This was a very interesting watch and although the questioned is asked, should it have an answer? There are many amazing Countries that make up the Commonwealth of the United Kingdom & contributed to WWll. Is there really just one that is above the rest? What contributions did these countries lend to the British during the war? That's what we are here to find out! Thank you SO much for watching! If you enjoy our content, please consider subscribing to our channel, it is the BEST way to support our channel and it's FREE! Also, please click the Like button. Thank you for your support!
G'day girls. Ever considered to a facetime chat with an Aussie for one of your vids? Obviously you'll want to do one first to know I'm not a dickhead. More than happy to help. ❤ 👍
I am realy pissed off !!!!!!how come Cyprus is always looked over??? My country of600"000sent over70'000troops(my father)fought in N,A all the way to N,Italia Irealy hate the fact that soany of Cypriots died for the freedomds yhat the English enjoy to day
I'm a Brit and I think it's fair to say that Aussies helped 'us' more than we helped them. But, having said that, Europe was key. Difficult to ignore Japan though when they're threatening your own borders. Can't blame the Aussies for prioritising there. All of us need to be eternally grateful to every one of them.
100% agree. As an Aussie Britain had to survive. Some Aussie folks get all up tight about Churchill trying to keep our Div’ in Nth Africa after Japan popped up.. and after we lost Singapore: the whole 8th Div with I can’t remember how many British and NZ and Indian troops suffered terribly as POW’s of Japanese in Burma and Singapore. Singapore still hurts along with Crete. Terrible Officers in Charge… Hadn’t adapted from WW1 tactics… WW1 cost Britain and Australia too much in manpower.. I’ve stood in Flanders with red poppies as far as you could see in certain directions.. I love our connection with Britain and hope it remains forever.. Would like to know more of Canada’s exploits.. Anyway God Bless.. Rule Brittanier and Advance Aust’ Fair
Mate, you failed to include the large number of Australian flyers who were part of the RAF, particularly during the Battle of Britain……. For example, consider the contribution a great Australian cricketer, Keith Miller, during the war. Grüße aus Australien. Tschüss.❤
An important and not mentioned aspect here, is that these Commonwealth nations also did the same thing for the First World War ! The cost in lives, finances etc. affected the level of commitment to WW2, being just 1 generation later.
Australia suffered much worse than any country around the world during the Depression, because it was still paying off their war debt to Britain! A debt they had acquired whilst sending their soldiers, navy and air force to aid Britain. Britain charged them for the privilege! During WWII Curtin complained that Australia could have put up their soldiers in the best hotel in Cairo for what Britain was charging them to be housed in tents.
@@BB-xx3dv The point I was making, and you seem to have missed, was we paid MORE than Britain AND we could have stayed out of the fight, but didn't. Britain didn't think much about Australia or it's needs, only how we were useful to Britain. Curtin had enormous trouble with Churchill, trying to get our troops back to beat the Japanese in New Guinea. In a last desperate move to frustrate Curtin, Churchill tried to divert our troops from North Africa to Burma. He wanted to protect India over Australia. Australia was a dominion, India was Empire.
Screwed How? New Zealand, Australia and most of the C.W. Would still be here, with bigger populations,. and less debt.... also, England declared War on Germany first , We were told it was to Free Poland,...... tell Me how effective that was, WW2 Europe took almost 6 years, and cost 10S OF MILLIONS OF LIVES,.. AND Poland wasn't free for another 45 years,. when Russia went broke...
Kia ora! NZ was technically the first allied country to declare war on Nazi Germany (but only because of the time difference between Wellington and London). The British side of my family moved here after Grandpa met NZers in World War 2. My Brit Dad married my Māori Mum after this.
My Dad was in the RAMC during WW2 and he was very impressed with all the Kiwi soldiers he met. So when a priest friend bought a kiwi lad to our house for breakfast, my Dad offered him a place to stay. He ended up marrying my sister, after she followed him to NZ. I came later, best thing I ever did. Thanks David!
NZ was also the last allied country to sign the Japanese surrender document (a copy can be seen on the USS Missouri museum) so were we in WWII for the longest of any country?
My parents met in England during WW2. dad was in the Australian Army as an officer and was stationed at Australia House in London. he was in the personnel area and one of his jobs was writing letters to families telling them of the death of the child. He also did intelligence tasks as well. Mum worked on communications manufacture. She had originally been working on pottery before the war and that attention to detail led to her winding aerials for fitment to tanks. They got married and had my eldest brother born there and they came to Australia after the war finished.
The Aussies did well to send so many soldiers to Europe, considering our population was only just under 7 million people at the outbreak of WW2. We also had to defend our own borders from air raids and the bombing of Darwin by the Japanese in 1942 (as you guys are well aware of!) Nice video, thank you! ❤ 🇦🇺
@@gabbymcclymont3563 Waltzing Matilda is an Australian folk song. The song you’re referring to is not Waltzing Matilda but a different song called “And the Band Played Waltzing Matilda” written about World War 1. The Pogues along with many others did cover the song- however it was written by Scottish born Australian Eric Bogle. I personally like his version of the song x
To Tony S .... Iam 73 years old at the moment i have only my familys a count There is acounts but i dont have them on hand only a few photos which i will dig up and show you My dad had hes campain medals...I rember iseing hes great coat as a blanket when we moved to Egland Yhis was on1953 in the street were we lived there eas two or three Polish familys plus a German couplewho fought in the war Even a load of Rnglish men had this look about the eyes I will also send you a list of books
Here in the UK we know all about this as history was taught at junior school at the age of 7, but as a European country we were alone as many of Europe was either under Nazi occupation or were neutral countries during the war such as Sweden, Switzerland and the Republic of Ireland even though over 100,000 joined the British Armed Forces, also 10,000 German's also joined the British Armed Forces before WW2, I knew a German couple in the village that I lived in for over 40 years who joined up in the British Armed Forces in 1938 because they were anti Nazi and anti Hitler so they had to leave their country and stayed in England after the war and opened their home to look after Children that were Orphans while new families were found for the children. What you are watching maybe New for you to learn but for us in the UK and in the Commonwealth has been taught about since 1946 to present day at school's throughout the UK and the Commonwealth. Personally for me all those who fought with us from the Commonwealth, the Republic of Ireland, Germany, and those from occupied countries such as France, Poland, Czechoslovakia, Norway, Denmark, Belgium, the Netherlands etc etc were all important to our united cause to destroy the Nazi's and win the War. 💂♂️💂♂️💂♂️💂♂️🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🏴🏴🏴🏴🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪💙💛🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦
@@1chish That was 164 Squadron. Not only were the original aircrew Argentinians of British origin but part of the funding to form the squadron came from the British community in Argentina.
My dads father was a desert rat, fighting in Egypt, Crete, Sicily and Italy, finally being sent home after being wounded at Monte Cassino, and had nothing but respect & praise for the fighting abilities of the Aussies & New Zealanders
@@stevesoutar3405 Likewise my Uncle Jim. He was in the Desert Rats (7th Armoured) from early '42 all the way across North Africa, through Sicily and into Italy. They were brought back for the Normandy landings and went all the way to Germany. Came back a broken man but while he had nothing but praise the Aussies, Kiwis and Canadians he had nothing but abuse for the Yanks after he lost two friends in Sicily after Patton did a runner North and left the British exposed on both flanks.
47% of North Atlantic convoy escorts were Royal Canadian Navy. Only 17% were USN. The Battle of the Atlantic was the only battle that started in 1939 and lasted till 1945 and the only battle we couldn’t afford to lose.
Small wonder the ANZACs were a bit annoyed with the UK. Churchill had stripped the CIB threatre of ANZAC troops for the North Africa campaign, just in time for the Japanese to show up in December, 1941.
Every SA serviceman was a volunteer. When I was a child there were many old men in SA who had fought in the war. They were tough old buzzards. Bless them!
Malta should have been mentioned; the people of the island were collectively awarded the George Cross by King George VI in 1942 for gallantry in the face of incessant and extreme danger and hardships during the war. The George Cross was incorporated into the Maltese flag when the island gained its independence from Britain in 1964. The Malta story during WW2 is probably worth a reaction video on its own.
Absolutely. The only place where the ENTIRE population gets the HIGHEST civilian bravery award. Special Note. The King George Medal has EQUAL status to that of the VC (Victoria Cross). The VC naturally being for those who served in the Armed Forces, being the only difference. So This Aussie absolutely agrees with you 100%.
@@mareky1234 Apart from cricket, rugby, and one or two other things, Poms and Aussies generally rub along together - we have a lot in common in a challenging world; acknowledging the contribution of Malta is one of the things that we - and other Commonwealth countries - would recognise perhaps more than outsiders.
You may be interested to know that it wasn't the first decoration given to a nation as well deserved as it was by the sovereign. KG3 granted permission for ALL Loyalists after the war in 1776 who lost all and were granted land for free and the means to start a new life in British North America (Canada) the right to append the letters U.E.L.after their names along with their direct descendants. To this day UEL (United Empire Loyalists ) still appears from time to time.
On the women of war topic you ladies brought up there is a good book about the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASPs) called The Women with Silver Wings. They test flew new planes then delivered them to squadrons from the factories, towed target banners, tested new weapons and equipment, flew military freight around the US and even took on roles as instructors etc. Very dangerous job and the flying was hugely demanding. They were a civilian organisation but after the war the survivors were granted veteran status. Just another one of those jobs people don't think about but was totally vital.
As a Aussie of British descent I am very proud the both my parents served in WW2 and 3 of my 4 grandparents served in WW1 with only my grandmother with 4 kids at home missing out.
Yep, the were more civilian militia or reserves, derided as "chocolate soldiers" by the regular army. They had to hold the line until the 6/7th divisions were able to get to the front line on the Kokoda Track
I think it was completely unfair that Churchill was angry the Aussies went back to defend their own country after all they made the massive trip to help us in the first place thanks for a great video girls and a cracking start to my day.💗
It was just a different perspective. Churchill was not 'angry' he was disappointed as from his global view the Nazis presented a far bigger existential threat to the world than Japan at the time. But it showed how the different Dominions were totally independent nations. By 1942 Churchill knew the Germans were already attempting to build atomic bombs and the rockets to deliver them but he could never say so publicly.
I studied WW2 - true it was some time ago - and never read anywhere that Churchill was angry in this case. I can understand though that he may have been frustrated that he was losing such a strong, capable fighting force. Of course he, of all people, would know well that they had to go back home to fight for their own country! He just didn't want to lose them.
It was more complicated than the video suggests. By withdrawing two divisions from the Middle East, the Australians were weakening the army protecting the Suez Canal, which was the main line of supply and communication between the UK and all points east. It also meant that the British had to quickly find replacements, get them to Egypt and train them in desert warfare as fast as possible. It created a big strategic problem at a very vulnerable place with no quick fix.
First - It was not a competition! German Field Marshall Rommell was a brilliant leader called the "Desert Fox" for his exploits in North Africa and to his credit he always gave kudos to the armies who fought him. I was very upset when in 2014 I was at Monte Casino in Italy where a fierce battle occurred trying to dislodge the Germans from a mountain top monastery site. The cemetery was full of only Kiwis, Aussies and Canadians. I heard an American lady (old enough to hopefully know better) say "Oh was Canada in the war? The Americans are probably buried where the big battles were.". Why do they not learn history? That was heartbreaking to me whose father was in the RCAF and for the Canadian cousins I lost. Also to be considered was the comparative size of the populations of those who contributed. At the end of WW2, I believe Canada had the 4th largest navy and air force of all the Allies. Agree about Australia. Home comes first. Yes it took ALL of the good guys to win the war. Even Russia, obviously not Commonwealth, was vital by defeating Germany in the east at a horrendous cost.
I think when they say Britain stood alone, I think they mean in Europe. The Germans were at our doorstep, if we hadn't have won the Battle of Britain, things could have been so much different, but even in that battle, we had pilots from Poland and the Commonwealth helping us out. Like you say, all the countries involved helped get the victory.
I think this video downplays the role of Australia in WWII and concentrates a lot on what Churchill thought, which may or may not reflect the opinion of the British people. One million Australian men and women fought in WWII, which is a large proportion of the population of 7 million at the time. Whilst it is true that Australia's role in fighting the axis powers was predominantly in North Africa, Italy, Greece and Crete, there were thousands of Australians flying with the RAF in the bombing campaigns over occupied Europe and they suffered heavy losses.
I had two uncles who flew with Bomber Command. One flew with 460 RAAF squadron that dropped the most bombs of any Bomber Command squadron but also had the highest casualty rate. He failed to return from a "milk run" mission just prior to D-Day. The other flew with 617 Dambuster squadron & survived the war.
Yes, and seriously adding to the loss of most of our young farmers and healthy trained working men in WW1, and the depression of the 1930s, our future population growth and our capable workforce was in decline already! That's a huge sacrifice! My Great Uncle left his mother and four sisters at home to voluntarily defend Australia's borders, he never came back, so they lost their farm and their livelihood! Speaking of contributions, Australian stock horses left behind in Egypt are still useful there, Australian farmers sent food boxes to British homes for many years to help them survive after the bombings! 👍🇦🇺
@@johndcorcoran6550 But, Australians actually destroyed the Italian Navy and captured (accepted the surrender of) 750,000 Italians in Africa in WW2! Many of them moved here permanently! Australian soldiers also stayed in parts of Greece voluntarily, to help them fight Germany!
Coming from Yorkshire we played host to WW2 Allies from the Free Forces of Poland and after the War many stayed as the Russians took over the country. We have a Memorial in their Honour
Then in 1947 the new Labour government brought in 8,000 Ukrainian men of the 12th SS Galizien Division into Britain to be settled and most of them are in Yorkshire. There is a social club in an old mill owner's mansion in Huddersfield where there are some of the old badges on the office wall. The same badges as worn by the forces we're providing arms and money to currently as it happens.
Churchill had a fairly patriarchal and racist attitude towards the countries in the commonwealth - either they "owed" the UK their existence (like Australia or New Zealand or Canada) so they should defend Britain before their own countries, or they were inferior (India, the Caribbean nations etc) because they weren't white, and as such they should fight for the UK first because their own countries didn't matter as much. Churchill got a lot wrong (like the above and his policies about India and the famine which he didn't help or made worse) and some believe that he was just "in the right place at the right time" because what he was good at was motivating people, organising, and getting people fired up to fight and resist. He also correctly predicted that there was very little chance of winning without US support and devoted a massive amount of effort to getting the US to join in on our side, and then focus on Germany first, in which he found a willing ally in the form of FDR.
I was just reviewing the horrendous famine in India on a tv show here, made in India! Privileged class Churchill had a very dismissive attitude to the value of these working class colonists - "they are prolific breeders they will survive"! 😡
Missed out the Canadians on the Dieppe raid. Training pilots and building planes was vital ! There's a stained glass window in the Army training college at Sandhurst with Indian VC winner's
It’s always one of us isn’t it. Either that or we get lumped together as “British forces”. But us Aussies know you lot did far more than your fair share in pulling your weight. Well done Mates.
Thanks Natasha and Debbie, a very interesting video. We're very lucky to have the Commonwealth, they helped us immensely in both world wars. Nowadays the Commonwealth comprises of countries that are members voluntarily and willingly so should a country declare war on the UK we know that the majority of the Commonwealth of Nations will be fully behind us and stand shoulder to shoulder with their British allies in any war effort.
The point here is that the British still maintain that Major General Haige, a British general, was responsible for the alied victory, when the breakout victory was engineered and commanded by the Australian General Sir John Monash, who was knighted in the field, by the English King. This happened in the first word war. Many English people will still not acknowledge the fact.
@99rakmakka It was the 20th century and Haige was still commanding his men as if it was the 1950s. Monash applied 20th century technology to the battle Haige had been bogged down in for many months. Within two weeks Monash had moved the front line forward by miles. Not for him the old take a little, give a little idea of the previous century. As far as he was concerned, if you had the technology, then you should apply it in a coordinated manner. That included artillery, fighter planes, bombers, cavalry and inventory all working to the one plan together. The British Generals said it would never work. When the King heard about it, he asked his Generals if it had ever been tried before. When they said no, he gave the order for Monash to go ahead, and it worked so well the alies won the war.
It just goes to show what a violent people the kiwis are and why Australia fears them. The kiwis, on the other hand, have been invading Australia for decades.
Canada was a member of the League of Nations, and came close to triggering war with Italy over the bombing of Ethiopia, by suggesting oil sanctions. Mussolini said oil sanctions mean war, and the whole League wouldn't vote for that.
It was great to see some of the facts the video delivered, but if I’m honest I don’t like how it was framed. “Which nation did Britain love the most? As you stated every individual who played their part was hugely valued. I feel that the way the video was put together was aiming to cause friction. They were collectively the greatest generation.
The fact is Britain couldn't of fought without the common wealth troops they gave so much to help Britain during the war and should always be given respect let's not forget the American military god bless all of them
There's a heartbreaking song about the Aussie troops who died for Britain at Gallipoli (Turkey) in WW1 called "And the Band Played Waltzing Matilda" by Eric Bogle. India tends to be the forgotten Commonwealth nation, they sent 2.5 MILLION troops to fight in WW2 under British command, and also housed the US war effort supporting China against Japan.
My uncle Charles Douglas Johnson was a British born man who emigrated to Australia in the 1930s as a teenager and fought in the Australian army in World War 2. I have a photograph of him in his uniform.
You should do a reaction video on Australian & New Zealand combined forces during WWI. My mother's uncle was a Kiwi flyer that was billeted with a British family that happened to have a daughter, she became my mother's aunty after the war and came back to NZ with him because life was better here than bombed and rationed Britain. Anyway it turned out she was a code breaker for the British military and was even sent to, I think it was New York, to code break there as well for the British and US military heads because she was apparently very very good at it. I only found this out about ten years ago.
my grandad used to repair shot up planes that made it back to the uk he was in a resrved occupation because of his trade he worked on the dambuster planes
Churchill was a war correspondent, not a combatant in the Boer wars. But he did meet Smuts that one time he was captured. I believe it was Smuts who let him go.
If you see the Remembrance Sunday Cenotaph service and March past of veterans the commonwealth is regularly represented in the March past the Cenotaph. In the recent decades other smaller representative units have been included also the merchant Seamen from Hong Kong who are ubiquitous in quite a number of British ships from before WWII.
Also, each year at this same National Remembrance Day Service, Representatives of the Commonwealth are always present and lay wreaths at the Cenotaph to remember those of their own Nation who gave their lives for us all.
I believe dhobi wallahs (laundry service) from Hong Kong were still serving on RN ships in the eighties and for all I know maybe still are. Perhaps a serving mariner could enlighten us?
If you want to narrow it down a bit look at the Battle of Britain in 1940. And see how many different nationalities were pilots in the RAF. Lots of Kiwis for example. Or look at the Battle of the Atlantic and the particular Contribution from Canada. Very under reported. RE: Churchill agin the Aussies he nearly deliberately diverted troop ships taking Aussie troops back to Australia to India without telling the Australian Government. His scheme was found out and it didn't happen.
That is true , I think just over 500 from different nations and we are grateful and should be aknowledge but 2,350 british fought as well let's not forget that .
@@claregale9011 - I lost four Canadian cousins in WW2 and my dad was in an RCAF Mosquito Squadron. The memorial to the Canadian contribution in Green Park is lovely and very simple and just a few yards away is the more recent Bomber Command Memorial dedicated in 2012. The bomber command lost almost 50% of its crew members. When I was there there was a letter from a man in British Columbia stating. "Thank you dad for the son you never knew". 😢 🇨🇦
Churchill is very unpopular among many, here in Australia. He was devious and cunning and only cared about England. He lied about the supposed strength of Singapore. MacArthur had to inform FDR about Churchill lying about the Constitutional relationship between England and Australia, allowing PM Curtin direct contact to FDR. Here, previously, Churchill was running interference with Australian PM having the ear of FDR. Roosevelt wasn’t happy, upon hearing of Churchill’s deceptions.
@@keithad6485 - He was no prize for sure, a boozer, druggie, misogynist, arrogant and foolish during WW1 but he did serve a purpose in not capitulating to Hitler (as Chamberlain did) and also in uniting the country in WW2 by his oratory and foreseeing the rise of the Soviet Union.
I am Canadian and my grandfather fought in North Africa and Italy,his 2 younger brothers when they got old enough fought at D-day,and my great aunt was a cook on merchant marine ship crossing the Atlantic
My Father served in The North Atlantic Convoys in The British Merchant Navy and I remember him telling me that as far as the lads on board were concerned a good ships cook was worth their weight in gold. Massive respect to your great aunt my friend, she had some guts to sail on The Atlantic in those days 🙏
@@susieq9801 I totally agree with you there. My Father used to go up to Murmansk in Russia taking supplies. He said that the Russian dock workers always made them very welcome.
@@stephensmith4480 - 👍 One of the cousins I lost was on convoy duty, one at Dieppe, one shot down and one at Buron (Caen) a month after D-Day. The last one buried at Beny sur Mer. (HLI out of Hamilton.) At my age I never knew any of them. Sadly when convoy ships were sunk they seldom could even stop for survivors. Merchant mariners had to fight for decades to get recognition. My hat is off to your dad (and Sean's family above).
@@susieq9801 Many thanks for your Kind words. My Dad managed to see the War through, thankfully, others like your family members made the ultimate sacrifice and it's something that we should never forget. The bravery of that generation is beyond measure. Take care my friend.
While I was studying, I was working part-time in a long-term care centre, and I had the opportunity (and immense honor) to meet a veteran who had participated in the Dieppe raid, in 1943. I remember him saying that the nazis were waiting up the cliffs and shooting down (while miming a gunner shooting a machine gun) and him seeing his comrades falling around him. I felt chills all over my body as he was speaking. One other resident was the mother of one of the nurses who worked there, and she had been a munition worker, in one of the canadian factories. She had on one wall of her chamber, a photograph of her and all her colleagues, doing the "V" on Victory Day. To this day, I cherish these memories of these heroes, because they were. Lastly, I'll recommand for you the awesome story of Leo Major.
you may not know but it was Aussie militia was the first to fight and defeat the experienced Japanese, my uncle fought in New Guinea he was there for most of the remainder of the war, his battalion was in constant contact with the Japanese for 80 straight days , and walked over more of New Guinea than any other battalion, he survived but it remained with him the rest of his life, hed go to Melbourne every year to march in the ANZAC parade , it was a long way but i made it down one year , he saw me in the crowd , and he told me later with a tear in his eyes that i was the only one from home that ever saw him march , RIP Uncle Geoff, thanks for your service
My great grandfather fought with the NZ 2nd battalion fighting in both Egypt and Italy. Unfortunately loosing his life at just 28 years old in the north of Italy. Was such a privilege to visit his grave last year and pay my respects ❤
Australia or should say ANZACS definitely held their own and some and there's one town we held off Hitler's army for if they got through that town Hitler would of no doubt won the war. Also Villers-Bretonneux is a small French village which the ANZACs saved during World War One. A British General (who had won a Victoria Cross) said that the Australian attack was 'perhaps the greatest individual feat of the war. '
Churchill's opposition to Australian troops being redeployed to the Pacific, even if it meant Japan occupying Australia, resulted in Australia forever seeing the US as its main ally. National interest naturally has a huge bearing on this. The US may have declared war on Japan and Germany but it was Japan that it wanted to punish for Pearl Harbor. Australia was vital to that plan as the US needed a base for its Army. The two nations aligned. All hot wars Australia has been involved in since WW2 have been east of Mediterranean.
You understate the signifcance of Australia in the Pacific war. MacArthur's memoirs recounts that the South West Pacific war was self sufficient for war materiel's manufactured and exported from Australia, Australia contributed approx 60% of the ground troops and inflicted the first and other major defeats on the Japanese - Milne Bay, Finchhaffen, Lae etc. By the end of the war Australia had the worlds 4th Largest Air force. The US was a magnificent ally but Australia was crucial to the US fightback and not just as a base. Australia was in fact critical in the war for ascendancy over the Japanese. Many would argue that, Africa campaign, experienced Australian Generals would have been a better choice to lead the allied fight back in the South West Pacific than Douglas MacArthur.
Check out "The Devil's Brigade" sometime. It was a WW2 joint American /Canadian commando unit that initially trained in America but fought in Europe. The unarmed fighting instructor was an Irish Sgt, Dermot "Pat" Malloy who had worked for the Shanghai Police.. under Fairbain and Sykes.. who designed the Commando Knife of the Royal Marines.
I dont think its fair to say one country did more than another. Growing up i was surrounded by war widows, I remember there was not alot of older men about, Britain was fighting for its life, it was being bombarded, the brave pilots winning the battle of Britain gave us breathing space, but without the bravery of the Commonwealth countries fighting on all fronts we would have been lost.Britains will never forget their sacrifices.
You need to find a video on the 28th Māori Battalion. My father was in the Royal New Zealand Navy during the war, escorting convoys of supply ships and troop ships in the Pacific. He was lucky to survive when his ship was torpedoed in the Solomons Campaign.
While it doesn’t really relate to UK relations, I thought you might appreciate this piece of trivia. . Hector Waller, mentioned at 4:16 was in command of HMAS Perth when she was sent to the bottom. HMAS Perth is, I believe the only foreign ship honoured by monument at Arlington, Virginia, USA. She shares that honour with USS Houston who went down soon after. Both ships fought courageously against impossible odds.
Retired Aussie Armoured Corps soldier here. NZ are justifiably proud to have a double VC recipient. I salute the EnZeds. We Australians must never forget ANZAC includes New Zealand.
Here in London there is an exclusive club called The Union Jack Club near Waterloo Station & in it there are individual pictures or inscription of every Victoria Cross recipient (alive or not at the time) 😢🎖 As I am a life member of the club if you two do decide to visit London then I’d be more than happy to invite you in as my guests to have a look 😊
There's also the larger Victory Services Club near Marble Arch. Most of its members are veterans from overseas forces and their families. My late father, my late wife, and I regularly used it when we visited London. It's a great location. The Royal Overseas League club house is a smaller, but grander and older club in St James. It's restaurant overlooks Green Park. Either would be ideal bases for you ladies. En suite doubles at the former are about £150.00. At the latter, in summer they are between £200.00 and £300.00.
@@j-1159 If I remember correctly before Covid, every 2 years any living recipients or nearest relatives of the VC or GC would come to London & stay in the UJ Club, & then go to different events. I have had the privilege of driving some of these hero’s as part of my job driving for the MoD 😌 If you’d like to give me more detail J, I could make it my mission to go search him 🎖
What we fail to remember is that WW2 didn't start out as a 'world war' - it was a European War until Japan got involved in 1941. America might not have had their troops on our soil in 1939 but, like Canada and Australia, they aided the UK with weapons until we could make enough of our own and their ships ran the dangerous Atlantic to bring that aid to us at the risk of getting torpedoed. Also many Americans came over of their own accord to fight on our side. With regard to South Africa you have to remember that it was as much Dutch as British (hence the names shown in the clip) and I'm sure they hesitated because at that time the Netherlands were free from Nazi Rule and many in SA had family back in 'the homeland' that they wanted to stay safe. Hindsight is a wonderful thing and it is easy 'with hindsight' to find fault with some of Churchill's thoughts and decisions but the nation was depending on HIM to keep us free and in the early years of the war, with the exception of the Battle of Britain, things weren't going well for us. No surprises about India and Nepal, they were awesome! An interesting vlog; I wonder if there is anything similar about the huge role played by the Polish who escaped to Britain???
In my opinion all of them deserved so much respect , not only commonwealth people help greatly ,but from other countries ,these people came from all different cultures ,all different colours and religions ,they all came together. To fight for the good. I think even thou the British government may flavoured one over the other i think the British people had no favourite but was grateful that these brave men and womencame.do not forget the class system,even the British government favour the R.a.f than the army has one were more middle class and upper class and one was mainly working class.
Hi Natasha & Debbie. As always, you pulled off another great reaction video. I absolutely love you both to bits. You are definitely my favourite Americans, but can I just say one thing, no one wins a war, we all just lose lives. Keep up the good work with what you are doing on this channel.
Women in the UK armed forces during WW2 are slightly better recognised (though not much) than those in the US I think because they've been shown previously in popular media and because the Queen was one of them during the war (when she turned 18 at least). In films like "Battle of Britain" or "Sink the Bismark" or "Ice Cold in Alexandria" women were shown in their positions working as working in various roles in planning/administration for all three armed forces, radar station operatives, nurses, air combat plotters, naval plotting, working in aircraft repair (including showing some being killed in "Battle of Britain"), factory work (entertainer Gracie Fields actually had a song during WW2 about working in a factory), working in the "land army" or working as drivers (either staff drivers of officers or ambulances/trucks etc) and all the other jobs they did like manning AA guns (this is mentioned in the 1943 US Army film "A welcome to Britain" which is here on TH-cam and is well worth a watch) etc.
My Mum just 18 as the war started was used to fill in for those men sent to war . She drove a milk "Float " ( not a drink but an electric driven vehicle) that delivered the milk door to door . She also drove a truck to collect milk from the farms . We used to joke that she drove without a license . This was because all those who drove in the war effort never had to sit their driving test . But were authorised to drive for life .
@@lesleyriseam1282 My Mum was newly married in 1939 and had a family from London billeted with her in Oxford. One day she got a letter telling her to report to some Navy officer at the Morris Motors factory in Cowley and she was given a job building torpedoes. She was walking past a stack one day and thought 'I recognise that washing' and it was her back garden! Some people have fairies at the bottom of their gardens, my mum and Dad had torpedoes!
From Google: By the time the Second World War ended in 1945, 28 (Maori) Battalion had become one of the most celebrated and decorated units in the New Zealand forces. The pinnacle of its achievement was the Victoria Cross won by Te Moananui-a-Kiwa Ngārimu in 1943. Ultimately, nearly 16,000 Māori enlisted for service during the Second World War. Some sources state that the Afrika Korps commander, Erwin Rommel remarked,"Give me the Maori Battalion and I will conquer the world".
As a kiwi , nearly 60 , the Maori 28th are absolutely respected , the few left if any now , and a proud part of our military history .. lest we forget ...
The commitment, support and sacrifice from all the commonwealth countries combined had a massive impact and played a huge part in the fight against and eventual victory over the axis powers. @TheNatashaDebbieShow As a side note if you’ve not heard or don’t know much about Field Marshal Erwin Rommel you might find it interesting to do some research about him even if you don’t do a video about him. Great content as ever you two, keep it up 😊👍
Thank you for this video reaction. As a British person myself, I am grateful for, and I honour the sacrifices and effort of all nations of the Commonwealth in that terrible war! Churchill may, or may not, have had his favourites but I do not have mine...everyone's contribution is valued by me. Incidentally, in 2005, a huge bronze memorial to the 7 million women who contributed to the war effort in the UK was unveiled in Whitehall, London (I thought you two ladies would like to know...) Also, Canada looked after most of the UK gold reserve during the war....(Operation Fish was the largest known movement of wealth in history). Let's hope World War III never happens!!
We are grateful to all our allies all nations sacrificed at great cost . Yes mistakes were made , decisions maybe not the right ones but ultimately it was to defeat Nazi Germany , Britain suffered greatly during the war yrs the blitz taking the lives of 60.000 civilians we had rationing up until the 50s , it had a long lasting effect we were prepared to do what was needed for our freedoms . Proud to be British . 😊
When you asked the question immediately, I said "India" out loud. They did give so much and we treated them so badly. I never knew Canada did all that! Wow! Thanks Canada!!
The Kiwi's had the highest casualties per capita in WW1, and the ANZAC traditions are well remembered here; every Australian is aware of the contributions the Kiwis made in both wars. I was a member of my Navy (RAN) and served at every NCO rank during my just over 40 years in uniform, with 20 years of that at sea. While we worked a lot with the Kiwi's at sea in and around our countries, the last ships I served in were the Anzac frigates, and we built ten, 8 for us, 2 for them. I served in 2 of ours, but have been to sea on all ten, including the Kiwi ones as a "guest evaluator" during their workups and shakedowns. I then posted as running the Weapons/electrical side of the joint Aust/NZ training unit where we had RNZN staff, and trained the crews for the RAN and RNZN ships. Aussies and Kiwis always make fun of each other, but everyone in the Australian military respects the Kiwis in every aspect of their operations, and you are glad they have your back. They were always a pleasure to work with.
My grandad was is India in WW2. He got lost in the jungle at the Burmese border, but found a US soldier who was also lost and managed to make their way back to safety. They were gone a few days.
Great video. im sure Britain like all of them the same as dont matter how big or small all contributions help to win the war. I thank them all without them we all wouldn't have the life we do today so a big thank you to all veterans and active members of all army's
Thank you @Natasha and Debbie show. I appreciate the USA allies to. I am crying right now. All the allies I love. Without the allies things could have been different now
Ty for Acknowledging the allies sometimes the allies get overlooked and not appreciated. Even though allies seems smal.. but the love and support is there in quntaties. Bless you guys to.
Churchill became rather unpopular with the Australian public as the war progressed, and to say he disliked the new (from 1941) Australian Prime Minister John Curtin, especially after basically being unconditionally venerated by the previous PM Sir Robert Menzies, is an understatement. It must be remembered that with the Fall of Singapore in early 1942, 15 thousand Australian troops became prisoners of Japan (with around half dying in captivity) and the country was left practically defenceless. Churchill outright refused to allow the return of the 6th & 7th Divisions to Australia, and it took many months and multiple requests (which effectively became threats after refusing to comply) from the Australian government before Churchill finally relented. However, even then Churchill delayed their return, ordering the convoy carrying the Diggers to divert to Burma, much to the outrage of the Australian government, before they were finally allowed to return. Furthermore, in the months following the Fall of Singapore, the Royal Australian Navy lost a significant percentage of its fighting strength with the loss (in chronological order) of HMAS Perth, Yarra, Vampire, Canberra, Voyager and Armidale, compounded by the loss of HMAS Sydney in late 1941, Churchill refused all requests by the Curtin government for the transfer of Royal Navy vessels to waters arround Australia. He also refused all requests for the transfer of British troops from India and Burma to Papua New Guinea. For many Australians this felt like a betrayal, especially after the nation's sacrifices for the Empire in the First World War.
Churchill is often blamed for the Bengal famine. He didn't cause it! Although he had to concentrate on the war efforts, he did appoint Viceroy Field Marshall Wavell, who mobilized the military to transport food and aid to the stricken regions. The Japanese were on the Indian border with Burma, Gandhi’s Quit India movement, and Subhas Chandra Bose’s Indian National Army then fighting alongside the Japanese provided the incentive for a full-scale Japanese invasion. Therefore, The Royal Air Force and the Army were fully stretched & could not be spared. If the RAF planes supporting India’s defence were pulled off for a famine airlift, far more than three million would have died. The blame for insufficient famine relief lies with those who prevented those planes from being used: the Japanese.
Churchill didn’t return the support Australia gave to the UK. True, principally after Pearl Harbor, Churchill wanted everything from other countries, but gave nothing in return. Curtin had to pull Australian European troops into Pacific theatre. MacArthur was no fan of Churchill and had to enlighten Roosevelt to the old bulldog being a little loose with the truth. It is nonsense to say Churchill would have come to Australia’s aid, after the European theatre was won… England had been flattened and needed Marshal Aid (Australia didn’t).
The indian view,of the Bengal Famine,by Dr. Sashi Tharoor,. Is much more compelling. Dr.Tharoor's research of it,will leave you thinking what kind of a human,Churchill was.
Hello Natasha and Debbie love your videos its always good to see our American cousins take an ineterest in our countires history and cultures. Also theres an amazing documentary about the British armys victoria cross by jeremy Clarkson which goes in-depth about the medal and its history including stories of those soldiers how have received the medal you guys might want ti check it out its both inspiring and saddening 👍🇬🇧❤🇺🇸
It is called "Jeremy Clarkson's The Victoria Cross: For Valour - the FULL documentary" it is near an hour long but I'd say one of the top UK military related videos a channel can react too. Can easy get round 200k views on that on a strong UK related reaction channel
Whilst I cannot be sure, I think Churchill had an emotional attachment to South Africa because of his exploits there forty years before in the Boer War. He had frankly been a medal-hunting soldier/journalist/writer before that time, but his saving of an armoured train (as a journalist) under heavy Boer fire, his capture and subsequent escape made him a hero back home and eased his path into his first parliamentary seat. He became friends with Louis Botha and Jan Smuts.
The Aussies also sent many bomber crews to Britain. They flew Lancaster bombers and had the highest rate of casualties per capita, than any other Australian force.
This was really interesting and a subject that needs more consideration we ie the world should show the respect and gratitude to all nations that helped win the war .thank you for reacting to this of course we understand that not everything can be covered and the opinions expressed in the film are not your opinions 👍
Im a Canadian army brat, I grew up on military bases all over the world; went to base schools. Im a senior woman in my seventies now. As an adult, I seldom miss a Remembrance Day ceremony, I regularly interact with veterans and service members. Many of my family members were/are military. here's the thing, I know of no service person who actually likes it when people thank them for their service, none whatsoever. They're not doing it for the thanks, they find it embarrassing when people thank them; I have actually asked them, many of them, about it. Some people, mostly non military, do it in Canada but not nearly as much as in the states. Please ask your military friends and family if they actually like it when people thank them...I think we do it for ourvselves, not for them. and we need to stop, cuz we're doing it for the wrong person.
I would vehemently disagree with you, as a veteran, 32 years service, I might be shy about acknowledging people thanking me but it is appreciated. I've also been involved in ground Search and Rescue, 25 years this year, and I get thanked for that service too and it is much appreciated.
Canadian troops never kicked off, aussie and kiwi troops did. We are closest to the aussies. mentality, sense of humour etc. Before i get a reply, in detail regarding why, i already know i just can't be arsed to write a book.
South African forces fought in East Africa, North Africa and Italy and did sterling service for the Allies. SA pilots like Sailor Malan and Pat Pattle were among the deadliest fighter aces in the RAF.
What an eye-opener! 😳 The Ghurka's were my first thought upon reading the title, and that kinda ran true with their VCs lumped in as the Indian sub-continent. I knew Canada's role in protecting the Atlantic but not the massive over-production of arms beyond economic capability?!! 😲 Bless and thanks for the learning and reaction, Folks. 👍👍
What an interesting video. All commonwealth countries contributed in WW2 and total respect to them and may all their souls rest in peace. Obviously other countries outside of the commonwealth contributed such as Polish, French, Dutch etc. and without them the Battle of Britain may have been a different outcome. We allies are a team including the USA and other countries but isn’t it a pity the world didn’t learn from the horrors of WW2 that conflicts still continue now. Honour and respect to the military and civilians of all countries who contributed in WW2, without them life would be very different today. Lovely to see you both as always ❤
Britain was fighting for Europe's survival even though it's own Survival was almost guaranteed to cease, war time tempers flare disagreements happen but it really wasn't as bad as the video makes out, Most of the Empires soldiers were volunteers with only really the British being conscripted in defence of the motherland with the only exception being small numbers of Canadians later in the war. we gave everything for the defence of the Homeland ..rationing did not end in the UK until 1954 a decade after the war had ended where as occupied Germany had it much easier. Britain spent everything it had and everything it would have in the following decades. i think it has to be commended
You nailed it with mention of the 'team effort', which undoubtedly it was. Even if us Brits sometimes have a jibe at the US for not joining the war until December 1941, they had been providing vital support in the form of aircraft, vehicles, weapons etc. etc. for two years by then. Once the US declared war and men became part of the equation they, as well as even greater quantities of materiel, sealed the fate of the Axis powers - it was just a matter of time.
The friendship between Churchill and Smuts is a bit ironic, given that Churchill fought against the South African Boers in the late 19th century and from the photos, Smuts looks to be of a similar age and with a name like that, it’s possible (if not probable) that Smuts fought on the side of the Boers. About women in WWII, there are a number of books about Australian Nurses who were active in the Pacific war. Quite a few were captured by the Japanese. In the UK, there was a corps of female pilots who flew planes from factories to operational airfields during the war. THEIR stories are AWESOME! I saw a documentary about them a few years back and one or two who were still alive, appeared in this film. The story of the famine in Bengal was NOT something that Churchill ignored and this young man has an pretty obvious axe to grind where Churchill is concerned, as I have heard him make similar statements in other videos he has produced. While he does have SOME good information, he tends to go ahead without digging too deeply into stories such as the Bengal famine one, before forging ahead with an unfair slur. To be fair, he is not the only one who has laid this charge at Churchill’s feet, but there are some factors that must be taken into account about that particular event. First, England was a stone’s throw from Germany and was literally cut-off from the rest of the world by sea, which the German U-Boats (literally; Untersee Boots) did a pretty good job of blockading. Taking food from India to feed Britons is EXTREMELY unlikely, as the aforementioned U-Boats patrolled the seas all around Africa and supplies travelling that route would be easy pickings, given that the trans-Atlantic convoys took priority. The reason for the famine, was a combination of catastrophic weather AND the Japanese, who destroyed whatever crops they could as they advanced. There are many myths about English versus Australian troops, interests, etc, from both WWI and WWII, but when you dig down a little, they have little real substance when the facts are all considered. The main myth from WWI is that the British Navy that carried the ANZACS to Gallipoli, landed them at the worng place. Australian military historians of note have investigated this one very thoroughly and this is simply NOT true. They were landed at exactly the right place. They were landed at night and the plan was for them to advance up a very steep hillside under cover of darkness and then attack Turkish artillery on the hilltops, that would hamper the main force of British solders who would land at the bottom end of the peninsula and advance up along the spine of the hills. It was a pretty good plan, as plans go, but like all plans, it required that everything go according to plan. It didn’t. What Brough the ANZACS undone, was that there were two Turkish soldiers on the hilltop, who were suspcious about the sounds they heard from the beachs at the bottom of the hill and went to wake up their commanding officer. He didn’t waste any time calling out all his available troops and ordering more from further down the peninsula, which was actually aginst his orders. He had only a small force to defend the artillery and although he was under strict instructions NOT to call for reinforcements under any circumstances, he did so anyway, merely on the word of two quite frightened young soldiers who might have just been jumping at shadows. His reasoning was that if this was a force that was heading for the heavy guns, then he had to do something about it. He was right, his actions meant that the ANZACS now faced a far superior force that occupied the high ground, and the operation was over before it had really begun. It took months of bitter fighting before the British commanders eventually gave the whole thing up, with massive loss of life in the ANZAC forces. The British Army forces who landed at the bottom end of the peninsula, along with their Indian fellow soldiers, lost many, many times more men, as they wer at the mercy of the heavy guns that had been the target of the ANZACS. The whole thing was undone by two very young, very frightened Turkish soldiers and their very smart commanding officer. That’s all it takes for a plan to go wrong. Planning is necessary of course, but the thing to always remember is that plans hardly ever work precisely the way the planners would like. Anyway, this myth that the Brits were the main and only reason the ANZACS copped a bloodbath at Gallipoli (sometimes with the implication that they didn’t care about the Kiwis and Aussies) needs to be busted once and for all. The Gallipoli Campaign was a catastrophic defeat, but the architect of it was Winston Churchill in his role as First Lord of the Admiralty. What he did after the defeat was something I think sets him apart from MOST politicians and/or high ranking military officers; he resigned from his position and took up a commission in the regular army, fighting on the Western Front. How many men in an exalted and safe postion such as his, would do the same thing in his place? He was not a perfect person, but I think that this action shows a great deal of integrity and character, not to mention bravery on his part. I think that differences between national leaders during WWI and WWII are one thing, but they mostly put those aside and got on with things, as leaders should under such circumstances.
You’d also enjoy watching “Know Your Ally: Britain” a wartime film made by the US Army for soldiers stationed in the UK so they could get to know their hosts better. Worth a watch!
My father fought in Burma. When Poles came into England there was a lot of conflict. It took a time to acknowledge that my uncle was actually a flyer pilot fighting for Britain.
my aunt was a nurse during the north african campain and told me that some nurses where doing surgical procediars and as an officer she was one of them she was escorting ingerd servis men back to the uk on an hospital ship that was attact in the med by what i was told was an italian sub she survived the atack and ended up marrying a raf pilot that she was looking after they have 2 daughters that one lives in england and the younger one in spain i chat to them quite offten and i am so proud of their parants
My grandfather was in the 2nd AIF and was oen of the guys brought back from the middle east to defend Australia. He ended up fighting in New Guinea, and being wounded there. Churchill was being very unfair, and didn't really care about our families futures. Our PM is a legend for having the guts to stand up to him, and pivot our alliances closer to the US. Strangely my great grandfather was in the AN&MEF (a precursor to the 1st AIF that fought in the opening stages of WW1 in 1914) and went to New Guinea as well, to kick the Germans out of NG. He was wounded there and sent home, so he was one of the first Aussies to be wounded in WW1. When my grandfather came home he collapsed into my grandfather's arms and cried while my grandfather just held him, according to my grandmother. I really don't blame him.
Canada & India gave Britain more assistance, however it was Australian forces which provided Britain with the morale building victories she needed at the darkest times. Australians were the first to break the myth of German invincibility at Tobruk in 1941 and Australians were the first allied troops to defeat the Japanese in the Pacific at Milne Bay, Kokoda and Oiva-Gorari in 1942. Rommel described the 9th Division AIF as the elite of the British Empire, Montgomery said El Alamein would not have been won without them and MacArthur described them as the best Desert fighters in the world. He also described the 7th Division AIF as the best jungle fighters in the world. General Slim said: “The Australians taught us how to beat the Japanese”.
Churchill would have sacrificed Australia to the Japanese if he could save Britain. At the Arcadia conference Churchill and Roosevelt agreed that the US would only defend from Alaska to Panama and let Philippines,Australia Indonesia etc to be invaded while they built up the navy Admiral King insisted that he be allowed to attack the Japanese and he won out, hence Guadalcanal. To see the Australians fight watch anything on the "Rats of Tobuk" with the great British gunners and Aussie diggers holding out in a siege against Germany for 241 days.
Imagine if Britain had been invaded by Nazi Germany our monarchy would be no more the commonwealth would be under Nazi rule . When you look at it like that it's pretty scary.
Sadly no mention made of African troops other than South Africans. Britain raised a force of around half a million men from its African colonies, of which around 100,000 were from Kenya
That was excellent. I love modern world history. I believe in one of Churchills early speeches he recognised the great value of all commonwealth support. That would be interesting to look at the role of women in the war,
I live in Newcastle, 2 hrs north of Sydney. We were shelled a couple of times by the Japanese, very minor in realty, but it was only a couple of months ago at the end of 2023 that an unexplored shell was found at a property in one of the surrounding suburbs. It really was a world war and still has lasting effects to this day. If you want to learn more about some of the effort of the wars, look at Jeremy Clarkson’s, what it takes to earn a Victoria Cross and The Greatest raid of all. Very insightful pieces of journalism.
Regarding the US joining “late”… perhaps it’s not well known that although the US government and big businesses were slow to go, ordinary American citizens started contributing unofficially very early on. For example, the Home Guard in England, who the tv series Dad’s Army was based on, were largely armed with guns donated by American citizens early in the War (it was quite a while before the arms manufacturing caught up with demand and supply them with the same as the regular army).
The role played by many commonwealth nations doesn't seem to be taught much in schools. I took a youth group to a military museum and when WW2 came up they asked me who won!!!
Churchill is seen as a great leader and heroic figure ! Sadly that doesnt always stand up to close inspection ! Politically he was prone to be petulant, arrogant and childish. On the home front while he constantly urged rationed and hungry civilians to tighten their belts, IT later was revealed he had a constant supply of whiskey, brandy, bananas, oranges and Cuban cigars ! Items the population would not see or get from 1940 until between 1946 and 1947. IN 1940 the king and queen let it be known that while the princesses would be evacuated to canada should Nazi's successfully invade, they themselves would stand and if need be fall with the nation. At the same time Churchill was making his " fight them on th beaches" speech, and vowing to fight to his last bullet and until he choked on his own blood ! In the 90s documents released under the freedom of information rules showed a different story ! while King and queen demanded they stay and possibly die with their people, from 1939 to 1944 a bomber stood ready for flight, loaded with Churchills personal "treasury" and able to take off immediately, and the moment the first german got off the beaches of England, Mr and Mrs Churchill would use it to fly to Scotland and from there by sea to USA wher due to dual nationality they would live comfortably while the UK was taken over by the Reich. fortunately fro him the Germans never came close to invading and thanks to the 50yr secrecy laws, he managed to keep the legend of the ferocious Lion who suffered and vowed to die with his people alive until 30 years after his death. His disdain for the Empire/Common wealth countries was far less of a secret. but as they say, history is written by the victor !
@vogonpoet5860. I will have to see all this with my own eyes before I believe even a single word of it! Please give a link to your sources. Everything I have read that was written, either by him or about him, even by his 'political enemies', leads me to believe he was not such a man as to abandon or sneak out of the country he fought so hard for against enormous odds, with carrier bags of loot under his arm, to live the high life in America. The man was 70 years old in 1945 for heaven's sake - after the exhausting war years I expect he'd be hankering for a slightly slower pace - like being Prime Minister in Peace time - which was his ambition. A bomber standing ready for flight with all his 'treasure' inside from 1939 - 1944 seems a very precarious way to protect ones wealth especially in Wartime. Unless he hadn't heard of banks of course. Enemy bombers coming over for months on end during the Blitz bombing our towns, cities and airfields would have put it all at great risk. One unlucky bomb and 'boom' all his wealth would be gone. That's just silly. Nor do I believe our RAF, so deficient in planes, would have allowed a bomber to stand idly by for five years when EVERY single plane was so desperately needed. One thing I know about Churchill from reading his history was he appeared to be afraid of nothing - certainly not death. He was a Manic Depressive ( now called Bi-Polar). He called it his 'black dog'. It made him utterly fearless during his 'highs'. He often took enormous risks with his own life, but because in that state he was so bold, so confident, he always came through unscathed. During his 'lows' he wouldn't have given a damn what happened to himself. So no, a man such as that would not even think of the danger to himself. He criss-crossed the Atlantic Ocean several times during the War, by air and by sea, when ships were being routinely torpedoed every day and night by enemy submarines and warships. Not because he wanted to escape, but because he needed America to help us. I don't suppose he thought about taking his stash with him on those flights! BTW Churchill wanted the whole Royal Family to leave and go to Canada. The King said he would not go. The Queen said she would not leave the King, and the children would not leave without her. So, she said, they would all stay. It was agreed that the two little Princesses (Elizabeth and Margaret) would live in Windsor Castle and King George VI and Queen Elizabeth would live at Buckingham Palace in London. The idea of the children escaping to Canada was dismissed. Churchill sent the two princesses guns for their protection instead - after getting permission from the King, who made the girls practise.
Us British just thank the rest of the world for saving our arse, when the major powers were uming and arring, the little guys came together to create a monster :)
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This was a very interesting watch and although the questioned is asked, should it have an answer? There are many amazing Countries that make up the Commonwealth of the United Kingdom & contributed to WWll. Is there really just one that is above the rest? What contributions did these countries lend to the British during the war? That's what we are here to find out! Thank you SO much for watching! If you enjoy our content, please consider subscribing to our channel, it is the BEST way to support our channel and it's FREE! Also, please click the Like button. Thank you for your support!
No there isnt a simple answer to it. Every Allies participated
I think my granddad worked in the mines and the steelworks burning the war
G'day girls. Ever considered to a facetime chat with an Aussie for one of your vids?
Obviously you'll want to do one first to know I'm not a dickhead. More than happy to help.
❤ 👍
Bomber command and coastal.command was also.full.of crews Cromwell over the world flying with the raf, there was no colour bar even in flying crews
I am realy pissed off !!!!!!how come Cyprus is always looked over???
My country of600"000sent over70'000troops(my father)fought in N,A all the way to N,Italia
Irealy hate the fact that soany of Cypriots died for the freedomds yhat the English enjoy to day
I'm a Brit and I think it's fair to say that Aussies helped 'us' more than we helped them. But, having said that, Europe was key.
Difficult to ignore Japan though when they're threatening your own borders. Can't blame the Aussies for prioritising there.
All of us need to be eternally grateful to every one of them.
well said.
100% agree. As an Aussie Britain had to survive. Some Aussie folks get all up tight about Churchill trying to keep our Div’ in Nth Africa after Japan popped up.. and after we lost Singapore: the whole 8th Div with I can’t remember how many British and NZ and Indian troops suffered terribly as POW’s of Japanese in Burma and Singapore.
Singapore still hurts along with Crete. Terrible Officers in Charge… Hadn’t adapted from WW1 tactics…
WW1 cost Britain and Australia too much in manpower.. I’ve stood in Flanders with red poppies as far as you could see in certain directions..
I love our connection with Britain and hope it remains forever..
Would like to know more of Canada’s exploits..
Anyway God Bless.. Rule Brittanier and Advance Aust’ Fair
That would be the same Churchill that was the architect of Gallipoli.
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Mate, you failed to include the large number of Australian flyers who were part of the RAF, particularly during the Battle of Britain……. For example, consider the contribution a great Australian cricketer, Keith Miller, during the war. Grüße aus Australien. Tschüss.❤
An important and not mentioned aspect here, is that these Commonwealth nations also did the same thing for the First World War !
The cost in lives, finances etc. affected the level of commitment to WW2, being just 1 generation later.
Australia suffered much worse than any country around the world during the Depression, because it was still paying off their war debt to Britain!
A debt they had acquired whilst sending their soldiers, navy and air force to aid Britain. Britain charged them for the privilege!
During WWII Curtin complained that Australia could have put up their soldiers in the best hotel in Cairo for what Britain was charging them to be housed in tents.
@@BB-xx3dv The point I was making, and you seem to have missed, was we paid MORE than Britain AND we could have stayed out of the fight, but didn't.
Britain didn't think much about Australia or it's needs, only how we were useful to Britain. Curtin had enormous trouble with Churchill, trying to get our troops back to beat the Japanese in New Guinea. In a last desperate move to frustrate Curtin, Churchill tried to divert our troops from North Africa to Burma. He wanted to protect India over Australia. Australia was a dominion, India was Empire.
Screwed How? New Zealand, Australia and most of the C.W. Would still be here, with bigger populations,. and less debt.... also, England declared War on Germany first , We were told it was to Free Poland,...... tell Me how effective that was, WW2 Europe took almost 6 years, and cost 10S OF MILLIONS OF LIVES,.. AND Poland wasn't free for another 45 years,. when Russia went broke...
WW1 ,New Zealand sent 100K to war from a pop of 1 mil, 18K Kia total casualties 50 - 60 ,percent
Britain just finished paying USA off for WW2 also .
Kia ora! NZ was technically the first allied country to declare war on Nazi Germany (but only because of the time difference between Wellington and London).
The British side of my family moved here after Grandpa met NZers in World War 2. My Brit Dad married my Māori Mum after this.
My Dad was in the RAMC during WW2 and he was very impressed with all the Kiwi soldiers he met. So when a priest friend bought a kiwi lad to our house for breakfast, my Dad offered him a place to stay. He ended up marrying my sister, after she followed him to NZ. I came later, best thing I ever did. Thanks David!
Both those stories make me proud to be a NZer. 😊
Technicalities still count!
NZ was also the last allied country to sign the Japanese surrender document (a copy can be seen on the USS Missouri museum) so were we in WWII for the longest of any country?
My parents met in England during WW2. dad was in the Australian Army as an officer and was stationed at Australia House in London. he was in the personnel area and one of his jobs was writing letters to families telling them of the death of the child. He also did intelligence tasks as well. Mum worked on communications manufacture. She had originally been working on pottery before the war and that attention to detail led to her winding aerials for fitment to tanks. They got married and had my eldest brother born there and they came to Australia after the war finished.
The Aussies did well to send so many soldiers to Europe, considering our population was only just under 7 million people at the outbreak of WW2. We also had to defend our own borders from air raids and the bombing of Darwin by the Japanese in 1942 (as you guys are well aware of!) Nice video, thank you! ❤ 🇦🇺
100% agreed!!
The Poges Walzing Matilda is a extreamly touching song about a Aussie soldure, i alwas cry at it.
@@gabbymcclymont3563 Waltzing Matilda is an Australian folk song. The song you’re referring to is not Waltzing Matilda but a different song called “And the Band Played Waltzing Matilda” written about World War 1. The Pogues along with many others did cover the song- however it was written by Scottish born Australian Eric Bogle. I personally like his version of the song x
The diggers were volunteer recruits.🇦🇺
@@Dr_KAP
I know that Scottish writer of The Band played Waltzing Matilda . Eric Bogle lives in Adelaide and his Original is the best version .
This was interesting to watch. I think all the Commonwealth countries who contributed deserve so much love and respect. ❤❤
Absolutely!!
To Tony S .... Iam 73 years old at the moment i have only my familys a count
There is acounts but i dont have them on hand only a few photos which i will dig up and show you
My dad had hes campain medals...I rember iseing hes great coat as a blanket when we moved to Egland
Yhis was on1953 in the street were we lived there eas two or three Polish familys plus a German couplewho fought in the war
Even a load of Rnglish men had this look about the eyes
I will also send you a list of books
*Unity is strength!* 🇦🇺 🇬🇧🇺🇸 🇨🇦 🇳🇿🇮🇳
Here in the UK we know all about this as history was taught at junior school at the age of 7, but as a European country we were alone as many of Europe was either under Nazi occupation or were neutral countries during the war such as Sweden, Switzerland and the Republic of Ireland even though over 100,000 joined the British Armed Forces, also 10,000 German's also joined the British Armed Forces before WW2, I knew a German couple in the village that I lived in for over 40 years who joined up in the British Armed Forces in 1938 because they were anti Nazi and anti Hitler so they had to leave their country and stayed in England after the war and opened their home to look after Children that were Orphans while new families were found for the children. What you are watching maybe New for you to learn but for us in the UK and in the Commonwealth has been taught about since 1946 to present day at school's throughout the UK and the Commonwealth. Personally for me all those who fought with us from the Commonwealth, the Republic of Ireland, Germany, and those from occupied countries such as France, Poland, Czechoslovakia, Norway, Denmark, Belgium, the Netherlands etc etc were all important to our united cause to destroy the Nazi's and win the War. 💂♂️💂♂️💂♂️💂♂️🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🏴🏴🏴🏴🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪💙💛🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦
There was even a Squadron of Argentinians in the RAF in WWII.
It was truly a combined effort.
@@1chish That was 164 Squadron. Not only were the original aircrew Argentinians of British origin but part of the funding to form the squadron came from the British community in Argentina.
@@simonbeaird7436 And?
My dads father was a desert rat, fighting in Egypt, Crete, Sicily and Italy, finally being sent home after being wounded at Monte Cassino, and had nothing but respect & praise for the fighting abilities of the Aussies & New Zealanders
@@stevesoutar3405 Likewise my Uncle Jim. He was in the Desert Rats (7th Armoured) from early '42 all the way across North Africa, through Sicily and into Italy. They were brought back for the Normandy landings and went all the way to Germany.
Came back a broken man but while he had nothing but praise the Aussies, Kiwis and Canadians he had nothing but abuse for the Yanks after he lost two friends in Sicily after Patton did a runner North and left the British exposed on both flanks.
47% of North Atlantic convoy escorts were Royal Canadian Navy. Only 17% were USN. The Battle of the Atlantic was the only battle that started in 1939 and lasted till 1945 and the only battle we couldn’t afford to lose.
I salute the Kanuks! From a retired Aussie Armoured Corps soldier
Small wonder the ANZACs were a bit annoyed with the UK. Churchill had stripped the CIB threatre of ANZAC troops for the North Africa campaign, just in time for the Japanese to show up in December, 1941.
Every SA serviceman was a volunteer. When I was a child there were many old men in SA who had fought in the war. They were tough old buzzards. Bless them!
Malta should have been mentioned; the people of the island were collectively awarded the George Cross by King George VI in 1942 for gallantry in the face of incessant and extreme danger and hardships during the war.
The George Cross was incorporated into the Maltese flag when the island gained its independence from Britain in 1964.
The Malta story during WW2 is probably worth a reaction video on its own.
Yes, Malta was sorely missed in this
Totally agree! 'The Malta Story' is definitely a movie worth watching!
Absolutely. The only place where the ENTIRE population gets the HIGHEST civilian bravery award.
Special Note. The King George Medal has EQUAL status to that of the VC (Victoria Cross). The VC naturally being for those who served in the Armed Forces, being the only difference.
So This Aussie absolutely agrees with you 100%.
@@mareky1234
Apart from cricket, rugby, and one or two other things, Poms and Aussies generally rub along together - we have a lot in common in a challenging world; acknowledging the contribution of Malta is one of the things that we - and other Commonwealth countries - would recognise perhaps more than outsiders.
You may be interested to know that it wasn't the first decoration given to a nation as well deserved as it was by the sovereign. KG3 granted permission for ALL Loyalists after the war in 1776 who lost all and were granted land for free and the means to start a new life in British North America (Canada) the right to append the letters U.E.L.after their names along with their direct descendants. To this day UEL (United Empire Loyalists ) still appears from time to time.
On the women of war topic you ladies brought up there is a good book about the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASPs) called The Women with Silver Wings. They test flew new planes then delivered them to squadrons from the factories, towed target banners, tested new weapons and equipment, flew military freight around the US and even took on roles as instructors etc. Very dangerous job and the flying was hugely demanding. They were a civilian organisation but after the war the survivors were granted veteran status. Just another one of those jobs people don't think about but was totally vital.
As a Aussie of British descent I am very proud the both my parents served in WW2 and 3 of my 4 grandparents served in WW1 with only my grandmother with 4 kids at home missing out.
It says New Zealand sent less troops because of our size BUT per head of population actually sent a higher % of troops
Checkout kokoda , the 39th battalion. You'll be in tears at the courage of our Aussie brothers holding the line in a living hell....
Together with the 2/14th Battalion AIF (Maroubra Force) though the 39th bore the initial brunt of stopping the Nips.
@@keithad6485 still the same living hell for them, may they all rest in peace
You guys were balls to the wall troop
Yep, the were more civilian militia or reserves, derided as "chocolate soldiers" by the regular army. They had to hold the line until the 6/7th divisions were able to get to the front line on the Kokoda Track
I think it was completely unfair that Churchill was angry the Aussies went back to defend their own country after all they made the massive trip to help us in the first place thanks for a great video girls and a cracking start to my day.💗
It was just a different perspective. Churchill was not 'angry' he was disappointed as from his global view the Nazis presented a far bigger existential threat to the world than Japan at the time. But it showed how the different Dominions were totally independent nations.
By 1942 Churchill knew the Germans were already attempting to build atomic bombs and the rockets to deliver them but he could never say so publicly.
I studied WW2 - true it was some time ago - and never read anywhere that Churchill was angry in this case. I can understand though that he may have been frustrated that he was losing such a strong, capable fighting force. Of course he, of all people, would know well that they had to go back home to fight for their own country! He just didn't want to lose them.
It was more complicated than the video suggests. By withdrawing two divisions from the Middle East, the Australians were weakening the army protecting the Suez Canal, which was the main line of supply and communication between the UK and all points east. It also meant that the British had to quickly find replacements, get them to Egypt and train them in desert warfare as fast as possible. It created a big strategic problem at a very vulnerable place with no quick fix.
First - It was not a competition!
German Field Marshall Rommell was a brilliant leader called the "Desert Fox" for his exploits in North Africa and to his credit he always gave kudos to the armies who fought him.
I was very upset when in 2014 I was at Monte Casino in Italy where a fierce battle occurred trying to dislodge the Germans from a mountain top monastery site. The cemetery was full of only Kiwis, Aussies and Canadians. I heard an American lady (old enough to hopefully know better) say "Oh was Canada in the war? The Americans are probably buried where the big battles were.". Why do they not learn history? That was heartbreaking to me whose father was in the RCAF and for the Canadian cousins I lost.
Also to be considered was the comparative size of the populations of those who contributed. At the end of WW2, I believe Canada had the 4th largest navy and air force of all the Allies.
Agree about Australia. Home comes first.
Yes it took ALL of the good guys to win the war. Even Russia, obviously not Commonwealth, was vital by defeating Germany in the east at a horrendous cost.
It's called a world war for a reason. People across the commonwealth understand that.
I think when they say Britain stood alone, I think they mean in Europe. The Germans were at our doorstep, if we hadn't have won the Battle of Britain, things could have been so much different, but even in that battle, we had pilots from Poland and the Commonwealth helping us out. Like you say, all the countries involved helped get the victory.
I think this video downplays the role of Australia in WWII and concentrates a lot on what Churchill thought, which may or may not reflect the opinion of the British people. One million Australian men and women fought in WWII, which is a large proportion of the population of 7 million at the time. Whilst it is true that Australia's role in fighting the axis powers was predominantly in North Africa, Italy, Greece and Crete, there were thousands of Australians flying with the RAF in the bombing campaigns over occupied Europe and they suffered heavy losses.
I had two uncles who flew with Bomber Command. One flew with 460 RAAF squadron that dropped the most bombs of any Bomber Command squadron but also had the highest casualty rate. He failed to return from a "milk run" mission just prior to D-Day. The other flew with 617 Dambuster squadron & survived the war.
Yes, and seriously adding to the loss of most of our young farmers and healthy trained working men in WW1, and the depression of the 1930s, our future population growth and our capable workforce was in decline already! That's a huge sacrifice! My Great Uncle left his mother and four sisters at home to voluntarily defend Australia's borders, he never came back, so they lost their farm and their livelihood! Speaking of contributions, Australian stock horses left behind in Egypt are still useful there, Australian farmers sent food boxes to British homes for many years to help them survive after the bombings! 👍🇦🇺
But this is about what the British thought about things.
The Aussies had gone baack to fight in New Guinea before the invasion of Italy.
@@johndcorcoran6550 But, Australians actually destroyed the Italian Navy and captured (accepted the surrender of) 750,000 Italians in Africa in WW2! Many of them moved here permanently! Australian soldiers also stayed in parts of Greece voluntarily, to help them fight Germany!
Coming from Yorkshire we played host to WW2 Allies from the Free Forces of Poland and after the War many stayed as the Russians took over the country. We have a Memorial in their Honour
and rightly so, the Poles fought like lions.
Then in 1947 the new Labour government brought in 8,000 Ukrainian men of the 12th SS Galizien Division into Britain to be settled and most of them are in Yorkshire. There is a social club in an old mill owner's mansion in Huddersfield where there are some of the old badges on the office wall. The same badges as worn by the forces we're providing arms and money to currently as it happens.
Churchill had a fairly patriarchal and racist attitude towards the countries in the commonwealth - either they "owed" the UK their existence (like Australia or New Zealand or Canada) so they should defend Britain before their own countries, or they were inferior (India, the Caribbean nations etc) because they weren't white, and as such they should fight for the UK first because their own countries didn't matter as much.
Churchill got a lot wrong (like the above and his policies about India and the famine which he didn't help or made worse) and some believe that he was just "in the right place at the right time" because what he was good at was motivating people, organising, and getting people fired up to fight and resist. He also correctly predicted that there was very little chance of winning without US support and devoted a massive amount of effort to getting the US to join in on our side, and then focus on Germany first, in which he found a willing ally in the form of FDR.
I was just reviewing the horrendous famine in India on a tv show here, made in India! Privileged class Churchill had a very dismissive attitude to the value of these working class colonists - "they are prolific breeders they will survive"! 😡
Missed out the Canadians on the Dieppe raid. Training pilots and building planes was vital !
There's a stained glass window in the Army training college at Sandhurst with Indian VC winner's
It’s always one of us isn’t it. Either that or we get lumped together as “British forces”.
But us Aussies know you lot did far more than your fair share in pulling your weight.
Well done Mates.
Thanks Natasha and Debbie, a very interesting video. We're very lucky to have the Commonwealth, they helped us immensely in both world wars. Nowadays the Commonwealth comprises of countries that are members voluntarily and willingly so should a country declare war on the UK we know that the majority of the Commonwealth of Nations will be fully behind us and stand shoulder to shoulder with their British allies in any war effort.
The point here is that the British still maintain that Major General Haige, a British general, was responsible for the alied victory, when the breakout victory was engineered and commanded by the Australian General Sir John Monash, who was knighted in the field, by the English King. This happened in the first word war. Many English people will still not acknowledge the fact.
Monash was considered as a replacement for Haigh. Unfortunately being a Jew and an Australian prejudiced him. Haig was a butcher
General John Monash was one of those extraordinarily capable human beings we rarely see, he was also a civil engineer! 🙋
@99rakmakka It was the 20th century and Haige was still commanding his men as if it was the 1950s. Monash applied 20th century technology to the battle Haige had been bogged down in for many months. Within two weeks Monash had moved the front line forward by miles. Not for him the old take a little, give a little idea of the previous century. As far as he was concerned, if you had the technology, then you should apply it in a coordinated manner. That included artillery, fighter planes, bombers, cavalry and inventory all working to the one plan together. The British Generals said it would never work. When the King heard about it, he asked his Generals if it had ever been tried before. When they said no, he gave the order for Monash to go ahead, and it worked so well the alies won the war.
I don't know! Spellcheck has put "1950s". When I typed 1850s.
Ironically, he was of German descent. @@99rakmakka
The New Zealand prime Minister at the start of the war wanted to declare war on Germany when they invaded Czechoslovakia in 1938
It just goes to show what a violent people the kiwis are and why Australia fears them. The kiwis, on the other hand, have been invading Australia for decades.
Canada was a member of the League of Nations, and came close to triggering war with Italy over the bombing of Ethiopia, by suggesting oil sanctions. Mussolini said oil sanctions mean war, and the whole League wouldn't vote for that.
It was great to see some of the facts the video delivered, but if I’m honest I don’t like how it was framed. “Which nation did Britain love the most? As you stated every individual who played their part was hugely valued. I feel that the way the video was put together was aiming to cause friction. They were collectively the greatest generation.
Absolutely that's what I got from it too .
The fact is Britain couldn't of fought without the common wealth troops they gave so much to help Britain during the war and should always be given respect let's not forget the American military god bless all of them
All the Commonwealth did a great job in the war years. We wouldn't be here if they hadn't done so well.
Damm Right
All our Commonwealth Brothers and sisters are owed a debt that can never be repaid. Thank you for my freedom in the UK
There's a heartbreaking song about the Aussie troops who died for Britain at Gallipoli (Turkey) in WW1 called "And the Band Played Waltzing Matilda" by Eric Bogle.
India tends to be the forgotten Commonwealth nation, they sent 2.5 MILLION troops to fight in WW2 under British command, and also housed the US war effort supporting China against Japan.
India does seem forgotten. I agree. This included the Pakistani's who were Indian in both WWars
@@keithad6485to be fair, the legacy of those soldiers have only been starting to be recognised in modern India
My uncle Charles Douglas Johnson was a British born man who emigrated to Australia in the 1930s as a teenager and fought in the Australian army in World War 2. I have a photograph of him in his uniform.
You should do a reaction video on Australian & New Zealand combined forces during WWI.
My mother's uncle was a Kiwi flyer that was billeted with a British family that happened to have a daughter, she became my mother's aunty after the war and came back to NZ with him because life was better here than bombed and rationed Britain. Anyway it turned out she was a code breaker for the British military and was even sent to, I think it was New York, to code break there as well for the British and US military heads because she was apparently very very good at it. I only found this out about ten years ago.
my grandad used to repair shot up planes that made it back to the uk he was in a resrved occupation because of his trade he worked on the dambuster planes
Churchill and Jan Smuts fought on opposite sides in the Boer wars and probably earned each others respect back then.
Churchill was a war correspondent, not a combatant in the Boer wars. But he did meet Smuts that one time he was captured. I believe it was Smuts who let him go.
If you see the Remembrance Sunday Cenotaph service and March past of veterans the commonwealth is regularly represented in the March past the Cenotaph. In the recent decades other smaller representative units have been included also the merchant Seamen from Hong Kong who are ubiquitous in quite a number of British ships from before WWII.
Also, each year at this same National Remembrance Day Service, Representatives of the Commonwealth are always present and lay wreaths at the Cenotaph to remember those of their own Nation who gave their lives for us all.
I believe dhobi wallahs (laundry service) from Hong Kong were still serving on RN ships in the eighties and for all I know maybe still are. Perhaps a serving mariner could enlighten us?
My gramps was in India and then went to the desert. He said the Wallabies were fierce and loyal.
As long as there is a cold beer waiting for us at our rear base! from a retired Aussie Armoured Corps soldier
If you want to narrow it down a bit look at the Battle of Britain in 1940. And see how many different nationalities were pilots in the RAF. Lots of Kiwis for example. Or look at the Battle of the Atlantic and the particular Contribution from Canada. Very under reported. RE: Churchill agin the Aussies he nearly deliberately diverted troop ships taking Aussie troops back to Australia to India without telling the Australian Government. His scheme was found out and it didn't happen.
That is true , I think just over 500 from different nations and we are grateful and should be aknowledge but 2,350 british fought as well let's not forget that .
@@claregale9011 - I lost four Canadian cousins in WW2 and my dad was in an RCAF Mosquito Squadron. The memorial to the Canadian contribution in Green Park is lovely and very simple and just a few yards away is the more recent Bomber Command Memorial dedicated in 2012. The bomber command lost almost 50% of its crew members. When I was there there was a letter from a man in British Columbia stating. "Thank you dad for the son you never knew". 😢 🇨🇦
Churchill is very unpopular among many, here in Australia. He was devious and cunning and only cared about England. He lied about the supposed strength of Singapore. MacArthur had to inform FDR about Churchill lying about the Constitutional relationship between England and Australia, allowing PM Curtin direct contact to FDR. Here, previously, Churchill was running interference with Australian PM having the ear of FDR. Roosevelt wasn’t happy, upon hearing of Churchill’s deceptions.
The more I read about Churchill, the more I realise he was a detestable, self serving politician.
@@keithad6485 - He was no prize for sure, a boozer, druggie, misogynist, arrogant and foolish during WW1 but he did serve a purpose in not capitulating to Hitler (as Chamberlain did) and also in uniting the country in WW2 by his oratory and foreseeing the rise of the Soviet Union.
I am Canadian and my grandfather fought in North Africa and Italy,his 2 younger brothers when they got old enough fought at D-day,and my great aunt was a cook on merchant marine ship crossing the Atlantic
My Father served in The North Atlantic Convoys in The British Merchant Navy and I remember him telling me that as far as the lads on board were concerned a good ships cook was worth their weight in gold. Massive respect to your great aunt my friend, she had some guts to sail on The Atlantic in those days 🙏
@@stephensmith4480 - My dad was in the RCAF (Mosquito) and I lost 4 Canadian cousins. The convoys supplying the UK cannot be emphasised enough!
@@susieq9801 I totally agree with you there. My Father used to go up to Murmansk in Russia taking supplies. He said that the Russian dock workers always made them very welcome.
@@stephensmith4480 - 👍
One of the cousins I lost was on convoy duty, one at Dieppe, one shot down and one at Buron (Caen) a month after D-Day. The last one buried at Beny sur Mer. (HLI out of Hamilton.) At my age I never knew any of them. Sadly when convoy ships were sunk they seldom could even stop for survivors. Merchant mariners had to fight for decades to get recognition. My hat is off to your dad (and Sean's family above).
@@susieq9801 Many thanks for your Kind words. My Dad managed to see the War through, thankfully, others like your family members made the ultimate sacrifice and it's something that we should never forget. The bravery of that generation is beyond measure. Take care my friend.
While I was studying, I was working part-time in a long-term care centre, and I had the opportunity (and immense honor) to meet a veteran who had participated in the Dieppe raid, in 1943. I remember him saying that the nazis were waiting up the cliffs and shooting down (while miming a gunner shooting a machine gun) and him seeing his comrades falling around him. I felt chills all over my body as he was speaking.
One other resident was the mother of one of the nurses who worked there, and she had been a munition worker, in one of the canadian factories. She had on one wall of her chamber, a photograph of her and all her colleagues, doing the "V" on Victory Day. To this day, I cherish these memories of these heroes, because they were.
Lastly, I'll recommand for you the awesome story of Leo Major.
you may not know but it was Aussie militia was the first to fight and defeat the experienced Japanese, my uncle fought in New Guinea he was there for most of the remainder of the war, his battalion was in constant contact with the Japanese for 80 straight days , and walked over more of New Guinea than any other battalion, he survived but it remained with him the rest of his life, hed go to Melbourne every year to march in the ANZAC parade , it was a long way but i made it down one year , he saw me in the crowd , and he told me later with a tear in his eyes that i was the only one from home that ever saw him march , RIP Uncle Geoff, thanks for your service
My great grandfather fought with the NZ 2nd battalion fighting in both Egypt and Italy. Unfortunately loosing his life at just 28 years old in the north of Italy. Was such a privilege to visit his grave last year and pay my respects ❤
Lest we forget ....
Australia or should say ANZACS definitely held their own and some and there's one town we held off Hitler's army for if they got through that town Hitler would of no doubt won the war.
Also
Villers-Bretonneux is a small French village which the ANZACs saved during World War One. A British General (who had won a Victoria Cross) said that the Australian attack was 'perhaps the greatest individual feat of the war. '
We owe so much to the Commonwealth counties.All of them. They did not have to give so much.Thank you Commonwealth.
Churchill's opposition to Australian troops being redeployed to the Pacific, even if it meant Japan occupying Australia, resulted in Australia forever seeing the US as its main ally. National interest naturally has a huge bearing on this. The US may have declared war on Japan and Germany but it was Japan that it wanted to punish for Pearl Harbor. Australia was vital to that plan as the US needed a base for its Army. The two nations aligned. All hot wars Australia has been involved in since WW2 have been east of Mediterranean.
Australia's darkest hour and UK was not able to help.
You understate the signifcance of Australia in the Pacific war. MacArthur's memoirs recounts that the South West Pacific war was self sufficient for war materiel's manufactured and exported from Australia, Australia contributed approx 60% of the ground troops and inflicted the first and other major defeats on the Japanese - Milne Bay, Finchhaffen, Lae etc. By the end of the war Australia had the worlds 4th Largest Air force. The US was a magnificent ally but Australia was crucial to the US fightback and not just as a base. Australia was in fact critical in the war for ascendancy over the Japanese. Many would argue that, Africa campaign, experienced Australian Generals would have been a better choice to lead the allied fight back in the South West Pacific than Douglas MacArthur.
Check out "The Devil's Brigade" sometime.
It was a WW2 joint American /Canadian commando unit that initially trained in America but fought in Europe.
The unarmed fighting instructor was an Irish Sgt, Dermot "Pat" Malloy who had worked for the Shanghai Police.. under Fairbain and Sykes.. who designed the Commando Knife of the Royal Marines.
I dont think its fair to say one country did more than another. Growing up i was surrounded by war widows, I remember there was not alot of older men about, Britain was fighting for its life, it was being bombarded, the brave pilots winning the battle of Britain gave us breathing space, but without the bravery of the Commonwealth countries fighting on all fronts we would have been lost.Britains will never forget their sacrifices.
And yet from the 1980's Australians that went to Britain had to join the "Foreigners" line at Customs.
You need to find a video on the 28th Māori Battalion. My father was in the Royal New Zealand Navy during the war, escorting convoys of supply ships and troop ships in the Pacific. He was lucky to survive when his ship was torpedoed in the Solomons Campaign.
While it doesn’t really relate to UK relations, I thought you might appreciate this piece of trivia. . Hector Waller, mentioned at 4:16 was in command of HMAS Perth when she was sent to the bottom. HMAS Perth is, I believe the only foreign ship honoured by monument at Arlington, Virginia, USA. She shares that honour with USS Houston who went down soon after. Both ships fought courageously against impossible odds.
New Zealand provided a double VC winner in Charles Upham.
Not winner, but awarded. He was awarded a double VC.
Retired Aussie Armoured Corps soldier here. NZ are justifiably proud to have a double VC recipient. I salute the EnZeds. We Australians must never forget ANZAC includes New Zealand.
And What’s more. He’s the only one (actual active soldier) in History to achieve (so far).
And as an Aussie, I have to say, bloody well done Mate.
I agree bloody well done! There is at least one British soldier who was awarded a second VC. Capt.Noel Chavasse, WW1
@@keithad6485 Chevasse Park in Liverpool is named after him. His father was Bishop of Liverpool and he served in a Liverpool regiment.
Thank you for this video, as a proud Brit I appreciate it.
Thank you for watching ♥️
Here in London there is an exclusive club called The Union Jack Club near Waterloo Station & in it there are individual pictures or inscription of every Victoria Cross recipient (alive or not at the time) 😢🎖
As I am a life member of the club if you two do decide to visit London then I’d be more than happy to invite you in as my guests to have a look 😊
There's also the larger Victory Services Club near Marble Arch. Most of its members are veterans from overseas forces and their families. My late father, my late wife, and I regularly used it when we visited London. It's a great location. The Royal Overseas League club house is a smaller, but grander and older club in St James. It's restaurant overlooks Green Park. Either would be ideal bases for you ladies. En suite doubles at the former are about £150.00. At the latter, in summer they are between £200.00 and £300.00.
My Australian great uncle was a vic cross recipient so I guess his name is on that wall 🇦🇺😎
@@j-1159 If I remember correctly before Covid, every 2 years any living recipients or nearest relatives of the VC or GC would come to London & stay in the UJ Club, & then go to different events.
I have had the privilege of driving some of these hero’s as part of my job driving for the MoD 😌
If you’d like to give me more detail J, I could make it my mission to go search him 🎖
What we fail to remember is that WW2 didn't start out as a 'world war' - it was a European War until Japan got involved in 1941. America might not have had their troops on our soil in 1939 but, like Canada and Australia, they aided the UK with weapons until we could make enough of our own and their ships ran the dangerous Atlantic to bring that aid to us at the risk of getting torpedoed. Also many Americans came over of their own accord to fight on our side. With regard to South Africa you have to remember that it was as much Dutch as British (hence the names shown in the clip) and I'm sure they hesitated because at that time the Netherlands were free from Nazi Rule and many in SA had family back in 'the homeland' that they wanted to stay safe. Hindsight is a wonderful thing and it is easy 'with hindsight' to find fault with some of Churchill's thoughts and decisions but the nation was depending on HIM to keep us free and in the early years of the war, with the exception of the Battle of Britain, things weren't going well for us. No surprises about India and Nepal, they were awesome! An interesting vlog; I wonder if there is anything similar about the huge role played by the Polish who escaped to Britain???
The UK declared war over Poland but didn’t protect Poland. France tried but was pushed by Germany. Poland, then, ended-up under the Russians.
In my opinion all of them deserved so much respect , not only commonwealth people help greatly ,but from other countries ,these people came from all different cultures ,all different colours and religions ,they all came together. To fight for the good. I think even thou the British government may flavoured one over the other i think the British people had no favourite but was grateful that these brave men and womencame.do not forget the class system,even the British government favour the R.a.f than the army has one were more middle class and upper class and one was mainly working class.
There were 182 VC awarded in WW2 to 181 recipients (one New Zelander Charles Upham got two)
Hi Natasha & Debbie.
As always, you pulled off another great reaction video.
I absolutely love you both to bits.
You are definitely my favourite Americans, but can I just say one thing, no one wins a war, we all just lose lives.
Keep up the good work with what you are doing on this channel.
Women in the UK armed forces during WW2 are slightly better recognised (though not much) than those in the US I think because they've been shown previously in popular media and because the Queen was one of them during the war (when she turned 18 at least). In films like "Battle of Britain" or "Sink the Bismark" or "Ice Cold in Alexandria" women were shown in their positions working as working in various roles in planning/administration for all three armed forces, radar station operatives, nurses, air combat plotters, naval plotting, working in aircraft repair (including showing some being killed in "Battle of Britain"), factory work (entertainer Gracie Fields actually had a song during WW2 about working in a factory), working in the "land army" or working as drivers (either staff drivers of officers or ambulances/trucks etc) and all the other jobs they did like manning AA guns (this is mentioned in the 1943 US Army film "A welcome to Britain" which is here on TH-cam and is well worth a watch) etc.
My Mum just 18 as the war started was used to fill in for those men sent to war .
She drove a milk "Float " ( not a drink but an electric driven vehicle) that delivered the milk door to door .
She also drove a truck to collect milk from the farms . We used to joke that she drove without a license . This was because all those who drove in the war effort never had to sit their driving test .
But were authorised to drive for life .
@@lesleyriseam1282 My Mum was newly married in 1939 and had a family from London billeted with her in Oxford. One day she got a letter telling her to report to some Navy officer at the Morris Motors factory in Cowley and she was given a job building torpedoes. She was walking past a stack one day and thought 'I recognise that washing' and it was her back garden!
Some people have fairies at the bottom of their gardens, my mum and Dad had torpedoes!
Women also "manned" anti-aircraft barrage balloons.
From Google: By the time the Second World War ended in 1945, 28 (Maori) Battalion had become one of the most celebrated and decorated units in the New Zealand forces. The pinnacle of its achievement was the Victoria Cross won by Te Moananui-a-Kiwa Ngārimu in 1943. Ultimately, nearly 16,000 Māori enlisted for service during the Second World War. Some sources state that the Afrika Korps commander, Erwin Rommel remarked,"Give me the Maori Battalion and I will conquer the world".
As a kiwi , nearly 60 , the Maori 28th are absolutely respected , the few left if any now , and a proud part of our military history .. lest we forget ...
The commitment, support and sacrifice from all the commonwealth countries combined had a massive impact and played a huge part in the fight against and eventual victory over the axis powers. @TheNatashaDebbieShow As a side note if you’ve not heard or don’t know much about Field Marshal Erwin Rommel you might find it interesting to do some research about him even if you don’t do a video about him. Great content as ever you two, keep it up 😊👍
I agree with you. Thank you to alll of the counties who fought for us.
Thank you for this video reaction. As a British person myself, I am grateful for, and I honour the sacrifices and effort of all nations of the Commonwealth in that terrible war! Churchill may, or may not, have had his favourites but I do not have mine...everyone's contribution is valued by me. Incidentally, in 2005, a huge bronze memorial to the 7 million women who contributed to the war effort in the UK was unveiled in Whitehall, London (I thought you two ladies would like to know...) Also, Canada looked after most of the UK gold reserve during the war....(Operation Fish was the largest known movement of wealth in history). Let's hope World War III never happens!!
We are grateful to all our allies all nations sacrificed at great cost . Yes mistakes were made , decisions maybe not the right ones but ultimately it was to defeat Nazi Germany , Britain suffered greatly during the war yrs the blitz taking the lives of 60.000 civilians we had rationing up until the 50s , it had a long lasting effect we were prepared to do what was needed for our freedoms . Proud to be British . 😊
When you asked the question immediately, I said "India" out loud. They did give so much and we treated them so badly. I never knew Canada did all that! Wow! Thanks Canada!!
The Kiwi's had the highest casualties per capita in WW1, and the ANZAC traditions are well remembered here; every Australian is aware of the contributions the Kiwis made in both wars.
I was a member of my Navy (RAN) and served at every NCO rank during my just over 40 years in uniform, with 20 years of that at sea.
While we worked a lot with the Kiwi's at sea in and around our countries, the last ships I served in were the Anzac frigates, and we built ten, 8 for us, 2 for them. I served in 2 of ours, but have been to sea on all ten, including the Kiwi ones as a "guest evaluator" during their workups and shakedowns. I then posted as running the Weapons/electrical side of the joint Aust/NZ training unit where we had RNZN staff, and trained the crews for the RAN and RNZN ships.
Aussies and Kiwis always make fun of each other, but everyone in the Australian military respects the Kiwis in every aspect of their operations, and you are glad they have your back. They were always a pleasure to work with.
My grandad was is India in WW2. He got lost in the jungle at the Burmese border, but found a US soldier who was also lost and managed to make their way back to safety. They were gone a few days.
Great video. im sure Britain like all of them the same as dont matter how big or small all contributions help to win the war. I thank them all without them we all wouldn't have the life we do today so a big thank you to all veterans and active members of all army's
Thank you @Natasha and Debbie show. I appreciate the USA allies to. I am crying right now. All the allies I love. Without the allies things could have been different now
Bless you Dan! 🙏🏻
Ty for Acknowledging the allies sometimes the allies get overlooked and not appreciated. Even though allies seems smal.. but the love and support is there in quntaties. Bless you guys to.
Churchill became rather unpopular with the Australian public as the war progressed, and to say he disliked the new (from 1941) Australian Prime Minister John Curtin, especially after basically being unconditionally venerated by the previous PM Sir Robert Menzies, is an understatement. It must be remembered that with the Fall of Singapore in early 1942, 15 thousand Australian troops became prisoners of Japan (with around half dying in captivity) and the country was left practically defenceless. Churchill outright refused to allow the return of the 6th & 7th Divisions to Australia, and it took many months and multiple requests (which effectively became threats after refusing to comply) from the Australian government before Churchill finally relented. However, even then Churchill delayed their return, ordering the convoy carrying the Diggers to divert to Burma, much to the outrage of the Australian government, before they were finally allowed to return. Furthermore, in the months following the Fall of Singapore, the Royal Australian Navy lost a significant percentage of its fighting strength with the loss (in chronological order) of HMAS Perth, Yarra, Vampire, Canberra, Voyager and Armidale, compounded by the loss of HMAS Sydney in late 1941, Churchill refused all requests by the Curtin government for the transfer of Royal Navy vessels to waters arround Australia. He also refused all requests for the transfer of British troops from India and Burma to Papua New Guinea. For many Australians this felt like a betrayal, especially after the nation's sacrifices for the Empire in the First World War.
Churchill is often blamed for the Bengal famine. He didn't cause it! Although he had to concentrate on the war efforts, he did appoint Viceroy Field Marshall Wavell, who mobilized the military to transport food and aid to the stricken regions. The Japanese were on the Indian border with Burma, Gandhi’s Quit India movement, and Subhas Chandra Bose’s Indian National Army then fighting alongside the Japanese provided the incentive for a full-scale Japanese invasion. Therefore, The Royal Air Force and the Army were fully stretched & could not be spared. If the RAF planes supporting India’s defence were pulled off for a famine airlift, far more than three million would have died. The blame for insufficient famine relief lies with those who prevented those planes from being used: the Japanese.
thank you for posting this comment - I learnt some new information from you today. I hope everyone on this page reads it.
Churchill didn’t return the support Australia gave to the UK. True, principally after Pearl Harbor, Churchill wanted everything from other countries, but gave nothing in return. Curtin had to pull Australian European troops into Pacific theatre. MacArthur was no fan of Churchill and had to enlighten Roosevelt to the old bulldog being a little loose with the truth. It is nonsense to say Churchill would have come to Australia’s aid, after the European theatre was won… England had been flattened and needed Marshal Aid (Australia didn’t).
@@petersinclair3997 I agree, but I was talking about the Bengal Famine.
The indian view,of the Bengal Famine,by Dr. Sashi Tharoor,. Is much more compelling. Dr.Tharoor's research of it,will leave you thinking what kind of a human,Churchill was.
@@blueyfromoz4815 Does he take into account that there was a world war going on, and Chruchill had a massive amount of priorities to concentrate on?
They may not get the credit from Yanks but they certainly do from Brits.
Hello Natasha and Debbie love your videos its always good to see our American cousins take an ineterest in our countires history and cultures. Also theres an amazing documentary about the British armys victoria cross by jeremy Clarkson which goes in-depth about the medal and its history including stories of those soldiers how have received the medal you guys might want ti check it out its both inspiring and saddening 👍🇬🇧❤🇺🇸
Thank you! We've seen the video you're talking about, which is why we haven't reacted to it
It is called "Jeremy Clarkson's The Victoria Cross: For Valour - the FULL documentary" it is near an hour long but I'd say one of the top UK military related videos a channel can react too. Can easy get round 200k views on that on a strong UK related reaction channel
He also did another "Jeremy Clarkson's the Greatest Raid of All - the FULL documentary" that's good to do too
Whilst I cannot be sure, I think Churchill had an emotional attachment to South Africa because of his exploits there forty years before in the Boer War. He had frankly been a medal-hunting soldier/journalist/writer before that time, but his saving of an armoured train (as a journalist) under heavy Boer fire, his capture and subsequent escape made him a hero back home and eased his path into his first parliamentary seat. He became friends with Louis Botha and Jan Smuts.
The Aussies also sent many bomber crews to Britain. They flew Lancaster bombers and had the highest rate of casualties per capita, than any other Australian force.
One of those Lancasters is at the Australian War Memorial - G for George.
Per head of population the kiwis had more in bomber command.
When Britain was up against it we loved everyone that came to our aid........everyone.
This was really interesting and a subject that needs more consideration we ie the world should show the respect and gratitude to all nations that helped win the war .thank you for reacting to this of course we understand that not everything can be covered and the opinions expressed in the film are not your opinions 👍
Im a Canadian army brat, I grew up on military bases all over the world; went to base schools. Im a senior woman in my seventies now. As an adult, I seldom miss a Remembrance Day ceremony, I regularly interact with veterans and service members. Many of my family members were/are military. here's the thing, I know of no service person who actually likes it when people thank them for their service, none whatsoever. They're not doing it for the thanks, they find it embarrassing when people thank them; I have actually asked them, many of them, about it. Some people, mostly non military, do it in Canada but not nearly as much as in the states. Please ask your military friends and family if they actually like it when people thank them...I think we do it for ourvselves, not for them. and we need to stop, cuz we're doing it for the wrong person.
I would vehemently disagree with you, as a veteran, 32 years service, I might be shy about acknowledging people thanking me but it is appreciated. I've also been involved in ground Search and Rescue, 25 years this year, and I get thanked for that service too and it is much appreciated.
Canadian troops never kicked off, aussie and kiwi troops did. We are closest to the aussies. mentality, sense of humour etc. Before i get a reply, in detail regarding why, i already know i just can't be arsed to write a book.
South African forces fought in East Africa, North Africa and Italy and did sterling service for the Allies. SA pilots like Sailor Malan and Pat Pattle were among the deadliest fighter aces in the RAF.
What an eye-opener! 😳 The Ghurka's were my first thought upon reading the title, and that kinda ran true with their VCs lumped in as the Indian sub-continent. I knew Canada's role in protecting the Atlantic but not the massive over-production of arms beyond economic capability?!! 😲
Bless and thanks for the learning and reaction, Folks. 👍👍
What an interesting video. All commonwealth countries contributed in WW2 and total respect to them and may all their souls rest in peace. Obviously other countries outside of the commonwealth contributed such as Polish, French, Dutch etc. and without them the Battle of Britain may have been a different outcome. We allies are a team including the USA and other countries but isn’t it a pity the world didn’t learn from the horrors of WW2 that conflicts still continue now. Honour and respect to the military and civilians of all countries who contributed in WW2, without them life would be very different today. Lovely to see you both as always ❤
Britain was fighting for Europe's survival even though it's own Survival was almost guaranteed to cease, war time tempers flare disagreements happen but it really wasn't as bad as the video makes out, Most of the Empires soldiers were volunteers with only really the British being conscripted in defence of the motherland with the only exception being small numbers of Canadians later in the war. we gave everything for the defence of the Homeland ..rationing did not end in the UK until 1954 a decade after the war had ended where as occupied Germany had it much easier. Britain spent everything it had and everything it would have in the following decades. i think it has to be commended
You nailed it with mention of the 'team effort', which undoubtedly it was. Even if us Brits sometimes have a jibe at the US for not joining the war until December 1941, they had been providing vital support in the form of aircraft, vehicles, weapons etc. etc. for two years by then. Once the US declared war and men became part of the equation they, as well as even greater quantities of materiel, sealed the fate of the Axis powers - it was just a matter of time.
Many of those V.C.s went to the Gurkha's from Nepal .
Not all
The friendship between Churchill and Smuts is a bit ironic, given that Churchill fought against the South African Boers in the late 19th century and from the photos, Smuts looks to be of a similar age and with a name like that, it’s possible (if not probable) that Smuts fought on the side of the Boers. About women in WWII, there are a number of books about Australian Nurses who were active in the Pacific war. Quite a few were captured by the Japanese. In the UK, there was a corps of female pilots who flew planes from factories to operational airfields during the war. THEIR stories are AWESOME! I saw a documentary about them a few years back and one or two who were still alive, appeared in this film.
The story of the famine in Bengal was NOT something that Churchill ignored and this young man has an pretty obvious axe to grind where Churchill is concerned, as I have heard him make similar statements in other videos he has produced. While he does have SOME good information, he tends to go ahead without digging too deeply into stories such as the Bengal famine one, before forging ahead with an unfair slur. To be fair, he is not the only one who has laid this charge at Churchill’s feet, but there are some factors that must be taken into account about that particular event.
First, England was a stone’s throw from Germany and was literally cut-off from the rest of the world by sea, which the German U-Boats (literally; Untersee Boots) did a pretty good job of blockading. Taking food from India to feed Britons is EXTREMELY unlikely, as the aforementioned U-Boats patrolled the seas all around Africa and supplies travelling that route would be easy pickings, given that the trans-Atlantic convoys took priority. The reason for the famine, was a combination of catastrophic weather AND the Japanese, who destroyed whatever crops they could as they advanced.
There are many myths about English versus Australian troops, interests, etc, from both WWI and WWII, but when you dig down a little, they have little real substance when the facts are all considered.
The main myth from WWI is that the British Navy that carried the ANZACS to Gallipoli, landed them at the worng place. Australian military historians of note have investigated this one very thoroughly and this is simply NOT true. They were landed at exactly the right place. They were landed at night and the plan was for them to advance up a very steep hillside under cover of darkness and then attack Turkish artillery on the hilltops, that would hamper the main force of British solders who would land at the bottom end of the peninsula and advance up along the spine of the hills. It was a pretty good plan, as plans go, but like all plans, it required that everything go according to plan. It didn’t. What Brough the ANZACS undone, was that there were two Turkish soldiers on the hilltop, who were suspcious about the sounds they heard from the beachs at the bottom of the hill and went to wake up their commanding officer. He didn’t waste any time calling out all his available troops and ordering more from further down the peninsula, which was actually aginst his orders. He had only a small force to defend the artillery and although he was under strict instructions NOT to call for reinforcements under any circumstances, he did so anyway, merely on the word of two quite frightened young soldiers who might have just been jumping at shadows. His reasoning was that if this was a force that was heading for the heavy guns, then he had to do something about it. He was right, his actions meant that the ANZACS now faced a far superior force that occupied the high ground, and the operation was over before it had really begun. It took months of bitter fighting before the British commanders eventually gave the whole thing up, with massive loss of life in the ANZAC forces. The British Army forces who landed at the bottom end of the peninsula, along with their Indian fellow soldiers, lost many, many times more men, as they wer at the mercy of the heavy guns that had been the target of the ANZACS. The whole thing was undone by two very young, very frightened Turkish soldiers and their very smart commanding officer. That’s all it takes for a plan to go wrong. Planning is necessary of course, but the thing to always remember is that plans hardly ever work precisely the way the planners would like.
Anyway, this myth that the Brits were the main and only reason the ANZACS copped a bloodbath at Gallipoli (sometimes with the implication that they didn’t care about the Kiwis and Aussies) needs to be busted once and for all. The Gallipoli Campaign was a catastrophic defeat, but the architect of it was Winston Churchill in his role as First Lord of the Admiralty. What he did after the defeat was something I think sets him apart from MOST politicians and/or high ranking military officers; he resigned from his position and took up a commission in the regular army, fighting on the Western Front. How many men in an exalted and safe postion such as his, would do the same thing in his place? He was not a perfect person, but I think that this action shows a great deal of integrity and character, not to mention bravery on his part.
I think that differences between national leaders during WWI and WWII are one thing, but they mostly put those aside and got on with things, as leaders should under such circumstances.
You’d also enjoy watching “Know Your Ally: Britain” a wartime film made by the US Army for soldiers stationed in the UK so they could get to know their hosts better. Worth a watch!
My father fought in Burma. When Poles came into England there was a lot of conflict. It took a time to acknowledge that my uncle was actually a flyer pilot fighting for Britain.
my aunt was a nurse during the north african campain and told me that some nurses where doing surgical procediars and as an officer she was one of them she was escorting ingerd servis men back to the uk on an hospital ship that was attact in the med by what i was told was an italian sub she survived the atack and ended up marrying a raf pilot that she was looking after they have 2 daughters that one lives in england and the younger one in spain i chat to them quite offten and i am so proud of their parants
My grandfather was in the 2nd AIF and was oen of the guys brought back from the middle east to defend Australia. He ended up fighting in New Guinea, and being wounded there. Churchill was being very unfair, and didn't really care about our families futures. Our PM is a legend for having the guts to stand up to him, and pivot our alliances closer to the US. Strangely my great grandfather was in the AN&MEF (a precursor to the 1st AIF that fought in the opening stages of WW1 in 1914) and went to New Guinea as well, to kick the Germans out of NG. He was wounded there and sent home, so he was one of the first Aussies to be wounded in WW1. When my grandfather came home he collapsed into my grandfather's arms and cried while my grandfather just held him, according to my grandmother. I really don't blame him.
Canada & India gave Britain more assistance, however it was Australian forces which provided Britain with the morale building victories she needed at the darkest times. Australians were the first to break the myth of German invincibility at Tobruk in 1941 and Australians were the first allied troops to defeat the Japanese in the Pacific at Milne Bay, Kokoda and Oiva-Gorari in 1942. Rommel described the 9th Division AIF as the elite of the British Empire, Montgomery said El Alamein would not have been won without them and MacArthur described them as the best Desert fighters in the world. He also described the 7th Division AIF as the best jungle fighters in the world. General Slim said: “The Australians taught us how to beat the Japanese”.
Rommel found out something all Aussies know
you don’t mess with angry Māoris
Don't mention Bledisloe!
Should look up "Mad lads " - Charles Upham. The new Zealander who won the Victorian Cross........twice.
Churchill would have sacrificed Australia to the Japanese if he could save Britain. At the Arcadia conference Churchill and Roosevelt agreed that the US would only defend from Alaska to Panama and let Philippines,Australia Indonesia etc to be invaded while they built up the navy Admiral King insisted that he be allowed to attack the Japanese and he won out, hence Guadalcanal. To see the Australians fight watch anything on the "Rats of Tobuk" with the great British gunners and Aussie diggers holding out in a siege against Germany for 241 days.
Imagine if Britain had been invaded by Nazi Germany our monarchy would be no more the commonwealth would be under Nazi rule . When you look at it like that it's pretty scary.
Sadly no mention made of African troops other than South Africans. Britain raised a force of around half a million men from its African colonies, of which around 100,000 were from Kenya
That was excellent. I love modern world history. I believe in one of Churchills early speeches he recognised the great value of all commonwealth support. That would be interesting to look at the role of women in the war,
I live in Newcastle, 2 hrs north of Sydney. We were shelled a couple of times by the Japanese, very minor in realty, but it was only a couple of months ago at the end of 2023 that an unexplored shell was found at a property in one of the surrounding suburbs. It really was a world war and still has lasting effects to this day. If you want to learn more about some of the effort of the wars, look at Jeremy Clarkson’s, what it takes to earn a Victoria Cross and The Greatest raid of all. Very insightful pieces of journalism.
Regarding the US joining “late”… perhaps it’s not well known that although the US government and big businesses were slow to go, ordinary American citizens started contributing unofficially very early on. For example, the Home Guard in England, who the tv series Dad’s Army was based on, were largely armed with guns donated by American citizens early in the War (it was quite a while before the arms manufacturing caught up with demand and supply them with the same as the regular army).
No favourites , they were all the best I speak as a British veteran
The role played by many commonwealth nations doesn't seem to be taught much in schools. I took a youth group to a military museum and when WW2 came up they asked me who won!!!
Churchill is seen as a great leader and heroic figure ! Sadly that doesnt always stand up to close inspection ! Politically he was prone to be petulant, arrogant and childish. On the home front while he constantly urged rationed and hungry civilians to tighten their belts, IT later was revealed he had a constant supply of whiskey, brandy, bananas, oranges and Cuban cigars ! Items the population would not see or get from 1940 until between 1946 and 1947. IN 1940 the king and queen let it be known that while the princesses would be evacuated to canada should Nazi's successfully invade, they themselves would stand and if need be fall with the nation. At the same time Churchill was making his " fight them on th beaches" speech, and vowing to fight to his last bullet and until he choked on his own blood ! In the 90s documents released under the freedom of information rules showed a different story ! while King and queen demanded they stay and possibly die with their people, from 1939 to 1944 a bomber stood ready for flight, loaded with Churchills personal "treasury" and able to take off immediately, and the moment the first german got off the beaches of England, Mr and Mrs Churchill would use it to fly to Scotland and from there by sea to USA wher due to dual nationality they would live comfortably while the UK was taken over by the Reich. fortunately fro him the Germans never came close to invading and thanks to the 50yr secrecy laws, he managed to keep the legend of the ferocious Lion who suffered and vowed to die with his people alive until 30 years after his death. His disdain for the Empire/Common wealth countries was far less of a secret. but as they say, history is written by the victor !
@vogonpoet5860. I will have to see all this with my own eyes before I believe even a single word of it! Please give a link to your sources. Everything I have read that was written, either by him or about him, even by his 'political enemies', leads me to believe he was not such a man as to abandon or sneak out of the country he fought so hard for against enormous odds, with carrier bags of loot under his arm, to live the high life in America. The man was 70 years old in 1945 for heaven's sake - after the exhausting war years I expect he'd be hankering for a slightly slower pace - like being Prime Minister in Peace time - which was his ambition.
A bomber standing ready for flight with all his 'treasure' inside from 1939 - 1944 seems a very precarious way to protect ones wealth especially in Wartime. Unless he hadn't heard of banks of course. Enemy bombers coming over for months on end during the Blitz bombing our towns, cities and airfields would have put it all at great risk. One unlucky bomb and 'boom' all his wealth would be gone. That's just silly. Nor do I believe our RAF, so deficient in planes, would have allowed a bomber to stand idly by for five years when EVERY single plane was so desperately needed. One thing I know about Churchill from reading his history was he appeared to be afraid of nothing - certainly not death.
He was a Manic Depressive ( now called Bi-Polar). He called it his 'black dog'. It made him utterly fearless during his 'highs'. He often took enormous risks with his own life, but because in that state he was so bold, so confident, he always came through unscathed. During his 'lows' he wouldn't have given a damn what happened to himself. So no, a man such as that would not even think of the danger to himself. He criss-crossed the Atlantic Ocean several times during the War, by air and by sea, when ships were being routinely torpedoed every day and night by enemy submarines and warships. Not because he wanted to escape, but because he needed America to help us. I don't suppose he thought about taking his stash with him on those flights!
BTW Churchill wanted the whole Royal Family to leave and go to Canada. The King said he would not go. The Queen said she would not leave the King, and the children would not leave without her. So, she said, they would all stay. It was agreed that the two little Princesses (Elizabeth and Margaret) would live in Windsor Castle and King George VI and Queen Elizabeth would live at Buckingham Palace in London. The idea of the children escaping to Canada was dismissed. Churchill sent the two princesses guns for their protection instead - after getting permission from the King, who made the girls practise.
@@JJ-of1ir mixed feelings about churchill in oz .
Us British just thank the rest of the world for saving our arse, when the major powers were uming and arring, the little guys came together to create a monster :)