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[remnant_evil]

Do you want to know what REALLY pisses me off?

The Czech army was willing to fight and was about the same size in 1938 as the German Army. It had excellent border defences. Czechoslovakia was the sixth largest industrial power in Europe and had an extensive armaments industry. At Munich, therefore, Chamberlain not only encouraged Hitler, but also

Comments

[mechwarrior1]

Well as a fellow lover of modern history ( i feel a good discussion coming on!) i offer the following

[remnant_evil]

I think that if the Czechs had fought, they would have stood a really good chance. And if Germany had invaded (mind you, this is prior to the non-aggression pact with Stalin), then they would have been in for a whole world of hurt. Their military was not as good as the Allies made out

[mechwarrior1]

No doubt the Czechs were in a decent state, they did acquire alot of the most valuable land in central europe, hence why im sure Hitler wanted it, more than just the several million germans he wished to repatriate

[remnant_evil]

Ah, but the Russians copped a fair floggin' from the Nazis and held up 190 divisions on the Eastern Front, allowing Western historians to turn the war into a tale of Allied victory. They paid their dues.

The Russian invasion of Poland, I believe, was a forward defence. If the Germans wanted to invade the Soviet Union (as it turns out, they did), they would have to get through Poland, giving the Ruskies some warning. As it turns out, that didn't work very well.

The Czechs could have won, I think. And considering that would allow France, Britain and Belgium to invade the exposed German flank (the Belgians should get their revenge for WWI! Up with Belgium!).

Yes, that's one of the main arguments taken. The Allies didn't win, the Germans lost. Either way, go Aussies, the rats of Tobruk! =D

[mechwarrior1]

True the Russians did cop a hiding, yet im not surprised when you hear plenty of American Generals advocated a push on Moscow immediately after VE- Day. Then there's the whole Cold War thing...

Forward defence makes sense, as per the Cold War's Iron Curtain of the Warsaw Pact countries to defend Russia itself.

As for the Czechs... in a one on one fight im still think Germany would have hammered them, the German army despite all its technological and numerical setbacks was out killing its opponents of better ability 3 to 1 till 1943, except for the Aussies!

I love it how Aussie units in both World Wars were considered elite troops because they fared so much better than others even in the toughest spots, Gallipoli, Tobruk, Kokoda etc...

Lets go us!

[remnant_evil]

I think that if the Czechs had stood up, it would not have mattered if they won or lost against Germany. It would take the Germans time to consolidate their new gains. Britain and France were nearing the end of their rope, reached with the invasion of Poland. Giving away Czechoslovakia could have been means to avoid conflict. The Czechs fighting invasion would have forced those nations to attack. And with the Germans invading Czechoslovakia, their left flank is inherently weaker and vulnerable to French or British attack. And the Germans were only winning earlier victories by refining blitzkrieg tactics (too lazy to Italic that) against Poland, Belgium and the Netherlands. I think they would have been much weaker in an early engagement, especially without the resources they gained from the Czechs, which would have affected their later victories

[mechwarrior1]

what i find interesting from your last post is the whole thing about blitzkrieg (i too will be too lazy to italicise

[remnant_evil]

Yeah, would be a good book. Don't expect it from me, though. I'm too lazy to use italics, let alone write a bloody novel.