How many years...? - Page 2

Jimbuna · 09-01-09, 01:36 PM

Approximate numbers of civilian and military deaths:

WWI 37 million
WWII 56 million

I still couldn't imagine WWI being any less horrific though

Knipper · 09-01-09, 02:08 PM

September 1, 1939 was a truly momentous day in the history of mankind. I think on this anniversary a tip o' the hat and a little silent reflection on those that died on all sides is in order, including the 28,000-odd German submariners, most of whom probably weren't Nazi's. Time to break out my World at War DVD's methinks....

Funny the server should go down today of all days, or was that deliberate?

Raptor1 · 09-01-09, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oberon

Lets not forget that the Poles put up one hell of a fight, despite being outnumbered, outgunned, nowhere to retreat and thousands of miles from help. Those who went on to serve in the Battle of Britain were known for their courage, ferocity and determination, amply demonstrated in about seven days time at the Battle of Wizna.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Wizna

(Song by Swedish power-metal group Sabaton about Wizna)

It wasn't just Wizna, the Poles demonstrated their fighting ability throughout the invasion. For example, at Westerplatte (At the very beginning of the invasion), the Poles held on for 7 days and inflicted many casualties on the Germans who outnumbered and outgunned them by far.

The general belief that Poland surrendered quickly and without a fight is a myth, the invasion of Poland lasted only slightly less than the Battle of France despite the fact that the western Allies were much better off in numbers, position and equipment (Which in many cases outclassed the Germans').

BTW, I think somebody vandalized the Battle of Wizna wiki article, the German tank losses are way overstated.

Knipper · 09-01-09, 03:17 PM

'S right Raptor. What those folk did was legendary. They flew with the RAF in the Battle of Britain, fought at Arnhem (when the Brits could be bothered to supply planes to drop them in) as well as Monte Casino and of course, let's not forget the Warsaw uprising. Even now, the Poles and the Brits have a very 'special' relationship, at least all the ones I know think we have. Which is kind of surprising really when you think of all the times we Brits let them down.

Platapus · 09-01-09, 04:17 PM

I wonder how many Americans knew this? For many Americans, WWII started 7 Dec 41.

Never could forgive those Germans from bombing Pearl Harbour.

Oberon · 09-01-09, 04:23 PM

Aye, I didn't mean just Wizna, but the campaign as a whole, I mean, the tenecity of the Poles and their spirit. Well, I'm glad they were on our side

Knipper · 09-01-09, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Platapus

I wonder how many Americans knew this? For many Americans, WWII started 7 Dec 41.

Never could forgive those Germans from bombing Pearl Harbour.

HAH!

Only today the Polish president told Vlad Putin something along the lines of that each nation was entitled to it's own version of history. I don't think this is quite what he had in mind though. :rotfl:

However, for the Brits it was 3rd September 1939, but for the Poles, it was 1st.

bookworm_020 · 09-02-09, 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Knipper

HAH!

Only today the Polish president told Vlad Putin something along the lines of that each nation was entitled to it's own version of history. I don't think this is quite what he had in mind though.

A bit of a love / hate relationship there!

Task Force · 09-02-09, 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Platapus

I wonder how many Americans knew this? For many Americans, WWII started 7 Dec 41.

Never could forgive those Germans from bombing Pearl Harbour.

I DID!!!

August · 09-02-09, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Platapus

I wonder how many Americans knew this? For many Americans, WWII started 7 Dec 41.

Never could forgive those Germans from bombing Pearl Harbour.

Thank God George Washington knew what to do or we'd all be speaking Confederate today...

Torplexed · 09-02-09, 11:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Platapus

I wonder how many Americans knew this? For many Americans, WWII started 7 Dec 41.

Never could forgive those Germans from bombing Pearl Harbour.

"....Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?"
"Don't stop him...he's on a roll."

Melonfish · 09-03-09, 04:59 AM

dec 7 41 america comes charging into the war blowing their bugle in the traditional Cav charge.
uk asks: "Where the F**k have you been?"

actually wasn't it dec 9th hitler declared war on america? alot of people don't realise that germany declared on america.
much like the japanese were trying to time the decloration to the actual attack but they got held up in translation and had to bring it After the attack.

sep 3rd today, chaimberlain tells hitler we can't stand by and watch him annihilate europe and we declare on germany along with france.

Oberon · 09-03-09, 07:36 AM

No such undertaking has been received

Biggles · 09-03-09, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Melonfish

actually wasn't it dec 9th hitler declared war on america?

Actually, it was the 11th, but it is indeed true that Germany declared war on the United States. This is, btw, the only time the Third Reich formally declared a war on another nation. In all the other cases, they used the element of surprise, or was attacked themselves.

Sailor Steve · 09-03-09, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Melonfish

actually wasn't it dec 9th hitler declared war on america? alot of people don't realise that germany declared on america.

December 11th, my dad's 13th birthday. (Already mentioned by Biggles, but I had to toot my old man's horn)

09-01-09, 01:36 PM	#16
Jimbuna Chief of the Boat Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: 250 metres below the surface Posts: 190,678 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 13	Approximate numbers of civilian and military deaths: WWI 37 million WWII 56 million I still couldn't imagine WWI being any less horrific though __________________ Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something. Oh my God, not again!!

09-01-09, 02:08 PM	#17
Knipper Machinist's Mate Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Bath, SW England Posts: 123 Downloads: 49 Uploads: 0	Day of Days September 1, 1939 was a truly momentous day in the history of mankind. I think on this anniversary a tip o' the hat and a little silent reflection on those that died on all sides is in order, including the 28,000-odd German submariners, most of whom probably weren't Nazi's. Time to break out my World at War DVD's methinks.... Funny the server should go down today of all days, or was that deliberate? __________________ Only the dead have seen the end of war. - Plato

09-01-09, 03:17 PM	#19
Knipper Machinist's Mate Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Bath, SW England Posts: 123 Downloads: 49 Uploads: 0	'S right Raptor. What those folk did was legendary. They flew with the RAF in the Battle of Britain, fought at Arnhem (when the Brits could be bothered to supply planes to drop them in) as well as Monte Casino and of course, let's not forget the Warsaw uprising. Even now, the Poles and the Brits have a very 'special' relationship, at least all the ones I know think we have. Which is kind of surprising really when you think of all the times we Brits let them down. __________________ Only the dead have seen the end of war. - Plato

09-01-09, 04:17 PM	#20
Platapus Fleet Admiral Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 19,381 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 0	I wonder how many Americans knew this? For many Americans, WWII started 7 Dec 41. Never could forgive those Germans from bombing Pearl Harbour. __________________ abusus non tollit usum - A right should NOT be withheld from people on the basis that some tend to abuse that right. Last edited by Platapus; 09-01-09 at 04:43 PM.

09-01-09, 04:23 PM	#21
Oberon Lucky Jack Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 25,976 Downloads: 61 Uploads: 20	Aye, I didn't mean just Wizna, but the campaign as a whole, I mean, the tenecity of the Poles and their spirit. Well, I'm glad they were on our side

09-03-09, 04:59 AM	#27
Melonfish XO Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Warrington, UK Posts: 417 Downloads: 106 Uploads: 0	dec 7 41 america comes charging into the war blowing their bugle in the traditional Cav charge. uk asks: "Where the F**k have you been?" actually wasn't it dec 9th hitler declared war on america? alot of people don't realise that germany declared on america. much like the japanese were trying to time the decloration to the actual attack but they got held up in translation and had to bring it After the attack. sep 3rd today, chaimberlain tells hitler we can't stand by and watch him annihilate europe and we declare on germany along with france.

09-03-09, 07:36 AM	#28
Oberon Lucky Jack Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 25,976 Downloads: 61 Uploads: 20	No such undertaking has been received