Canuck Posted March 3, 2001 Share Posted March 3, 2001 I need a reference for something that that Rommel was reported to have said. It had something to do with, "If I had American equipment, British generals and Canadian soldiers I could win any war" or some can someone please provide some basis for this? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freak Posted March 3, 2001 Share Posted March 3, 2001 Was this after the Normandy Landings? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
russellmz Posted March 4, 2001 Share Posted March 4, 2001 give me enough medals and i can win any war-napoleon that's the closest i could get... ------------------ russellmz, Self-Proclaimed Keeper for Life of the Sacred Unofficial FAQ. "They had their chance- they have not lead!" - GW Bush "They had mechanical pencils- they have not...lead?" - Jon Stewart on The Daily Show Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Dorosh Posted March 4, 2001 Share Posted March 4, 2001 If I am remembering this correctly, I believe it was a reference to British Generals (or maybe men?) and American equipment, said in North Africa shortly after Kasserine Pass, when the Germans got their first look at US riches - and stuff like the bazooka, which they improved to become the Panzerschreck. Canadians were still sitting on their asses in England at the time - except for the 2nd Div guys, and Royal Rifles and Winnipeg Grenadiers, who were suffering in German and Japanese POW camps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LongLeftFlank Posted March 4, 2001 Share Posted March 4, 2001 "... A squadron of Spitfires, Herr Reichsmarschall." (Adolf Galland, 1940) "Lions, led by donkeys." German general's description of the British Army (which war and which general I can't recall) That's the best I can offer. I'd strongly doubt that your quote is authentic, although as a fellow Canuck and the son of an Englander I'd certainly be flattered. Australian troops with British NCOs, German officers and US equipment would be more like it though.... (if I had a division of such men, our troubles here would soon be over). A question in return -- did the Germans have a distinct nickname for the Canadians, or were they simply another type of Tommy to them? For that matter, did the English have a tag for them, like "Diggers", "Kiwis", Taffys", "Paddys", "Jocks", "Yanks", etc? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Canuck Posted March 4, 2001 Author Share Posted March 4, 2001 Yes I was under the impression that he was supposed to have said it while in Africa-but the Canadians didnt fight in Africa so I was wondering how they came into the equation Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Dorosh Posted March 4, 2001 Share Posted March 4, 2001 Originally posted by Canuck: Yes I was under the impression that he was supposed to have said it while in Africa-but the Canadians didnt fight in Africa so I was wondering how they came into the equation Some Canadians did, just not as part of formed units. I met a gentleman last year at an Italian Campaign veteran's reunion who had the Africa Star. If you read any of Strome Galloway's stuff (he was an officer in RCR) he served with the Brits in the desert for a few weeks to get battle experience. More than a few Canadians got to do so. To answer the other question - the Germans apparently called the Canadians "Tommy SS" - SS were their best, Canadians were the best the "British had".... EDIT - and the British usually called the Canucks, or when addressing an individual, it was usually "Hey, Canada!" [This message has been edited by Michael Dorosh (edited 03-03-2001).] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kanonier Reichmann Posted March 4, 2001 Share Posted March 4, 2001 Originally posted by LongLeftFlank: Australian troops with British NCOs, German officers and US equipment would be more like it though.... (if I had a division of such men, our troubles here would soon be over). From memory, I think Rommel was quoted as saying he would prefer Australian troops when attacking for their shock effect but for all round discipline & fighting spirit, he considered the Kiwis to be the best "all round" troops. In his opinion, the Aussies were simply too hard to control & maintain discipline. (Something to be proud of in my book!) Regards Jim R. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
russellmz Posted March 4, 2001 Share Posted March 4, 2001 oh and patton the movie: told to rommel: american soldiers and british generals- the worst of everything ------------------ russellmz, Self-Proclaimed Keeper for Life of the Sacred Unofficial FAQ. "They had their chance- they have not lead!" - GW Bush "They had mechanical pencils- they have not...lead?" - Jon Stewart on The Daily Show Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chupacabra Posted March 4, 2001 Share Posted March 4, 2001 Originally posted by LongLeftFlank: [b "Lions, led by donkeys." German general's description of the British Army (which war and which general I can't recall) War was WW1. ------------------ Soy super bien soy super super bien soy bien bien super bien bien bien super super Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest MantaRay Posted March 4, 2001 Share Posted March 4, 2001 I think the actual quote was, "If I had 600 points instead of 400, I could buy more King Tigers, and then win more PBEM games." -Rommel (refering to a 2,000 point Combined Arms QB) ------------------ When asked, "How many moves do you see ahead?", CAPABLANCA replied: "One move - the best one." Click now for shelter from the Peng thread New Site of the PLA:Rugged Defense Group Ladder The Red Army Mirror Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shadow 1st Hussars Posted March 4, 2001 Share Posted March 4, 2001 Originally posted by LongLeftFlank: A question in return -- did the Germans have a distinct nickname for the Canadians, or were they simply another type of Tommy to them? For that matter, did the English have a tag for them, like "Diggers", "Kiwis", Taffys", "Paddys", "Jocks", "Yanks", etc? YANKS?!?!?! Anyway, I'm not going to get into that...moving on...they/we were/are called Canucks. Well, atleast by my *shudder* SS uncle's account of the war ------------------ shadow@jagdtiger.de Canada For CM I AM CANADIAN! Eh? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterNZer Posted March 4, 2001 Share Posted March 4, 2001 Everyone outside of the US calls American's 'Yanks' hehe. PeterNZ ------------------ "What do I care, I got laid last week" - Chupacabra "Bjorn again are really quite good!" - Germanboy - Official owner of the sig files of Dalem and Croda - Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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