Whats the US opinion on World War 2?

Question

First of all I'd like to say I'm not anti-American, as a British person living in Britain there is so much about American culture that I love.
However, when viewing a news report this evening covering the story of a British serviceman killed by American friendly fire in Iraq, the consensus of Americans interviewed on the street was that British people should be grateful that the US "saved" them in WW2, let alone complain about American friendly fire in a present day war. Its like they believed the US was almost holy in their world status.
Am I the only person that thinks the war began in 1939 and that Pearl Harbour was the reason the US joined WW2? Is it right that movies such as Saving Private Ryan and U-571 only focus on the US contribution to World War 2? My granddad was in active combat back then and was a brave and most of all humble fighter - surely that is geniune selfless altruism? I really don't want to think that millions of people could have this attitude.

Answer 1

I'm an American. And I'm with you, friend. We don't all feel this way. The "we saved you in WWII" is a bunch of bull. How easy would defeating Japan had been without British help? We were attacked, and you came to our aid as much as we came to yours. WWII was a two-way street. Americans are even worse to the French. We "saved' them in WWI and WWII, but did we do it all by ourself? Hell, no. And, no offense, we'd probably still be part of the British Commonwealth if it had not been for France and Prussia's help. I don't intend that as a knock on the Commonwealth, of course, but rather as yet another example of how we are all globally connected. America is not so great that it can exist in a vacuum.

That said, the movies are not a good gauge of opinions here. They are American movies about Americans, designed to entertain rather than inform. They do not necessarily discredit Britain's contribution to the war. It is not like all British WWII movies make America look so important, either. And there are some movies here that present different points of view, like Clint Eastwood's movie about the Japanese side of the Iwo Jima battle. But I'm being nit-picky here.

Your point is that a lot of Americans have this view that they are holy and so important, and you are generally right. A lot of us do. I think some of it is self-esteem issues and identity crisis. There is a very large split here over the war and other issues, and this creates a lot of posturing and defensive attitudes. People tend to get on their nationalist high-horse because they are on the defensive. People in all countries do the same thing, especially in successful countries. Britain was in the same spot for over a hundred years dealing with the "empire" issue. It was natural that the people would be patriotic and try to defend issues like mistreatment of Indians or hostile takeovers in Africa. That is how people, right or wrong, sometimes defend their mistakes. No one wants to be the "bad guy." America is in that situation now.

Of course, it is a hostile and immature way to handle a situation like that. I am ashamed of Americans who cannot empathize with the soldiers of a country that is trying to help us get out of a really stupid mess that we shouldn't have gotten into. I, for one, am truly sorry for the families of the British men who were killed by friendly fire in Iraq. It is terrible. I can never imagine what they are going through, and my prayers and thoughts are with them.

I also admire your grandfather. I am sure he was very brave, as brave as my own grandfather was in the first World War. We were on the same side in World Wars I and II. We are not better than you. Britain was brave in the face of terrible adversity, and they held even before anyone came to help. The Battle of Britain, for example, happened with little help from us aside of some supplies and a very small handful of pilots. Your nation deserves all the credit for that one, and equal credit for the rest of the war.

So I would not fret about it too much. There are some ignorant imbeciles out there. Some people over here do appreciate Britain's situation, in the Iraqi War, as well as in a historical respect in general. I lived in Glasgow for a year, and I will be forever in debt to dozens of the nicest people I've ever met for making my stay there a pleasant one. Most of the people here that are such jerks probably haven't been outside their own state, let alone the country. Go figure.

Cheers!

Answer 2

I was at Pearl Harbor during the attack. Then I fought all the way across Europe in the infantry, so I know war pretty darn well, first hand.
Whenever anyone criticizes anything the army does, he should have some background in fighting a war. Things move fast. Life means little. Your own life could be taken in a second. You don't have time to examine targets. Hesitate, and you're dead.
Sure mistakes are made, by both sides. Many more mistakes are made by Americans, because there are many many times more Americans there than any other group.
Don't judge if you haven't had equal experience. I would like to have known your granddad. I had great respect for the British fighters. I never knew a British or an American soldier who didn't fight until it was utterly hopeless before becoming a prisoner. The Germans often surrendered when they could easily have fought their way out.
Yes Pearl Harbor was the point that we entered the war, but many hundreds of Americans were in Canadian uniforms long before. Uncountable tons of American food and war supplies were sent to England before we got in.
I won't comment on the movies you mentioned, because I didn't see them. I don't like war movies because I spot too many exaggerations and mistakes.

Answer 3

Actually, if you wanted to pig-headed about it, you could argue that WW2 began on March 12, 1938 when the Anschluss united Austria with Nazi Germany. Emboldened by the lack of Allied action, Hitler was confident enough to invade Poland on Sept 1, 1939. So logically, in terms of hostile fighting you could say that WW2 began in 1939, but the actual seeds for WW2 were sown 20 years earlier in 1919.

You are probably right the Pearl harbor was the spark that officially thrust the US into WW2.

Movies such as Saving Private Ryan are really intended to generate box office revenue and not necessarily give an accurate portrayal of historical events.

Answer 4

Tiger you're spot on!! If you mean the guy who lives next door to Col Nobb Head unfortunately that's exactly the attitude we expect from most Americans on the street.
And yes Hollywood is to blame for that. The movies above and also Band of Brothers.

Has a member of the Royal Air Force killed any Americans in A friendly Fire Incident or has our media not reported it.I hope not but what would be the reaction to an American APC being blown to bits. Their families would be doing exactly what Cpl Hull's family are doing now!

Lets not forget the same thing happened in 1991 when another A10 did the same thing but killed nine british soldiers.Raf Tornado shot down by American Patriot Missile in 1991.

Yes i know it happens but COULD YOU STOP IT NOW PLEASE!!!!!


pS Col Knob Head said the best thing he's ever done is serve in action In Iraq and he's proud of it. Sounds really contrite does'nt he

Answer 5

well since when are news stories fair and balanced?

I really doubt most americans feel this way. What does a friendly fire incident in Iraq have to do with WW2 anyways?

In any war there is always Friendly Fire incidents. I have a feeling that the American soldiers who did this feel awful.

My Grandfather was a soldier in WW2 he was at Normandy. He told me many times that the sentiments between France and Americans, British and Americans was very high. I hope that our countries can always maintain that sense of common purpose and friendlness for a long long time. Dont let the points of view of a few americans spoil your opinion of all of us.

Answer 6

I have never heard such views out of the UK. Also, although movies are shown in many countries it was produced mainly in America for American audiences. The conflict within the movie Saving Private Ryan is to show the impact on a group of soldiers trying to preserve an American family's name and the burden they experienced. That movie was not about winning the war therefore the contributions of our allies would not be relevant to the story. Same with U571. My Grandfather died in the exact same invasion at the start of Saving Private Ryan... so should I ask why UK movies don't talk about his death or other Americans.

BTW- I think Americans tend to suggest we saved France's rear and not the UK so much.

Answer 7

The fact is that the Japanese leaders were not telling the people how bad the war was going, and were preparing for a very bloody fight to the end on the home islands. The battle for Iwo Jima was nothing compared to what would have happened if the US had been forced to invade the home islands. The atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki made it very clear to the Japanese people that they could not win the war. Ultimately the atomic bombings saved Japan. The US was going to win the war no matter what, but had they been forced to invade the Japanese home islands, millions of Japanese civilians would have died. Additionally, had Japan not surrendered when it did, the USSR would have entered the war resulting in a post war power struggle in Japan similar to what happened in Europe.

Answer 8

In my opinion the US should have joined the war earlier, but be that as it may. Once we did join, the production of aircraft and war machinery produced by the US coupled with the massive troop deployment to Europe and then the Airlift and Marshal Plan clearly saved Europe including the UK.However it also needs to be said the bravery, loyalty and sacrifice of the British were huge and something all British should be proud of. Same goes for the Aussies and other Allies that we fought along side of.

The friendly fire tragedy in Iraq is sad and unfortunate part of any war, including WW2.

Answer 9

I'm a US citizen, and I think nobody with a brain would argue that the UK should accept friendly fire deaths because of WWII. This is inevitable in any war, just like collateral damage is. US soldiers have died in friendly fire too. It is tragic and regrettable and should be avoided.
Maybe some people haven't read their history. Of course the UK was in WWII before the US was, and the US did not begin to fight until it was attacked.
It's natural, of course, that we are more interested in our own country's part in the war.
I don't think the interviews you saw were representative, though. I've heard numerous opinions on friendly fire incidents, and I haven't heard this particular attitude.

Answer 10

I would have to say that your media is not telling the whole truth. I have not heard anything either personally, on the news, or in the paper about that. As an American, I feel bad for the British soldiers family, and also for the pilots because they messed up, and know they messed up. They did not shoot the tanks knowing they were Allied tanks. But WWII never crossed my mind.