Debate Americans or British?

Ok, here's a basic question. Who played a bigger role in defeating Germany in World War II, the Americans... or the British.

Let the debate start!

 

I'd say the British, because they were in there longer.

Then again, US did come up with Operation D-Day...

*goes off to do @$$load of research*

 

The yanks didn't do squat until the war was halfway over.
The brits did more because they brough all their allies with them. I mean, without the involvement of all the Commonwealth, what would have happened (O Canada ...).
Besides, Winston Churchill was a genius.

 

In my opinion, the Americans did more and where in the fight longer than three years. Even though they where not a choice, I think that the Soviets did more for the war effort than any other country. They ended German invincibility after they won the battle of Stalingrad, stormed Berlin, trained the worlds largest force of professional snipers, built in excess of 50 thousand T34s, possibly lost 28 million people (civilains too) and all of this happened in an unindustrialized country that almost caved in under Hitler's attack.

The American Army did nothing, but you forget about the american Navy and merchant marines. After war broke out, Roosevelt wanted to continue trade while appearing to be neutral. Therefore, he created a policy that allowed any ship from either side of the warring nations to be able to trade as long as they were in an American harbor. Well now, who does this favor? The British of course. The germans didn't have control of the ocean surface, so they took to the depths and attacked the shipping. The Navy therefore started intercepting U-boats and fighting. The U-boats where also taking a toll on the british fleet, so the British needed help early on to stay afloat. Keep in mind, the british had to patrol the north sea for germany's raider fleets, keep an eye on the English channel, put prerssure on Italy as well as secure their shipping. The American Navy jumped into the shipping role and helped secure that, even before war was declared. If you think this is impossible, then remember this. Veitnam was not a war. It was more like a presence, much like the way fighting has been since then.

 

Bear in mind that when the Americans joined the war, there were bearly any German 'Luftwaffe' airforce left because it was mostly destroyed by the R.A.F in the 'operation sea-lion' AKA battle of Britain. If that force was still present it would have 1. caused trouble for American landings, 2. ultimately conquered Europe because if they defeated the R.A.F Britain would be doomed and Hitler would have claimed all of Western Europe.... that would be a totally different story.

Don't forget the North African campaign. The British fought off th Germans in many important areas including 'El-Alamein' this also aided the Americans in landing from Western Africa.

True America's contribution was great after their arrival. They had the men and the equipment to do so... but don't forget the Russians as well... they played a big role too... e.g. Stalingrad and Leningrad.

 

The question was not who did more but who played a bigger role in defeating Germany.

the Americans

 

Can you back your point with facts...

Going on your point... People who say the Soviet Union played the biggest role in defeating Germany would have their point if they also said that they did the most work, which is probably true in terms of men lost, territory reclaimed and years fought. So the work put in is significant as well, it really does depend on which country you think help defeat Germany the most.... but back your point please as your statement defies the whole point of a debate.

^Shen^

 

It was all a combination of factors that contributed in Hitler's demise I disapprove of saying that any one nation was the main reason but rather I like to see it as a team effort to destroy the Nazis who dominated much of Europe. The first factor is the Japanese's attack on Pearl Harbor, which finally gave the USA a chance to help out the ruined and devastated Europe(of course they were also helping indirectly, but then they could finally help in name as well). The Nazi Invasion of the Soviet Union that was a major miscalculation just as Napoleon had did. The overextension of the Nazi Empire, that made it all that easier to conquer them. The lack of buildup time, that if granted Hitler might have made his position invincible. The guerillas that fought bravely against great risk in support of nationalism and made various contributions to the Allies. The waste of resources in concentration camps when it could have served better purpose in other ways.

 

I have To agree with both Phalanx and Zelgadis on this.

It was a team effort and without Russia attacking on the third front. the allies may have never been able to get a foothold on Nazi controled Territories.

And Shen about the R.F.A defeating the Luftwaffe before the americans came thats not totaly true.

The Germans had an invasion force ready to take england and had they used that force they would have put a strangle hold on all of Europe. For reasons I cant remember Hitler redirected those troups elsewhere.

And as for Russia the biggest mistake in attacking them was the timing.. they Attacked in the fall just before winter and did not factor in the Russian Winters on there troups and Equipment.

But Frankly i dont believe that one contry alone could have beat the Nazi forces.

Now if you talk world war One. Anyone who says it was the Americans who won that war ill have to seriously hurt!.


And anyone who knows anything about history does not have to back up facts.. Cause what Phalanx and Zelgadis is 100% true!


KaMe

 

I understand the war is a group effort, in fact in almost any (modern) war it always has been a group effort (excluding the medieval wars which were mainly 1 vs 1). The point of this debate wasn't to say 'which country single-handedly defeated Germany'. It was 'Which country played a bigger role in the war against Germany' That is to say which particular country you reckon was the 'key' to winning the war. Ok, some agree... in fact all should agree that the war finished as a 'allied' victory but deep inside you is there a country who you think should derserve 'a little' more credit.

^Shen^

 

Well IM not saying canada is the key player to winning the war.. But a lot of Countries push aside what canada did during the war as if it was nothing. We did a lot more then we have been credited for.

But Realy Its truely hard to say who did more. russia or the US, because i dont think the war would have been won without both those countries fighting.

KaMe

 

i would say us (British) cos in history when we learned about the war the americans helping out was hardly mentioned. but if it werent for us all winning, i would probably be german cos my teacher sed so, n i cant speak much german so thanks for saving me the hassle of having to learn german!

 

You can't really judge only by what your teacher say or what your text tells you... if it's a British textbook, it runs a high probabilty of being more 'pro-Britain' and therefore excluding other factors of the war... which is what you semed to have encountered. As for teachers they aren't always right ya know ^_^

^Shen^

 

Of course don't forget that American textbooks arent exactly without bias.

Hell, Canada is hardly mentioned despite its contributions... same with Australia.

 

Germany, tbh.... if they hadn't switched from attacking airfields to cities, the war would have gone veery differently..

In terms of Britain vs America, Britain and France did more than America, IMHO. Of course, they could have ended it far quicker without Neville "Peace In Our time" Chamberlain and the fecking Phoney War. Fools.

 

i no teachers r stupid, im at school at the mo! but i liked learning about the war, it was fun

 

Australia's Involvement In World War Two

One or two alright articles.