bought up to love the motherland , sectarian voting , woke shit and political crap has created a totally un united kingdom ffs half of Ireland ain't even part of it anymore , no commonwealth,, basically no wealth we have given all what our forefathers and for mothers died for in that war away 😢 long live the oh she's dead too .. fuk
The US has just mourned the deaths of 9/11 and rightly so. But so many people forget that the UK lost 43,500 civilians due to bombing in 9 months. That's nearly 5000 every month!!
@wessexdruid7598 With prominent members of both US parties voting to make an exception and allow Gerry Adams to enter the US on a fundraising tour. Imagine if the UK went out of it way to allow Bin-Laden to do such.
@@wessexdruid7598 they never really talk about funding terrorism for some reason. New York City was a hotbed of orange men. I asked some American friends about it and they had no answer and just looked blank, another part of history that wont end up in history books.
As much as we like to claim we fought alone in 1940, it's a huge insult the many Commonwealth nations who immediately jumped to our aid, and the governments in exile that came and bolstered our defence. Britain might have been the only country directly getting bombed, but Canadian sailors and Polish pilots were giving their lives during that time.
By alone it's meant that there were no other European countries and no America- it's taken for granted that the commonwealth were included in the fighting so don't take away the biggest sacrifice of your own people - you sound like the woke brigade trying to make British people, specifically English people feel ashamed of who they are 🏴🏴🏴🏴🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧
No thank you for all the love & care you give to the graves of Allied soldiers & airmen and those of the UK that fell there. You also suffered greatly & such horrors as the Hunger Winter.
I have seen both the original of this and about a dozen reactions to it on UA-cam over the years. As a Brit the one thing that REALLY annoys me is the question in the voice-over "How did John Britain get on our team?" OUR team?!!! Listen, buddy, we had been at war since 3rd September 1939, exactly 2 years, 3 months and 4 days before you lot joined in after the Pearl Harbor attack. So no, we were not on YOUR team. You were on OURS! 😉
@@andypandy9013 yes andypandy , 2 years is a long time , Britain (and commonwealth) was without usa when war was declared with Germany , although it had been brewing for years , many events in Europe etc , USA were trying to get their economy up and conveniently stayed out , was this due to German supporters within USA ? Was that the same reason some refused to believe Japan had attacked pearl harbour ?, what most get is a summary of ww2 but there were a lot of things going on that I didn't know about till I read some books of before and years after it ,
@@andypandy9013 For the families who suffered and died because of the V1 and V2 rocket programme, from the slave labour that built it to those blown up in their own homes or in the shops, the way the war criminal Wernher von Braun was given safe passage to the USA for their space project upset a lot of people in Europe. On the other hand outstanding humans like Benjamin Ferencz prosecuted war crimes at Nurnberg. Von Braun still leaves a bad taste in my mouth every time I see evidence of what his weapons did around and about me, some within a couple of hundred yards. One side of the street is mid-Victorian terraces, the other side was completely obliterated by a V2 in 1944. I can't entirely separate NASA from von Braun.
Yes and initially I had the same reaction then on considering who this film was made for had a greater understanding of why it was necessary to word it in that manner. It was about drawing the US public and servicemen/women into the same mindset, not necessarily for British consumption.
@@richardcheese5839 it's usual in war. Germany finished paying reparations to Great Britain in 2015. Lots of countries are lend leasing to Ukraine at the moment.
Lets not forget fellow Brits we are not much about the issues in our own history. I am impressed with this sincere and lovely couple that mad the effort to watch this and learn. They sincerely expressed their respect for us and what could be sensed was a disappointed bewilderment that their own nation had allied with us until much later. I hope they realise it was their Government and not the people as many citizens did want the US to join and many men crossed the border to Canada joined their Armed Forces, mainly the RCAF and came and fought with us. Thanks to Reacting To My Root for making these videos and for your interest in our history.
Definitely those of us kids of the Silent Generation in the US, particularly those with war brides, knew the history. Far too many Americans were giving aid and comfort to Hitler and thought that fascism was the answer in the US. I think FDR wanted to enter the war and needed an excuse to do so. Germany provided that excuse as did Japan. Met US pilots who joined the RAF growing up.
Let's not gloss over the REALITY. FDR tried REALLY HARD to convince the US to join in the war. He risked becoming completely unelectable because the majority of the US population was strongly isolationist - right up until Pearl Harbor, funnily enough! I'm not saying that there weren't SOME Americans who joined up waaay before they had to, but OVERALL the government lead the people in this instance NOT the other way round!
My father was a British WW2 Commando and was part of the Spearhead in Europe. He met my mother in Belgium during the liberation, she was a teacher/ambulance driver and was a native belgian. They married in 1946. All he said about the war was " It was like Hell". He never spoke of the war after that. RIP my mother 1984, and father 1986 . Both Heroes.
Well said, my Dad served with the Guards in the War like many other young men he had never been overseas some not far from their home town so it was a shock for most what they saw and experienced, i know Dad was affected by what he saw especially Belsen.
God Rest Their Souls, and thank you from someone whose own parents went through WW2, (my father was on HMS King George V, during the Bismark campaign). That was truly an amazing generation. I am so happy that your mother survived the occupation, it must have felt like all that was dear to people was lost at the time The people were so brave, Audrey Hepburn was an example of that I understand Not every generation lives on in the minds and hearts of those who follow, but your mother & and all the others like her will 🙋♀️🇬🇧🇧🇪💖
The US only joined the Allies 2 yrs and 3 months after WWII began. Up to then, the Allies comprised the UK and its Commonwealth allies, notably Canada, India, Australia, New Zealand, S Africa, and the Caribbean islands, plus some forces which escaped the Nazi invasion from Norway, Poland, France, the Netherlands, etc. The UK wasn't alone, but neither the Soviets nor the Americans joined until they were themselves attacked.
@@Great_Cthulhu AT that time THEY were technically “self governing dominions” (i.e. of the monarchy) and laws could not be passed for them in London, at least not without their consent. They were supposedly independant countries in all but name. But in fact the British - Prince Charles being instrumental - threw out a democratically elected Australian Prime Minister as late as 1975. They did it somewhat covertly, but they did it. So in fact probably Westminster did in effect decide that these countries would join the war. But so many Australians, Canadians and New Zealanders in 1914 were first and second generation Brits that they were quite enthusiastic (it would be “all over by Christmas”, remember.) The second time, the populations of these countries were not necessarily so keen. But they understood better than Americans what a threat Nazism was to their own way of life.
@@1justme Those semi independent free dominions all chose, within days of the start of the war, to declare war on Germany to silupport the mother country. India and all the rest of the Empire had no choice and were in it from the moment we declared war on 3.9.39.
Hitler made the mistake of thinking that a little country could be taken easily.... HUGE MISTAKE We'll fight you for every inch of this truly remarkable country 🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧
The myth about British food being bland comes from this tome. US military based here would have eaten food under rationing conditions. For some reason this fallacy still exists.
This said, compared to many other nations, I think we still probably do tend to season our food less or more simplistically... I think we appreciate subtlety in general... Although now and then we like to go a bit crazy too, hence the love of Indian food... Although we probably tend to eat toned down versions compared to the Indians themselves... Our food probably isn't as bland as people say, but in some ways maybe?
@@KitsyX I suspect we use more herbs in our food rather than spices (in the traditional foods) so those used to throwing spices in to everything probably found the more subtle flavours bland. I know some people even today who grow their own herbs.
The commonwealth didn't really have much benefit military wise, they were great allies and provided vast amounts of raw materials but against Germany in the air and sea they weren't really there outside some of a few air wings
Well, the Commonwealth now, but then it was the Empire. A friend's father was in The West African Rifles, was demobbed here at the end of WW2 and stayed here. A lot of soldiers were from India (which became India and Pakistan in 1947). Apart from that we also had very brave Polish airmen and the Free French Army. We never fought alone, it's a myth.
@@mrcaboosevg6089 Last time I looked the Nazis only invaded the Channel Islands and no actual land battle was fought on British soil. There is a reason it's called the Second World War not the British German War. My father in law (Royal Engineers) fought in Europe and later in Burma with the Chindits. He would get apopleptic about the Britain fought alone myth. He was a sapper long before the war, not a conscript. Despite war initially being declared by Britain we already had a huge infrastructure supported by the Empire. Human resources as well as mineral ones. He also got apopleptic about The Forgotten War ie outside Europe. VE Day is even now commemorated more than VJ Day.
An American musician I once saw said the major difference between Americans and Brits, is that Americans think 100 years is a long time, and the Brits think 100 miles is a long way!
Brits travel the world more than Americans. They always have done. Popular places to take vacations include places as far away as Australia, New Zealand, India, Thailand, Africa and even places in the closer US, such as New York and Florida in the East or anywhere such as California on the West Coast. Oh, and of course we like to see our neighbors in mainland Europe. I drove 102 miles each day to work but I never thought that was a long time but just a waste of my time adding up to 2 hours each end of my working day, unless I journeyed by train.
For years. All the manufacturing and port areas were heavily bombed, from the south coast to Scotland, east coast to west. V1s and V2s were falling in 1945.
@@samuel10125 Thousands dead in 2 raids around Easter 1941. 50,000 homes damaged or destroyed..50% of the housing stock in Belfast. My Father was born in East Belfast around the time of the Belfast Blitz. Had a bomb landed 100m up the street.. I wouldn't have been here.
George Washington stated that he never wanted to stand on England's soil again. When the US sent us his statue (because, I assume, Washington was an ex Brit) we asked the US to send us soil from America - so, when erected, Washington's statue did not break his vow. Abraham Lincoln sent us copies of his statue to thank the British people for their help in his quest to end slavery in his country. Workers in Manchester, for example, employed in the cotton mills, mostly women I believe, refused to process any cotton produced by slaves. These workers were VERY poor people, with families, who risked death through starvation and/or permanently losing their jobs at the mills. Abraham Lincoln sent them his statue and a letter thanking them for all they had done to help him emancipate the slaves.
@@reactingtomyroots The Lancashire Cotton Famine of 1862-1863 was a period of hardship in Lancashire, England, that was directly linked to the American Civil War and slavery: The cause The Union blockade of Confederate ports during the American Civil War prevented raw cotton from reaching Britain's cotton mills. The impact The famine led to unemployment and starvation for many cotton workers. The response Despite the suffering, many cotton workers supported the abolition of slavery. In 1862, Lancashire mill workers refused to handle raw cotton picked by US slaves. Iv known this from Manchester In 1863, The US President wrote to the 'working men of Manchester' thanking them for their anti-slavery stance theres a statue of Lincoln in Manchester too.
@@janolaful At the very start of the ACW the CONFEDRACE embargoed the sale of cotton. They thought that the lack of cotton for the mills would encourage their recognition by the European powers. It did not work & was quickly dropped, but then the Union established the blockade. Which resulted in a smuggling trade of cotton for arms, supplies & luxuries.
Afraid Britain didn't 'help America carry the ball' as the vid said. Brave Scottish, Irish, Welsh and English men and women had been carrying the ball alone and America eventually helped them carry it
Sorry, Tracy but your brave Scottish, Irish, Welsh, and English, were not alone. You had lots of help from Canadians, Australians, New Zealanders, Indians, and many other Commonwealth troops, also Poles, Norwegians, Dutch, and French soldiers who had not been captured by the Nazis. They all fought to preserve freedom and were often overlooked, so Britain never carried the ball alone.
@scottnewton9060 I should have made myself clearer, I meant in the battle for the British Isle. As you rightly point out there were many battles fought by many countries bravest but I meant in relation to America and this video
@@scottnewton9060 I think the point was, America only joined when it suited them, an alternative history might have seen America join the Nazis....if it had also suited them.....
@@tracymuckle8512 20% of battle of Britain pilots were not British. Poland: 145 pilots (~5% of total force) New Zealand: 135 pilots Canada: 112 pilots Czechoslovakia: 88 pilots Belgium: 28 pilots Australia: 32 pilots South Africa: 25 pilots France: 13 pilots United States: 9 pilots *Those 9 Americanpilots where forbidden by American law to fight, but they flew anyway.
@@spacexvanityprojectslimite3315 "Amercia might have joined the nazis" no, there 0% chance that ever happended. Even the facist elements in amercia were actually pro war and wanted to fight germany now
My Great Grandfather died during the Blitz on London in 1941. He was a fireman and he left behind his wife and 13 children. I can't even begin to imagine what they all went through and the family never talked about it. I don't know why, but they just got on with it. I only found out myself 2 years ago due to tracing my family tree. My mothers first memory is being taken underground to the tube station at Bethnal Green (London) during the Blitz for safety.
It's a shame some people conveniently forget that fact in this day and age.. with something like 200 Commonwealth countries? That was a lot of men.. Plus the people from that same Commonwealth who were asked to come over to help build the country back up after the war.. doing jobs that there were not enough men to do, or jobs the men who were there didn't want to do... I could go on..
@@KC-gy5xw the 1st part of your comment is correct the 2nd part could not be more wrong if you tried. after the war we had enough manpower being demobbed & a lot of married woman who wanted to continue to work so we had no need to import anybody to rebuild the country. those that came especially from the carribean came for their own economic reasons there was next to no work @ home for them so came here to earn money. the mass influx came in the early 60's when barbados in particular had mass unemployment so their government asked ours to take a lot of their youth who were unemployed & starting to cause problems train them & give them work, which we agreed to do london transport agreed to take a fair sized amount as long as barbados paid for their 1st years employment which it did.so it was us that did carribean governments a favour not them doing us one.
further to my earlier reply i was born st thomas hospital lambeth in 1956 & grew up in brixton started work in 71 worked with people from the carribean i asked them why they left a hot country to come to a wet miserable coldish country their reply there was no work @ home so came to make a life for themselves.
Of course the Empire soldiers were with us. They were family. We owe them so much and also the refugees from France, Norway, Poland and the other occupied countries.
Britain wasn't completely alone we had the commonwealth or its equivalent, Australia, Canada, India, and many other countries, we may have stood alone as a country but we stood together as a international community, those that stood with us should be recognise and what was left of the allied army also came to Britain to keep fighting.👌🐱16:31 Officially WWll started in 1939 for us in Britain, earlier for most of Europe and even when we campaigned for peace we were preparing for War from as early as the mid 30s because we knew Germany and Hitler should not be allowed to win and control the world.
My grandfather left his home in Indiana at age 17 to join the army. He’d tell me about his service, including his time stationed in Britain. He had the highest respect for the British people.
Yes and there are legions of stories of young lads doing everything they possibly can inc lie about their age to get into the fight. The USA's presidential nominee ducked his country's specific call to arms FIVE times thanks to a Doctor personally known by his dad. And they love him, leaving you with the conclusion many Americans brains are full fat melted cheese.
@@simov8chevy Is that right because when somone becomes queen you no longer refer to them as a princess so why would I refer to her now as Pincess Elizabeth ? Also while you are being needlessly pedantic why would I bother to mention her regnal number when it's already obvious which Queen Elizabeth I am talking about ?
It was amusing to hear your disbelief about the size of Britain, I feel overwhelmed by the size of the US. Of course, what followed wasn't amusing, those Brits who went into the services, became emergency personnel and air raid wardens, during the war, were all heroes, every single one.
@@joshuawilliams4314 yes it is...I had to be different 😂 That IS quite a coincidence! But there are probably loads of Joshs and Jennys, mums and sons etc. I haven't heard of another Josh around here, and my Josh is 25 - gosh I forget how old I am until I talk about my grandchildren!!
Hi there, the main importance of North Africa was the Suez Canal. This connected the movement of ships from the UK, via the Mediterranean to British overseas colonies. The UK depended on the traffic though the Suez to keep up it's war effort (and connect to it's dominions like India, Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand, etc). My father fought in North Africa as part of the 'Desert Rats' while my Mother was in the Army as well, stationed on anti-aircraft gun sites in London during The Blitz.
Adding to this, the North Africa campaign was also the first step in trying to separate Germany from it's allies, namely Italy, by weakening it's colonies in north Africa, forcing the Germans to send help instead of consolidating
Italy wanted complete control of the Mediterranean Sea. They attacked Egypt in 1941 to expand their own empire and thus the British pushed them back into Libya. The Germans then sent an Army Group (Afrika Korps) to North Africa to fight the British 8th Army alongside Italy. As you say the Suez Canal was important. It cut weeks of the journey by sea to India, Australia etc and the rest of the Empire trading routes. Plus beyond Egypt was the Middle Eastern oil fields and the soft underbelly of Russia via Iran... which Hitler's military leadership wanted desperately.
Roosevelt refused to enter the war until Pearl Harbour. We'd been at war for 3 years by then. The reason Hitler couldn't beat us into submission was because of our mentality and our strong patriotism, then. We laughed at him. It was hard with rationing, but I am so proud of what my parents did to keep us free.
It was not a case of Roosevelt refusing to enter the war, more that he had to be aware of domestic political realities which clung to the doctrine of Isolationism, a policy that had been adopted from the foundation of the United States up to the second world war. Isolationism sought to avoid alliances with other nations in order to prevent itself from being drawn into wars that were not related to the direct territorial self-defence of the United States. Notorious amongst pressure groups at the time was the America First Committee, an influential political pressure group that opposed aid to the Allies in World War II because it feared direct American military involvement in the conflict. The committee claimed a membership of 800,000 and attracted such leaders as Henry Ford, General Robert E. Wood, the aviator Charles A. Lindbergh, and a number of Democratic and Republican politicians.
@@alanmorris9425 Well, what is conveniently missing from this narrative is that Lindbergh, Ford and Wood (especially Lindbergh who America First chose as their spokesperson) were openly antisemitic and supported fascism.
Hitler couldn't beat us into submission because he made the mistake of invading the Soviet Union before we went down. We didn't go through anything like they did. Only 70,000 civilian deaths, compared to 15-17 million Soviet civilians. Including 2 million Jews.
To all those Americans who say we'd be speaking German if it wasnt for the US, the RAF had already severely damaged the German Luftwaffe in rhe summer of 1940 so badly that they couldn't guarantee the air supremacy they needed to launch an invasion of Britain. After the Blitz, the Germans turned their attention to Russia instead. And in North Africa, the British Army and it's colonial allies, despite a number of setbacks, had stopped the German and Italian armies in their tracks and was already pushing them back across rhe North African coast before a single GI boot touched the ground on this side of the Atlantic.
Don't forget that not one country under German occupation was ever forced to speak German and the irony is that if it wasn't for us it would be the Americans who would be speaking German!
@@B-A-L Why would the Americans be speaking German? The original thirteen colonies which became the US were British, and predominantly spoke English. It was the dominant language throughout the colonial period, and up until the present day.
We also had by far the worlds largest navy, bar none, and a rather large moat around our island. The idea of the Nazis launching a cross-channel invasion in 1940 is completely laughable when looked at nowadays with full knowledge of each side's strength
So glad you are watching this . WW1 and WW2 decimated my family. Two of my Great Grandfathers and 3 brothers of one of them fought in WW1 only my two Great Grandfathers lived after the war one of whom lost his left arm . In WW2 I had Great Uncles fighting others worked in the Coal mines. My Grandfather was severely injured in the Battle of Broekhuizen (Netherlands) WW2. He was 18 …. He lost his left leg above the knee , half his right foot , half his hand and had bullet holes all down one side. Lots of my relatives served , not forgetting the wives trying to do the best they could for their children during rationing and bombings . Many of my family grew up without a father . This is why we should never forget the sacrifices they made . Take my family and multiply it by millions and you see the human cost of war.
WW1 was a slaughterhouse. I'm related to almost everyone on my village war memorial, which doesn't even include my great grandfather or my great grandmother's brother or my gran's cousin aged 18.
@@reactingtomyroots love the channel . The things you react to are always interesting and your reactions are so respectful and honest. You have a wonderful family and Sophia is a credit to you both. Keep up the good work “cousins” 👏👌👍 Lol
Thank tou for showing this video and for your interest and comments. Later (1944-5) my husband's father trained as a Fleet Air Arm pilot (navy pilot on aircraft carriers) in Corpus Christi, Texas, and said the hospitality the local people showed the British trainees was amazing andhe never forgot it.
The North African campaign began when Italy declared war and joined the War on the German side. The Suez canal and access to oil to keep the war machine rolling was an important factor to the campaign. Also the allies wanted to take Italy out of the war so that they could potentially land troops in southern Europe and push the Germans back from two sides.
You're a second rate power and your Empire was a racist abomination and a nightmare that killed dozens of millions in manmade famine, massacres of indigenous peoples and slave-trading. The world sighs in relief that it's all over. China produces one of your British Navies every two years. You're spent. You trashed your own economy in 2016. Get over it.
Dude, our forebears were fighting for the riches and privilege and prestige of the nobility and CROWN and Empire, of which our forebears owned precisely 0.00% of it.
@@musicilike69 Well, actually a lot of the riches went into creating fresh water supplies, sanitation, the rail networks, first tarmac roads etc. etc. - being one of the first countries in the world to do so. Also much wealth went into building the major towns and cities across the UK including Cathedrals, churches, civic buildings, museums, educational institutions, public parks and other places which are part of the fabric of our country and which we can all use and enjoy. in addition the riches also enabled the many major scientific discoveries from penicillin, vaccination against smallpox, polio and other horrific diseases to the telephone, tv, jet engine and World Wide Web that we are all British inventions and discoveries that have also massively benefitted the world. The modern world is built on many of these achievements. We benefit hugely from the riches, privilege, prestige and advances that our forebears worked and fought for. I am hugely grateful for all these massive benefits not only for the UK, but the whole world. We have much to be grateful for.
@@musicilike69 England was a broke nation until the industrial revolution. Just check the records they were living on loans and promises for hundreds of years like many other nations in Europe. The idea that all the colonies propped up England on a pedestal of enormous wealth is just stupid and wrong it was bankrupting them but the perception of power through territory was valuable. There would be no reason for them to pull resources from Ireland for example during one of the most damaging PR scandals of the entire history of the Empire if they were crazy rich. They did it because they were broke. The sugar-cane industry was producing 1% of income where the beer industry which was home grown was 3% and then you had to ship it internationally. My point is what they were doing was a long-term investment plan for progression through competition rather than other peoples just use money we have now for me strategies. I don't even like the British and I'd stand up for them because of their outlook on the world was not just to dominate but explore also. That's the important bit the exploration at any cost. How many Asian nation you think would have went to the moon if white people didn't exist? None is the answer. They sat 2k years on the compass as a religious device rather than using it for mapping the world.
I love how you saw the ref fire a gun at the start of the game and still didn't realise it was America xD Love from your buck toothed and trusty ally here in soggy old blighty x
The Blitz? In the eight months of attacks, some 43,000 civilians were killed. This amounted to nearly half of Britain's total civilian deaths for the whole war. One of every six Londoners was made homeless at some point during the Blitz, and at least 1.1 million houses and apartments/flats were damaged or destroyed. Half a million people - men, women and children, were injured, some with life-changing injuries. And in 1940, the populations of UK was just over 42 million. Present day population is around 67 million.
Its about time they had a suitable memorial. The inadequate stone slab hidden away in St Paul's churchyard is usually surrounded by rubbish left by tourists using it as a picnic bench.
My dad was in the Royal Artilliary during the war. He NEVER spoke about his experiences fighting the Japanese in India and Burma. He told me things in later life and I documented everything!! He and some colleagues were out on a patrol in the jungle and they heard a rustling sound..fearing it was Japanese soldiers, they readied themselves.....and a very large tiger calmly walked out of the trees and right across the path some ten feet infront of them!! My dad recalled that he swore his heart was beating so loudly that that tiger heard it!! He said it was a sight that he never forgot!! The tiger simply crossed and then bounded off into the trees on the other side!! I LOVE your channel guys! Love to all from the UK!!!!
It's funny how they only mention the more amusing anecdotes isnt it? My grandfather was in the Black Watch and was evacuated on the last ship departing Dunkirk in 1940 but the only stories he would tell about it were about how he had to shoot a can of corned beef because he couldnt get it open. This despite us knowing that his friend got blown up while they were walking together, he tried to pull the guy away and his upper half came and the lower half remained, as just one example. Also that time was an utterly terrifying time to be a British solider getting routed at every turn and literally being pushed into the sea by the Germans so he must have had a lot of stuff he never shared. He had a nervous breakdown years later and the war was the reason why. His medals are still in our family and I will proudly inherit and display them one day. He was a piper and was one of the Queen Mother's favoured pipers when she came to Scotland.
My grandfather was at Dunkirk then sent out to the Far East. He was captured and spent the rest of the war as a POW. From the camp he saw the mushroom cloud of one of the atomic bombs.
My dad was also in the Royal Artillery fighting in India and Burma.. He very rarely spoke about his experiences. He was in Burma when I was born and they named a field gun after me! It's actually my birthday today (12th) I won't say how old I am but just that I'm well stricken in years!!
as a British sad to see this and what the country has become now. knowing what the fought for is no longer there. if things don't change what they fought for will be lost
"What they fought for" is no better than "woke", it means whatever the user decides it means without being specific enough to discredit. Are you refering to the crumbling Empire? Do you mean British naval dominance and it's stranglehold on trade? British racial and moral superiority? Because these are all things covered by "what they fought for" and as a British citizen myself, they are all things I'm glad were lost.
@@ricardobimblesticks1489 No, he means the loss of freedom of speech,loss of values, people who live in this country that actually hate the way we are.
Much of this was filmed by War Correspondents. Positive footage would be shown in cinemas to raise the morale of the British people. Regarding the age of the soldiers, years ago, I organised a trip to a war cemetery in Bayeux, France. My students were wandering around looking at the gravestones. Soon, lots of them were crying at the loss of life, the majority of the dead were only a little older than the students. Later, they wrote in the visitor's book. I checked what they wrote...just in case. I ended up in tears because of the messages that they had left. Years later, I took my best friend to the National Memorial Arboretum not far from my home. There is a memorial to the British soldiers who were executed during the FWW for cowardice. We now know that they had had mental breakdowns. My friend looked at the names on the wooden posts which represent the posts to which the soldiers were tied before being shot. Suddenly, my friend was overwhelmed and could not stop crying because of the ages of most of the dead. War is definitely when young men die for old men's folly. I would recommend that you look for the video created by the National Memorial Arboretum. It covers many hectares and is full of memorials.
No it wasn't war correspondants thats more about writing and reporting back home and they never went into frontline battles like the camera men do. Their official name was AFPU or something like that.
And when you get right to the end of the Pathe newsreels and an upcoming election you know what the slogan was roughly? Things cannot go back to how they were. While the hero W Churchill wanted precisely that inc the workhouse and no access to a Doctor.
18 years isn't that unusual for a serving British soldier back then. The average age of a GI in Vietnam was 19, whereas the average age of a US soldier during WWII was aound 30. My grandfather, who was born in 1899, joined up at the age of 15 so he could fight alongside his father and brother, who both served in the Royal Horse Artillery and were both severely wounded at the Battle of Loos in 1915. My grandfather was shot and gassed at the Battle of the Somme when he was just 16, having already survived Gallipoli. My other grandfather was killed in 1941, having been one of the last officers to be rescued from Dunkirk, having been wounded early on in the rearguard action; and his younger brother, who was a bomber pilot with 36 SQN RAF, was killed six months earlier. The only surviving brother was the youngest, who flew Fairey Swordfish torpedo bombers and took part in one of the attacks against the Bismark. Frankly, it's a miracle any of them survived.
Hats off to your good folk.our lads went but money were killed by violence but of the bad flu 6 months after they got sent home,that was the first world war though.
WW2 UK rations per person, per week 4 ounces bacon or ham, 8 ounces of other meat, 2 ounces of butter, 2 ounces of cheese, 4 ounces of margarine, 4 ounces of cooking fat, 3 pints of milk, 8 ounces of sugar, 2 ounces of tea and 1 egg. Clothes and petrol was rationed, as was mentioned. My Mother used to use beetroot juice to stain her lips
The chance of getting real coffee during the war was slim so it was either chicory or Camp coffee which was basically dried chicory extract with a very small amount of coffee
@gillfox9899 I was born in 1958. I remember my dad making coffee for both of us in the mid 60s with Camp Coffee. He'd put evaporated milk in it too and sugar. I loved it. Bought a bottle of Camp Coffee a few years ago to relive the memory. Ugh, it tasted terrible 😂
We had been fighting Germany in WW2 for over two years before the States joined us. Similarly, in WW1 we had been fighting for two and a half years before America joined the effort to defeat Germany.
I feel so very touched to see your interest in the UK. I have also learnt a lot from your videos, especially this one. Thank you and every good wish from Surrey UK.
The British people suffered more than you will ever know- rationing, bombing - my Mother lost two homes in the blitz, children evacuated yet the people just got on with it, alone for the best part along with the commonwealth- and we only finished paying America back for their"help" in 2006- the other Nations given aid by America were forgiven their debts,but not us - in fact Britain sent America equipment believe it or not! Now you understand why we get annoyed when some of your citizens tell us you saved us during the war - for the most part I find this video quite patronising 🇬🇧🏴
This was very effective propaganda in 1944 when the Nazis were pumping out their own. After Pearl Harbor, the US declared war on Japan, not the Axis. It was Italy, then Germany, who declared war on the US. And the "Europe First" policy was counterintuitive for the US military. FDR adopted it only after Churchill flew to Washington to argue for it. The Soviet Union was massively involved in victory too - history is complicated!
@@sandgrownun66I know mate- the fascism isn't across the channel anymore it resides in no 10 Downing street along with the "mayor"of Londonstan 🇬🇧🏴
Amazing to think that despite being only slightly bigger than Idaho, the UK was once one of the greatest empires on earth and still heads the Commonwealth.
Yes. It's amazing. I think it was due to being ahead in science and technology, having a strong navy, and more independent business structures that created the East India company, for instance.
Thanks for reacting to this and taking an interest, and for the Americans to make this film at the time. You will see from the comments that we try to defend our grandparents and great grandparents' honour in the second world war because this country was out on its own for so long, standing up for what was right, and making a herculean effort, together with commonwealth nations. As a result, Britain suffered financially and rationing stayed for years afterwards. The USA deciding to join was a godsend, as was its skill in mass producing arms, vehicles etc. This is why America was the land of milk and honey in the 1950s, plus we had to buy war bonds etc. Over here at the same time there was a policy in British industry "export or die".
Yeah i would say the relaxed planning laws have put more pressure on neighbour relations, parking, privacy, not getting my bins emptied due to stupid space saving road design for example grr. Also even if you go for a walk in a national park or something you always see people. I dont like people 😊 so not cramped but not exactly spacious in England in particular, in my opinion.
The towns and cities are cramped , but in actuality, only 8-9% of land is built on - mainly because of planning regulations that forbid development on agricultural land and green belts around towns/cities.
Dear Lyndsey and Steve, Thank you so much for this video, you are a lovely couple. Lyndsey is so sweet! I'm nearly 84 and this film took me straight back to my early childhood, not much older than your own little daughter. Imagine a sunny school hall in February 1952, small children sitting on long benches, the Headmistress has an announcement - our dear King George V1 (our late Queen's father and yes that WAS her in that photo) has died. We all loved him. We all cried. I was born in late 1940 at the "real start" of WW2 for Britain's mainland" - the Maternity Hospital was on fire caused by an incendiary bomb. The babies carried outside by Firemen. My mother told us she had not slept properly for 6 weeks during heavy bombing of our area (we lived in the Midlands of England which had many huge engineering factories back then). But that 'sense' of stoicism is what made most of from back then grow up with great patriotism, because we were taught not to "give in". I DO remember Americans coming over, as my 2 older sisters had one or two dates with American servicemen at that time. The Americans were good us so my mother said, bringing foodstuffs we could NOT get hold of at that time - like real coffee! - we had to make do with 'bottled liquid coffee' - called "Camp" coffee. But Tea was our national favourite then. BTW that "300 miles only" from Germany? The English Channel is only about 22 miles ACROSS to the nearest point of the shore of France don't forget. Our late Queen Elizabeth11 was there all my life from my age of 11 and I still feel her loss. Thank you darling Lyndsey and Steve - you brought back my happy childhood to me, even though born in the war - it made little difference to 'young children' then - we didn't really know what it was all about - it was our parents and grandparents who felt the hardship. But on the whole society was nicer then - neighbours all knew each other and helped out. People were more patriotic and that made us all pull together. As a child of those times I love and respect Americans and thank all those who (later in the War) came to help us - we finished 'paying our War debt off' a few years ago. But many had lost their lives along with the our British, Canadians, Australians, NZ, and other Allies. Looking at the world today - I feel sad about the loss of all those young men and women of ALL the countries involved - what a "waste" of "whole generations" of young people in two World Wars. This is my own tribute to them.
Thank you for sharing this with us and your tribute paid. My parents would have been two years older than you and told me while things were tough they got on with it. The area where they lived is rural but not far from a major shipping port. Sometimes planes used to discharge their bombs into the fields before heading back to Germany and on one occasion a plane crashed into a field. While they couldn't recall if anyone was found, the plane became a bit of an 'adventure' to the local children, before it was taken away. I recall my dad telling me about the first time he saw and tasted banana which funnily enough he loved bananas after that despite having to wait a while before he saw the next one! I can remember Camp coffee as a child of the 60's which I think was made of chicory and think it is still around. Best wishes to you.
I find your videos fascinating, the reactions on your faces are just awsome and make me laugh. Yes, we were alone until December of 41 when America was forced into the war after Pearl Harbour. Even though you guys sent over a shed load of supplies through 1940 via ships, even though it kept getting sunk from the German Uboats, but at least some got through. Take care you two.
Why was Britain in N.Africa? It was of huge strategic importance. Whilst Britain was alone in terms of allies, we still had the empire and were able to call on troops and supplies from Australia, NZ, Canada, India, etc. Provided the supply lines were kept open. Egypt was part of the empire and also contained the Suez canal which was the short cut to India and the East, Australasia, etc. Anzac troops (Australia & Kiwi) played a major part of the N.Africa campaign and beating Rommel, considered the German's best general, at Tobruk, which was an essential port in N.Africa and the last defense before the Suez canal. It was Germany's first defeat on land in WWII and a major turning point. It's also important to realise Britan was seen as a beacon of hope for all the rest of Europe - a rallying point. People from conquered countries listened to BBC broadcasts, the British aided their resistance movements, those who escaped came to Britain to fight on against the Nazis. Many of the pilots in the Battle Britain were from these countries, especially the Poles and Czechs. The Poles also played a significant part in cracking the Enigma code. Quite a few poles who came to Britain during WWII stayed afterwards.
My fiancé's dad served in the air force in World War 2. He was a flight engineer on a Lancaster bomber. He was in 2 plane crashes during the war and was the sole survivor of the first one and lived till the ripe old age of 91.
America entered First World War on 6th April 1917, the actual war started on 28th Jul 1914. America entered Second World War on 1st December 1941 the war actually started on 1st September 1939.
And the Italians didnt finish either World War fighting on the same side they entered it! In WW1 they defected from the Allies to the Central Powers and in WW2 they defected from the Axis to the Allies.
Yes, but the US didn’t see action in North Africa until May 1942 (except for a few shots in Pearl Harbour, and I’m not sure when their airmen started bombing).
my late father in law was a navigator in the RAF and was shot down with his crew over Germany and was a prisoner for 5 years. His last camp was Stalag Luft 3, the home of The Great Escape. He survived the war and lived to his 90s. Towards the end of the war they were forced to march, 10,000 prisoners across Europe at gunpoint, in sub zero temperatures, they were finally liberated by Canadian soldiers when their captors surrendered and handed over the ones of them that survived the forced march.
My father was also a navigator - on Wellington and Lancaster bombers - in Polish RAF squadron 301. He was also shot down over Germany (parachute escape - Caterpillar Club) and also ended up in Stalagluft 3. 😊
The German guards of the 10,000 allied prisoners also wanted a meal after a few days on the road.... best to hand yourself over to the Canadians (or Brits or Americans) than the Russians.
Narrated by the Patriarch of the Canadian/American Huston acting dynasty - Walter Huston, father of American director/actor/screenwriter John Huston who made some classic films - usually starring Humphrey Bogart. Angelica Huston is the late John Huston's daughter.
I am old enough to remember when the only communication with the outside world was the valve radio which the family would gather round for news and entertainment unless one purchased a newspaper but that was it ,we would turn on the radio and wait 10-15 seconds for the valves to get hot enough before any sound. Today the availability of information is staggering but there is still restricted information of course and not all of it is military. Our politicians are mistrusted today more than ever because more of their dishonesty has been revealed, though wonder if the political dishonesty was at the same level back then when were were told much less ,we may never know.
My grandad was with the Royal Engineers, 8th Army Desert Rats, and fought in North Africa and Italy. I have his war medals, The Africa Star and the Italy Star. I am so proud that he fought with one of the most famous army divisions.
A lot of people don't realise how close a lot of places in mainland Europe are. Dusseldorf is 300 miles away from London which actually makes it closer to London than Edinburgh at 332 miles.
The most important piece of the story is THE Battle of Britain during Septmber of 1940 when the RAF fought the Luftwaffe over southern England. Had the Luftwaffe succeeded in destroying the RAF Hitler would certainly have invaded Britain. It really doesn't bear thinking about.
Well, it is important to note that if they did, they'd likely be stopped by the Royal Navy and would be starved out pretty quickly. The German invasion was a very crazy dream (their landing boats were utter rubbish for instance.)
That really isn't true. Gaining air superiority was the first step. But then they would have to hold the channel from the RN long enough to land several divisions at least, that was a monumental task in itself. Not really possible, although the RN would have suffered losses to Luftwaffe, the German navy was tiny in comparison to the RN. It would not of been possible to hold the channel for the number of days needed. Then even if they did manage to para drop or land they would need to capture a major port and hold it quickly for re-supply. They did not have purpose built landing craft, only small boats and barges. The barges were not really capable of going across the channel and landing troops well. They would sink in high waves. The whole operation was ill thought out and impractical. In short they could not have done it, without first stopping the RN.
My great uncle fought in north africa and was a member of the Coldstream guards he had both little toes amputated to join and became rqm his name is arthur hough i remember him as a smart tall big man
There was a tv series (factual) called World at War. It depicts what WW2 and its horrors were really about. It has the most haunting music and even hearing it now gives me the shivers.
The war in North Africa was about control of Mediterranean shipping and the Suez Canal, connecting Britain with her Empire, which the Germans wanted to choke off. The US also fought in North Africa, which was among the first great strategic victories of the war in 1943, when the tide was beginning to turn in favour of the Allies.
The Washington statue was a gift from the USA in 1921 when relations were strong (compared to the time of Civil War of course). It was rumoured that Washington had once vowed he would never set foot on British soil again, to honour that we imported soil from Virginia to erect his statue on.
i remember a school trip to belgium that involved a ferry from dover to calais, at the midway point you could very clearly see both coastlines, even through a bit of mist/fog! totally blew me away because you imagine the channel being so much bigger from the maps. people regularly swim across the channel too as a challenge! only takes a couple hours
Having experience of both the UK & USA education systems, there’s no doubt in my mind which is,generally speaking, ‘better.’ The USA system reminds me of a type of propaganda, where students are, on average, taught matters from a USA perspective only and with emphasis put on the ‘aren’t we the greatest, we saved the world, we’re the best at everything & everybody wants to be like us’ attitude. Most students fall for it, which in a way, isn’t their fault.
Lyndsey, you always start me off when you get emotional 🥹 My grandfather fought in the war and he suffered the rest of his life with lung issues. He never spoke of the war to me as I grew up but I still feel very proud of him. This was great and you two are great. Love you guys 😊 Looking forward to tomorrow. Suzie in London 🇬🇧
If it was not for Pearl Harbour, many believe that, the US would have only gone to War with Japan, due to US territories and interests being over run by the Japanese. The US would of joined the European Wars but not an till at least 1943 or even 1944. This was written down on a leaked 1940's US Congress Paper (according to my grandfather, Royal Navy) Many others at varied US and UK Institutions point out that it would not have been that late in the War, but maybe later part of 1942. What would of happened if Pearl Harbour was never bombed?
Pearl Harbour was the reason the USA got involved at all. They only got involved in the European theatre of war because Germany declared war on the USA after the USA declared war on Japan.
We were already unofficially at war with German shipping and heavily supplying the allies. There’s a reason Hitler declared war on the USA first, they wanted a chance to openly fight us.
16:05 we were in North Africa because the Italians were. Rommel was there to help the Italians and keep them on the Axis side. It was also about the control of the Suez canal (vital to Britian and her supplies and troops) and the oil and raw materials in the middle east.
09:42 The reason that the coffee (and for that matter, food) was so bad in Britain in WW2 was that it came by sea, and the U-boats were playing havoc with the convoys. A lot of good men - including American merchant seamen - died to keep Britain supplied.
That and we drank steamed and instant coffee whereas the US was used to cheap filter coffee that first became popular during the Great Depression (they would get a lot more used to instant coffee as it was introduced to the US Army rations in 1941). It wasnt until the 70's that steamed coffee became popular in the US. Filter coffee is a lot weaker than steamed coffee with less of a kick, so US taste palettes probably couldn't handle it.
@@sandgrownun66 So glad they weren't all like you or they probably wouldn't have bothered. They'd have been too busy crying and whinging about how done by they were. Sorry to everyone else but getting sick of these comments about our nation. It may be going through a bad time but whinging has never helped anyone.
@@suekennedy883 Actually, you're wrong, Sue. As unlike you, there are countless people who venerate those who gave the supreme sacrifice to stop Britain being invaded by hostile forces. Many of those brave men wouldn't believe the state of the UK now, due to demographic change. They wouldn't recognise London and the other cities of especially, England, as even being English anymore. At least the Germans were a worthy foe, and were resisted by any means possible. "It may be going through a bad time but whinging has never helped anyone." Unfortunately, unlike WWII, it's not going to get any better, Sue. Under the current Uniparty. It's only only going to become worse. At least the US has a solution for this issue of open borders. Without a secure border you don't have country. Uncle Trump has promised to return the millions of unwanted guests back to their countries of origin. So if the political will is there, it can be done. The only problem is that the UK will never have a leader as dedicated to fixing the problem as he is.
@@sandgrownun66 Many of those men were the forebears of the people you don't deem fit to live here. You're welcome to your views. I know other people share them but many don't. As far as the US goes - there was a study in the US about 10 years ago showing that if all illegals were ousted from New York most restaurants, cafes, fast food places, hotels would have to close down and only the wealthy would be able to afford to visit the ones that remained. Same in many major cities. That will make life so much better for Americans I'm sure. You have a good day now.
I know there are negative comments on here about the US and the situations during WW2. None of that is your fault. You are very enthusiastic Americans who want to learn, and your interest is greatly appreciated. Your reactions and comments are welcome. Isn't that better than encountering Americans who don't want to know? I know who I prefer.
My parents both came from an island called Jersey (part of the Channel Islands), located off the coast of France. It is comes under the British Isles, it was the closest the Germans came to getting to Britain. Hitler was going to use it as a stepping stone and fortified the islands, My Grandfather was born in France and was conscripted into the French army. He was captured by the Germans and was sent to a POW camp. He escaped and was caught and returned to the camp, undeterred he escaped again and was recaptured when he was heading to Paris and ran into his Mother and Aunt leaving Paris. He convinced them to go back, they found an abandoned barn to spend the night in, but a Catholic priest had spotted them and turned them into the Germans. The next morning they were woken up by German soldiers and my Grandfather was arrested. The Germans said he would not escape again and sent back to the German controlled Island. He was supposed to report to the Germans weekly but he used to send my Mother (eight years old) to go and report in town a few miles for him. She had a run in with an SS female officer when she accidently bumped into her when she was coming down some stairs. She remembers the leather overcoat the SS wore.The Islanders suffered from the lack of food, but the Red Cross sent parcels to the Island but the Germans wanted them for themselves. Not known to a lot of people is that the Germans used prisoners from internment camps to dig the trenches and build the fortifications of the Channel Islands. There is a story of an Islander that used to go and watch the prisoners dig the trenches for the fortifications, he always wore an overcoat and stood at the side of the trench.Unbeknown to the Germans he had potatoes' in his coat and was dropping into the trench for the prisoner's. My father and my uncle had a crystal radio set and used to listen to the BBC broadcasts, had the Germans found out they probably would have been shot.
The US only ever joined WW2 in Europe because in the aftermath of Pearl Harbour, the US obviously declared war upon Japan and then in turn Hitler declared war upon the US as at the time, Nazi Germany had an axis alliance with Japan. Between June 1940 and June 1941 Britain stood almost alone. I say almost because we were the only major power fighting Nazi Germany. We did thankfully have the support of such as Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa etc but..... Russia did not enter WW2 on the allies side until June 1941 after Germany started to invade Russia. (Something that the British had found out was about to happen and tried to warn Stalin about, but in his suspicion, Stalin disbelieved the British warning only for Germany to start the invasion of Russia a short time later). The US did not enter the European theatre of WW2 until December 1941. This was, as earlier stated, in response to Hitler declaring war upon the US. Before this there was great resistance in the US towards joining WW2 after what had happened in WW1.
I live next to a cemetry and its one of the Commonwealth War grave sites. I was in hospital during the d-day anniversary a little while back and only got the chance to go and pay my respects a few weeks ago. I was shocked at how young the lads that perished were. A lot of them were between 18-25.
So when I was in Junior school, (about 9 years old) we studied WW2 in a roundabout way. But I'll never forget my teacher at that time. Her father was there for the liberation of a concentration camp. I vaguely remember her saying it was one of the first liberated. And then she described what her dad saw there. An eye-opening and unforgettable experience, but one I am glad to have heard, even if just to keep the memory of those poor folks alive for a bit longer.
Technically from the tip of Kent to the most westerly part of Germany is about 300 miles, but it’s still a very misleading statement. London is 700 miles from Berlin, and that is a more accurate representation.
I have been following your videos for a while now and would like to thank you for showing and discussing all the positive attributes the United Kingdom have achieved in the past. It is so refreshing to see non-British people recognising the actual good Britian has made. Also, I once was told that a person that makes no mistakes never learns anything. Thank you
16:56 We weren't fighting alone as such. We had some allies from Canada, Australia, NZ, Africa and India as well as 'free' troops from occupied areas of Europe such as France and Poland. But even then we were massively outnumbered and outgunned.
Just an observation about the general STRIKE: The UK did have a general (male) strike and it halted the entire country....... Iceland has a general (female) strike very recently and guess what - productivity went UP.....
I really appreciate you both showing such an interest into this time in British history; an interest I have recently started showing much more interest in. I found out 10 years ago that my grandfather worked at Bletchley Park decoding the German messages etc. he never talked about it as many were sworn to secrecy for years after. This is a fascinating area you may also wish to look into at some point 😊
What this doesn't include is Northern Ireland which which built a load of ships, rope, planes and food for the war effort along with troops. Outside of London Belfast suffered the biggest death toil in one Night with just over a 1000 people killed. Almost every town just like in England, Wales and Scotland will have a war memorial for WWI and WWII. Very proud of my Grandfather and his brother who were both paratroopers in the 1st and 6th Airborne Division and on my mums side great grandfather was in one of the many Irish regiments.
Also there were all volunteers and weren't conscripted along with our friends from the Republic of Ireland who deserted the Irish army or just thought it was the right thing to do so decided to fight for the UK.
Every town has a war memorial for WW1. A few villages (Thankful Villages) in England and Wales do not, and there are 3 in Wales and 50 in England which do not. 14 of those English villages have no memorial for WW2 as well. No village in Scotland is without a war memorial. The village of Glenorchy had no soldiers return after WW1 and none again in WW2.
I am always amazed at how uninformed so many Americans are about the world outside their boundaries. So I am impressed with your efforts to broaden your horizons and learn and appreciate what goes on in other regions of the world. Britain did not fight alone. The many countries of the Commonwealth contributed to the cause - as much as they could, especially troops, depending on their size and resources. For example : 1.1 million Canadians enlisted in the forces; , Canada built its navy to become the third largest by the end of the war and provided essential protection for the Atlantic convoys; Canada manufactured aircraft (transport, bombers, fighters) and ships (navy & freighters), supplied tanks, guns and ammunition, food and clothing., etc. Australia & India sent what they could in troops and supplies until the threat of Japan forced them to focus on south-east Asia.
In a toxic world of social media it’s easy to forget how similar our nations are. Cousins across the pond for sure! I would like to recommend you look up the siege of Malta during WW2. The islanders showed such resolve that I believe the entire island was awarded with the Victoria Cross. Still a very strong bond of kinship between the British and Maltese people
Hi Cousins, Yes we were "All In" in 1939, Winston Churchill galvanised Britain and told us in speeches we would fight to the death but we would never surrender ! My Parents were so tough, they didnt let things get to them and just got on with life however tough it became. The WW2 generation were special. I lived in the US for many years and as a British/American I loved my time in your country. God bless our colonial cousins in America and God bless Britain. Cheers, Mick.
Britain "fought alone" whilst true to a certain degree in the sense that "Britain was the last major power which was not under occupation". It does leave out the large number of soldiers from countries like India, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Barbados, France, Belgium, Netherlands, Poland, Czechoslovakia, Norway who all fought along side the British, especially pilots who fought in the Battle of Britain like the No. 401, No 74, No. 236, No, 609, No 303, No 310, among many more It also leaves out the efforts of resistance fighters in occupied countries who undermined German operations and provided information
@@StealingYourInfoDOTcc Seriously?? Massive disrespect to so many nationalities and reeks of entitlement. The UK was not fighting the Axis alone. Fact. Almost certainly without the Commonwealth, the UK would have fallen. Although minor, the many European volunteers in the British Army, Air Force and Navy and partisans across Europe, fought and died, with as much if not more, commitment to defeating Fascism. Stating the UK was alone in Europe, in 1940, is stating the bl***ing obvious, but creates a misleading narrative of epic heroism. So it is not about the suffering, damage done, people killed etc. It is about the contributions so many made.
Australia declared war on Germany the same day as the UK. Canada a little later New Zealand also. The Greeks fought with UK troops against the Germans as did Norwegians. Churchill asked Europe to rise against the Germans & many did and died. There was the Empire with Indian troops & others. In Burma my Uncle swore by the Ghirkas while many Burmese fought with the UK. The famous woman democratic leader is the daughter of one such. There were Polish & other European pilots (see Squadron 303 or is it 606) in the Air Force. Also with American volunteers. We were never alone not for one day. Churchill said that for propaganda purposes knowing it was untrue but since then ultra nationalists have picked up on it..
I agree, my parents both were in the RAF during WW2. My mum was in the weather services on the bases (including those with Canadian air force pilots), and my dad in India and Burma (and he was very respectful of the Indian servicemen).
Aung San Suu Kyi`s father was the leader of the Burma Independence Army that fought alongside the Japanese AGAINST the British not with them. The anti-Japanese militias were from the ethnic minority Shan, Karen a Kachin peoples. These same minorities are now battling the Burmese military dictatorship.
We were alone from a nation perspective, it was just Britain against the Germans. Many individuals from other countries, particularly Canada, Poland , other Commonwealth countries and the USA volunteered and many joined the RAF.
I'm a Brit and while not deying America became our ally in WW2 I would point out that it was not out of the kindness of their hearts. Rather America had no choice as nor did Russia, both these countries became involved in WW2 because Germany declared war on them. Britain was the only one of the allied countries that became involved in WW2 of it's own volition, all the rest had war declared on them by Germany. Since this time in every war America has been involved in and asked for help Britain has been there. Not one of these wars has been for American territory. When Britain had a war over the Falkland Islands,(British territory), and asked for American aid - America wouldn't even let us refuel our aircraft on American soil, or supply our ships. So let's be clear, Britain has continuously been America's ally over the years but it don't show the other way at all!!!
Exactly! Britain's definition of an ally is someone you can turn to and rely on when needed and help them when they need it. America's definition of an ally is just someone you can sell weapons to!
France?
Thank goodness, after leaving Vietnam Britain didn't come back to help the US.
Pearl Harbour.
Russia was actually Germany's ally and took part in the invasion of Poland that started WW2. Only when AH turned on them, when he failed to invade the UK, did Russia became an ally.
You're right that the USA was very reluctant to help us up to the end of of 1941 even though we stood alone against Germany in Europe. Had we not had support from the then Empire, it's doubtful we could have withstood the German attempt to defeat and invade us.
It makes me so annoyed that Americans seem to be taught that the war only really started when they joined - we went through hell. And they only joined because of Pearl Harbour.
To make matters worse, the British warned the US that Pearl Harbour was going to be attacked and they ignored it.
I suppose the Chinese get really annoyed at us thinking WW2 started in 1939..
And then only got involved in the European theatre because Hitler declared war on the USA.
It was no small thing for the US to voluntarily join a war halfway across the world that didn't really affect them. Nowadays we're used to America acting like the world's policeman. They can decide to offer military aid anywhere on earth and be there in a few hours and nobody at home is affected, but in the 40s it was very different. Joining the war meant shifting the entire nation's economy into war mode for years, and sending millions of soldiers and sailors and support staff abroad, against major powers who were their technological equals, at a time when getting boots on the ground in Europe or Asia meant sailing across oceans infested with deadly u-boats. The US had intervened in WW1 at tremendous cost in a conflict that didn't involve them, and 20 years later the same European countries were back at war again. There was understandable reluctance to get involved. Think about how NATO countries including Britain have so far refused to become embroiled in Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
@@reluctantheist5224It did, because 1939 was when the majority of countries got involved. What happened prior to that was war between China and Japan.
Morale of the story, the Brits are fierce. Best tacticians in the world also, which now teach tactics to their allied countries. Might be a small country but we cant be topped.
3 things we've learned through practice: War, espionage and convincing people we're not a threat. Making folk laugh while we pick their pocket.
and arrogant as hell. that's how you know america has a british origin, it the biggest thing they got in common XD
I wish I could agree bit your talking about my grandads and great grandads generation when this was England, there's no tactics anymore no army and not one young person will8ng to do what they did , this is not england anymore it's a mixed place of 6ft h8gh walls no neighbourhood and where I am 40 percent of people not even born here or still even have been bought up to love the motherland , sectarian voting , woke shit and political crap has created a totally un united kingdom ffs half of Ireland ain't even part of it anymore , no commonwealth,, basically no wealth we have given all what our forefathers and for mothers died for in that war away 😢 long live the oh she's dead too .. fuk
I think that place has been replaced by Ukraine
The US forces that killed bin laden were trained by the British special forces
The US has just mourned the deaths of 9/11 and rightly so. But so many people forget that the UK lost 43,500 civilians due to bombing in 9 months. That's nearly 5000 every month!!
It continued throughout the war and got very hot again in 1944 with the arrival of the v-1 and v-2 rockets.
3,500 people died in The Troubles. With much of the financing and arms coming from the USA.
@wessexdruid7598 With prominent members of both US parties voting to make an exception and allow Gerry Adams to enter the US on a fundraising tour. Imagine if the UK went out of it way to allow Bin-Laden to do such.
@@wessexdruid7598 they never really talk about funding terrorism for some reason. New York City was a hotbed of orange men. I asked some American friends about it and they had no answer and just looked blank, another part of history that wont end up in history books.
@@aaropajari7058 NORAID was funded by public figures in the US including Movie stars.
As much as we like to claim we fought alone in 1940, it's a huge insult the many Commonwealth nations who immediately jumped to our aid, and the governments in exile that came and bolstered our defence.
Britain might have been the only country directly getting bombed, but Canadian sailors and Polish pilots were giving their lives during that time.
It’s an insult to both our European and Commonwealth allies.
remember this is a propaganda film not a history documentary designed to promote the US war effort. i know they address this later in the film
Churchill decided to continue the war,whether the commonwealth,or anyone else helped. Alone,if necessary.
By alone it's meant that there were no other European countries and no America- it's taken for granted that the commonwealth were included in the fighting so don't take away the biggest sacrifice of your own people - you sound like the woke brigade trying to make British people, specifically English people feel ashamed of who they are 🏴🏴🏴🏴🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧
This is only half of the film, the second half shows all that n great detail.
As dutch man... thank you UK.
we love u hollanders
No thank you for all the love & care you give to the graves of Allied soldiers & airmen and those of the UK that fell there. You also suffered greatly & such horrors as the Hunger Winter.
I'm from the UK and that gives me so much pride. Holland is a great country too!
have you seen the documentary with guy martin,about a dutch team who recovered a shot down RAF plane out at sea? dank u vel.
cheer's brother,, ex service, still have huge respect for those guy's
I have seen both the original of this and about a dozen reactions to it on UA-cam over the years.
As a Brit the one thing that REALLY annoys me is the question in the voice-over "How did John Britain get on our team?"
OUR team?!!! Listen, buddy, we had been at war since 3rd September 1939, exactly 2 years, 3 months and 4 days before you lot joined in after the Pearl Harbor attack.
So no, we were not on YOUR team. You were on OURS! 😉
Not calling us "Britishers" not Britons?
@@Doctor_Who_RocksBritishers is a legitimate option
@@andypandy9013 yes andypandy , 2 years is a long time , Britain (and commonwealth) was without usa when war was declared with Germany , although it had been brewing for years , many events in Europe etc , USA were trying to get their economy up and conveniently stayed out , was this due to German supporters within USA ? Was that the same reason some refused to believe Japan had attacked pearl harbour ?, what most get is a summary of ww2 but there were a lot of things going on that I didn't know about till I read some books of before and years after it ,
@@andypandy9013 For the families who suffered and died because of the V1 and V2 rocket programme, from the slave labour that built it to those blown up in their own homes or in the shops, the way the war criminal Wernher von Braun was given safe passage to the USA for their space project upset a lot of people in Europe. On the other hand outstanding humans like Benjamin Ferencz prosecuted war crimes at Nurnberg. Von Braun still leaves a bad taste in my mouth every time I see evidence of what his weapons did around and about me, some within a couple of hundred yards. One side of the street is mid-Victorian terraces, the other side was completely obliterated by a V2 in 1944. I can't entirely separate NASA from von Braun.
Yes and initially I had the same reaction then on considering who this film was made for had a greater understanding of why it was necessary to word it in that manner. It was about drawing the US public and servicemen/women into the same mindset, not necessarily for British consumption.
Did you know that the USA made Britian pay for them to get involved in the war? Those repayments only ended in 2006.
No they didn't Japan made thr US get involved, the US just sold war materials to us russia and Germany
Did you know the *UK never repaid its WW1 debt until the WW2 debt was repaid.
Yep. Lend-lease
And I would imagine zero Americans know this. Disgusting to be honest.
@@richardcheese5839 it's usual in war. Germany finished paying reparations to Great Britain in 2015. Lots of countries are lend leasing to Ukraine at the moment.
Lets not forget fellow Brits we are not much about the issues in our own history. I am impressed with this sincere and lovely couple that mad the effort to watch this and learn. They sincerely expressed their respect for us and what could be sensed was a disappointed bewilderment that their own nation had allied with us until much later. I hope they realise it was their Government and not the people as many citizens did want the US to join and many men crossed the border to Canada joined their Armed Forces, mainly the RCAF and came and fought with us. Thanks to Reacting To My Root for making these videos and for your interest in our history.
@@kitkat8265 I totally agree. The spirit of curiosity and looking beyond their geographic location. My favourite reaction video team.
and even more voted against..fact
Definitely those of us kids of the Silent Generation in the US, particularly those with war brides, knew the history. Far too many Americans were giving aid and comfort to Hitler and thought that fascism was the answer in the US. I think FDR wanted to enter the war and needed an excuse to do so. Germany provided that excuse as did Japan. Met US pilots who joined the RAF growing up.
Let's not gloss over the REALITY.
FDR tried REALLY HARD to convince the US to join in the war. He risked becoming completely unelectable because the majority of the US population was strongly isolationist - right up until Pearl Harbor, funnily enough!
I'm not saying that there weren't SOME Americans who joined up waaay before they had to, but OVERALL the government lead the people in this instance NOT the other way round!
@@IExpectedBSJustNotThisMuchBSone of those rabiate Hitler fans was Charles Lindberg..
My father was a British WW2 Commando and was part of the Spearhead in Europe. He met my mother in Belgium during the liberation, she was a teacher/ambulance driver and was a native belgian. They married in 1946. All he said about the war was " It was like Hell". He never spoke of the war after that. RIP my mother 1984, and father 1986 . Both Heroes.
Well said, my Dad served with the Guards in the War like many other young men he had never been overseas some not far from their home town so it was a shock for most what they saw and experienced, i know Dad was affected by what he saw especially Belsen.
@@Coolerman565 Your dad, another Hero.
God Rest Their Souls, and thank you from someone whose own parents went through WW2, (my father was on HMS King George V, during the Bismark campaign). That was truly an amazing generation.
I am so happy that your mother survived the occupation, it must have felt like all that was dear to people was lost at the time The people were so brave, Audrey Hepburn was an example of that I understand
Not every generation lives on in the minds and hearts of those who follow, but your mother & and all the others like her will 🙋♀️🇬🇧🇧🇪💖
One of my grandfathers was in WW1 aged 15, the other in WW2. Neither said a word about them.
@@Coolerman565 Why did they bother? More young men have been landing in southern England, than the Germans planned to set ashore in 1940.
The US only joined the Allies 2 yrs and 3 months after WWII began. Up to then, the Allies comprised the UK and its Commonwealth allies, notably Canada, India, Australia, New Zealand, S Africa, and the Caribbean islands, plus some forces which escaped the Nazi invasion from Norway, Poland, France, the Netherlands, etc. The UK wasn't alone, but neither the Soviets nor the Americans joined until they were themselves attacked.
At that time period, those weren't allies. Canada, Australia, etc.... WERE part of the UK by legal considerations of the time.
The UK was the only European nation who stood against the Nazi Regime, after France fell.
@@Great_Cthulhu Read a history book
@@Great_Cthulhu AT that time THEY were technically “self governing dominions” (i.e. of the monarchy) and laws could not be passed for them in London, at least not without their consent. They were supposedly independant countries in all but name. But in fact the British - Prince Charles being instrumental - threw out a democratically elected Australian Prime Minister as late as 1975. They did it somewhat covertly, but they did it. So in fact probably Westminster did in effect decide that these countries would join the war.
But so many Australians, Canadians and New Zealanders in 1914 were first and second generation Brits that they were quite enthusiastic (it would be “all over by Christmas”, remember.) The second time, the populations of these countries were not necessarily so keen. But they understood better than Americans what a threat Nazism was to their own way of life.
@@1justme Those semi independent free dominions all chose, within days of the start of the war, to declare war on Germany to silupport the mother country. India and all the rest of the Empire had no choice and were in it from the moment we declared war on 3.9.39.
Hitler made the mistake of thinking that a little country could be taken easily.... HUGE MISTAKE
We'll fight you for every inch of this truly remarkable country 🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧
LOL, and it seems now that it was all for nothing, we just invite the enemy in 😂
It's literally being taken over right now
And when the Nazis rolled up to France, the french merely said “ah the Nazi party, let me show you to your table”
The myth about British food being bland comes from this tome. US military based here would have eaten food under rationing conditions. For some reason this fallacy still exists.
Time not tome
Most of the stereotypes come from this time. Most of them (food aside) were inaccurate even then.
@adamaalto-mccarthy6984 *Time, not "tome".
This said, compared to many other nations, I think we still probably do tend to season our food less or more simplistically... I think we appreciate subtlety in general... Although now and then we like to go a bit crazy too, hence the love of Indian food... Although we probably tend to eat toned down versions compared to the Indians themselves...
Our food probably isn't as bland as people say, but in some ways maybe?
@@KitsyX I suspect we use more herbs in our food rather than spices (in the traditional foods) so those used to throwing spices in to everything probably found the more subtle flavours bland. I know some people even today who grow their own herbs.
We were not alone, theCommonwealth supported us.
The commonwealth didn't really have much benefit military wise, they were great allies and provided vast amounts of raw materials but against Germany in the air and sea they weren't really there outside some of a few air wings
Well, the Commonwealth now, but then it was the Empire. A friend's father was in The West African Rifles, was demobbed here at the end of WW2 and stayed here. A lot of soldiers were from India (which became India and Pakistan in 1947). Apart from that we also had very brave Polish airmen and the Free French Army. We never fought alone, it's a myth.
@@mrcaboosevg6089 Three million people? Not really there? PSHAW!
@@HJJSL-bl8kk Fighting abroad for your own land, i wouldn't consider that fighting for Britain. They weren't in Britain fighting the Germans
@@mrcaboosevg6089 Last time I looked the Nazis only invaded the Channel Islands and no actual land battle was fought on British soil. There is a reason it's called the Second World War not the British German War. My father in law (Royal Engineers) fought in Europe and later in Burma with the Chindits. He would get apopleptic about the Britain fought alone myth. He was a sapper long before the war, not a conscript. Despite war initially being declared by Britain we already had a huge infrastructure supported by the Empire. Human resources as well as mineral ones. He also got apopleptic about The Forgotten War ie outside Europe. VE Day is even now commemorated more than VJ Day.
I'm sure it's been mentioned but you guys need to watch the world at war series from the 1970s.
Probably the best documentary series ever made
I second this... EVERYONE should watch it. In its entirety.
An American musician I once saw said the major difference between Americans and Brits, is that Americans think 100 years is a long time, and the Brits think 100 miles is a long way!
🤣👍
@@TheDagda1000🤡👍🏻
Brits travel the world more than Americans. They always have done. Popular places to take vacations include places as far away as Australia, New Zealand, India, Thailand, Africa and even places in the closer US, such as New York and Florida in the East or anywhere such as California on the West Coast. Oh, and of course we like to see our neighbors in mainland Europe. I drove 102 miles each day to work but I never thought that was a long time but just a waste of my time adding up to 2 hours each end of my working day, unless I journeyed by train.
That's old that one
@@stevenmclaren2730 So am I 😀
The Blizt was like having 9/11 every day of the week, for months, but the bombing was all over the country.
For years. All the manufacturing and port areas were heavily bombed, from the south coast to Scotland, east coast to west. V1s and V2s were falling in 1945.
Funny enough Belfast also got hit which I never knew.
Very sad and scary! And to think about all the rich history that was destroyed because of it...
@@reactingtomyroots Many UK cities were devastated. Beautiful cities which are now concrete eyesores.
@@samuel10125 Thousands dead in 2 raids around Easter 1941. 50,000 homes damaged or destroyed..50% of the housing stock in Belfast.
My Father was born in East Belfast around the time of the Belfast Blitz. Had a bomb landed 100m up the street.. I wouldn't have been here.
Thank you for this, as a British person who’s great grandfather was an American pilot in the war, I feel so much pride in this island what we achieved
George Washington stated that he never wanted to stand on England's soil again. When the US sent us his statue (because, I assume, Washington was an ex Brit) we asked the US to send us soil from America - so, when erected, Washington's statue did not break his vow. Abraham Lincoln sent us copies of his statue to thank the British people for their help in his quest to end slavery in his country. Workers in Manchester, for example, employed in the cotton mills, mostly women I believe, refused to process any cotton produced by slaves. These workers were VERY poor people, with families, who risked death through starvation and/or permanently losing their jobs at the mills. Abraham Lincoln sent them his statue and a letter thanking them for all they had done to help him emancipate the slaves.
So interesting - I'm learning so much by following this channel!
Wow! That's an incredibly beautiful act of honor in reference to putting Washington's statue on "American soil." 🥹
@@reactingtomyroots The Lancashire Cotton Famine of 1862-1863 was a period of hardship in Lancashire, England, that was directly linked to the American Civil War and slavery:
The cause
The Union blockade of Confederate ports during the American Civil War prevented raw cotton from reaching Britain's cotton mills.
The impact
The famine led to unemployment and starvation for many cotton workers.
The response
Despite the suffering, many cotton workers supported the abolition of slavery. In 1862, Lancashire mill workers refused to handle raw cotton picked by US slaves. Iv known this from Manchester In 1863, The US President wrote to the 'working men of Manchester' thanking them for their anti-slavery stance theres a statue of Lincoln in Manchester too.
Would rather have a statue of Abraham Lincoln than George Washington though.
@@janolaful At the very start of the ACW the CONFEDRACE embargoed the sale of cotton. They thought that the lack of cotton for the mills would encourage their recognition by the European powers. It did not work & was quickly dropped, but then the Union established the blockade. Which resulted in a smuggling trade of cotton for arms, supplies & luxuries.
Afraid Britain didn't 'help America carry the ball' as the vid said. Brave Scottish, Irish, Welsh and English men and women had been carrying the ball alone and America eventually helped them carry it
Sorry, Tracy but your brave Scottish, Irish, Welsh, and English, were not alone. You had lots of help from Canadians, Australians, New Zealanders, Indians, and many other Commonwealth troops, also Poles, Norwegians, Dutch, and French soldiers who had not been captured by the Nazis. They all fought to preserve freedom and were often overlooked, so Britain never carried the ball alone.
@scottnewton9060 I should have made myself clearer, I meant in the battle for the British Isle. As you rightly point out there were many battles fought by many countries bravest but I meant in relation to America and this video
@@scottnewton9060 I think the point was, America only joined when it suited them, an alternative history might have seen America join the Nazis....if it had also suited them.....
@@tracymuckle8512 20% of battle of Britain pilots were not British.
Poland: 145 pilots (~5% of total force)
New Zealand: 135 pilots
Canada: 112 pilots
Czechoslovakia: 88 pilots
Belgium: 28 pilots
Australia: 32 pilots
South Africa: 25 pilots
France: 13 pilots
United States: 9 pilots
*Those 9 Americanpilots where forbidden by American law to fight, but they flew anyway.
@@spacexvanityprojectslimite3315 "Amercia might have joined the nazis" no, there 0% chance that ever happended. Even the facist elements in amercia were actually pro war and wanted to fight germany now
My Great Grandfather died during the Blitz on London in 1941. He was a fireman and he left behind his wife and 13 children. I can't even begin to imagine what they all went through and the family never talked about it. I don't know why, but they just got on with it. I only found out myself 2 years ago due to tracing my family tree. My mothers first memory is being taken underground to the tube station at Bethnal Green (London) during the Blitz for safety.
My grandparents were in the same tunnel. My grandmother helped deliver a baby whilst hiding down there
@@kitts1234 Can't imagine how hard it was
We were not completely alone, men from many commonwealth countries came to volunteer very early on..
It's a shame some people conveniently forget that fact in this day and age.. with something like 200 Commonwealth countries? That was a lot of men.. Plus the people from that same Commonwealth who were asked to come over to help build the country back up after the war.. doing jobs that there were not enough men to do, or jobs the men who were there didn't want to do... I could go on..
RAF Bomber Command had 62 different nationalities - including Americans See International Bomber Command Centre, near Lincoln for more info
@@KC-gy5xw the 1st part of your comment is correct the 2nd part could not be more wrong if you tried. after the war we had enough manpower being demobbed & a lot of married woman who wanted to continue to work so we had no need to import anybody to rebuild the country. those that came especially from the carribean came for their own economic reasons there was next to no work @ home for them so came here to earn money. the mass influx came in the early 60's when barbados in particular had mass unemployment so their government asked ours to take a lot of their youth who were unemployed & starting to cause problems train them & give them work, which we agreed to do london transport agreed to take a fair sized amount as long as barbados paid for their 1st years employment which it did.so it was us that did carribean governments a favour not them doing us one.
further to my earlier reply i was born st thomas hospital lambeth in 1956 & grew up in brixton started work in 71 worked with people from the carribean i asked them why they left a hot country to come to a wet miserable coldish country their reply there was no work @ home so came to make a life for themselves.
Of course the Empire soldiers were with us. They were family. We owe them so much and also the refugees from France, Norway, Poland and the other occupied countries.
Thank you guys, this was a very nice gesture towards us Brits.
A big thank you.
Britain wasn't completely alone we had the commonwealth or its equivalent, Australia, Canada, India, and many other countries, we may have stood alone as a country but we stood together as a international community, those that stood with us should be recognise and what was left of the allied army also came to Britain to keep fighting.👌🐱16:31 Officially WWll started in 1939 for us in Britain, earlier for most of Europe and even when we campaigned for peace we were preparing for War from as early as the mid 30s because we knew Germany and Hitler should not be allowed to win and control the world.
My grandfather left his home in Indiana at age 17 to join the army. He’d tell me about his service, including his time stationed in Britain. He had the highest respect for the British people.
If he is still alive tell him thank you.
@Tj-02fs and we the British people have the highest respect for him.
About 650 miles from uk to Germany...
Yes and there are legions of stories of young lads doing everything they possibly can inc lie about their age to get into the fight. The USA's presidential nominee ducked his country's specific call to arms FIVE times thanks to a Doctor personally known by his dad. And they love him, leaving you with the conclusion many Americans brains are full fat melted cheese.
English guy here, Respect for your Grandfather 🙏. I’ve visited Indiana many times, one of my favourite places in the states. Lovely people. 🇬🇧🇺🇸
Queen Elizabeth was an auto mechanic during the war she literally rolled her sleeves up, everyone did their bit back then.
Princess Elizabeth did, she became queen 8 years after the war. If you're English it's Queen Elizabeth II, in Scotland she was Queen Elizabeth I.
@@simov8chevy Is that right because when somone becomes queen you no longer refer to them as a princess so why would I refer to her now as Pincess Elizabeth ? Also while you are being needlessly pedantic why would I bother to mention her regnal number when it's already obvious which Queen Elizabeth I am talking about ?
@@simov8chevy Was you worried people might think I was talking about the daughter of Henry VIII because that was some time before World War 2 ?
Only when the cameras there lol
Gracie Fields sang about it.
Think the video has forgotten to mention the Battle of Britain in 1940 stopped the Nazi invasion of Britain. That is when the fight back started!
If you haven't already seen it, you need to watch the battle at Bamber Bridge, when the US tried to impose racial segregation on Britain.
Yes, gives the British saying “fair play” a whole new meaning. Such an indictment of segregation
Wow I had no idea about this, thanks!
It was amusing to hear your disbelief about the size of Britain, I feel overwhelmed by the size of the US. Of course, what followed wasn't amusing, those Brits who went into the services, became emergency personnel and air raid wardens, during the war, were all heroes, every single one.
And how the government didn’t support the one who returned was sick imo
@@joshuawilliams4314 it was indeed! As an aside, I thought my grandson was replying to this, his name is Joshua Williamson!!
@@jennigee51 is your first name pronounced jenny if so that’s so strange as that my mums name just spelt differently Josh is such a common name
@@joshuawilliams4314 yes it is...I had to be different 😂 That IS quite a coincidence! But there are probably loads of Joshs and Jennys, mums and sons etc. I haven't heard of another Josh around here, and my Josh is 25 - gosh I forget how old I am until I talk about my grandchildren!!
Thanks guys for doing these videos. It's very interesting and nice to see US people interested in our history.
Hi there, the main importance of North Africa was the Suez Canal. This connected the movement of ships from the UK, via the Mediterranean to British overseas colonies. The UK depended on the traffic though the Suez to keep up it's war effort (and connect to it's dominions like India, Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand, etc). My father fought in North Africa as part of the 'Desert Rats' while my Mother was in the Army as well, stationed on anti-aircraft gun sites in London during The Blitz.
My dd was a Desert Rat too! El Alamein and Tobruk etc. He was a dispatch rider.
Adding to this, the North Africa campaign was also the first step in trying to separate Germany from it's allies, namely Italy, by weakening it's colonies in north Africa, forcing the Germans to send help instead of consolidating
@@lechatel think u mean your dad. lol
@@lechatel , My grandfather was also a despatch rider, africa ,italy
Italy wanted complete control of the Mediterranean Sea. They attacked Egypt in 1941 to expand their own empire and thus the British pushed them back into Libya. The Germans then sent an Army Group (Afrika Korps) to North Africa to fight the British 8th Army alongside Italy.
As you say the Suez Canal was important. It cut weeks of the journey by sea to India, Australia etc and the rest of the Empire trading routes. Plus beyond Egypt was the Middle Eastern oil fields and the soft underbelly of Russia via Iran... which Hitler's military leadership wanted desperately.
Roosevelt refused to enter the war until Pearl Harbour. We'd been at war for 3 years by then. The reason Hitler couldn't beat us into submission was because of our mentality and our strong patriotism, then. We laughed at him. It was hard with rationing, but I am so proud of what my parents did to keep us free.
❤️
Rationing went on for many years, in 1950 I was allowed one small bar of chocolate PER WEEK, bread manufacture was under control in 1970!😊
It was not a case of Roosevelt refusing to enter the war, more that he had to be aware of domestic political realities which clung to the doctrine of Isolationism, a policy that had been adopted from the foundation of the United States up to the second world war. Isolationism sought to avoid alliances with other nations in order to prevent itself from being drawn into wars that were not related to the direct territorial self-defence of the United States. Notorious amongst pressure groups at the time was the America First Committee, an influential political pressure group that opposed aid to the Allies in World War II because it feared direct American military involvement in the conflict. The committee claimed a membership of 800,000 and attracted such leaders as Henry Ford, General Robert E. Wood, the aviator Charles A. Lindbergh, and a number of Democratic and Republican politicians.
@@alanmorris9425 Well, what is conveniently missing from this narrative is that Lindbergh, Ford and Wood (especially Lindbergh who America First chose as their spokesperson) were openly antisemitic and supported fascism.
Hitler couldn't beat us into submission because he made the mistake of invading the Soviet Union before we went down. We didn't go through anything like they did. Only 70,000 civilian deaths, compared to 15-17 million Soviet civilians. Including 2 million Jews.
Churchill speech will give any british person goosebumps
To all those Americans who say we'd be speaking German if it wasnt for the US, the RAF had already severely damaged the German Luftwaffe in rhe summer of 1940 so badly that they couldn't guarantee the air supremacy they needed to launch an invasion of Britain. After the Blitz, the Germans turned their attention to Russia instead.
And in North Africa, the British Army and it's colonial allies, despite a number of setbacks, had stopped the German and Italian armies in their tracks and was already pushing them back across rhe North African coast before a single GI boot touched the ground on this side of the Atlantic.
Don't forget that not one country under German occupation was ever forced to speak German and the irony is that if it wasn't for us it would be the Americans who would be speaking German!
@@B-A-L Why would the Americans be speaking German? The original thirteen colonies which became the US were British, and predominantly spoke English. It was the dominant language throughout the colonial period, and up until the present day.
We also had by far the worlds largest navy, bar none, and a rather large moat around our island. The idea of the Nazis launching a cross-channel invasion in 1940 is completely laughable when looked at nowadays with full knowledge of each side's strength
@@PJH13 Landing 150,000 fighting age males. What the Germans couldn't achieve in 1940, has now been done using small dinghies. Amazing really.
@@sandgrownun66 You really drank the coolaide.
So glad you are watching this .
WW1 and WW2 decimated my family. Two of my Great Grandfathers and 3 brothers of one of them fought in WW1 only my two Great Grandfathers lived after the war one of whom lost his left arm . In WW2 I had Great Uncles fighting others worked in the Coal mines. My Grandfather was severely injured in the Battle of Broekhuizen (Netherlands) WW2. He was 18 …. He lost his left leg above the knee , half his right foot , half his hand and had bullet holes all down one side. Lots of my relatives served , not forgetting the wives trying to do the best they could for their children during rationing and bombings . Many of my family grew up without a father .
This is why we should never forget the sacrifices they made . Take my family and multiply it by millions and you see the human cost of war.
Thank you, Marie for sharing your family's story and highlighting the sad fact that freedom isn't free. ❤️
WW1 was a slaughterhouse. I'm related to almost everyone on my village war memorial, which doesn't even include my great grandfather or my great grandmother's brother or my gran's cousin aged 18.
@@reactingtomyroots love the channel . The things you react to are always interesting and your reactions are so respectful and honest. You have a wonderful family and Sophia is a credit to you both.
Keep up the good work “cousins” 👏👌👍 Lol
Yes indeed, even we forget
I don't think our young people know enough about it, although It is on the National History curriculum .UK
Thank tou for showing this video and for your interest and comments. Later (1944-5) my husband's father trained as a Fleet Air Arm pilot (navy pilot on aircraft carriers) in Corpus Christi, Texas, and said the hospitality the local people showed the British trainees was amazing andhe never forgot it.
The North African campaign began when Italy declared war and joined the War on the German side. The Suez canal and access to oil to keep the war machine rolling was an important factor to the campaign. Also the allies wanted to take Italy out of the war so that they could potentially land troops in southern Europe and push the Germans back from two sides.
Britan owned North Africa ( Egypt ) 😊
The British Lion may snooze, but will never forget how to roar. It's in our hearts and has been in our blood for over a thousand years.
Oh, its forgotten to roar alright! More like a little pussy cat nowadays!!
You're a second rate power and your Empire was a racist abomination and a nightmare that killed dozens of millions in manmade famine, massacres of indigenous peoples and slave-trading. The world sighs in relief that it's all over. China produces one of your British Navies every two years. You're spent. You trashed your own economy in 2016. Get over it.
Dude, our forebears were fighting for the riches and privilege and prestige of the nobility and CROWN and Empire, of which our forebears owned precisely 0.00% of it.
@@musicilike69 Well, actually a lot of the riches went into creating fresh water supplies, sanitation, the rail networks, first tarmac roads etc. etc. - being one of the first countries in the world to do so. Also much wealth went into building the major towns and cities across the UK including Cathedrals, churches, civic buildings, museums, educational institutions, public parks and other places which are part of the fabric of our country and which we can all use and enjoy. in addition the riches also enabled the many major scientific discoveries from penicillin, vaccination against smallpox, polio and other horrific diseases to the telephone, tv, jet engine and World Wide Web that we are all British inventions and discoveries that have also massively benefitted the world. The modern world is built on many of these achievements. We benefit hugely from the riches, privilege, prestige and advances that our forebears worked and fought for. I am hugely grateful for all these massive benefits not only for the UK, but the whole world. We have much to be grateful for.
@@musicilike69 England was a broke nation until the industrial revolution. Just check the records they were living on loans and promises for hundreds of years like many other nations in Europe. The idea that all the colonies propped up England on a pedestal of enormous wealth is just stupid and wrong it was bankrupting them but the perception of power through territory was valuable.
There would be no reason for them to pull resources from Ireland for example during one of the most damaging PR scandals of the entire history of the Empire if they were crazy rich. They did it because they were broke. The sugar-cane industry was producing 1% of income where the beer industry which was home grown was 3% and then you had to ship it internationally.
My point is what they were doing was a long-term investment plan for progression through competition rather than other peoples just use money we have now for me strategies. I don't even like the British and I'd stand up for them because of their outlook on the world was not just to dominate but explore also. That's the important bit the exploration at any cost. How many Asian nation you think would have went to the moon if white people didn't exist? None is the answer. They sat 2k years on the compass as a religious device rather than using it for mapping the world.
I love how you saw the ref fire a gun at the start of the game and still didn't realise it was America xD Love from your buck toothed and trusty ally here in soggy old blighty x
The Blitz? In the eight months of attacks, some 43,000 civilians were killed. This amounted to nearly half of Britain's total civilian deaths for the whole war. One of every six Londoners was made homeless at some point during the Blitz, and at least 1.1 million houses and apartments/flats were damaged or destroyed. Half a million people - men, women and children, were injured, some with life-changing injuries. And in 1940, the populations of UK was just over 42 million. Present day population is around 67 million.
Its about time they had a suitable memorial. The inadequate stone slab hidden away in St Paul's churchyard is usually surrounded by rubbish left by tourists using it as a picnic bench.
Think death toll 60k plus
@@araptorofnote5938 This is Londistan. They're too busy erecting memorials to anti-British things.
@@matthewashman1406 During the whole war I think?
@@sandgrownun66 Absolute bollocks.
My dad was in the Royal Artilliary during the war. He NEVER spoke about his experiences fighting the Japanese in India and Burma. He told me things in later life and I documented everything!! He and some colleagues were out on a patrol in the jungle and they heard a rustling sound..fearing it was Japanese soldiers, they readied themselves.....and a very large tiger calmly walked out of the trees and right across the path some ten feet infront of them!! My dad recalled that he swore his heart was beating so loudly that that tiger heard it!! He said it was a sight that he never forgot!! The tiger simply crossed and then bounded off into the trees on the other side!!
I LOVE your channel guys! Love to all from the UK!!!!
My dad was also in Burma and India, he never talked about it. Now I’m older I have so many questions but sadly he’s not here to answer them.
It's funny how they only mention the more amusing anecdotes isnt it?
My grandfather was in the Black Watch and was evacuated on the last ship departing Dunkirk in 1940 but the only stories he would tell about it were about how he had to shoot a can of corned beef because he couldnt get it open. This despite us knowing that his friend got blown up while they were walking together, he tried to pull the guy away and his upper half came and the lower half remained, as just one example. Also that time was an utterly terrifying time to be a British solider getting routed at every turn and literally being pushed into the sea by the Germans so he must have had a lot of stuff he never shared. He had a nervous breakdown years later and the war was the reason why.
His medals are still in our family and I will proudly inherit and display them one day. He was a piper and was one of the Queen Mother's favoured pipers when she came to Scotland.
My Dad was at Dunkirk then two years in the UK before going to fight in Burma.
My grandfather was at Dunkirk then sent out to the Far East. He was captured and spent the rest of the war as a POW. From the camp he saw the mushroom cloud of one of the atomic bombs.
My dad was also in the Royal Artillery fighting in India and Burma.. He very rarely spoke about his experiences. He was in Burma when I was born and they named a field gun after me! It's actually my birthday today (12th) I won't say how old I am but just that I'm well stricken in years!!
as a British sad to see this and what the country has become now. knowing what the fought for is no longer there. if things don't change what they fought for will be lost
"What they fought for" is no better than "woke", it means whatever the user decides it means without being specific enough to discredit.
Are you refering to the crumbling Empire? Do you mean British naval dominance and it's stranglehold on trade? British racial and moral superiority?
Because these are all things covered by "what they fought for" and as a British citizen myself, they are all things I'm glad were lost.
@@ricardobimblesticks1489 No, he means the loss of freedom of speech,loss of values, people who live in this country that actually hate the way we are.
Don't worry it's just a propaganda campaign by communists. Their logic is inferior to capitalists and will never win.
@@michael-qd4og You are kind of proving my point, YOU decided that is what he meant, because that is what you want it to mean.
@@michael-qd4og so you both mean vague conspiracy theory dogwhistle bullshit?
Much of this was filmed by War Correspondents. Positive footage would be shown in cinemas to raise the morale of the British people.
Regarding the age of the soldiers, years ago, I organised a trip to a war cemetery in Bayeux, France. My students were wandering around looking at the gravestones. Soon, lots of them were crying at the loss of life, the majority of the dead were only a little older than the students. Later, they wrote in the visitor's book. I checked what they wrote...just in case. I ended up in tears because of the messages that they had left.
Years later, I took my best friend to the National Memorial Arboretum not far from my home. There is a memorial to the British soldiers who were executed during the FWW for cowardice. We now know that they had had mental breakdowns. My friend looked at the names on the wooden posts which represent the posts to which the soldiers were tied before being shot. Suddenly, my friend was overwhelmed and could not stop crying because of the ages of most of the dead.
War is definitely when young men die for old men's folly.
I would recommend that you look for the video created by the National Memorial Arboretum. It covers many hectares and is full of memorials.
No it wasn't war correspondants thats more about writing and reporting back home and they never went into frontline battles like the camera men do. Their official name was AFPU or something like that.
Wow, thank you for sharing this perspective! I will add the National Memorial Arboretum to our list of suggestions.
And when you get right to the end of the Pathe newsreels and an upcoming election you know what the slogan was roughly? Things cannot go back to how they were. While the hero W Churchill wanted precisely that inc the workhouse and no access to a Doctor.
18 years isn't that unusual for a serving British soldier back then. The average age of a GI in Vietnam was 19, whereas the average age of a US soldier during WWII was aound 30. My grandfather, who was born in 1899, joined up at the age of 15 so he could fight alongside his father and brother, who both served in the Royal Horse Artillery and were both severely wounded at the Battle of Loos in 1915. My grandfather was shot and gassed at the Battle of the Somme when he was just 16, having already survived Gallipoli. My other grandfather was killed in 1941, having been one of the last officers to be rescued from Dunkirk, having been wounded early on in the rearguard action; and his younger brother, who was a bomber pilot with 36 SQN RAF, was killed six months earlier. The only surviving brother was the youngest, who flew Fairey Swordfish torpedo bombers and took part in one of the attacks against the Bismark. Frankly, it's a miracle any of them survived.
My uncle lied about his age because he wanted to fight. He ended up in the Western Desert with Monty.
Hats off to your good folk.our lads went but money were killed by violence but of the bad flu 6 months after they got sent home,that was the first world war though.
I'm British and my mind is blown by how much your minds were blown, that shits contagious 💅🫖
WW2 UK rations per person, per week
4 ounces bacon or ham, 8 ounces of other meat, 2 ounces of butter, 2 ounces of cheese, 4 ounces of margarine, 4 ounces of cooking fat, 3 pints of milk, 8 ounces of sugar, 2 ounces of tea and 1 egg. Clothes and petrol was rationed, as was mentioned. My Mother used to use beetroot juice to stain her lips
My brother was born in 1952, there was still rationing on some items
The chance of getting real coffee during the war was slim so it was either chicory or Camp coffee which was basically dried chicory extract with a very small amount of coffee
@gillfox9899 I was born in 1958. I remember my dad making coffee for both of us in the mid 60s with Camp Coffee. He'd put evaporated milk in it too and sugar. I loved it. Bought a bottle of Camp Coffee a few years ago to relive the memory. Ugh, it tasted terrible 😂
Strangely enough, fish and chips from a chippy wasn't rationed - it was thought that to do so would be too much of a hit on the nation's morale.
@@gillfox9899 I think we also made coffee from acorns. From all accounts, it was disgusting
We had been fighting Germany in WW2 for over two years before the States joined us. Similarly, in WW1 we had been fighting for two and a half years before America joined the effort to defeat Germany.
The Yanks, always late.
😂
I have to say bravo to you two for becoming so knowledgeable about your British ancestry!---We are all Celts together!!👍
I feel so very touched to see your interest in the UK. I have also learnt a lot from your videos, especially this one. Thank you and every good wish from Surrey UK.
The British people suffered more than you will ever know- rationing, bombing - my Mother lost two homes in the blitz, children evacuated yet the people just got on with it, alone for the best part along with the commonwealth- and we only finished paying America back for their"help" in 2006- the other Nations given aid by America were forgiven their debts,but not us - in fact Britain sent America equipment believe it or not! Now you understand why we get annoyed when some of your citizens tell us you saved us during the war - for the most part I find this video quite patronising 🇬🇧🏴
This was very effective propaganda in 1944 when the Nazis were pumping out their own. After Pearl Harbor, the US declared war on Japan, not the Axis. It was Italy, then Germany, who declared war on the US. And the "Europe First" policy was counterintuitive for the US military. FDR adopted it only after Churchill flew to Washington to argue for it. The Soviet Union was massively involved in victory too - history is complicated!
Why did those brave men even bother? Considering what the politicians have done to the UK.
@@sandgrownun66I know mate- the fascism isn't across the channel anymore it resides in no 10 Downing street along with the "mayor"of Londonstan 🇬🇧🏴
Fascists are right-wing, Labour is leftwing, don't go spreading lies and right-wing propaganda 🙄
You guys are great. I love watching your comments and reactions to us lot over here. 😊👍
I always say this to people, if it wasn't for Britain holding the war down on their own it could be very different now.
Amazing to think that despite being only slightly bigger than Idaho, the UK was once one of the greatest empires on earth and still heads the Commonwealth.
It's incredibly impressive, honestly.
@@reactingtomyroots Well... that's one way of looking at it. Another is to think what the term "White Commonwealth" really represents.
@@margaretgaskin4928 more than a dozen African countries are in the Commomwealth, not sure they would agree.
It was the the largest Empire ever created. Much larger than the Mongol one, and its influence survives until this day.
Yes. It's amazing. I think it was due to being ahead in science and technology, having a strong navy, and more independent business structures that created the East India company, for instance.
Thanks for reacting to this and taking an interest, and for the Americans to make this film at the time. You will see from the comments that we try to defend our grandparents and great grandparents' honour in the second world war because this country was out on its own for so long, standing up for what was right, and making a herculean effort, together with commonwealth nations. As a result, Britain suffered financially and rationing stayed for years afterwards. The USA deciding to join was a godsend, as was its skill in mass producing arms, vehicles etc. This is why America was the land of milk and honey in the 1950s, plus we had to buy war bonds etc. Over here at the same time there was a policy in British industry "export or die".
The 'crampedness' thing is overstated. You've reacted to seen loads of videos of the UK and can see it's not that cramped.
Yeah i would say the relaxed planning laws have put more pressure on neighbour relations, parking, privacy, not getting my bins emptied due to stupid space saving road design for example grr. Also even if you go for a walk in a national park or something you always see people. I dont like people 😊 so not cramped but not exactly spacious in England in particular, in my opinion.
That depends on whether you have the money to acquire space, such as a garden, or bigger.
@@chsh1
And to get away from road traffic, and the sound it makes.
It is compared to most other countries
The towns and cities are cramped , but in actuality, only 8-9% of land is built on - mainly because of planning regulations that forbid development on agricultural land and green belts around towns/cities.
Dear Lyndsey and Steve, Thank you so much for this video, you are a lovely couple. Lyndsey is so sweet! I'm nearly 84 and this film took me straight back to my early childhood, not much older than your own little daughter. Imagine a sunny school hall in February 1952, small children sitting on long benches, the Headmistress has an announcement - our dear King George V1 (our late Queen's father and yes that WAS her in that photo) has died. We all loved him. We all cried. I was born in late 1940 at the "real start" of WW2 for Britain's mainland" - the Maternity Hospital was on fire caused by an incendiary bomb. The babies carried outside by Firemen. My mother told us she had not slept properly for 6 weeks during heavy bombing of our area (we lived in the Midlands of England which had many huge engineering factories back then). But that 'sense' of stoicism is what made most of from back then grow up with great patriotism, because we were taught not to "give in". I DO remember Americans coming over, as my 2 older sisters had one or two dates with American servicemen at that time. The Americans were good us so my mother said, bringing foodstuffs we could NOT get hold of at that time - like real coffee! - we had to make do with 'bottled liquid coffee' - called "Camp" coffee. But Tea was our national favourite then. BTW that "300 miles only" from Germany? The English Channel is only about 22 miles ACROSS to the nearest point of the shore of France don't forget. Our late Queen Elizabeth11 was there all my life from my age of 11 and I still feel her loss. Thank you darling Lyndsey and Steve - you brought back my happy childhood to me, even though born in the war - it made little difference to 'young children' then - we didn't really know what it was all about - it was our parents and grandparents who felt the hardship. But on the whole society was nicer then - neighbours all knew each other and helped out. People were more patriotic and that made us all pull together. As a child of those times I love and respect Americans and thank all those who (later in the War) came to help us - we finished 'paying our War debt off' a few years ago. But many had lost their lives along with the our British, Canadians, Australians, NZ, and other Allies. Looking at the world today - I feel sad about the loss of all those young men and women of ALL the countries involved - what a "waste" of "whole generations" of young people in two World Wars. This is my own tribute to them.
Thank you for sharing this with us and your tribute paid. My parents would have been two years older than you and told me while things were tough they got on with it. The area where they lived is rural but not far from a major shipping port. Sometimes planes used to discharge their bombs into the fields before heading back to Germany and on one occasion a plane crashed into a field. While they couldn't recall if anyone was found, the plane became a bit of an 'adventure' to the local children, before it was taken away. I recall my dad telling me about the first time he saw and tasted banana which funnily enough he loved bananas after that despite having to wait a while before he saw the next one! I can remember Camp coffee as a child of the 60's which I think was made of chicory and think it is still around. Best wishes to you.
I find your videos fascinating, the reactions on your faces are just awsome and make me laugh. Yes, we were alone until December of 41 when America was forced into the war after Pearl Harbour. Even though you guys sent over a shed load of supplies through 1940 via ships, even though it kept getting sunk from the German Uboats, but at least some got through. Take care you two.
Why was Britain in N.Africa? It was of huge strategic importance.
Whilst Britain was alone in terms of allies, we still had the empire and were able to call on troops and supplies from Australia, NZ, Canada, India, etc. Provided the supply lines were kept open.
Egypt was part of the empire and also contained the Suez canal which was the short cut to India and the East, Australasia, etc.
Anzac troops (Australia & Kiwi) played a major part of the N.Africa campaign and beating Rommel, considered the German's best general, at Tobruk, which was an essential port in N.Africa and the last defense before the Suez canal. It was Germany's first defeat on land in WWII and a major turning point.
It's also important to realise Britan was seen as a beacon of hope for all the rest of Europe - a rallying point. People from conquered countries listened to BBC broadcasts, the British aided their resistance movements, those who escaped came to Britain to fight on against the Nazis.
Many of the pilots in the Battle Britain were from these countries, especially the Poles and Czechs. The Poles also played a significant part in cracking the Enigma code. Quite a few poles who came to Britain during WWII stayed afterwards.
Yes, a lot of Poles and others stayed on here in the East Midlands after the war.
Just look at the state of Britain now. Was all that sacrifice for nothing?
The Nazis wanted access to the oil fields…..we didn’t let them. Two of my uncles fought in Tobruk & El Alemein…..no longer with us God Bless Them ❤️
@@PeteBlondell Brave men, now replaced by weak politicians.
British colonies. Britain was earlier than Germany in occupying overseas territories
My fiancé's dad served in the air force in World War 2. He was a flight engineer on a Lancaster bomber. He was in 2 plane crashes during the war and was the sole survivor of the first one and lived till the ripe old age of 91.
My grandad also went in. lancaster. He dropped the bombs. He also lived to his nineties.
Abraham Lincoln's family came from a small village in Norfolk called Hingham.
America entered First World War on 6th April 1917, the actual war started on 28th Jul 1914. America entered Second World War on 1st December 1941 the war actually started on 1st September 1939.
And the Italians didnt finish either World War fighting on the same side they entered it! In WW1 they defected from the Allies to the Central Powers and in WW2 they defected from the Axis to the Allies.
Yes, but the US didn’t see action in North Africa until May 1942 (except for a few shots in Pearl Harbour, and I’m not sure when their airmen started bombing).
my late father in law was a navigator in the RAF and was shot down with his crew over Germany and was a prisoner for 5 years. His last camp was Stalag Luft 3, the home of The Great Escape. He survived the war and lived to his 90s. Towards the end of the war they were forced to march, 10,000 prisoners across Europe at gunpoint, in sub zero temperatures, they were finally liberated by Canadian soldiers when their captors surrendered and handed over the ones of them that survived the forced march.
My father was also a navigator - on Wellington and Lancaster bombers - in Polish RAF squadron 301.
He was also shot down over Germany (parachute escape - Caterpillar Club) and also ended up in Stalagluft 3.
😊
The German guards of the 10,000 allied prisoners also wanted a meal after a few days on the road.... best to hand yourself over to the Canadians (or Brits or Americans) than the Russians.
I've been reading through the comments.
Wow!
You have started so many debates.
I really appreciate this reaction video, thank you. ❤👋🇬🇧
Narrated by the Patriarch of the Canadian/American Huston acting dynasty - Walter Huston, father of American director/actor/screenwriter John Huston who made some classic films - usually starring Humphrey Bogart. Angelica Huston is the late John Huston's daughter.
I am old enough to remember when the only communication with the outside world was the valve radio which the family would gather round for news and entertainment unless one purchased a newspaper but that was it ,we would turn on the radio and wait 10-15 seconds for the valves to get hot enough before any sound. Today the availability of information is staggering but there is still restricted information of course and not all of it is military. Our politicians are mistrusted today more than ever because more of their dishonesty has been revealed, though wonder if the political dishonesty was at the same level back then when were were told much less ,we may never know.
I suspect not. They were godly people then (for the most part). And news didn't have to compete for popularity
My grandad was with the Royal Engineers, 8th Army Desert Rats, and fought in North Africa and Italy. I have his war medals, The Africa Star and the Italy Star. I am so proud that he fought with one of the most famous army divisions.
A lot of people don't realise how close a lot of places in mainland Europe are. Dusseldorf is 300 miles away from London which actually makes it closer to London than Edinburgh at 332 miles.
The most important piece of the story is THE Battle of Britain during Septmber of 1940 when the RAF fought the Luftwaffe over southern England. Had the Luftwaffe succeeded in destroying the RAF Hitler would certainly have invaded Britain. It really doesn't bear thinking about.
Well, it is important to note that if they did, they'd likely be stopped by the Royal Navy and would be starved out pretty quickly.
The German invasion was a very crazy dream (their landing boats were utter rubbish for instance.)
That really isn't true. Gaining air superiority was the first step. But then they would have to hold the channel from the RN long enough to land several divisions at least, that was a monumental task in itself. Not really possible, although the RN would have suffered losses to Luftwaffe, the German navy was tiny in comparison to the RN. It would not of been possible to hold the channel for the number of days needed. Then even if they did manage to para drop or land they would need to capture a major port and hold it quickly for re-supply. They did not have purpose built landing craft, only small boats and barges. The barges were not really capable of going across the channel and landing troops well. They would sink in high waves. The whole operation was ill thought out and impractical. In short they could not have done it, without first stopping the RN.
My great uncle fought in north africa and was a member of the Coldstream guards he had both little toes amputated to join and became rqm his name is arthur hough i remember him as a smart tall big man
There was a tv series (factual) called World at War. It depicts what WW2 and its horrors were really about. It has the most haunting music and even hearing it now gives me the shivers.
3:25 fun fact - if the US had the same population density as the UK, its population would be approximately 2.7 billion people.
What's funny about that?
The war in North Africa was about control of Mediterranean shipping and the Suez Canal, connecting Britain with her Empire, which the Germans wanted to choke off. The US also fought in North Africa, which was among the first great strategic victories of the war in 1943, when the tide was beginning to turn in favour of the Allies.
The Washington statue was a gift from the USA in 1921 when relations were strong (compared to the time of Civil War of course). It was rumoured that Washington had once vowed he would never set foot on British soil again, to honour that we imported soil from Virginia to erect his statue on.
France is only 20 miles away from the UK - on a clear day when the sea is calm you can see France from the Kent coast.
i remember a school trip to belgium that involved a ferry from dover to calais, at the midway point you could very clearly see both coastlines, even through a bit of mist/fog! totally blew me away because you imagine the channel being so much bigger from the maps. people regularly swim across the channel too as a challenge! only takes a couple hours
In WW1, one could hear the artillery from England.
Having experience of both the UK & USA education systems, there’s no doubt in my mind which is,generally speaking, ‘better.’
The USA system reminds me of a type of propaganda, where students are, on average, taught matters from a USA perspective only and with emphasis put on the ‘aren’t we the greatest, we saved the world, we’re the best at everything & everybody wants to be like us’ attitude.
Most students fall for it, which in a way, isn’t their fault.
Lyndsey, you always start me off when you get emotional 🥹
My grandfather fought in the war and he suffered the rest of his life with lung issues. He never spoke of the war to me as I grew up but I still feel very proud of him.
This was great and you two are great.
Love you guys 😊
Looking forward to tomorrow.
Suzie in London 🇬🇧
Thank you, Suzie. May your grandfather rest in peace. ❤️ He must have been a strong man and I'm sure he was proud of you, too!
If it was not for Pearl Harbour, many believe that, the US would have only gone to War with Japan, due to US territories and interests being over run by the Japanese. The US would of joined the European Wars but not an till at least 1943 or even 1944. This was written down on a leaked 1940's US Congress Paper (according to my grandfather, Royal Navy) Many others at varied US and UK Institutions point out that it would not have been that late in the War, but maybe later part of 1942. What would of happened if Pearl Harbour was never bombed?
Pearl Harbour was the reason the USA got involved at all. They only got involved in the European theatre of war because Germany declared war on the USA after the USA declared war on Japan.
We were already unofficially at war with German shipping and heavily supplying the allies. There’s a reason Hitler declared war on the USA first, they wanted a chance to openly fight us.
16:05 we were in North Africa because the Italians were. Rommel was there to help the Italians and keep them on the Axis side. It was also about the control of the Suez canal (vital to Britian and her supplies and troops) and the oil and raw materials in the middle east.
09:42 The reason that the coffee (and for that matter, food) was so bad in Britain in WW2 was that it came by sea, and the U-boats were playing havoc with the convoys. A lot of good men - including American merchant seamen - died to keep Britain supplied.
Looking at things today, why did they bother? Although, they couldn't see how bad the politicians could make it.
That and we drank steamed and instant coffee whereas the US was used to cheap filter coffee that first became popular during the Great Depression (they would get a lot more used to instant coffee as it was introduced to the US Army rations in 1941). It wasnt until the 70's that steamed coffee became popular in the US. Filter coffee is a lot weaker than steamed coffee with less of a kick, so US taste palettes probably couldn't handle it.
@@sandgrownun66 So glad they weren't all like you or they probably wouldn't have bothered. They'd have been too busy crying and whinging about how done by they were. Sorry to everyone else but getting sick of these comments about our nation. It may be going through a bad time but whinging has never helped anyone.
@@suekennedy883 Actually, you're wrong, Sue. As unlike you, there are countless people who venerate those who gave the supreme sacrifice to stop Britain being invaded by hostile forces. Many of those brave men wouldn't believe the state of the UK now, due to demographic change. They wouldn't recognise London and the other cities of especially, England, as even being English anymore. At least the Germans were a worthy foe, and were resisted by any means possible.
"It may be going through a bad time but whinging has never helped anyone." Unfortunately, unlike WWII, it's not going to get any better, Sue. Under the current Uniparty. It's only only going to become worse. At least the US has a solution for this issue of open borders. Without a secure border you don't have country. Uncle Trump has promised to return the millions of unwanted guests back to their countries of origin. So if the political will is there, it can be done. The only problem is that the UK will never have a leader as dedicated to fixing the problem as he is.
@@sandgrownun66 Many of those men were the forebears of the people you don't deem fit to live here. You're welcome to your views. I know other people share them but many don't. As far as the US goes - there was a study in the US about 10 years ago showing that if all illegals were ousted from New York most restaurants, cafes, fast food places, hotels would have to close down and only the wealthy would be able to afford to visit the ones that remained. Same in many major cities. That will make life so much better for Americans I'm sure. You have a good day now.
I know there are negative comments on here about the US and the situations during WW2. None of that is your fault. You are very enthusiastic Americans who want to learn, and your interest is greatly appreciated. Your reactions and comments are welcome. Isn't that better than encountering Americans who don't want to know? I know who I prefer.
My parents both came from an island called Jersey (part of the Channel Islands), located off the coast of France. It is comes under the British Isles, it was the closest the Germans came to getting to Britain. Hitler was going to use it as a stepping stone and fortified the islands, My Grandfather was born in France and was conscripted into the French army. He was captured by the Germans and was sent to a POW camp. He escaped and was caught and returned to the camp, undeterred he escaped again and was recaptured when he was heading to Paris and ran into his Mother and Aunt leaving Paris. He convinced them to go back, they found an abandoned barn to spend the night in, but a Catholic priest had spotted them and turned them into the Germans. The next morning they were woken up by German soldiers and my Grandfather was arrested. The Germans said he would not escape again and sent back to the German controlled Island. He was supposed to report to the Germans weekly but he used to send my Mother (eight years old) to go and report in town a few miles for him. She had a run in with an SS female officer when she accidently bumped into her when she was coming down some stairs. She remembers the leather overcoat the SS wore.The Islanders suffered from the lack of food, but the Red Cross sent parcels to the Island but the Germans wanted them for themselves. Not known to a lot of people is that the Germans used prisoners from internment camps to dig the trenches and build the fortifications of the Channel Islands. There is a story of an Islander that used to go and watch the prisoners dig the trenches for the fortifications, he always wore an overcoat and stood at the side of the trench.Unbeknown to the Germans he had potatoes' in his coat and was dropping into the trench for the prisoner's. My father and my uncle had a crystal radio set and used to listen to the BBC broadcasts, had the Germans found out they probably would have been shot.
The US only ever joined WW2 in Europe because in the aftermath of Pearl Harbour, the US obviously declared war upon Japan and then in turn Hitler declared war upon the US as at the time, Nazi Germany had an axis alliance with Japan.
Between June 1940 and June 1941 Britain stood almost alone. I say almost because we were the only major power fighting Nazi Germany. We did thankfully have the support of such as Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa etc but.....
Russia did not enter WW2 on the allies side until June 1941 after Germany started to invade Russia. (Something that the British had found out was about to happen and tried to warn Stalin about, but in his suspicion, Stalin disbelieved the British warning only for Germany to start the invasion of Russia a short time later).
The US did not enter the European theatre of WW2 until December 1941. This was, as earlier stated, in response to Hitler declaring war upon the US. Before this there was great resistance in the US towards joining WW2 after what had happened in WW1.
I live next to a cemetry and its one of the Commonwealth War grave sites. I was in hospital during the d-day anniversary a little while back and only got the chance to go and pay my respects a few weeks ago. I was shocked at how young the lads that perished were. A lot of them were between 18-25.
So when I was in Junior school, (about 9 years old) we studied WW2 in a roundabout way. But I'll never forget my teacher at that time. Her father was there for the liberation of a concentration camp. I vaguely remember her saying it was one of the first liberated. And then she described what her dad saw there. An eye-opening and unforgettable experience, but one I am glad to have heard, even if just to keep the memory of those poor folks alive for a bit longer.
"300 miles away?"
The German border is closer to us, here in the far NE of England, than London is.
Yep!! Hi Bobby Shafto....you must be pretty close to me in NE England!!😁😁
I'm in Newcastle ❤
And occupied France was only 22 miles away.......
Technically from the tip of Kent to the most westerly part of Germany is about 300 miles, but it’s still a very misleading statement. London is 700 miles from Berlin, and that is a more accurate representation.
@@Leenufc Hi We are in Seaham County Durham. Look over the North Sea Denmark is 300 miles as the gull flies.
Nice to see you looking at our combined history in regards to WW II. I hope you find it as interesting as we do.
I have been following your videos for a while now and would like to thank you for showing and discussing all the positive attributes the United Kingdom have achieved in the past. It is so refreshing to see non-British people recognising the actual good Britian has made. Also, I once was told that a person that makes no mistakes never learns anything. Thank you
16:56 We weren't fighting alone as such. We had some allies from Canada, Australia, NZ, Africa and India as well as 'free' troops from occupied areas of Europe such as France and Poland. But even then we were massively outnumbered and outgunned.
You should watch how they brought the unknown warrior back from France, pretty powerful stuff.
Just an observation about the general STRIKE:
The UK did have a general (male) strike and it halted the entire country....... Iceland has a general (female) strike very recently and guess what - productivity went UP.....
I really appreciate you both showing such an interest into this time in British history; an interest I have recently started showing much more interest in. I found out 10 years ago that my grandfather worked at Bletchley Park decoding the German messages etc. he never talked about it as many were sworn to secrecy for years after. This is a fascinating area you may also wish to look into at some point 😊
What this doesn't include is Northern Ireland which which built a load of ships, rope, planes and food for the war effort along with troops. Outside of London Belfast suffered the biggest death toil in one Night with just over a 1000 people killed. Almost every town just like in England, Wales and Scotland will have a war memorial for WWI and WWII. Very proud of my Grandfather and his brother who were both paratroopers in the 1st and 6th Airborne Division and on my mums side great grandfather was in one of the many Irish regiments.
Also there were all volunteers and weren't conscripted along with our friends from the Republic of Ireland who deserted the Irish army or just thought it was the right thing to do so decided to fight for the UK.
I noticed this too 😢 although it did show NI in the 2nd map.
Not forgetting the other contribution from Northern Ireland namely Lt Col Paddy Blair Mayne, the one man army.
Every town has a war memorial for WW1. A few villages (Thankful Villages) in England and Wales do not, and there are 3 in Wales and 50 in England which do not. 14 of those English villages have no memorial for WW2 as well.
No village in Scotland is without a war memorial.
The village of Glenorchy had no soldiers return after WW1 and none again in WW2.
I am always amazed at how uninformed so many Americans are about the world outside their boundaries. So I am impressed with your efforts to broaden your horizons and learn and appreciate what goes on in other regions of the world. Britain did not fight alone. The many countries of the Commonwealth contributed to the cause - as much as they could, especially troops, depending on their size and resources. For example : 1.1 million Canadians enlisted in the forces; , Canada built its navy to become the third largest by the end of the war and provided essential protection for the Atlantic convoys; Canada manufactured aircraft (transport, bombers, fighters) and ships (navy & freighters), supplied tanks, guns and ammunition, food and clothing., etc. Australia & India sent what they could in troops and supplies until the threat of Japan forced them to focus on south-east Asia.
In a toxic world of social media it’s easy to forget how similar our nations are. Cousins across the pond for sure!
I would like to recommend you look up the siege of Malta during WW2. The islanders showed such resolve that I believe the entire island was awarded with the Victoria Cross. Still a very strong bond of kinship between the British and Maltese people
I think it was the George Cross - the civilian equivalent of the VC,
@@cliffbetton8893 ahh that makes sense. Thanks for the clarification
Thanks for the suggestion, Reece!
The English Channel at its widest is 22 miles from France.On a clear day you can see it.
That's the shortest channel crossing distance.
My hometown was Folkestone and on a really clear day you can see cars driving on the roads in France!
Ha Ha you mean 22 miles at its narrowest!
Hi Cousins, Yes we were "All In" in 1939, Winston Churchill galvanised Britain and told us in speeches we would fight to the death but we would never surrender ! My Parents were so tough, they didnt let things get to them and just got on with life however tough it became. The WW2 generation were special. I lived in the US for many years and as a British/American I loved my time in your country. God bless our colonial cousins in America and God bless Britain. Cheers, Mick.
Yes, you are correct that no one is further away from the coast in Britain than 70 miles...
Britain "fought alone" whilst true to a certain degree in the sense that "Britain was the last major power which was not under occupation". It does leave out the large number of soldiers from countries like India, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Barbados, France, Belgium, Netherlands, Poland, Czechoslovakia, Norway who all fought along side the British, especially pilots who fought in the Battle of Britain like the No. 401, No 74, No. 236, No, 609, No 303, No 310, among many more
It also leaves out the efforts of resistance fighters in occupied countries who undermined German operations and provided information
Well detailed. Thank you
Would never of happened either if it wasn't for the British Empire, those connections made easier.
@@StealingYourInfoDOTcc Seriously?? Massive disrespect to so many nationalities and reeks of entitlement.
The UK was not fighting the Axis alone. Fact. Almost certainly without the Commonwealth, the UK would have fallen. Although minor, the many European volunteers in the British Army, Air Force and Navy and partisans across Europe, fought and died, with as much if not more, commitment to defeating Fascism.
Stating the UK was alone in Europe, in 1940, is stating the bl***ing obvious, but creates a misleading narrative of epic heroism. So it is not about the suffering, damage done, people killed etc. It is about the contributions so many made.
The commonwealth is the British empire they were puppets they weren’t the commonwealth yet I think
from Dover in England to Aachen in Germany is 261 miles, so yeah... they're very close to one another, relatively speaking
Australia declared war on Germany the same day as the UK. Canada a little later New Zealand also. The Greeks fought with UK troops against the Germans as did Norwegians. Churchill asked Europe to rise against the Germans & many did and died. There was the Empire with Indian troops & others. In Burma my Uncle swore by the Ghirkas while many Burmese fought with the UK. The famous woman democratic leader is the daughter of one such. There were Polish & other European pilots (see Squadron 303 or is it 606) in the Air Force. Also with American volunteers. We were never alone not for one day. Churchill said that for propaganda purposes knowing it was untrue but since then ultra nationalists have picked up on it..
I agree, my parents both were in the RAF during WW2. My mum was in the weather services on the bases (including those with Canadian air force pilots), and my dad in India and Burma (and he was very respectful of the Indian servicemen).
Aung San Suu Kyi`s father was the leader of the Burma Independence Army that fought alongside the Japanese AGAINST the British not with them. The anti-Japanese militias were from the ethnic minority Shan, Karen a Kachin peoples. These same minorities are now battling the Burmese military dictatorship.
We were alone from a nation perspective, it was just Britain against the Germans. Many individuals from other countries, particularly Canada, Poland , other Commonwealth countries and the USA volunteered and many joined the RAF.