Why is everything so binary in WW2 history? If a General isn't brilliant, he must be terrible. Units are either Elite or Hopeless. Aircraft are either beautiful or ugly. Battles are either pointless or Turning points.
In my experience, the truth is usually somewhere between the extremes
In my experience, the truth is usually somewhere between the extremes
Comments
Maybe not a total coincidence that there's been so many movies made about it too.
Nuance and context can go hang. We live in the Modern Dark Ages where people's "beliefs" outweigh facts.
Its all so depressing. BUT, if you find places that do show the depths, they are worth cherishing (see your channel).
It's ridiculous
It’s his dispatches from the front.
All countries involved basically muddied the waters so much for so long that any nuance or understanding is drowned in nationalism or nerdism for ones “favorite thing this better than all other things”
In my experience, the fight in Odesa in May 2014 was a relatively minor bloodshed that ended up a turning point because it halted Russian operations everywhere.
We are but slaves to our algorithmic overlords.
I'd apologize, but you know, I'm not a loser, so... (end)
I used to think of WW2 the same until I started listening to the good history podcasts
See also: "Why do all book titles on the Wehrmacht feature 'iron steel SS Rommel secret'?
How about "you missed the mark, do better" and/or "damn good job"
and that’s alright.
https://hushkit.net/2024/03/30/10-most-boring-aircraft-of-world-war-ii/
Also, where’s the Fairey Battle on this list? And why is a Hawker Hurricane boring?? Etc, etc
Oh wait, maybe not.
https://hushkit.net/2024/03/30/10-most-boring-aircraft-of-world-war-ii/
Must have a look at the one at Cosford soon.
It was however tied up dockside after having been damaged by the coastal artillery protecting Bergen.
Look at this thing:
Completely utilitarian, therefore beautiful. Just like the Lysander.
In hindsight, we can say "When the Nazis invaded the USSR, the war was lost for Hitler" because we know how things turned out.
At the time, however, this wasn't clear at all.
What seems obvious and inevitable today was once totally unpredictable.
Example: the Sherman was not a particularly powerful tank.
Over 50K Shermans were produced in WW2, however, versus less than 2K Tiger I and IIs, and that made all the difference.
BTW disagree Monty was useless in the ETO. Who could have done what he did better?
(Deletes account)
(lights fuse, runs)
Then on the resistance side you have the playing down of the communist contribution.
It’s like France without the liberation.
FWIW I suspect there's a fair few tales yet to emerge from the archives.
On that very topic.
The only cases I've seen of German 'use' of Irish territory was long-range maritime patrol bombers cutting across Ireland to shorten flights to/from their patrol areas. And then only because nothing could be done to stop them. Pretty sure Irish govt protested
It causes everyone to look at the world as the good they defend and the bad they fight. But when everyone is the hero… It turns us all into useful idiots who ignore the fact that there’s an awful lot of grey out there.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWXXpMWqG9Q&t=10s
Try thicker books.
Just chiming in.
*ducks*
I notice it most when being forced to listen to Trump and I suspect that his adoption of the habit has something to do with the (bizarre) appeal. He doesn't hedge an answer like traditional politicians.
Seriously, a lot of interwar aircraft designs may have been less than successful, but there's a certain beauty in them. Even the Amiot 143!
Just not too successful when attacking at low level against ground targets heavily defended by light flak 😕
History not QUITE there yet, but sure, nuance is SM anathema there too 🤷♂️