Benefits of Crusader, Equipment, and Arnhem | Patreon Update No 11

I haven't seen that video if I'm honest, but yes I do think if Britain had peaced out in 1940-1941, the war could have been different. The only thing is, I wouldn't say that the Germans needed more men on the Eastern Front - they just needed reserves. If they'd had more men in the East, their logistics would have been further restrained. Plus, they already outnumered the Soviets in the beginning anyway. It probably would have meant more motorized logistics, and perhaps more motorized or panzer divisions if the oil crisis had been resolved. And they would have had more reserves to call for reinforcements, since not as many divisions in the west or Africa were committed. But yes, Britain peacing-out in 1940-41 could have resulted in some serious complications for the Soviet Union.

"Germany Could Not Win WW2" by Potential History. A superficial trendy analysis which underestimates the uncertainty of warfare. There are many plausible counter-scenarios. For example, surrounding the British Army at Dunkirk would have led to a truce with the United Kingdom. Germany would then have dominated Europe and could have launched an even larger invasion against the Soviet Union. And this invasion might have worked. We should always remember that Czarist Russia was defeated in WW1. What held the Soviet Union together? Was it Stalin's unique ruthless talents? British Intelligence thought Hitler would defeat the Soviet Union within six to ten weeks! 'Potential History' are making the mistake of writing history backwards. And, as for the A bomb, there was no guarantee beforehand that the Manhattan project could produce a practical weapon of such devastating power. As it turns out, it took about four years, but this might have been forty years! Think about the infamous over-optimistic claims of science: where's cold fusion when we needed it? where's my death ray gun, as promised?

Richard Stokes

Thanks for that info. By the way, I first came across the revelation of the British lack of reserve parachutes in a book by comedian Al Murray - Watching War Films with My Dad. He points out many inaccuracies in the film A Bridge Too far, but 'the real howler' for him was the addition of reserve parachutes in the Attenborough film. I guess for health & safety, and insurance purposes! Some even jump 'clean fatigue' - with no equipment - which is daft. Al's book is worth reading! Despite the errors, he still admires the Attenborough film!

Richard Stokes