Any WW2 buffs in the house?

[PepeMAGA]

The more I see on TV about WW2 the more I think Hitler could and probably should have won it, I just think he played a good hand badly.

You are right that Hitler liked the big projects and plans so was easily swayed towards the "Super" weapons that would be game changers.
The problem he had was that he didn't seem able to focus strategically on a few things but wanted all of them and resources were already stretched, consequently he had lots of "Big" ideas and projects on the go most of which never got finished

The Germans had various attributes in their favour, but the nazism fucked them over.

[Bogof60]

The Germans had various attributes in their favour, but the nazism fucked them over.

They did fight the entire civilised world to a standstill for 6 years
Pretty impressive really 

[spiralnotebook]

Where did the financial backing come from for Hitler to carry out massive civil engineering works and re-arm and rebuild the army a navy and an airforce?

America and Russia divided up East Europe at Yalta (conference) at which Churchill was pretty much a bystander, the Eastern countries didn’t even get a say in their future.

[PepeMAGA]

Where did the financial backing come from for Hitler to carry out massive civil engineering works and re-arm and rebuild the army a navy and an airforce?

Good point. Not sure how it worked out, but I guess the government could have paid the workers in food, lodging expenses etc

[scutty brown]

Where did the financial backing come from for Hitler to carry out massive civil engineering works and re-arm and rebuild the army a navy and an airforce?

Confiscated assets
Heavy borrowing from Switzerland & the USA
Spoils of war
Slave labour doesn't have to be paid

[willie loman]

Good point. Not sure how it worked out, but I guess the government could have paid the workers in food, lodging expenses etc

all governments borrowed massively in the 30s i think the term is keynesian, nothing sinister about it.

[willie loman]

They did fight the entire civilised world to a standstill for 6 years
Pretty impressive really 

they were actually on the back foot from fairly early on, it was the allies taking their time that gave them the six years, the germans never embraced total war, that was an empty assertion, but they certainly bought into the concept of total defeat.

[Corus Boy]

Not WW2 more Cold War.

But 1.55pm, Today, Thursday 10 Feb, Forces TV, Sky 181, Real Cold War Sies, BRIXMIS.

A good watch IMHO.  Some guys ho needed and must have had real tight sphincters!

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[sir wanksalot]

they were actually on the back foot from fairly early on, it was the allies taking their time that gave them the six years, the germans never embraced total war, that was an empty assertion, but they certainly bought into the concept of total defeat.

They should have sued for peace after claiming most of Europe. Hitler and Stalin would have been formidable enemies but the rest is history.

[spiralnotebook]

Alternative history (non uk) the Dieppe raid :- I read the German high command viewed the raid as a deliberate act of planned failure. The reason for this was at that time Stalin was under immense pressure and in fact told Churchill that if a second front was not opened up he would consider negotiating a peace treaty with Hitler. This was Churchills worst nightmare at that time and so a plan was formulated for a seaborne landing in such a fashion that It’s failure and losses would help convince Stalin that a second front was not viable. In this it was a stunning success, although the sacrificed Canadians would view it another way.

 

[spiralnotebook]

Actually my question regarding financing the German arms build up was a leading one.
Speaking to a well educated East European I was told the following view :-
After seeing what had happened to the Russian royal family and take over of Russia by the communists, a lot of people in Central Europe were greatly concerned. In fact they were so greatly concerned that they looked for (quote) ‘an idiot’ to neutralise this threat to Europe's royalty. Cue Adolf.

Makes one think.

By the way anyone watched ‘Look who’s back’ it’s on utube in a 750Mp4 format. If you haven’t….

[toon972]

Alternative history (non uk) the Dieppe raid :- I read the German high command viewed the raid as a deliberate act of planned failure. The reason for this was at that time Stalin was under immense pressure and in fact told Churchill that if a second front was not opened up he would consider negotiating a peace treaty with Hitler. This was Churchills worst nightmare at that time and so a plan was formulated for a seaborne landing in such a fashion that It’s failure and losses would help convince Stalin that a second front was not viable. In this it was a stunning success, although the sacrificed Canadians would view it another way.

 

One of the reasons for the failure was the tanks got bogged down on the shingle beech. A lot of lessons were learnt for the future invasions on Normandy and Sicily.

[Malvolio]

Actually my question regarding financing the German arms build up was a leading one.
Speaking to a well educated East European I was told the following view :-
After seeing what had happened to the Russian royal family and take over of Russia by the communists, a lot of people in Central Europe were greatly concerned. In fact they were so greatly concerned that they looked for (quote) ‘an idiot’ to neutralise this threat to Europe's royalty. Cue Adolf.

Makes one think.

By the way anyone watched ‘Look who’s back’ it’s on utube in a 750Mp4 format. If you haven’t….

Which central European royal families are these?

[spiralnotebook]

Why?

[chrishornx]

Pretty sure the fake parachutist was from the film "A bridge too far" about the battle of Arnhem and the mission to liberate the  Netherlands . Another attempt to fool the Nazis was to have hundreds of inflatable tanks and aircraft in Norfolk to fool them into thinking that the D Day landings were going to take place in a different area to Normandy beaches

they, the fake parachutists,  were used in Normandy for the D-Day landings

[chrishornx]

Which central European royal families are these?

albania, Croatia Bulgaria Rumania Greece etc.

[Colston36]

albania, Croatia Bulgaria Rumania Greece etc.

The last king of Croatia died about a thousand years ago. He wasn't too interested in Hitler.

Greece, which is not in Central Europe (look at a map) did not support Hitler.

Italy controlled Albania. There is no evidence the Albanians supported Hitler. 

[Squire Haggard]

A while ago, I was in an online conversation with a ''Yooper'' Yank.  He was surprised that WW2 bombs fell on Scotland, as well as England. Easy quiz - Can you spot the WW2 land mine (parachute bomb) damage on both sides this row of Edwardian tenements?  ''Golly Gee....dang ma poons.....Say is that for real? Is that real bomb damage. Wow!''

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[timsussex]

Always found it strange that film of Japanese air attacks the larger US ships were firing their 5 inch guns at the planes
After all why would you use such an unwieldly weapon against a fast moving aircraft - surely that is the job of Bofors and heavy machine guns

then I visited the Smithsonian Udvar Hazy centre (an essential visit for any history Buff) and saw an exhibition about the weapons that really won the war inc RADAR, the Nordern bombsite and this "The Allies’ Billion-dollar Secret"

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[scutty brown]

Always found it strange that film of Japanese air attacks the larger US ships were firing their 5 inch guns at the planes
After all why would you use such an unwieldly weapon against a fast moving aircraft - surely that is the job of Bofors and heavy machine guns

then I visited the Smithsonian Udvar Hazy centre (an essential visit for any history Buff) and saw an exhibition about the weapons that really won the war inc RADAR, the Nordern bombsite and this "The Allies’ Billion-dollar Secret"

External Link/Members Only

The big guns would be used to prevent high level attacks. Exploding shells around and in front of the attacking aircraft, generating lots of shrapnel. They weren't trying to hit the aircraft directly, they were trying to fill the air with exploding clouds of debris/shrapnel which would rip the Japanese aircraft apart. The Zero had no protective armour at all and was very vulnerable. The weight reduction needed to give it the remarkable range and performance came at quite a safety cost to the pilots.
The Bofors and other smaller guns couldn't reach high altitudes - they were more like close/point  defence weapons. If the Japanese came low to avoid the big guns then they'd have to fly  into the hailstorm of dedicated AA fire. Either way they lose

[PepeMAGA]

Mark Felton has some great videos on YouTube on some of the lesser known aspects of the war, a lot of which is never heard of
Some examples
The British atomic bomb raid
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SS criminal army
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[timsussex]

The big guns would be used to prevent high level attacks. Exploding shells around and in front of the attacking aircraft, generating lots of shrapnel. They weren't trying to hit the aircraft directly, they were trying to fill the air with exploding clouds of debris/shrapnel which would rip the Japanese aircraft apart. The Zero had no protective armour at all and was very vulnerable. The weight reduction needed to give it the remarkable range and performance came at quite a safety cost to the pilots.
The Bofors and other smaller guns couldn't reach high altitudes - they were more like close/point  defence weapons. If the Japanese came low to avoid the big guns then they'd have to fly  into the hailstorm of dedicated AA fire. Either way they lose

You missed the point - or I didnt explain it well - yes high altitude Flak relying on timed fuses from big guns had been a feature of the war from day 1 however fatal hits were rare and relied on vast numbers of shells from co-ordinated batteries  One report claimed  German flak averaged one bomber down for every 4000 88mm shells

. But the proximity fuse allowed big guns to be used at low altitudes with accuracy eg against torpedo bombers starting their runs or Kamikaze As the article points out over half Japanese planes shot down were by these fuses

watch some of the pacific war footage these 5inch guns arent pointing up - as they would to reach high altitudes

Watch the video at the start of this External Link/Members Only

its probably only a test but the plane is very low

[timsussex]

anyone got a birthday coming up ?

£3 grand for a flight or £250 for a simulator

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[Watts.E.Dunn]

anyone got a birthday coming up ?

£3 grand for a flight or £250 for a simulator

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I have been offered a half hour in a Spit for very little money:) But the issue is that my size and weight are in excess of the limnits they have so unless i reduce it by a Lot it ain't a happening:(((

[Blackpool Rock]

I have been offered a half hour in a Spit for very little money:) But the issue is that my size and weight are in excess of the limnits they have so unless i reduce it by a Lot it ain't a happening:(((

If you don't fit in the cockpit is there an option to wing walk   

[chrishornx]

I have been offered a half hour in a Spit for very little money:) But the issue is that my size and weight are in excess of the limnits they have so unless i reduce it by a Lot it ain't a happening:(((

what are the limits....asking for a friend

[Watts.E.Dunn]

Restrictions

Minimum age 18 Years oldMaximum Height 6ft 6 inches (198cm), no minimum height.

** Maximum weight 230 lb, 105Kg ** You will be weighed and measured on the day. Passenger dimensions must allow full and unrestricted movement of the control column.

You need to be healthy and agile enough to climb into the aircraft and safely experience the dynamic nature of the flight – if you have any concerns over your suitability you should consult your GP. You should not participate if you are on prescription medication, suffering from a cold, are pregnant or suffering from any condition affecting your breathing or consciousness
It is generally accepted that if you are fit enough to hold a private driving licence you should be fit enough to participate in this activity.

** They are very strict in that figure a shade over and no fly for you!...

The two seater was an adaption and the centre of gravity balance is very critical hence the weight restriction

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[lillythesavage]

Restrictions

Minimum age 18 Years oldMaximum Height 6ft 6 inches (198cm), no minimum height.

** Maximum weight 230 lb, 105Kg ** You will be weighed and measured on the day. Passenger dimensions must allow full and unrestricted movement of the control column.

You need to be healthy and agile enough to climb into the aircraft and safely experience the dynamic nature of the flight – if you have any concerns over your suitability you should consult your GP. You should not participate if you are on prescription medication, suffering from a cold, are pregnant or suffering from any condition affecting your breathing or consciousness
It is generally accepted that if you are fit enough to hold a private driving licence you should be fit enough to participate in this activity.

** They are very strict in that figure a shade over and no fly for you!...

The two seater was an adaption and the centre of gravity balance is very critical hence the weight restriction

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Thanks for that, was considering giving it a go with the boys, but we are all fucked on the restrictions, not on weight though 

[timsussex]

Thanks for that, was considering giving it a go with the boys, but we are all fucked on the restrictions, not on weight though 

i think the tiger moth flights from Duxford have the same weight limit but not height - no perspex dome !  a lot cheaper too

[lillythesavage]

i think the tiger moth flights from Duxford have the same weight limit but not height - no perspex dome !  a lot cheaper too

I can get bi plane flights locally, maybe it is a Tiger Moth, can be strapped on top if you fancy it, which I do not .

Spitfire is something different and iconic, and paying to help keep them flying appealed, while experiencing it, I might just scrape on with a little hunchback, the boys will have no chance. Come to think of it, one will be pushing the weight limit too.

It is a Tiger moth locally, 180 for 20 mins, 245 for 30 and 310 for 40, might be less if you go direct.

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