70th

[Tagaziel]

70 years ago World War II broke out, when Hitler's Germany and Stalin's USSR attacked Poland, in the opening act of the bloodiest conflict in the history of man.

Anyone took a minute to remember it or at least honour the memory of those who died?

 

[Stigmata]

I am now.

 

[The Monkey]

I hold that WWII started when Japan invaded China in 1937. If not, when did the Asian theatre become a part of WWII?

 

[jet_porkins]

WHEN THE JAPS MADE IT AMERICA'S BUSINESS

 

[Tagaziel]

I hold that WWII started when Japan invaded China in 1937. If not, when did the Asian theatre become a part of WWII?

When America entered the fray in Europe. Personally, I believe that the Pacific War and the European War are two distinct theaters of the conflict.

 

[Vegeta897]

Fun thread pending.

Strap on your debate suits.

 

[Shakermaker]

I hold that WWII started when Japan invaded China in 1937. If not, when did the Asian theatre become a part of WWII?

That was a local conflict at the time, just like the the Spanish Civil War for example. When Hitler unleashed the Wehrmacht on Poland the war became truly international, since he invaded in conjunction with the Soviets. The Russians were rolling up the Baltic states and eastern Poland at the same time.

If there is an alternative starting date to WWII it would be July 29 1938. On that day was the first battle in the undeclared and thus unofficial Japanese-Russo border war. It culminated in the Battle of Khalkin Gol, which is a good contender for the title of First Large Scale Engagement of the War.

Anyone took a minute to remember it or at least honour the memory of those who died?

I read general Guderian's memoirs recently. Does that count?

 

[jverne]

actually Mussolini attacked Sudan in 1938 if i'm not mistaken.

 

[Shakermaker]

actually Mussolini attacked Sudan in 1938 if i'm not mistaken.

Ethiopia in 1936, but that conflict started in the late 19th century. And the Italians lost in 1896 (go figure :naughty.

 

[jverne]

Ethiopia in 1936, but that conflict started in the late 19th century. And the Italians lost (go figure :naughty.

oh ok...sorry, my bad

 

[Shakermaker]

The Nazi's and Soviets holding a joint military parade in Brest-Litovsk, late September 1939.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ESGactCIx_g

Brest Litovsk was also the first major Russian city to fall to the Germans in June 1941.

 

[Sledgehammer]

World War II "began" with the Versailles Threaty of 1920.

Well, at least the EU seems to have filled it's purpose, no more massive wars in Western Europe since WWII. Now, if just every other region of the world could copy that... (Wishful thinking, admittedly.)

 

[kineaesth]

WWI started WWII and I ain't backing down from that. Anyway, yes, I'm thinking about WWII now. However, I don't live in Poland, so~

 

[The Monkey]

That was a local conflict at the time, just like the the Spanish Civil War for example. When Hitler unleashed the Wehrmacht on Poland the war became truly international, since he invaded in conjunction with the Soviets. The Russians were rolling up the Baltic states and eastern Poland at the same time.

If there is an alternative starting date to WWII it would be July 29 1938. On that day was the first battle in the undeclared and thus unofficial Japanese-Russo border war. It culminated in the Battle of Khalkin Gol, which is a good contender for the title of First Large Scale Engagement of the War.

You still didn't answer my question. The European theatre was a "local" conflict too until Germany, Italy and Vicky France attacked British colonies in Northern Africa and the Middle East. It's very wrong to think that the japo-chinese conflict only became part of WWII when America entered into the equation.

BTW, there are some historians who hold that WWI and WWII is actually a single war with a brake in the middle.

 

[Shakermaker]

You still didn't answer my question. The European theatre was a "local" conflict too until Germany, Italy and Vicky France attacked British colonies in Northern Africa and the Middle East. It's very wrong to think that the japo-chinese conflict only became part of WWII when America entered into the equation.

BTW, there are some historians who hold that WWI and WWII is actually a single war with a brake in the middle.

That is why I mentioned the Japanese and the Russians fighting. When they came into conflict the war went intercontinental. But the historians and KA are right imo when they say that WWII wouldn't have started without WWI and the Versailles treaty in particular. I guess September 1st 1939 was chosen because the second of the two main agitators of WWII joined the fighting.

 

[Tagaziel]

You still didn't answer my question. The European theatre was a "local" conflict too until Germany, Italy and Vicky France attacked British colonies in Northern Africa and the Middle East. It's very wrong to think that the japo-chinese conflict only became part of WWII when America entered into the equation.

BTW, there are some historians who hold that WWI and WWII is actually a single war with a brake in the middle.

International means between nations. Therefore, the moment Hitler and Stalin rushed Poland, and later France and Great Britain, then it became truly international.

I don't believe they can be viewed as a single conflict - there were enough opportunities in the 1930s to avert another war.

 

[MJ12]

WWII started when Nazis shot America

 

[MFL]

WHEN THE GERMANS BOMBED PEARL HARBOR

 

[Farrowlesparrow]

Golly. I still remember the 50 years anniversary.
It was 1989, and after years of agitation caused by David Bowie's ill-fated Never Let Me Down, Germany had invaded Poland and the Japs were raping the King.


70 years is a really long time. Soon there will be none left who remember the war.

I look forward to the 200 year anniversary.

 

[Some_God]

Anyone took a minute to remember it or at least honour the memory of those who died?

 

[Sheepo]

WHEN THE JAPS MADE IT AMERICA'S BUSINESS

I laughed.

 

[jet_porkins]

Some_God's screenshot just reminded me that I played MOHAA:S online today.

Killin' natzees.

edit: Even though I was a natzee.

 

[NeptuneUK]

WWI started WWII and I ain't backing down from that.

Truth hath been spoken.


We (Britian) should have totally sided with Germany in WWI (Royal family lolz) and shared out the pie.

 

[Adrik_Senturu]

 

[Danimal]

I didn't know it was WW2's 70th.

Guess I'll move on with my day, now.

 

[Lucid]

Oh wow, I actually watched The Longest Day and Saving Private Ryan on Tuesday, didn't even realize it was the 70th anniversary of WW2.

 

[Stigmata]

Hello, new background image.