Originally posted by Scheich Germany had enough SARIN, why didn't they SARIN on a V2? Were they afraid...or...were there other problems?

Ignoring WMDs for the moment, Germany's perennial problem is that it can't get out to the world stage without either allying with or first defeating and occupying its neighbours. That after all is what kicked off both WWI and WWII.

Germany had the help of the Italians in North Africa, and it was still beaten. Before the US ever got there.

Rommel was done by the time America got truely involved in North Africa. The Commonwealth forces thoroughly beat him in El Alamein and had him in full retreat while the Americans were just landing or still dealing with the Vichy forces. Rommels lack of supplys, troops and armour pretty much sealed the deal for him. If anything the Americans just quickened his exit from North Africa. But not before he trashed them at Kasserine Pass.

I wouldnt toss the Italians in there as a factor. They were only good at surendering and extremely unreliable. I'm sure Rommel would of traded them for fuel or tanks any day haha.

It should also be mentioned that if you want to use Italians etc you have to take into account the British commonwealth- the numerous countries that fought for Britain. That gives Britian more industrial and man power than all the Axis. Then add in Resistance and Free units. I mean think of the economical giant that is Hong Kong- that was British, so were places like Canada who had the third largest navy in the world at the end of WW2. Africa was a forgone conclusion before the Americans got there.

Originally posted by Red4tribe the British had a hard enough time just driving the Italians out of East Africa

By February of 1941 the Itallians had lost 9 divisions 400 tanks and 1300 guns as well as 100,000 plus prisoners. British losess numbered fewer then 2000. I dont really see that as being a hard time. The Italians did improve later but only after Germany got involved. Plus Cunningham's Pond as the British refered the Mediteranean was ruled by the British Navy and RAF. This made it almost impossible to meet resupply needs. Rommel never reseived more then 1/3 of what he considered minium monthly supplies of fuel,ammo and much needed spare parts.


Whoops realized you said east africa. After the Itallians took Somaliland the British reorganized and fairly easily ousted the Itallians. Again resupply a problem as the Itallian fleet there was very limited by lack of fuel and eventually sunk.
    

Edited by Gundamor - 25-Jun-2006 at 20:18

Hong Kong surrenderd on December 25 1941.The United States did not start getting troops over there untill Mid to late 1942.The Soviets would have been in by that time realiving pressure but it would have been difficult like I said before.

Who thinks that the most powerful countries during the 20th century were USA USSR Germany and UK?

What do you say about Frace and Italy?

The US & UK combine would win the contest anyday.