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DiscordTiger On December 04, 2021
The Queen of Random

Administrator




Emerald City, United States (g
#76New Post! Apr 27, 2016 @ 22:48:42
Wait is this the bit that he said that people are talking about?
Quote:
But also I understand that there’s a spirited campaign under way here. My country is going through much the same. And ultimately, the question of whether or not the UK remains a part of the EU is a matter for British voters to decide for yourselves.

That said, when President Roosevelt toasted to our special relationship that night, he also remarked that we are friends who have no fear of each other. So I will say, with the candour of a friend, that the outcome of your decision is a matter of deep interest to the United States.


Mostly just checking to see if I had the right speech.
bob_the_fisherman On January 30, 2023
Anatidaephobic





, Angola
#77New Post! Apr 27, 2016 @ 22:55:25
@Leez Said

However, it does influence the vote of those who adore him as their god / celebrity figure. Indeed, there is an obsession amongst the younsters and some 'grown up' about celebrities in the UK ...


It is not just the UK, sadly. The west generally, seems to have become obsessed with 'celebrities.' It's a bit sad. There have to be more important things to worry about than some rich person's mating habits...

Ps., welcome to TFS
shadowen On March 22, 2024




Bunyip Bend, Australia
#78New Post! Apr 28, 2016 @ 05:43:48
@Hitting40 Said

It took the US to intervene for us to win the last war.


Not sure exactly what you mean there.

But as an observation, when the UK faced the very real threat of invasion in 1940 the US were no where to be seen. The German's needed air superiority to attempt a seaborne invasion and so the Battle of Britain was absolutely critical. In the end it was the RAF who won the battle (helped greatly by aircrew and commanders from Australia, NZ, Canada, RSA, Poland, Czechoslovakia, France...). Had the RAF lost the battle of Britain WWII may have taken a very different turn.

In 1940-41 when the German's threatened to take Egypt (which would have given them control of the Suez and opened up the middle east and it's rich oil reserves) it was the British, Australian, New Zealand, South African, Polish, Indian, Free French, Czechs and Rhodesians who stopped them. During this critical time the US were neutral.

If we look at D-Day and again we see that it was (despite what hollywood would have us believe) a primarily British operation. The planning for D-Day was carried out by British High Command whilst the invasion forces came under the direct command of Montgomery. The allied airforces and naval forces were also under British command.

In order for D-Day to succeed a number of things had to first happen:
- The German's had to believe that the invasion would occur at a time and place quite removed from reality. To achieve this the British SIS oversaw a highly effective deception plan. The deception plan was so successful that as late as July (1944) Hitler believed that the main invasion was still to come.
- The allies needed complete control of the channel. This was largely achieved by the RN with help from the Canadians. Indeed, 78% of warships and landing craft at D-Day were British or Canadian.
- The allies needed complete control of the air. This is where the US had the biggest military impact on the western front. The Luftwaffe had been degraded by the RAF over the course of 1940-43 but it was the USAF that really hurt the Germans in the lead up to D-Day (thanks largely to the Mustang P51D). Here it should be noted that the bulk of allied aircraft that took part in D-Day itself were from the RAF which included whole squadrons made up of Australians, Canadians as well as including Kiwis, Poles, Czechs and French)
- It was critical that German armour didnt engage allied troops in the opening days of the invasion. This was achieved by a variety of factors. The deception plan lead by the British SIS (MI6) played an important role. So too did RAF aircraft. But often overlooked is the important role played by the British SOE lead, trained and equipped French resistance.
- A huge factor in the allied victory in WWII was the British cracking of the German enigma code. The importance of this cannot be overstated for it allowed the Allies to know exactly what the Germans were saying. They knew where the Germans were deploying their troops, who was commanding these troops, what their positions were etc etc etc.
- The allies also needed access to a harbour in order that the invading forces could be reinforced and resupplied. This presented a problem as ports along the French coast were heavily defended. Enter the British who came up the the brilliant floating harbours called Mulberries. So effective were these floating harbours that they were still being used 10 months after the D-Day invasion.
- The British invented Bangalore torpedoes were also used very effectively to breach German barbed wire defences. They played a very important role at Omaha beach.

On D-Day some 140,000 allied troops landed on the 5 beaches. British and Canadian troops landed on three of these beaches and made up around 59% of the total seaborne invading force.

But when speaking of WWII most of the credit for defeating the Nazis belongs to the Soviets. Depending on what sources you choose to trust btw 82-91% of ALL German military casualties occurred fighting against the Soviets. At Stalingrad alone the Germans lost some 850,000 men. Without the Soviets the western allies could never have even contemplated an invasion of Nazi occupied Europe.

That said the Soviets almost certainly could not have defeated the Nazis without the help it received (directly and indirectly) from the Western Allies. So the defeat of the Nazis required a genuine international effort involving many countries. Each played their part.
shadowen On March 22, 2024




Bunyip Bend, Australia
#79New Post! Apr 28, 2016 @ 05:46:59
@bob_the_fisherman Said

It is not just the UK, sadly. The west generally, seems to have become obsessed with 'celebrities.' It's a bit sad. There have to be more important things to worry about than some rich person's mating habits...

Ps., welcome to TFS


Whilst we do (like the rest of the western world) have an unhealthy obsession with celebrity i dont think it extends to pollies! I dont for example think Julia was followed in quite the same way as the kardashians (what's that all about).
Jennifer1984 On July 20, 2022
Returner and proud





Penzance, United Kingdom
#80New Post! Apr 28, 2016 @ 17:46:26
@boxer Said

Let's be honest, the UK has already dropped several places in the queue with the US, and everyone knows it.

Unless the Queen is having another birthday, or Kate is doing something that Diana did, we hear absolutely nothing about the UK on television these days. We hear far more about China, Mexico, Russia, Germany, France, Belgium, and the Middle East. The UK has almost no power, and therefore almost no influence. There is nothing of note, good or bad going on there, so as far as the US is concerned, you simply don't matter.

It's a fact.



I've been saying that for years.


The "Special Relationship" has oft been trotted out when the US wants something, like handing over Abdelbaset Al-Megrahi. Then it's "Our oldest ally"..... "Our best friend" and of course, "the special relationship that exists between us". When we let him go back to Libya then wow.......

Be that as it may, Obama did speak and his words add to the drip-drip effect on people. It works in two ways;

Firstly, there is the effect of a long line of important influential people and organisations constantly telling voters that we will suffer by leaving the EU. They can't all be wrong, can they..? And if they don't know how the global economy works, then who does..?

Secondly, the only response that comes from the Leave camp is that it is all scaremongering. Repeating the same weak response over and over and over starts to wear thin after a while. The Governor of the Bank of England makes a warning: Scaremongering. The International Monetary Fund speaks. Scaremongering. The President of the United States tells us we will go to the back of the queue. Scaremongering (and he shouldn't interfere at all).

I can only speak for people in my own immediate circle and my entire family is for remain, as are the majority of my friends, the mums who I speak to at my daughter's play group and most of my friends on social media. And a number of those started out as undecided but are worried about the Leave campaigns absence of any credible economic strategy for the future.... indeed, any strategy at all. Some are worried about the almost certain breakup of the United Kingdom. Out of the EU, it will be almost impossible to prevent a re-invigorated SNP from forcing a second referendum. And this time, it is certain that the Scots will grab the opportunity to leave with both hands.

The leave groups' entire campaign seems to be almost completely focused on immigration and their promise to completely close our borders to the whole world. But this is simply not possible. We have eight thousand miles of vulnerable coastline and that just not policeable. We can't close our borders completely. The Leave campaign is making promises it can't keep.

Another thing that is starting to play on the minds of some undecideds is that if we do leave, it will be for good. No going back. It is a one way ticket. If they buy the Leave pup and things do go the way that the overwhelming majority of business organisations (both British and Global) say it will, then we will have burned our bridges behind us and left ourselves isolated and impoverished.

It's no surprise to anybody that I am for the Remain vote. I am a European as well as a Briton and I'm comfortable with being both. I don't fear being a part of a wider Europe. I think it is better to be a part of the group, where we can work to improve the EU from the inside, rather than to leave and have absolutely no influence whatsoever.

The European Union will go on with or without Great Britain. Europe will prosper and, little by little, work out all its problems. In the fullness of time..... nobody knows how long, but it will happen I believe.....Europe will be a wealthy, strong, confident, secure, peaceful continent.

I can vote for that.
Hitting40 On November 20, 2016




The middle of nowhere, United
#81New Post! May 23, 2016 @ 14:28:29
@shadowen Said

Not sure exactly what you mean there.

But as an observation, when the UK faced the very real threat of invasion in 1940 the US were no where to be seen. The German's needed air superiority to attempt a seaborne invasion and so the Battle of Britain was absolutely critical. In the end it was the RAF who won the battle (helped greatly by aircrew and commanders from Australia, NZ, Canada, RSA, Poland, Czechoslovakia, France...). Had the RAF lost the battle of Britain WWII may have taken a very different turn.

In 1940-41 when the German's threatened to take Egypt (which would have given them control of the Suez and opened up the middle east and it's rich oil reserves) it was the British, Australian, New Zealand, South African, Polish, Indian, Free French, Czechs and Rhodesians who stopped them. During this critical time the US were neutral.

If we look at D-Day and again we see that it was (despite what hollywood would have us believe) a primarily British operation. The planning for D-Day was carried out by British High Command whilst the invasion forces came under the direct command of Montgomery. The allied airforces and naval forces were also under British command.

In order for D-Day to succeed a number of things had to first happen:
- The German's had to believe that the invasion would occur at a time and place quite removed from reality. To achieve this the British SIS oversaw a highly effective deception plan. The deception plan was so successful that as late as July (1944) Hitler believed that the main invasion was still to come.
- The allies needed complete control of the channel. This was largely achieved by the RN with help from the Canadians. Indeed, 78% of warships and landing craft at D-Day were British or Canadian.
- The allies needed complete control of the air. This is where the US had the biggest military impact on the western front. The Luftwaffe had been degraded by the RAF over the course of 1940-43 but it was the USAF that really hurt the Germans in the lead up to D-Day (thanks largely to the Mustang P51D). Here it should be noted that the bulk of allied aircraft that took part in D-Day itself were from the RAF which included whole squadrons made up of Australians, Canadians as well as including Kiwis, Poles, Czechs and French)
- It was critical that German armour didnt engage allied troops in the opening days of the invasion. This was achieved by a variety of factors. The deception plan lead by the British SIS (MI6) played an important role. So too did RAF aircraft. But often overlooked is the important role played by the British SOE lead, trained and equipped French resistance.
- A huge factor in the allied victory in WWII was the British cracking of the German enigma code. The importance of this cannot be overstated for it allowed the Allies to know exactly what the Germans were saying. They knew where the Germans were deploying their troops, who was commanding these troops, what their positions were etc etc etc.
- The allies also needed access to a harbour in order that the invading forces could be reinforced and resupplied. This presented a problem as ports along the French coast were heavily defended. Enter the British who came up the the brilliant floating harbours called Mulberries. So effective were these floating harbours that they were still being used 10 months after the D-Day invasion.
- The British invented Bangalore torpedoes were also used very effectively to breach German barbed wire defences. They played a very important role at Omaha beach.

On D-Day some 140,000 allied troops landed on the 5 beaches. British and Canadian troops landed on three of these beaches and made up around 59% of the total seaborne invading force.

But when speaking of WWII most of the credit for defeating the Nazis belongs to the Soviets. Depending on what sources you choose to trust btw 82-91% of ALL German military casualties occurred fighting against the Soviets. At Stalingrad alone the Germans lost some 850,000 men. Without the Soviets the western allies could never have even contemplated an invasion of Nazi occupied Europe.

That said the Soviets almost certainly could not have defeated the Nazis without the help it received (directly and indirectly) from the Western Allies. So the defeat of the Nazis required a genuine international effort involving many countries. Each played their part.



I was referring more to the effect the US had on home front back on the UK.
The British were tired moral was at an all time low and people were bordering on starving.
I'm not knocking the joint effort of all concerned our own troops included.
This country was at an all time low when the US intervened.
The british people were at an all time low.
To the average jane/joe blogs the US fed us pulled us up by our boots strings.
shadowen On March 22, 2024




Bunyip Bend, Australia
#82New Post! Jun 24, 2016 @ 11:49:33
The people of the UK (well really england) have made the historic decision to leave the EU. The medium to long term ramifications for not only the UK, but potentially for other geographical areas in Europe, could be very significant.
Leon On December 21, 2023




San Diego, California
#83New Post! Jun 24, 2016 @ 13:49:22
@shadowen Said

Not sure exactly what you mean there.

But as an observation, when the UK faced the very real threat of invasion in 1940 the US were no where to be seen. The German's needed air superiority to attempt a seaborne invasion and so the Battle of Britain was absolutely critical. In the end it was the RAF who won the battle (helped greatly by aircrew and commanders from Australia, NZ, Canada, RSA, Poland, Czechoslovakia, France...). Had the RAF lost the battle of Britain WWII may have taken a very different turn.

In 1940-41 when the German's threatened to take Egypt (which would have given them control of the Suez and opened up the middle east and it's rich oil reserves) it was the British, Australian, New Zealand, South African, Polish, Indian, Free French, Czechs and Rhodesians who stopped them. During this critical time the US were neutral.

If we look at D-Day and again we see that it was (despite what hollywood would have us believe) a primarily British operation. The planning for D-Day was carried out by British High Command whilst the invasion forces came under the direct command of Montgomery. The allied airforces and naval forces were also under British command.

In order for D-Day to succeed a number of things had to first happen:
- The German's had to believe that the invasion would occur at a time and place quite removed from reality. To achieve this the British SIS oversaw a highly effective deception plan. The deception plan was so successful that as late as July (1944) Hitler believed that the main invasion was still to come.
- The allies needed complete control of the channel. This was largely achieved by the RN with help from the Canadians. Indeed, 78% of warships and landing craft at D-Day were British or Canadian.
- The allies needed complete control of the air. This is where the US had the biggest military impact on the western front. The Luftwaffe had been degraded by the RAF over the course of 1940-43 but it was the USAF that really hurt the Germans in the lead up to D-Day (thanks largely to the Mustang P51D). Here it should be noted that the bulk of allied aircraft that took part in D-Day itself were from the RAF which included whole squadrons made up of Australians, Canadians as well as including Kiwis, Poles, Czechs and French)
- It was critical that German armour didnt engage allied troops in the opening days of the invasion. This was achieved by a variety of factors. The deception plan lead by the British SIS (MI6) played an important role. So too did RAF aircraft. But often overlooked is the important role played by the British SOE lead, trained and equipped French resistance.
- A huge factor in the allied victory in WWII was the British cracking of the German enigma code. The importance of this cannot be overstated for it allowed the Allies to know exactly what the Germans were saying. They knew where the Germans were deploying their troops, who was commanding these troops, what their positions were etc etc etc.
- The allies also needed access to a harbour in order that the invading forces could be reinforced and resupplied. This presented a problem as ports along the French coast were heavily defended. Enter the British who came up the the brilliant floating harbours called Mulberries. So effective were these floating harbours that they were still being used 10 months after the D-Day invasion.
- The British invented Bangalore torpedoes were also used very effectively to breach German barbed wire defences. They played a very important role at Omaha beach.

On D-Day some 140,000 allied troops landed on the 5 beaches. British and Canadian troops landed on three of these beaches and made up around 59% of the total seaborne invading force.

But when speaking of WWII most of the credit for defeating the Nazis belongs to the Soviets. Depending on what sources you choose to trust btw 82-91% of ALL German military casualties occurred fighting against the Soviets. At Stalingrad alone the Germans lost some 850,000 men. Without the Soviets the western allies could never have even contemplated an invasion of Nazi occupied Europe.

That said the Soviets almost certainly could not have defeated the Nazis without the help it received (directly and indirectly) from the Western Allies. So the defeat of the Nazis required a genuine international effort involving many countries. Each played their part.


It was the numbers we provided, if nothing else.
Evameeks On June 24, 2016




Clute, Texas
#84New Post! Jun 24, 2016 @ 15:44:08
@Five_Tailed_Fox Said

I hate when people misuse the word "communist."

A communist is not a boogeyman, the ultimate evil that stands in the way of decency and all that is good in the world. A communist, to put it simply, is someone who believes in a system of government and/or economics wherein every person gets an equal share. Everybody works hard, and everybody eats and is taken care of. That's it. Being communist does not immediately make you a d***.

It's not the 50s anymore. We're no longer fighting the "Commie Russians," who by the way really didn't even have a very Communist system.

That's all I am saying on this issue. (Unless I'm bothered to write more.)



Tell that to Cuba!!!
Commander4th On May 31, 2021




, United Kingdom
#85New Post! Jun 24, 2016 @ 16:52:53
@shadowen Said

Not sure exactly what you mean there.

But as an observation, when the UK faced the very real threat of invasion in 1940 the US were no where to be seen. The German's needed air superiority to attempt a seaborne invasion and so the Battle of Britain was absolutely critical. In the end it was the RAF who won the battle (helped greatly by aircrew and commanders from Australia, NZ, Canada, RSA, Poland, Czechoslovakia, France...). Had the RAF lost the battle of Britain WWII may have taken a very different turn.

In 1940-41 when the German's threatened to take Egypt (which would have given them control of the Suez and opened up the middle east and it's rich oil reserves) it was the British, Australian, New Zealand, South African, Polish, Indian, Free French, Czechs and Rhodesians who stopped them. During this critical time the US were neutral.

If we look at D-Day and again we see that it was (despite what hollywood would have us believe) a primarily British operation. The planning for D-Day was carried out by British High Command whilst the invasion forces came under the direct command of Montgomery. The allied airforces and naval forces were also under British command.

In order for D-Day to succeed a number of things had to first happen:
- The German's had to believe that the invasion would occur at a time and place quite removed from reality. To achieve this the British SIS oversaw a highly effective deception plan. The deception plan was so successful that as late as July (1944) Hitler believed that the main invasion was still to come.
- The allies needed complete control of the channel. This was largely achieved by the RN with help from the Canadians. Indeed, 78% of warships and landing craft at D-Day were British or Canadian.
- The allies needed complete control of the air. This is where the US had the biggest military impact on the western front. The Luftwaffe had been degraded by the RAF over the course of 1940-43 but it was the USAF that really hurt the Germans in the lead up to D-Day (thanks largely to the Mustang P51D). Here it should be noted that the bulk of allied aircraft that took part in D-Day itself were from the RAF which included whole squadrons made up of Australians, Canadians as well as including Kiwis, Poles, Czechs and French)
- It was critical that German armour didnt engage allied troops in the opening days of the invasion. This was achieved by a variety of factors. The deception plan lead by the British SIS (MI6) played an important role. So too did RAF aircraft. But often overlooked is the important role played by the British SOE lead, trained and equipped French resistance.
- A huge factor in the allied victory in WWII was the British cracking of the German enigma code. The importance of this cannot be overstated for it allowed the Allies to know exactly what the Germans were saying. They knew where the Germans were deploying their troops, who was commanding these troops, what their positions were etc etc etc.
- The allies also needed access to a harbour in order that the invading forces could be reinforced and resupplied. This presented a problem as ports along the French coast were heavily defended. Enter the British who came up the the brilliant floating harbours called Mulberries. So effective were these floating harbours that they were still being used 10 months after the D-Day invasion.
- The British invented Bangalore torpedoes were also used very effectively to breach German barbed wire defences. They played a very important role at Omaha beach.

On D-Day some 140,000 allied troops landed on the 5 beaches. British and Canadian troops landed on three of these beaches and made up around 59% of the total seaborne invading force.

But when speaking of WWII most of the credit for defeating the Nazis belongs to the Soviets. Depending on what sources you choose to trust btw 82-91% of ALL German military casualties occurred fighting against the Soviets. At Stalingrad alone the Germans lost some 850,000 men. Without the Soviets the western allies could never have even contemplated an invasion of Nazi occupied Europe.

That said the Soviets almost certainly could not have defeated the Nazis without the help it received (directly and indirectly) from the Western Allies. So the defeat of the Nazis required a genuine international effort involving many countries. Each played their part.



You sir are a very knowledgeable man.

Its sad when history forgets the lesser known countries achievements in both WWI and WWII, the pivotal role and sacrifices these countries endured in both wars to ensure our freedom.

As you said, each played their part and that should never be forgotten.
Commander4th On May 31, 2021




, United Kingdom
#86New Post! Jun 24, 2016 @ 16:58:39
@Hitting40 Said

I was referring more to the effect the US had on home front back on the UK.
The British were tired moral was at an all time low and people were bordering on starving.
I'm not knocking the joint effort of all concerned our own troops included.
This country was at an all time low when the US intervened.
The british people were at an all time low.
To the average jane/joe blogs the US fed us pulled us up by our boots strings.


Yeah it took them long enough.
a777pilot On July 14, 2022




, Texas
#87New Post! Jun 24, 2016 @ 17:03:15
I bet Germany and France will be next. Why? Because the liberals in Brussels are running out of other people's money.
shadowen On March 22, 2024




Bunyip Bend, Australia
#88New Post! Jun 24, 2016 @ 17:41:03
@Commander4th Said

Its sad when history forgets the lesser known countries achievements in both WWI and WWII, the pivotal role and sacrifices these countries endured in both wars to ensure our freedom.

...each played their part and that should never be forgotten.


Agreed. Unfortunately for many it seems their view of historical events is shaped by Hollywood.
shadowen On March 22, 2024




Bunyip Bend, Australia
#89New Post! Jun 24, 2016 @ 17:49:41
I see the Spanish government has called for joint sovereignty over Gibraltar in the wake of the UK's vote to leave the EU...

Don't really see that happening any time soon.
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