Was the United States, in the period 1939-41, determined to fight the war the last drop of British blood?
Chris, Welcome to the Forums, but what were you trying to say here? I think you are missing a word in there somewhere.
Peppy - Quite right! It should have read - Were the Americans, in the period 1939-41, determined to fight to the last drop of British blood? i.e. Was the United States content to sit back and watch the British defend the free world against Hitlerism, without themselves intervening until forced to do so? I refer especially to the "destroyers for bases deal" which even Roosevelt described as "a hard bargain".
I dont think that the USA would, at that time, would have fought to the last drop of blood, for England. We were still wanting to stay at peace at that time, and at all costs. Its of my opinion that, Pres Roosevelt wanted to always give enough aide to England, to keep them as a sort of "buffer zone" from the real war. He gave or leased to England, 50 ww1 Destroyers, to help suppliment the RN. I also saw it as a step to helping England, be able to keep the Germans at bay, till something coule be worked out, or a definate committment could be made for the US to make war with Germany. Unfortunately, things happened to change all that, i.e. Pearl Harbor. AFTER Pearl Harbor, is when the USA, was totally committed to doing what was necessary to beat the axis. Anything before PH, I cannot see that the Pres would have had anywhere near the support he did, as after PH being bombed. He knew that England was bearing a terrible and huge responsibility, but probably had no ideas on how to slide America into the war, without something terrible having to happen to us. England was having to "wither on the vine" while politicians went the rounds doing their stupid things. As always, the Soldiers and Civilians, have to do all the dying not the lousy politicians I am in conytact with a RKT Recipient and STUG III unit commander at this moment, and in his last letter to me, he had discussed some of his felings about politicians and war. He told about the disgust that most Germans had at, having to get wounded or killed in battle-while these politicos that be, were safe and smug hundreds or thousands of miles from the front lines-still making their stupid policies and moves, at the cost of countless frontline soldiers lives. He described how, when his unit was in Russia and during winter, that they were freezing to death in their vehicles or out in the open (as there was no shelter) while the poiticians had their social parties, and were eating hams, breads, cheeses, and smoking expensive Cigars, while his men were dying from malnutrition, and from the temperatures. Sorry for such a long answer.. Cheers
Chris, No problem, I was just a bit confused,... The US populace was content to let the war rage on without intervening. The US got involved in WW1 and there were no real benefits for her. Economically, the US leadership wanted in, knowing that a war would pull the US out of her recession/depression. I'm pretty sure that had the Japanese not attacked Pearl Harbor, the US might never have joined the war. Destroyers and lend-lease is one thing, but commiting troops to a distant conflict without provocation was another.
I agree with most of what you guys said, except for the Pearl Harbour part. I dont believe the US would have been able to stay out of the war indefinatly. Without a second front I think what was left of Russia would eventually have had to sue for peace. this would have left England standing alone. Hitler had always planned to attempt to get Engalnd out of the war. If he had approched them at that point, and no American help was forthcoming, well the world would be a very different place today. US intervention was nessicary to defeat German. Rooesevelt, in my opinion was just looking for the right excuse, to silence the isolationists. If things had gotten that dangerous I think he would have found a way. Just my opinion of course.
Dear Billy, good point and I too could not see that the USA could stay out of the fight either. Its that before PH happened, it was the most popular sentiment going here in the USA, to try to stay neutral-and at all costs. I guess you can say that that was another case of pre-ww1 isolationalism. However, after PH, we were totally committed, and at the Germans disgust and astonishment. Their disgust comes from Hitler declaring war on the USA, just to be supportive to Japan, but the Germans in particular, did not want war with the USA or England. But, you see what the German politicians accomplished and at that time, most Germans had a reality about their thinking. Their thinking was, that since Japan attacked the USA, that the USa would concentrate on fighting the Japanese, and not invade Europe. However, they also knew that if the USA did get involved in the fight for Europe, that the odds were against Germany at winning the war. Chalk WW2 up as another trial set up by politicians
I agree that FDR was looking for an excuse. However, he was not looking to pick a fight with Japan. His intention as far as I understand it was to put them back in their box or at least on the back burner. This he attempted by the oil and scrap metal embargo. At the same time he was obviously picking a fight in the Atlantic against Germany. Did you know that the US took its first German POW's in September 1941 from Greenland? These men were manning a weather station (Greenland was considered to be part of Denmark at the time). This action effectively blinded the Germans in terms of long-range weather forcasting for the rest of the war. The Americans were also sinking German U-boats on sight by this time, after spending previous months spotting them and then broadcasting their positions for the British to pick up. Chris Ray
Yep, and if im not mistaken, I think it was the US Destroyer U.S.S. Reuben James, that had one of the first scraps with a U-boat, and was several weeks or a few months, before either of us were at war with each other.
I believe without a doubt that Roosvelt wanted to fight Hitler. I think that he would haved joined the brits in 1940 if the had the surpport of the American people and polcitions.
I have to totally agree with you there. Had he had popular Congressional support, I firmly believe that he would have entered the war before the Japanese could attack Pearl Harbor.
Interesting, if the US had entered the war in 1940, and had a whole year to gear up to a war footing, do you think the Japanese would still have attempted to tackle them? I wonder how short a war on one front would have been. How many lives would have been saved as a result?
Dear Billy, oh yeah. I sat that because look who was in charge, another warmongering maniac--Tojo. He was so tightbrained to reality, that he would try almost anything.
