USA "saved" Britain in WWII? UK now "saving" USA in War on Terror?

Question

i am shocked at some American answers on here... seem to believe they saved UK in WWII.....

If thats the attitude towards our country, then i might as well tell my boyf to come out of Army and f''ck the war, because the Yanks couldnt give a hoot anyway.

Let them stand alone..... see how fast they fall if they believe they dont need the rest of the World.

Wolf... I am shocked at how moronic YOU are. I have a degree in history. Go away and patronise someone else.

Answer 1

Pickle - good question, and its interesting to see the different views between those who are aware that we were waging a war against fascism before America got involved, and those who think of their forefathers as the knights in white armour who came riding in to save the day because of their commitment to Britain, Europe and anti-fascism.

The truth is that Pearl Harbour and the sightings of German boats off the US shores brought them into a war that they'd sat on the sidelines profiteering from. The US had to ultimately get involved - as production in Europe was focused on the war effort they were happy to export, but of course it wasn't too long before the German allies shifted their boats to attack our merchant navy bringing supplies back from the States. We were pretty much on our knees so from that point of view it's possible that the American involvement is what ultimately made the difference but no-one should underestimate that America wanted to put their free economy first and cared very little about the rise of fascism or the invasion of European countries, or the Jewish holocaust until they had no option on the matter. - But then, I'm thinking I don't need to tell you this because you already know! Hopefully though a few people will read this and learn something useful!

Just as then Britain had the courage to stand up against fascist terrorism they decided to stand with the Americans against the new terrorism we seem to be facing. Seems clear to me which country has the conscience.

Hope you're boyfriend gets some good skills while he's in the army - if he trains as an engineer or something while he's in he'll do well when he decides to come out. Sadly being in the armed forces does mean you might go into a conflict at any time so it's part of his job if he gets drafted over to the Middle East but I hope that he does OK out there and that you both enjoy good times for many years to come.

Answer 2

The USA did very well to assist the British Empire forces and Europe and lost many lives in doing so after Pearl Harbour.
But the US entered the war in 1941, the Brits had been fighting since 1939 and had destroyed the Luftwaffe before the US entered the European theatre.
The Brits paid in gold and territoties for all US materials and as the US planned, it destroyed the British Empires role in the world.
Would the US have entered the war if the Japenese had not bombed Pearl Harbour in 1941?

Answer 3

Don't let the attitudes of a few tactless fools sway you.

Anyone who actually experienced WWII first hand (like both of my grand-dads stationed in France throughout the duration) will tell you that the US were rescuers in a sense that they provided relief to the Canadians and Brits who were getting pounded and were spent after fighting the fight for so long..

Also, there were some yanks over there already. Some in the RAF and others that were enlisted to serve. Maybe it was overdue. America should have stepped in earlier, but do not dishonor the men who served and lost their lives so that the U.K. didn't become another Nazi concentration camp. They would not appreciate this bickering.

We do give a hoot. Thanks to your bf for serving. I live near a marine base. We are constantly aware in this town of the sacrifices people make not just in the US, but overseas too.

Answer 4

We're not saving them because Britain and America are losing the war on terror. There may not have been any attacks on America since 2001, but if its object was to take the wind from Islamic radicals' sails, our countries' actions have had the opposite effect. The evil of Islamic radicalism is on the rise. Britain would have been a better friend had it tried to get America to remain focused on Afghanistan instead of creating a diversion in Iraq, which had a nasty government but was one of the Arab world's most secular.

Answer 5

We all fought together, we have many nations to thank for stopping the evil nazi's spreading more terror across Europe. I personally am of the opinion that Russia played a massive role in the final capture of Berlin. I believe relations between UK and USA are waning though, which is a bad thing as we're 2 nations with a lot of history.

Answer 6

Check-mate!
The Union Jack won the glory for the Battle of Britain with "The liberation of Freedom" and "God save the Queen" from "Pearl Harbour" with the Stars and Stripes back in world war two.
That was how the west was won being overlook on planet earth.
Someone out there had nailed themselves to the cross being overlook on planet earth.
Should have listen to the late Yasser Arafat before they kick their own butts being overlook on planet earth.

Answer 7

Maybe you should be shocked at a History book or two. The United Kingdom was unable to launch an offensive at the time that America assisted them with military advisors and hardware. The military strikes that slowed the German War Machine were conducted by airplanes built in my home town. When America enterred WW2 England was holding it's own borders and being bombed slowly into the dark ages. I think WW2 is a very different conflict than the war in Iraq.

Answer 8

I don't know who you are talking to, and I can't say you really inspire a warm response. However, I think the UK was glad when we came into the war in WWII. (In fact, I understand that Parliament broke into cheers when Pearl Harbor was bombed.)


And we were grateful then and are grateful now that we are on the same side as the UK. You, personally, aside, we like the UK.

Answer 9

It is ridiculous to get all wound up over anything you read on here.
However, you are an island nation. You were cut off from the continent which was under Nazi control.
Long before we sent troops, we were a lifeline to you by sending supply ships accross the Atlantic through Nazi U-boat infested waters. Hundreds of ships were sunk and millions of tons of supplies went to the bottom. But enough got through to keep you going.

Answer 10

You have to realize that is how many American schools teach it, same with World War 1. Most people don't realize that was even a war before US involment in the World Wars. American schools make it seem like we have always been the center of the universe.

Good luck to your bf, I hope he avoids this conflict.

(I am an American who is the child of a UK citizen.) I apologize that my fellow citizens lack of history knowledge.