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Question: Im irish and have many differences with uk but the uk did stand alone for 2 years in 2nd world war!?
britain stood alone in world war two from 1949-42 isn't that taught in american history america came in the war in 42 in europe and became active on land in 44Www@QuestionHome@Com


Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:
WWII began when Hitler invaded Poland in September 1939!. Britain and France immediately declared war on Germany as required by the treaties they had with Poland!.

The British Expeditionary Force (BEF) was sent to France in early 1940 to defend the France/Belgian border alongside the French!. When the Germans invaded there in May 1940 the BEF was at the heart of the fighting until evacuated from Dunkirk after being overwhelmed by the Germans!.

Soon afterwards France capitulated and during the summer of 1940 the Royal Air Force (RAF) fought the Battle of Britain in the skies over southern England!. This was the precursor to Hitler's planned invasion of Britain!. The fact the the RAF maintained air superiority over Britain prevented Hitler carrying out those plans and he turned his attention instead to the Soviet Union!.

It is thus quite wrong to suggest that Britain did not stand alone from 1940 to late 1941 and also quite wrong to suggest that no land engagements were fought in that period!. Air warfare is just as dangerous as land warfare to those involved and the sacrifice of Britain's young fighter pilots in 1940 is quite rightly still remembered and honoured in Britain!.

It is a fact that Britain could never have beaten Hitler alone and probably could not have retained her independence alone!. She was dependent on American material from 1940 onwards and it is only the entry of the United States into the fighting war after 1941 that secured victory against Germany!. Even then British (and Canadian, Polish, Australian, Indian, New Zealand and a host of other countries) forces fought in all theatres in Europe and Asia and were an essential and integral part of the allied victory!.

We owe our freedom to the USA, but never tell me that they did it all by themselves!. That is simply not the case!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Not entirely!.

First of all, keep in mind that the Nazis invaded the Soviet Union in June, 1941!.

Second of all, remember that the US was sending tons of suppliers to Britain from early 1941, as well!.

Thirdly, the US landed an army on the coast of North Africa, a major theater in Britain's war in November, 1942!.

Fourth, France didn't fall until the Spring of 1940, so Britain hardly stood alone until then!.

Finally, although it may not be well understood by high school and middle school students, it is generally taught that the war began in 1939, and that France and England stood alone until France fell, and then England stood alone (with the rest of the British Empire) until Lend-Lease and the German invasion of the Soviet Union and then the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor!. Since these events prior to December 7 had little direct bearing on the US, why would we focus on them!?Www@QuestionHome@Com

It's not like Britain was ever invaded, they were attacked during The Blitz but there was never a full scale invasion of their country!. The invasion of Italy was 1943, the last time I checked that was part of Europe and there can be no denying the fact that America was involved in that so your claim that the Americans weren't active on land in Europe until then is kind of misleading!. Britain wasn't fighting the Nazis on the ground before the U!.S!. entered the war either!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

You mean 1939-42!. There were raging public arguments in the United States about whether or not the US should enter the war in Europe!. Prior to Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, "isolationists" argued that the US should not become involved in a European war!. I think the bravery and fortitude of the British people was nothing short of incredible!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

no they didnt Germany was stupid enough to start a war on 2 fronts if the wouldn't of invaded Poland they would of stayed out,Russia was in the whole time but becasue Poland wa invaded Germany/Italy/Japan now had to vs Russia/Britian/(later on america)Www@QuestionHome@Com

Yes something like that is taught in American schools!. Hitler has his run of things on mainland Europe until he broke his truce with Stalin and went into the USSR!. There was sparse resistance so Britain did not "stand alone"!.Www@QuestionHome@Com