Hail to the new Hostel

Quote by MidsCouple24
You are out of order Ben, it is one thing to have an opinion I even respect your right to think that any one mans rights and safety have priority over that of a whole nation, but to accuse me/us of racial hatred for stating facts, facts that say there are many good French people and some that hate us for what happened during WWII is just extremist on your part.

Quote by MidsCouple24
You are out of order Ben, it is one thing to have an opinion I even respect your right to think that any one mans rights and safety have priority over that of a whole nation, but to accuse me/us of racial hatred for stating facts, facts that say there are many good French people and some that hate us for what happened during WWII is just extremist on your part.
Extremism you have shown a lot recently with your accusations that we are preaching genocide, moving towards a return to the gas ovens even when we said we want to protect every law abiding citizen including the muslims who are in the majority over the non law abiding muslims.
I have stated many times my respect for the Sikhs who died in thier thousands protecting Britain in WWII, the Ghurkas whose service to the British is exempelary despite in the past our lack of acknowledgement of what they have done for us, for the Muslims more than 500 of whom serve in the British armed forces today, a point I have mentioned many times, I got a warning for admin in a thread I posted supporting one certain Muslim and the thread was removed, Chileans who helped us during the Falkland wars, I have stated my support for helping refugees and asylum seekers who arrive here in Britain from a place they are in danger to call me racist for a comment about some French people whilst praising other French people says more about you than it does about "]Blimey we are even extending our hate of foreigners to our allies during a world wide conflict today.

Quote by starlightcouple
France makes plenty of noise , but history tells us they are all mouth and no trousers.

Quote by GnV
France makes plenty of noise , but history tells us they are all mouth and no trousers.

Quote by GnV
Perhaps that's why the British are now joining forces with the French Navy

Quote by Ben_Minx
Back on topic. This is an interestng angle on the plan to abolish housing benefit for under 25's.

Quote by starlightcouple
Back on topic. This is an interestng angle on the plan to abolish housing benefit for under 25's.

Quote by Stevie_and_Kitty
Back on topic. This is an interestng angle on the plan to abolish housing benefit for under 25's.

Quote by Ben_Minx
As of this month, the government has quietly changed the law. All a council need do is find a private landlord anywhere with a one-year lease, and wash their hands of them thereafter. Families can be housed anywhere with an "affordable" rent, hundreds of miles away in districts where rents are cheap because jobs are non-existent."

Quote by Trevaunance
Just outside of Exeter a new town is being built called Cranbrook. 600 of the 6000 houses have already been bought by Birmingham councils housing department.

Quote by starlightcouple
Imagine though for a second that you was looking at buying one of those properties valued at the higher end of that market. Then having one of those ' dodgy ' council tenants we all hear about put next to you. Nope I think I would not want to buy a house and pay a large sum of money for it and have that happen. Is that snob value? No I think it is called having a very sensible approach on how and what I spend my money on when buying a large purchase like a house. But for many private buyers this is the only way they could get onto the property ladder, and for others the only way of obtaining a mortgage.

Quote by flower411
It is true that many people in this Country do feel let down by the French who ignored all advice given them by the British prior to the invasion by Germany, they had built their Maginot Line and believed it was enough, they dismissed British fears of a 2nd attack through Belgium as the Germans had done in WW1.

Quote by MidsCouple24
When it happened they abondoned the BEF quickly surrendered

Quote by MidsCouple24
To this day some hate the British for that action, an action against a hostile force who has given their allegience to Germany.

Quote by MidsCouple24
Hmm, maybe my history knowledge isn't as great as it could be, but I seem to remember that the battle of France culminated in a retreat by the Brtish who were defended by the French at Dunkirk. The figures speak for themselves. British casualties amounted to 68,000, while French losses totalled around 290,000. German casualties, on the other hand, amounted to 27,074 killed and 111,034 wounded. Lets also remember that the last troops to defend at Dunkirk were 40,000 frenchmen who then endured 5 years in a POW camp. That doesnt sound like they abandoned the BEF to me.
I will make it easier for you to do the maths
French population approximately 41 million
Population of Britain approximately 46.5 million
French armed forces numbered approximately 5 million
British Expeditionary Force 316,000
Incorrect. At the start of the war the french armed forces amounted to 900,000 troops. The government expected to be able to mobilise up to 5 million men in the event of war. These men were reservists between the ages of 20 and 60 and could be from anywhere in the French empire. The total field force of the french forces in France at the time of the battle of France was approximately 2.2 million men, (including gendarme's throughout france, naval forces, air forces and unarmed firefighters in civilian cities) it is worth noting that these forces were deployed throughout France. The size of the British army immediately after Dunkirk was 1.7 million men (I haven't bothered to look up the size of the RAF or RN at this time). The total size of both forces in terms of men were comparable. However these figures are largely irrelevant when discussing Dunkirk as most of these forces were not involved in that particular event.
The BEF at the start of the Battle of France consisted of just under 400 thousand men, predominantly from the army.
The allied forces at Dunkirk, following encirclement, totalled 380 thousand troops in a roughly 50/50 ratio of French to British forces. 11,000 men died, 340 thousand were evacuated and 40,000 Frenchmen fought the final rearguard action and remained as POW's for the remainder of the war. The French did not abandon the British as you seem to think they did.

By the way some 41,000 British troops also went into German PoW camps along with those 40,000 frenchman you mention.
I believe the 41,000 British troops you mentioned was the total number taken prisoner during the whole of the battle of France, not just Dunkirk. The vast majority of these troops were from the 51st division who were way to the south and nowhere near Dunkirk. French PoW's for the battle of France totalled nearly 1.9 million.
It's also worth noting at this point that 100,000 French troops were repatriated by the British to france within weeks of being rescued from Dunkirk and other ports, only to become PoW's.

Quote by Trevaunance
Hmm, maybe my history knowledge isn't as great as it could be, but I seem to remember that the battle of France culminated in a retreat by the Brtish who were defended by the French at Dunkirk. The figures speak for themselves. British casualties amounted to 68,000, while French losses totalled around 290,000. German casualties, on the other hand, amounted to 27,074 killed and 111,034 wounded. Lets also remember that the last troops to defend at Dunkirk were 40,000 frenchmen who then endured 5 years in a POW camp. That doesnt sound like they abandoned the BEF to me.
I will make it easier for you to do the maths
French population approximately 41 million
Population of Britain approximately 46.5 million
imaterial, it was not Britain that was invaded so you can hardly expect us to send the whole population of Britain to France, there were however 41 million French people in France at the time, as soon as war was declared many of them would be expected to fight no matter what weapons they had or how they had been trained, in most Countries of the world the population has always done whatever they can when invaded, France did the same after being invaded with an army called the french resistance, too late for the British though.
French armed forces numbered approximately 5 million
British Expeditionary Force 316,000
Incorrect. At the start of the war the french armed forces amounted to 900,000 troops. The government expected to be able to mobilise up to 5 million men in the event of war. These men were reservists between the ages of 20 and 60 and could be from anywhere in the French empire. The total field force of the french forces in France at the time of the battle of France was approximately 2.2 million men, (including gendarme's throughout france, naval forces, air forces and unarmed firefighters in civilian cities) it is worth noting that these forces were deployed throughout France. The size of the British army immediately after Dunkirk was 1.7 million men (I haven't bothered to look up the size of the RAF or RN at this time). The total size of both forces in terms of men were comparable. However these figures are largely irrelevant when discussing Dunkirk as most of these forces were not involved in that particular event.

The numbers still show the % of British KIA to be extremely high for an army that according to some on this thread ran and left the French to it. the mobilization was well under way as soon as war was declared and before the German entered France.
The BEF at the start of the Battle of France consisted of just under 400 thousand men, predominantly from the army.
Yes 316,000 approximately I said and that figure is approximately correct
The allied forces at Dunkirk, following encirclement, totalled 380 thousand troops in a roughly 50/50 ratio of French to British forces. 11,000 men died, 340 thousand were evacuated and 40,000 Frenchmen fought the final rearguard action and remained as POW's for the remainder of the war. The French did not abandon the British as you seem to think they did.

Yes the French military authorities ordered them to do this when it became clear that they would not be able to get any more troops off the beaches, do you believe it wrong that whilst getting nearly 200,000 French troops to safety the British were wrong to concentrate on British troops but still left many behind ? almost half and half British and French troops were saved from capture/death.
By the way some 41,000 British troops also went into German PoW camps along with those 40,000 frenchman you mention.
I believe the 41,000 British troops you mentioned was the total number taken prisoner during the whole of the battle of France, not just Dunkirk. The vast majority of these troops were from the 51st division who were way to the south and nowhere near Dunkirk. French PoW's for the battle of France totalled nearly 1.9 million.
It's also worth noting at this point that 100,000 French troops were repatriated by the British to france within weeks of being rescued from Dunkirk and other ports, only to become PoW's.

Quote by MidsCouple24
imaterial, it was not Britain that was invaded so you can hardly expect us to send the whole population of Britain to France, there were however 41 million French people in France at the time, as soon as war was declared many of them would be expected to fight no matter what weapons they had or how they had been trained, in most Countries of the world the population has always done whatever they can when invaded, France did the same after being invaded with an army called the french resistance, too late for the British though.
yes there were 41 Million people in France at the time. The French were able to call on 5 million reservists to boost their 900,000 regulars. Exactly how many of the women, children or elderly do you expect to actively fight?
Yes 316,000 approximately I said and that figure is approximately correct
The actual figure was a couple of hundred over 395,000 british troops in france at the time of the battle.
Yes the French military authorities ordered them to do this when it became clear that they would not be able to get any more troops off the beaches, do you believe it wrong that whilst getting nearly 200,000 French troops to safety the British were wrong to concentrate on British troops but still left many behind ? almost half and half British and French troops were saved from capture/death.
The RN wanted to abandon the rescue effort on 31 May once all British troops and around 20,000 French troops were evacuated. However the French rearguard appeared solid enough that Churchill ordered further efforts and it is only at that point that the vast majority of Frenchmen were rescued, rather than being abandoned by us.
By the way some 41,000 British troops also went into German PoW camps along with those 40,000 frenchman you mention.
I believe the 41,000 British troops you mentioned was the total number taken prisoner during the whole of the battle of France, not just Dunkirk. The vast majority of these troops were from the 51st division who were way to the south and nowhere near Dunkirk. French PoW's for the battle of France totalled nearly 1.9 million.
It's also worth noting at this point that 100,000 French troops were repatriated by the British to france within weeks of being rescued from Dunkirk and other ports, only to become PoW's.

Quote by MidsCouple24
When it happened they abondoned the BEF quickly surrendered and many took the side of the Germans against the British and allied forces as Vichy forces, they refused to sink their warships or hand them over to the British culminating in a sad waste of life as the British were forced to remove their threat.

Quote by Trevaunance
Hmm, maybe my history knowledge isn't as great as it could be, but I seem to remember that the battle of France culminated in a retreat by the Brtish who were defended by the French at Dunkirk. The figures speak for themselves. British casualties amounted to 68,000, while French losses totalled around 290,000. German casualties, on the other hand, amounted to 27,074 killed and 111,034 wounded. Lets also remember that the last troops to defend at Dunkirk were 40,000 frenchmen who then endured 5 years in a POW camp. That doesnt sound like they abandoned the BEF to me.
I will make it easier for you to do the maths
French population approximately 41 million
Population of Britain approximately 46.5 million
imaterial, it was not Britain that was invaded so you can hardly expect us to send the whole population of Britain to France, there were however 41 million French people in France at the time, as soon as war was declared many of them would be expected to fight no matter what weapons they had or how they had been trained, in most Countries of the world the population has always done whatever they can when invaded, France did the same after being invaded with an army called the french resistance, too late for the British though.
French armed forces numbered approximately 5 million
British Expeditionary Force 316,000
Incorrect. At the start of the war the french armed forces amounted to 900,000 troops. The government expected to be able to mobilise up to 5 million men in the event of war. These men were reservists between the ages of 20 and 60 and could be from anywhere in the French empire. The total field force of the french forces in France at the time of the battle of France was approximately 2.2 million men, (including gendarme's throughout france, naval forces, air forces and unarmed firefighters in civilian cities) it is worth noting that these forces were deployed throughout France. The size of the British army immediately after Dunkirk was 1.7 million men (I haven't bothered to look up the size of the RAF or RN at this time). The total size of both forces in terms of men were comparable. However these figures are largely irrelevant when discussing Dunkirk as most of these forces were not involved in that particular event.

The numbers still show the % of British KIA to be extremely high for an army that according to some on this thread ran and left the French to it. the mobilization was well under way as soon as war was declared and before the German entered France.
The BEF at the start of the Battle of France consisted of just under 400 thousand men, predominantly from the army.
Yes 316,000 approximately I said and that figure is approximately correct
The allied forces at Dunkirk, following encirclement, totalled 380 thousand troops in a roughly 50/50 ratio of French to British forces. 11,000 men died, 340 thousand were evacuated and 40,000 Frenchmen fought the final rearguard action and remained as POW's for the remainder of the war. The French did not abandon the British as you seem to think they did.

Yes the French military authorities ordered them to do this when it became clear that they would not be able to get any more troops off the beaches, do you believe it wrong that whilst getting nearly 200,000 French troops to safety the British were wrong to concentrate on British troops but still left many behind ? almost half and half British and French troops were saved from capture/death.
By the way some 41,000 British troops also went into German PoW camps along with those 40,000 frenchman you mention.
I believe the 41,000 British troops you mentioned was the total number taken prisoner during the whole of the battle of France, not just Dunkirk. The vast majority of these troops were from the 51st division who were way to the south and nowhere near Dunkirk. French PoW's for the battle of France totalled nearly 1.9 million.
It's also worth noting at this point that 100,000 French troops were repatriated by the British to france within weeks of being rescued from Dunkirk and other ports, only to become PoW's.

Quote by MidsCouple24
It is true that many people in this Country do feel let down by the French who ignored all advice given them by the British prior to the invasion by Germany, they had built their Maginot Line and believed it was enough, they dismissed British fears of a 2nd attack through Belgium as the Germans had done in WW1.

Quote by MidsCouple24
When it happened they abondoned the BEF quickly surrendered

Quote by MidsCouple24
To this day some hate the British for that action, an action against a hostile force who has given their allegience to Germany.

Quote by GnV
I'm sure that the SAS soldier, now serving time in the Colchester 'Glass House' would love to be given the opportunity to serve his time out on such a worthwhile project.

Quote by MidsCouple24
His conviction has been quashed - for now at least, he does face a re-trial