"Britain Alone — Rethinking One of the Second World War’s" Topic

…Enduring Myths

"THE IMAGE of the small stoic island of Britain holding out against the Third Reich after it had overwhelmed continental Europe, finally toppling France in a matter of weeks, is one that has been burned into the national memory of most Britons almost as soon as the guns went silent in 1945.

It is an idea supported by speeches, phrases, and imagery, including David Low's iconic Evening Standard cartoon depicting a British Tommy shaking his fist on the white cliffs of Dover and defiantly proclaiming "Very well, alone."…"

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Armand

Anyone with any sense will acknowledge the part Imperial troops played in winning the war. I think the "alone" idea also stems from the fact that it was only the British Isles that faced the immediate threat of German invasion and occupation in mid 1940. Italy threatened many overseas colonies and possessions of course.

I see the Irish Free State is in red, but its role in WWII was not its Finest Hour alas.

I expect it did very much feel like "alone" in 1940--correct me if Im wrong but Im not sure Commonwealth ground troops were present in Britain in Summer 1940?
Commonwealth forces in the war generally were a huge contribution, we all know that, and I think this article is one of those that sets up as a target a position that doesn't really exist. A bit of clickbaiting I suggest.

A further point-the writer sets out a list of the various countries in which Commonwealth forces thought.
There's one missing, I think
Italy?

Making the Irish Republic red is hilarious and doesn't help the credibility of the article

To be fair, they did at least get the name for the 26 counties correct for 1940 (other than those who would insist that the Republic was founded in 1916 by Proclamation, but that is another story.

Canadians units were here and had been planned for France and the BEF. Many Commonwealth individuals in the airforce and navy too, not to mention very small "Free" units from occupied countries.

But it must have felt "alone" as the UK was the most directly threatened and much of the US was very isolationist.

Also to be fair the map is labelled British empire after WW1 so is correct.

Lets not short the Commonwealth units in the UK in 1940. In addition to the 1st Canadian Infantry Division mentioned you have the 2nd New Zealand Infantry Division and the 18th and 25th Australian Brigades which would become the 9th Infantry Division.

Thank you for the enlightenment about Commonwealth troops in the UK at this stage.Interesting as Id always associated the Auetralians and NZ with the Med

The general public in all 3 Allied nations are convinced that 'they' won WWII and that the other nations played a supporting role. Woe betide any man who tries to correct this misconception.

Caution – Troll Alert!

Wolfhag

Thanks.

Armand

Interesting as Id always associated the Australians and NZ with the Med

They were diverted to the UK when France fell and there was a threat of invasion, mate. They used the time for extra training and to bed down newly formed units and sub-units. The formations were redeployed to the desert in early '41, once further Canadian forces had arrived and the threat of invasion had eased.

The Commonwealth was part of the British Empire.

The article did not mention effort of non-commonwealth countries. F. ex Free Poland provide half of intelligence in Europe, Second Corps in Middle East, fleet and best fighter squadrons. Free Belgium gave raw materiał and uranium. Free Norway and Free Greece provided sailors and ships. Free Netherland provided oil and fleet.

Not a mention of Free French.

Which might be excused if we are only talking about 1940, summer of, and Britain standing alone. Every Free unit served its purpose (do nor forget Czech) but in tiny numbers in 1940, Summer of, (other than Poles)

Keep this going. Tango (love him or hate him) does contribute so much to the forum (I once said 60% rubbish and 40% wonderful, a ratio I have reversed a few years ago). So please respond

The French made a point of fighting in pretty well every theatre. They even sent a fighter squadron to Russia.

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The Commonwealth was part of the British Empire.

True. But the Dominions, as they were called then, were not subject to the British government's decisions, they were only subjects of the Crown. Even during the First World War Canadian and Australian troops had their own regulations and were not subject to British military discipline processes (though the Australian Army Law Manual was a clone of the British equivalent, modified to refer to the Australian laws and government).

Something Mr Churchill rediscovered when he refused the return of Australian forces from the Mediterranean, so they could face the (imagined) threat of a Japanese invasion. While he managed to keep one division (9 Division, 2AIF) until after El Alamein, and also a couple of RAAF squadrons and RAN ships until the end of the war, the rest returned. He even tried to divert 7 Division, 2AIF, into Rangoon while it was on it's way back to Australia, but his order to do so was over-ridden by the Australian government and 7DIV resumed course for Fremantle. Winnie received a rather terse cable about his actions, which is available to view at link

Churchill did manage to divert two brigades to garrison Ceylon (Sri Lanka), from March to July 1942. That action ensured that close cooperation between Australian and British governments remained very difficult for the rest of the war. Australian individuals did continue to serve in the RAF and RN, and most of the Article XV squadrons remained in the MTO or ETO until VE Day. The RAF even sent a wing of Spitfires to defend Darwin and loaned HMS Shropshire to the RAN, after HMAS Canberra was sunk at Savo Island. But it is commonly believed that those things were instigated by the Crown and were against Winnie's wishes.

Keep this going.

Is this what you meant, mate.

Thanks also…

Armand