Misconceptions of World War II

[MPicciotto]

The fact that World War II surplus Jeeps and Quonset huts were being sold well into the 1970's shows that all the rationing of goods and material during the war in the United States was unneeded.

Maybe that the war with Japan was shortened by 3-5 years from predictions helped out the surplus market.
Matt

 

[LizzieMaine]

Much of the stateside rationing was due less to commodity shortages than it was to the transportation crisis -- even if a particular commodity was in ample supply, it was impossible to get sufficient quantities of it to market to meet consumer demand. Hence, rationing was the only way to ensure everyone had a share.

That's not to say there weren't real, genuine shortages: sugar and coffee were being hoarded by speculators during much of the early part of 1942, and rationing of these commodities was intended to firmly and decisively break their backs, while at the same time ensuring everyone had a fair share.

 

[Lincsong]

Maybe that the war with Japan was shortened by 3-5 years from predictions helped out the surplus market.
Matt

True.

 

[Lincsong]

Much of the stateside rationing was due less to commodity shortages than it was to the transportation crisis -- even if a particular commodity was in ample supply, it was impossible to get sufficient quantities of it to market to meet consumer demand. Hence, rationing was the only way to ensure everyone had a share.

That's not to say there weren't real, genuine shortages: sugar and coffee were being hoarded by speculators during much of the early part of 1942, and rationing of these commodities was intended to firmly and decisively break their backs, while at the same time ensuring everyone had a fair share.

Argentina and Brazil made out like bandits selling meat, coffee and sugar to both sides. So did Cuba.

 

[martinsantos]

Don't forget that Brazil's dictator at that time, Getulio Vargas (1930 - 1945), had much more ideological proximity with Mussolini than with democracy. At the same time, he needed USA's help. USA was the biggest market for brazilian products - followed for a narrow margin by Germany. His trully objective was to get as much as possible from both sides.

Brazil only really went to Allies after the construction of the steel industry. Vargas asked USA to help with this. USA first said "no". Germany's Krupp said "yes" - Brazil would be a strategic ally in the war. Because this Roosevelt said USA could construct the industry. And so happened.

Argentina and Brazil made out like bandits selling meat, coffee and sugar to both sides. So did Cuba.

 

[dr greg]

so did some well-known companies
http://www.snopes.com/cokelore/fanta.asp

 

[Cobden]

However, uniquely amongst the South American countries, Brazil did actively participate in the war in a military capacity, sending (IIRC) 30,000 troops to Italy in late 44

 

[Stearmen]

Medal Of Honer

Maybe that the war with Japan was shortened by 3-5 years from predictions helped out the surplus market.
Matt

All the Medal Of Honers and Purple Hearts awarded during the Korean War, Vietnam War, and into the first Gulf War were minted for the invasion of Japan! 500,000 Purple Hearts were minted for the invasion.

 

[the hairy bloke]

It has been noted that not all Germans were Nazis, and though true, could well be seen as irrelevant.

Was there not a referendum in Germany as to whether the country should become a Nazi dictatorship. Was this not passed, and this is why refurenda are banned unsder the modern German constitution?

 

[Lincsong]

Another misconception is that Roosevelt's "Good Neighbor Policy" towards Latin America was based solely on building better relations with Latin America, when it was more in keeping a close watch on an unruly neighbor.

 

[Tango Yankee]

One great fallacy that I'd like to toss into the fire was that the Maginot Line was a failure or was ineffective. That fact was that it was extremely effective, as far as it went. The line, however only faced against Germany, not against neutral Belgium. ... So when Germany invaded, they went around the Maginot Line, and shocked the hell out of the French High Command.

When I was stationed in Germany my BMW motorcycle club took a tour of one of the Maginot Line forts. It was an amazing facility! We were told that the one that we toured was not captured by the Germans, and indeed did not open up, until a French general was brought to the site and ordered them to do so some time after France surrendered. There were air filtration systems in case of the use of poison gas, concealed bolt-holes to allow escape, and miles of underground tunnels with electric trains to carry supplies and ammunition.

We were told that like most military undertakings, one of the problems with the Maginot Line was that funding for it was cut back so it was never fully completed as planned. They did admit to one major mistake in the the construction of the turrets--as they expected the Germans to be coming from Germany the turrets has a limited range of motion, facing Germany--they could not track 360 degrees. That prevented them from being able to defend themselves to the rear.

Regards,
Tom

 

[Zemke Fan]

Paddy's gone. I'm by myself. Busiest time at work in 10 years. SO: I'm done dealing with this. Closed for now.