| PDF said: The only real decision the Axis could have made differently that would have turned the war was if Hitler didnt betray Stalin. The war could have been longer drawn out, more cassualites could have happpened, more axis victories in certain battles sure. The Axis howerver were doomed to lose in retrospect. They bit off more than they could chew. I do not know exactly to what extent Canada did to keep Britain alive. I do know if Britain would have been invaded that itself would have been very drawn out and would cause major casualties for Germany. Germany plan was to simply bomb the crap out of them, now if England did fall the War could have gone very differently. Then Germany would have been focused on fighting Russia one on one and could have been succesfull during the initial invasion. However as soon as Germany failed in Russia it was over for them. It is largely agreed that Russia alone at that point could have defeated Germany. Edit - Now Claiming the War could have not been won without Russia, or the USA would be accurate as there was no other country in the world at the time that could stand agaisnt the axis but those two. Claiming it could have not been won without Canada is still false imo. Did they help yes tremendously over a million men served for Canada. Thats a huge help but not the deciding factor |
Couple things going on here, that I thought I'd chime in on:
1) Operation Sea Lion WAS Hitler's plan to invade Britain - he absolutely had every intention of invading them. The reason he was never able to (history would suggest at least) was becuase Germany never understood the value of British radar and therefore were never able to gain air or sea superiority in the English channel.
2) I would also argue that Hitler's biggest challenge was over-extending himself. Fighting large scale wars on both his eastern and western fronts over-extended his forces, which were probably the most technically advanced and hardened armed forces in the world (definitely true circa 1943-44, not so much later in the war). Further, by pressing the attack during the winter months, he set his troops up for failure, when they did not acheive the quick victory he expected before winter, they probably should have pulled back.
I dig WWII history though, so could talk about it for hours.
As far as Canada is concerned, while I understand the ops consternation at the lack of recognition, it's not as if there aren't plenty of other allies who are also not widely recognized for thier contributions to the allies victory in WWII. Britain stood resolute and America and Russia emerged as super powers post WWII, fair or unfair, that is how history has been recorded.
