I almost get the perception that we Americans somehow seek to diminish the British participation in WWII.

As an Englander I do on occasion get rattled by the lack of acknowledgment of British and common wealth troops involvement in WW2 in cinema, this results in people forgetting we were along side US forces in most places (I know not all). I do acknowledge though that if the Americans had not aided us before and fought with us from 42 the war could have had a very different ending for us, and possibly for the US as well.

More the idiots like Ambrose who, sadly, became best-selling authors

As an Englander I do on occasion get rattled by the lack of acknowledgment of British and common wealth troops involvement in WW2 in cinema, this results in people forgetting we were along side US forces in most places (I know not all). I do acknowledge though that if the Americans had not aided us before and fought with us from 42 the war could have had a very different ending for us, and possibly for the US as well.

I almost get the perception that we Americans somehow seek to diminish the British participation in WWII.

Your comments show such little understanding Richard,the Germans had been readying themselves for war for years, by their very nature it was an organised military state well armed and well trained and ready.Against a Europe that had seen the war to end all wars and the decimation of its young men and were therefore reluctant to enter another bloodbath.Yes we made mistakes and we learnt the hard way ,as did your nation.Your comments about leadership astound me it appears from your comments that the United States army is a democracy and that you all decide to do your own thing and ignore instructions if they dont suit, I am also ex army and as far as I am aware every army in the world works on the basis of teamwork not the individual.There is a hierachy of command the boss goes down the 2 i/c takes over and so on.You speak of working with Europeon troops and mentioned Vietnam I presume that these troops would be Australian and New Zealanders who themselves have a history of being laid back but understand and obey instructions.Yes some officers are poor but they learn from the experience of the other senior ranks, as the old saying goes there is a field marshalls baton in every corporals haversack.

Is that not the same in the US army /forces ? are your officers not deemed "gentlemen"? I find it a bit condesending of you to suggest that most European Armies lack the will to carry on if they lose their officers,and only the American soldier will carry on, if that were the case then I would have probably ended up wearing field gray and all the individual medal winners (other ranks)have wasted their time

Do you honestly think that all European officers come from a priviliged upper class background and are called Rupert? and that bobbies ride on bicycles two by two.Yes the British army has been steeped in traditions that have been observed for hundreds of years which other countries may see as strange and antiquated, these traditions encourage espirite de corps and strength of character and pride in their various regiments. As an ex member of HM armed forces I see them amongst the finest in the world bar none willing and able to carry out their objective to the last man.