Given The Same Circumstances And 1940S Technology, Would The British People Of Today, Have Won Ww2?

[anotheoldgit]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6128497/Virtual-reality-viewers-cockpit-Lancaster-bomber.html

[jim360]

A more serious point is that the British character seemed to switch rather rapidly, and up until maybe as late as 1939 I suspect that the majority of British were rather keen on peace, the memories of WWI understandably putting people off war. Only once it started and became absolutely necessary for our very survival did the "Dunkirk spirit" kick in.

Don't get me wrong: I'm forever grateful that it did. But the point is that we are blessed, at the moment, to be nowhere remotely close to having to face that sort of existential question that was posed to us in 1940. As and when that does happen -- and it won't -- then you can be free to criticise the modern Britain for rolling over tamely, which it also wouldn't.

[naomi24]

Krom, I think you under-estimate that spirit. I don't believe it exists now.

[retrocop]

If Britain caved in and there was no Dunkirk spirit then the Eastern front may well have had a different campaign result. Where did the Russians get British built Hurricane fighters plus the war material sent via Murmansk convoys from?
The Germans overstretched themselves by fighting on too many fronts and the British people made that happen.

[jim360]

See my above post too, Naomi, but I guess my point is that if the "Dunkirk spirit" doesn't exist today, that's overwhelmingly because it doesn't have to.

[Kromovaracun]

Perhaps, but as Jim says, we aren't really in circumstances likely to bring it out. I'm very glad we aren't, personally, but I'm pretty sure if we were then we'd see it again.

[naomi24]

Krom/Jim, I don't share your confidence.

Hello Retrocop, nice to see you.

[jim360]

Well, maybe you should shake that cloud away over your head, eh? :P

In all probability we will never be tested in the same way again, so it seems rather pointless to be pessimistic.

[naomi24]

I wouldn't call it pessimism, Jim.

[jim360]

I'm sure you wouldn't, but, by definition, thinking the worst of a potential situation is rather pessimistic.

Luckily for us all, though, this will never be tested. The world has moved on -- which renders the entire premise of the question void.

[SparklyKid]

Retrocop, that was utterly brilliant.

[jackthehat]

Hmmmmm.....
An interesting question to ponder.

The 'old guard', if you like, were prepared to die for King and Country; they considered themselves to be British, first, second and last. And then having soundly beaten 'Jerry' were strangely prepared to sign away, piecemeal, the Sovereignty they so cherished and had fought to preserve.
They created a new world where subsequent generations were encouraged to feel themselves 'European' and develop closer ties with the peoples of Europe.

It's hardly fair to criticise the youth (as in the likely age of any combatants) of today as being too wishy-washy to fight given the society in which they have grown up was not of their making.

[sanmac]

AOG, are you not aware of the fact that The Americans won the war?

[anotheoldgit]

Retrocop

So pleased to see you back Retrocop, you have been missed.

I award you a BA.

[retrocop]

Many Thanks Mr aog,
Most kind of you

[anotheoldgit]

sanmac

/// AOG, are you not aware of the fact that The Americans won the war? ///

Perhaps they did help to win the war, but they didn't enter until almost 1942, until then we stood alone, if during that time we had allowed the Nazis to invade us, then they wouldn't have had this small Island to land their men, tanks etc and aircraft upon, even if they would have wanted to by then.

[steg]

The young would kickass

[Spicerack]

Dad's Army would do for today's snowflakes.
Hi, Retro.

[retrocop]

Hi Spice. :-)
On another thread a snowflake couldn't survive without taking his cell phone to school. I believe I am correct in saying that at certain stages of the Gulf War and or Afghan British troops were not allowed to possess phones in theatre.

[sanmac]

AOG, have you not seen the documentaries such as "The Longest Day" and "Patton"? They prove that the Yanks won it...Anyway, you probably realise that I'm kidding, and that subject is a thread unto itself. As to your OP, I think that it's highly likely that the people today would do as the people did beginning on September 3rd., 1939: Slowly, methodically, and with great tenacity rise to the occasion when they realised that there was no other choice if they wished to remain living in a free country.