Don't Ask, Don't Tell, and Don't Hum Showtunes

[Sundae]

At a rough estimate, looking at the 2001 census I'd say about 9 million people in Britain today remember the Blitz, or at least the immediate after effects. Not making a point, just for the record because it interested me.

However this forum is the first time I've ever encountered real US opinions and it is the first time I've also ever encountered the belief that the US saved the world in two World Wars. I'm not going to question the facts - I'm sure it can be proved one way or another - but it seems to be a uniquely American point of view.

My Grandparents saw the US forces in London simply as a useful source of food and luxuries. They met working in a club frequented by Americans and used to hide leftover food in their clothes for their families. As far as they and my older Uncles (on the other side of the family) are concerned, everyone who could, fought. And unless they were lucky, died. Including children, women, OAPs. Everyone was in the same boat regardless of nationality except that the Americans (both at home and in the UK) seemed to be better fed.

The idea of being grateful to the Americans for the fighting part of it doesn't seem to have occurred to them - they just appreciated smuggling a fresh egg home in their pants, or being offered a pair of nylons as a tip. And that's what has been passed down through the generations all over the country as far as I am aware.

Would we have more support for Israel if we believed the Americans were saviours over 60 years ago? Personally I don't think so. I think our views of civilian deaths are coloured by the more recent Troubles. Also we have a smaller and less vocal Jewish community in this country, so we're more likely to see blame on both sides and simply abhor the killing.