Why did Britain not call a truce in the 2nd world war after Dunkirk?

Question

Britain could have allied with Germany at any time during the war.
As a British man I am proud we did not give in.
But what real hope in hell did Britain have?
It was only because Hitler was an idiot that we are alive but Churchill didn't know that, was he really prepared to scarified thousands of lives to protect Britians honor?
And the chance of a worse treaty when Germany invaded

Answer 1

Our govenment was not ruled by Brussels and like someone else said, our PM had a backbone and was not scared of anoying the minorities. It's about time we told all europe and the rest of the world for that matter that we are proud to be British and we are going to stay that way no matter what silly money or metric systems you try to throw at us.
"I'll have a PINT of lager please." "of course sir, that's £2.25 please."

Answer 2

"I mean, when France fell, Britain was good as dead. I mean, if it hadn't been for the US and the Russians changing sides maybe, the British would have been overwhelmed by the Germans in the end." Hitler gave up on invading Britain by August 1940, Lend-Lease from the US began in March 1941, the Axis invasion of Russia began in June 1941, and war was declared on the US in December 1941. So by August 1940, what had the US or the USSR done to stop Germany from invading Britain? Sod all is the answer you are looking for. The only way the Germans could over run the British was if they could get enough troops and equipment onto the British mainland, and keep them supplied. But the Kriegsmarine were outnumbered 5 to 1(and that is just capital ships, so not counting the Royal Navy Patrol Service), and the Rhine river barges they planned to use as landing craft were not seaworthy, and couldn't carry armour or artillery, so the only support the landing Germans would have had, would have been from the Luftwaffe. They also didn't have enough skilled mariners surplus to the Kriegsmarine to man the barges and tug boats in any case. The same Luftwaffe would have been needed to fight against the squadrons of RAF Fighter Command based in the Midlands, help protect the incoming barges, bomb the transport network in South East England and stop the 300k troops who were evacuated from Dunkirk from getting to the landing sites. The USSR didn't just change sides, and Hitler didn't just decide to invade the USSR in some kind of fit. Hitlers ultimate goal was always to invade and defeat the USSR. His entire vision for the future of Germany hinged on expanding to the east, at the expense of Russia. Hitler just wanted Britain out of the war, but without the threat of invasion, he would never achieve that, and that is what Operation Sealion really was about. It is difficult to see how the German military leaders could be optimistic about it's chances of success. The German military was powerful on land, but they didn't have the right skills or equipment to launch an amphibious assault on the scale required to invade Britain. "What use was it to fight? Why didn't they just give up to Germany?" Because if our grandparents didn't, then the World would be a much crappier place than it is now.

Answer 3

Britain was in no position to call a truce after the dunkirk evacuation. We were more or less powerless in that respect. As for Winston Churchill wanting to sacrifice thousands of lives to protect British Honour was not the case.I was a young lad during WW2, and I knew how most people felt about any German Invasion of Britain. The feeling was that the people of britain were not going to surrender to Germany. They would fight to the death to protect their country and it's democracy.When Churchill spoke of fighting the Germans on the beaches, and in the towns, and in the hills. He was refering to the regular Army and the home guard. Winston Churchill was an Inspiration to the people of Britain during WW2. Even in the darkest hours he inspired the people with his speeches, he gave them heart to all fight for Freedom, for everyone to do their bit to beat "this Guttersnipe"( refering to Hitler). A great leader indeed. If Hitler had invaded this island he would not have an easy task. Practically the whole of the South coast had an underwater pipeline of oil which could be ignited if any Landing craft came within 2 miles of our coast. Every possible landing zone where German paratroopers may land was covered with barbed wire or long wooden stakes. Etc.

Answer 4

Pal the only reason I can think for you asking this question is because you were never taught history at school.

Why do you say we never stood a chance? I you remember any history you would know that the last army to sucessful cross the English channel was William the Conqueror in 1066, that's a pretty good stretch of time without a loss. There is no other country in history with such close neighbours that can make that claim. Also the Army had taken a bashing, but we still had an intact RAF and of course the mightiest Navy in the World,along with the new invention of RADAR (Another Brit invention given to the Yanks), so all in all I think we were doing OK. We were even making headway in Africa on our own before the US figured out we were going to win and they better jump in on the winning side. So just where does your statement come from?

Answer 5

Churchill was prepared to stand up against the evil that was Nazi Germany. Churchill recognized what Hitler stood for.

Chamberlain was only able to waffle on about a bit of paper, convinced in his tiny mind that Hitler was trustworthy.

It had nothing to do with Britain's honor it had to do with backing up Great Britain's Allies, the French and Belgians.

Answer 6

Churchill always sought a way to bring the USA into the war. He knew it was possible to survive as long as Britain could import what it needed across the Atlantic but he also knew that to win the war, it would require the help of the USA. As long as the USA were prepared to supply us, there was hope.

However, Hitler solved his problem by picking a fight with the Russians & then the USA !

Answer 7

You can't "call a truce" without the other side agreeing, that's why.

Hitler liked the British (don't forget he lived here for a while), but the fact is we didn't agree with what he was doing. Invading most of Europe without so much as a by-your-leave was considered the height of bad manners and simply not on.

So (I'm proud to say), we fought on.

Answer 8

you forget your history sir at many points along the road of the war hitler tried to fet britian to join him so he had a great deal of respect for us, when we were forced onto the beaches at dunkirk there were infantry and tank battalions only miles away however hitler wouldnt release them.
i think it was a case of better the devil you know than the devil you dont.
if he had of massacred british troops on the dunkirk beaches then america would of forced itself into the war earlier along with many other allies and thats why hitler never attacked, that and the fact he would of sustained heavy casualties himself which he could ill afford as he was preparing to invade russia.

Answer 9

You never give into a tyrant.. never ever ever! no matter what the cost!.

Hitler was a psychopath! and he would have turned on the British in the very same way have her turned on the Russians after signing a no aggression treaty with Stalin..

You just have to stand up for what you believe in.. that's true today has it was back then.

Answer 10

simple,we cant spell the word or understand the meaning.Hitler was far from an idiot and Churchill's invasion of Europe was not based on protecting Britain's honour,guess you off school during the history lessons.

Answer 11

Because we are British we dont know how to quit!!! Dunkirk, The Blitz, The Falklands, 7/7,

Simply put when you put our backs to the wall you bring to bear the most powerful weapon we have (or should that be had) our tenacious spirit, that never say die attitude that defines us a Nation and as a Race.

An English mans Home is his Castle!!