I don't think the performance of the French troops in the Western Desert, on Europe after 1944, etc, etc, were much of joke material. And this French Joke Idea was invented only after the French gave Bush the finger about Iraq II, there wasn't much complaining about the French intervention in Iraq I as far as anyone knows. An intelligent mind would THINK a bit before shooting his mouth off. Freedom Fries? You can stuff them. Not strictly true....There was French Troops in Iraq in 2003.
Ours allegedly I bet I'm breaking some official secrets act or another. Anyway I've worked with German troops and they were ok (I know a funny story too about a Drunk NCO and a Nazi salute in the German sector). The worst off the top of my head were Greek troops oh and the Kuwaiti's are pretty poor too seeing as they nearly killed me the night of the Iraq Invasion The best Norwegian, Swedish and Finnish troops.
I don't think the performance of the French troops in the Western Desert, on Europe after 1944, etc, etc, were much of joke material. Bir Hakeim, Cassino, The Vosgues, Tu-Vu, Hoa-Binh, Dien Bien-Phu, Argel, Kolwezi (Zaire), Chad... Should I go on?
I don't think the performance of the French troops in the Western Desert, on Europe after 1944, etc, etc, were much of joke material. And this French Joke Idea was invented only after the French gave Bush the finger about Iraq II, there wasn't much complaining about the French intervention in Iraq I as far as anyone knows. An intelligent mind would THINK a bit before shooting his mouth off. Freedom Fries? You can stuff them. "Francophobia" has been around for much longer then 2003, I'm sure in one way or another it may have incorporated a humorous aspect to it. Although I do agree, after the Iraq controversy the "genre" did see a resurgence. We didn't get Freedom Fries across the border, although IIRC wasn't it a restaurant owner who created that eventually making it a nation wide craze? Nothing new, remember what Hot Dogs were called before WWI?
I think it is more a general than only a German issue - the Army is not the Army any more. I remember my last training weeks with our Army, more than 10 years back: A 'Night Excercise' was to be ended at latest 2200hrs.No longer marches than 35kms even for the Infantry. I got two new chaps who were dispensed from carrying heavy stuff.... but their job was to built bridges over rivers. No heavy eaxercise on a Friday - to make sure that the troops are not tired once they go home for the weekend in the evening (when they returned on Sunday night they WERE tired for sure). What makes me laughing some times if the 'dangerous look' the soldiers try to apply today. They can hardly walk any more, so much equipment to carry and the best thing: Never without sporty & cool sunglasses Hey, and at the end: How can you complain that the Germans are not fit for war any more? hat's what actually everybody wanted to achieve!
In this forum people don't usually go very much for the humorous aspect but if you want to carry on please do so. Interesting that francophobia means "fear of the French". Go figure.
(I know a funny story too about a Drunk NCO and a Nazi salute in the German sector). Please tell us Drew.
In this forum people don't usually go very much for the humorous aspect but if you want to carry on please do so. Interesting that francophobia means "fear of the French". Go figure. Interesting how you single me out when I didn't even make a joke, I just commented on one someone else made! Despite the "phobia" part it is still a umbrella term that includes a variety of terms including anti French sentiment which leads into French jokes.
I don't think the performance of the French troops in the Western Desert, on Europe after 1944, etc, etc, were much of joke material. And this French Joke Idea was invented only after the French gave Bush the finger about Iraq II, there wasn't much complaining about the French intervention in Iraq I as far as anyone knows. An intelligent mind would THINK a bit before shooting his mouth off. Freedom Fries? You can stuff them. It was around before then, at least in my part of the world, it just wasn't so exuberently exhibited.
It was around before then, at least in my part of the world, it just wasn't so exuberently exhibited. Likewise here, it definitely did exist, perhaps a bit more here then it did in your part because of the issues with Quebec. Although as stated above, I've definitely seen it on the rise since the Iraq controversy.
Please tell us Drew. Marcus, Early one evening a Corporal and a Private borrowed a Land Rover and went over to visit a family (A welfare visit to a translater apparently) in the German sector of Kosovo. After being treated to a session of local hospitality including copious amounts of Slipovich (A local home brewed fire water) the NCO decided they should leave for the British Sector around 10pmish. Prior to leaving the the German sector they approached a German checkpoint. The Corporal apparently told the young Private to put his foot down, flash the headlights and sound the horn to make it look like they were in some sort of emergency. Fortunately the barrier was lifted as they approached with the German soldiers stood by the side of the road. As the Rover drove past the checkpoint the intoxicated Corporal threw up a Nazi salute with his right arm and placed his left index finger under his nose shouting Zeig Heil ! I heard the look on the German soldiers face was priceless- a Mastercard moment! The following day the German Brigade Commander had a meeting with the British Brigade Commander regarding the incident and all hell broke loose when the word got out around the camp. The first I heard about it when the Sqn Ech was on parade and the RSM nearly lost his beret for shouting at us what happened. Followed by bouts of childish squaddie sniggering, giggles and pokes in the back from the rear rank. Many of us picked up extras that day for laughing that day (I picked up guard commander for Christmas and New Year) and I believe the Corporal was busted and RTU'd out of theatre. Cheers Andy
Haha. Cheers Drew, That made me smile. I wonder wether that German Soldier was shocked, humoured or offended. Brilliant mate.
Does anyone know what ever came of this case? BBC NEWS | Europe | German troops 'had WWII symbol' If it was Swastika or even a Iron Cross (even that is given as a example loosely) it may have been a bit understandable, but given the history of Afrika Korps and Erwin Rommel, perhaps this may have been a bit sensationalized by the media?
Its a video about shooting blacks in the Bronx so whats the Afrika Korps connection? ps The AK does have a Swastika in the symbol
Its a video about shooting blacks in the Bronx so whats the Afrika Corps connection? Yikes, wrong link, that was the article that lead off to it, fixed it now.
There's no picture of the emblem. Anyway ask any British Paratrooper if they have done the German Jumps Course and if they have seen their collection of WW2 memorabilia and sung with them over a beer or five in their mess