Have they been in any combat since WW 2
2006-08-18 07:36:21 · 18 answers · asked by Xander 3 in Politics & Government ➔ Military
France has fought in French Indochina (Vietnam), Algeria, and in several brushfire wars in Africa, notably in Chad, Rwanda, and the Ivory Coast. They are capable of full spectrum operations across land, sea, and air. They seem to be adjusting rather well to abolishment of universal conscription.
They have first-rate troops in their police forces (GIGN) and military (2nd Parachute Regiment, French Foreign Legion) as well. Really, those of you (especially the noncombatants) who like to accuse the French of cowardice, bad hygeine and such likely wouldn't last more than a few seconds in a tussle with a French military man, so why the pointless hostility? America would have lost the Revolutionary War without the French. Give gratitude where gratitude is due.
As for "Yanks dying by the truckload" - the current ops in Iraq and Afghanistan are exemplified by the lowest casualty rate the American military has ever suffered in wartime. As for those "dirty Vietnamese peasants", I recall they did a number on the best of the French Army at a place called Dien Bien Phu. Even the British got beat up way back in the day at Isandalwana - and the Zulus fought with spears!
As for the Iranian hostage rescue debacle, that was tragedy, not a victory of Iranian feat of arms. Subsequent actions with the Iranians in the Persian Gulf ended in Iranian defeat.
It may be stupid of Americans to just unload garbage on European allies, but it's just as bad for a European to do so on an American on the flimsiest of grounds - namely, somehow European troops are better while Americans supposedly grovel in defeat. Yeah right.
"mkayling" - if you are what you are in the picture, as an airborne man you should know better than to unload pointless garbage on NATO allies just because you were provoked by civilians. If you were in Iraq, then you know better than to say American units are being slapped around, because such is definitely NOT the case.
Some civility is in order from all of you who like to just put down some bullshit answer out of ignorance and chortle at your own cleverness. Get a real education.
2006-08-20 03:56:21 · answer #1 · answered by Nat 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
They 259,050 man strong army they are ranked 20th largest in the world but they don't use it the last time they used it was
world war 2. Algeria and Vietnam the are the only wars they have been in and did not do much in those wars anyway.
2006-08-18 08:52:56 · answer #2 · answered by callan w 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
France has nuclear warheads.
Two aircraft carriers and good navy.
Dassault Breguet Rafale and Mirage are good aircrafts.
Elite troops like parachuters and Legion etranger.
A medium power army with medium range capabilities and also a nuclear power with intercontinental missiles warheads.
2006-08-18 10:01:10 · answer #3 · answered by Riccardo L 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Nope - some decent (and very small) special forces but the regular forces are small and equipped with out-of-date gear (compared to the US, that is).
The Europeans put their bucks into social welfare programs. Over there the government ministers in charge of social welfare programs have much more power than the defense and foreign ministers. Just the opposite of the US.
2006-08-18 07:44:59 · answer #4 · answered by Walter Ridgeley 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
France became into geographically the biggest us of a in Europe on the time as a results of fact the German States had no longer unified. additionally, jointly as England became right into a substantial international capability, her protection rigidity components have been broadly speaking committed to her army. This became into as a results of fact as an island us of a, the army became into her standard line of protection and her colonies have been foreign places and the army became into the lifeline to them. France, on the different hand, became into broadly speaking fascinated approximately associates who bordered it with the aid of land.
2016-10-02 06:16:52 · answer #5 · answered by panther 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Besides Algeria and Vietnam, they do U.N. missions. What's odd is they usually use the French foriegn legion (mostly made up of foriegn criminals), whose purpose in life is to win back France (which means they are planning on the true French military to fail on their home turf).
2006-08-18 09:10:47 · answer #6 · answered by gregory_dittman 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If the yanks are so good how is it you lost to the peasants in Viet Nam and the Iraqis are killing you by the truck load Oh and the Iranians in 1980
As the saying goes " All the gear no idea"
2006-08-18 14:34:50 · answer #7 · answered by mkayling 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think there was much combat in WWII - unless you count waving white flags. Google french military victories and press I'm Feeling Lucky instead of search - this will answer your Qu.
2006-08-18 07:49:45 · answer #8 · answered by bertha 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The French have an army and I think still have military service, but that is been phased out.
They do not like to have a fight. If you google French military victories it will show you what their history is - and is pretty damn funny!
2006-08-18 08:53:29 · answer #9 · answered by gthecelt 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, maybe they SMELL strong. (yes, that's a cheap shot at the U.S. perception of the French standard of hygiene and use of deodorant)
The French soldiers have to be strong, both physically and mentally. The latter comes in handy when they surrender in multiple languages.
2006-08-18 07:45:22 · answer #10 · answered by pachl@sbcglobal.net 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋