Foreign volunteers in the Free French or Vichy forces?

Discussions on all aspects of France during the Inter-War era and Second World War.
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Ironmachine
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Re: Foreign volunteers in the Free French or Vichy forces?

#16

Post by Ironmachine » 30 Nov 2019, 09:11

And conventional you may call it, but invading one of the largest country in Europe with just about 2,000-3,000 men, with nothing heavier than a handful of mortars, intending to hold ground against forces far more numerous and much better armed, and betting any success on an Allied invasion when those same Allies had their hands full against Germany and the Comunists were pulling the strings of the whole affair is nothing but highly unconventional in my view.
It is a great overstatement to call this "invasion" the last card of the "Republicans", but in any case the "Republicans" were playing cards where everybody else was playing a game of chess!

Sid Guttridge
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Re: Foreign volunteers in the Free French or Vichy forces?

#17

Post by Sid Guttridge » 30 Nov 2019, 16:38

Hi Ironmachine,

Nevertheless, a conventional invasion it was, for the reasons stated above.

They knew that holding ground would be difficult, which was why it was hurriedly launched in late October. The winter snows would make retaking the Val d'Aran quickly much more difficult for the Nationalists if they could hold out for a short while.

You say, "It is a great overstatement to call this "invasion" the last card of the "Republicans"....." What alternatives are you suggesting?

Cheers,

Sid.


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Ironmachine
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Joined: 07 Jul 2005, 11:50
Location: Spain

Re: Foreign volunteers in the Free French or Vichy forces?

#18

Post by Ironmachine » 30 Nov 2019, 17:31

Nevertheless, a conventional invasion it was, for the reasons stated above
If you want to call it a conventional invasion, "pues para ti la perra gorda". As long as everybody here is informed that they were just two-three thousand men with light weapons and some delusions of grandeur, I'm done. Call it as you like, arguing about it it's not worth the effort.

You say, "It is a great overstatement to call this "invasion" the last card of the "Republicans"....." What alternatives are you suggesting?
Leaving aside the fact that these were not the "Republicans", but the Communist with some useful fools added to the mix, there were no alternatives. I'm not saying that this was not the "last card" because there were other cards, but because there were no cards left. The "invasion" was but a fool's errand. No one was going to raise a finger to help them, and they could do nothing by themselves.

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