WWII in HD on the history channel

[DaemonSeid]

Been on since Sunday....anyone watching?


http://www.history.com/content/wwii-in-hd

[cheerfulgreek]

Originally Posted by DaemonSeid

Been on since Sunday....anyone watching?


http://www.history.com/content/wwii-in-hd

This is when I wish I had my cable back. I saw it being advertised when I went to TGI Fridays last week. I was SO tempted to get my cable back. I'm just going to buy the DVD set. Not a Nazi fan, but I've always liked German WWII military machines. Their technology was so superior.

[Psi U MC Vito]

Originally Posted by cheerfulgreek

This is when I wish I had my cable back. I saw it being advertised when I went to TGI Fridays last week. I was SO tempted to get my cable back. I'm just going to buy the DVD set. Not a Nazi fan, but I've always liked German WWII military machines. Their technology was so superior.

That can be argued. The US had better infantry weapons and the Soviets had better tanks. Though I will admit I really liked the uniform of the German Heer and Schutzstaffel.

[cheerfulgreek]

Originally Posted by Psi U MC Vito

That can be argued. The US had better infantry weapons and the Soviets had better tanks. Though I will admit I really liked the uniform of the German Heer and Schutzstaffel.

I disagree. The Germans had much better tanks and everything else. The reason why their tanks weren't effective in Russia was because the Germans didn't expect to be in Russia that long. They thought it was going to be quick and easy like the invasion of France and Poland. The Russians set them up. They kept pulling back and back until the Germans were so far in that they ended up starving and freezing to death. Their tanks also had thicker oil because they invaded Russia at a time when the weather wasn't freezing, so they wouldn't start. Try starting a diesel engine in freezing weather with heavy weight oil. The U.S. had more resources but the technology wasn't better. At the end of the war Russia and the U.S. took Germany's scientists. Look at the B2 stealth bomber. Where do you think that design came from? What about the X29's reverse wing pattern? What about the Soviet Mig 15's swept wings? That all came from German technology.

[Psi U MC Vito]

Originally Posted by cheerfulgreek

I disagree. The Germans had much better tanks and everything else. The reason why their tanks weren't effective in Russia was because the Germans didn't expect to be in Russia that long. They thought it was going to be quick and easy like the invasion of France and Poland. The Russians set them up. They kept pulling back and back until the Germans were so far in that they ended up starving and freezing to death. Their tanks also had thicker oil because they invaded Russia at a time when the weather wasn't freezing, so they wouldn't start. Try starting a diesel engine in freezing weather with heavy weight oil. The U.S. had more resources but the technology wasn't better. At the end of the war Russia and the U.S. took Germany's scientists. Look at the B2 stealth bomber. Where do you think that design came from? What about the X29's reverse wing pattern? What about the Soviet Mig 15's swept wings? That all came from German technology.

I don't know, the Russian T-34 was generally considered to be the best tank design put out in WWII. Even when the Russians started to push into Germany near the end, they rolled over the Panzer and Tiger tanks of Germany. And as for the Americans, quite a few military historians consider the M-1 Garand to had made a significant difference in combat effectiveness, as it was the first semiauto battle rifle.

I will give you the facts that the Germans were amazing when it came to aeronautical engineering. They put out some amazing aircraft, though the RAF and USAAC for the most part had better pilots. Not to mention the p-51, which is probably the best prop driven fighter aircraft ever designed.

[Preston327]

The problem inherent in German armor is that toward the end they traded speed for armor and firepower. The result was a tank that could screw you up if it hit you, but that you could bracket and beat the crap out of because it couldn't get out of its own way. This is why the T-34 and our own Sherman did so well against it; the Allied R&D people understood the need for balance.

I will give credit to the Germans where its due though: first to use bona fide assault rifles in combat, I believe the first to use paratroops effectively, first jets, and of course their innovations with rocketry. It's scary to consider that had they been headed by a competent leader toward the end all that could *very* well have given WWII a few more years if not a different outcome altogether.

Regarding the air forces, the Germans initially had parity or superiority over their enemies; their pilots were veterans of the Spanish Civil War and later the Battle of Britain, trained by some of the most decorated aces of WWI and their air force was basically unchallenged until Britain. The problem they had was attrition; they simply couldn't keep up the quality training and keep churning out the weapons of war as it dragged on and their industrial base was broken.

[cheerfulgreek]

Originally Posted by Psi U MC Vito

I don't know, the Russian T-34 was generally considered to be the best tank design put out in WWII. Even when the Russians started to push into Germany near the end, they rolled over the Panzer and Tiger tanks of Germany. And as for the Americans, quite a few military historians consider the M-1 Garand to had made a significant difference in combat effectiveness, as it was the first semiauto battle rifle.

I will give you the facts that the Germans were amazing when it came to aeronautical engineering. They put out some amazing aircraft, though the RAF and USAAC for the most part had better pilots. Not to mention the p-51, which is probably the best prop driven fighter aircraft ever designed.

I totally agree with this. The RAF Spitfire was also a great fighter plane, but the T-34 only killed the German tanks because of what I posted earlier. If they were carrying a lighter weight oil, then I don't think the T-34 would have been as successful. You also have to look at why Stalin was an ally to Hitler in the beginning. That was just to give him time to build up his forces, because he knew Hitler would have eventually tried to overthrow him too.

Great post though.

[honeychile]

I've watched parts of it, but can't seem to get "involved" with it. This is totally odd, since I'm more likely to have one of the History channels on at any given time.

One thing that never ceases to amaze me is the sheer chutzpah of the Nazis. Not only did they commit some of the most atrocious acts in history, but they were so proud of it, you can almost hear someone say, "Hey, Hans! Bring the camera over here next!" *shakes head* The sheer audacity is truly amazing.

[DaemonSeid]

Originally Posted by Psi U MC Vito

That can be argued. The US had better infantry weapons and the Soviets had better tanks. Though I will admit I really liked the uniform of the German Heer and Schutzstaffel.

What about the Tiger and King Tiger tanks?

What's your opinion of them and their superiority?

[gee_ess]

I saw a part of last night's epsiode and I was really touched by the story of the soldier trying to get a hotel room when there weren't any available and how moved he was that a stranger gave him a room so the soldier could be with his wife. He was so precious - explaining that their first child was born exactly nine months later!

[AnotherKD]

I've been watching, and it's helping me better understand my (now deceased) grandfather. He won a silver star in the Battle of the Bulge.

Also, my grandmother (who is slightly nutty) threw away said medal. Through my contacts here in DC, I was able to get a replacement medal and give it to my mom last year for Christmas. Her reaction was priceless.

[honeychile]

Originally Posted by AnotherKD

I've been watching, and it's helping me better understand my (now deceased) grandfather. He won a silver star in the Battle of the Bulge.

Also, my grandmother (who is slightly nutty) threw away said medal. Through my contacts here in DC, I was able to get a replacement medal and give it to my mom last year for Christmas. Her reaction was priceless.

You were able to get a replacement medal?? I've been helping my brother try to get medals he was entitled to from Viet Nam for over 15 years, and he still doesn't have them.

My mother's eldest brother was killed at the Anzio Beach Invasion. I have no idea who has his medals, as he had no children, and my other uncle, my brother & I are the only family left. He was 21.

[AnotherKD]

Originally Posted by honeychile

You were able to get a replacement medal?? I've been helping my brother try to get medals he was entitled to from Viet Nam for over 15 years, and he still doesn't have them.

My mother's eldest brother was killed at the Anzio Beach Invasion. I have no idea who has his medals, as he had no children, and my other uncle, my brother & I are the only family left. He was 21.

I worked in a military agency for a year and a half and I knew someone in the military awards division. The only way I was able to get it was because I had the paperwork he was given (a copy of his Army citation) and had a friend hook me up. If you had any sort of paperwork regarding what he is owed, I could help you out. PM me if that's the case.

[Psi U MC Vito]

Flags of our Fathers was a very good movie and the book was one of the best reads I ever had in my life.

[DaemonSeid]

I Liked t...it was depressing in some parts but good.