but, then - ask them why they sprout that - ask them where the idea came from
they'll have no idea --------- it comes from ignorant English and Americans. Australians without a brain just parrot the jokes - with no idea of history -
I've not seen one of the fools yet walk up to a 2 metre Gendarme and share the joke - somehow, the funny side of it gets lost instantly with the tourists
One visit to Verdun would show what the French are like ---------- but, Americans and Aussies are so ignorant, most don't travel - and if they do go to France - they visit Paris and think they've seen it all.
The idea that the French surrender easily did not originate from historical facts, but rather from a combination of factors:
The French defeat in the Battle of France in 1940 was a major military disaster that led to the surrender of the French government. This event became a source of embarrassment and a target for criticism, especially from the Allies.
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During the 19th and early 20th centuries, France suffered some significant military losses, such as the Franco-Prussian War, which contributed to a perception of French military weakness. This perception was exacerbated by the French defeat in 1940.
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The French government's decision to sign an armistice with Nazi Germany and establish the collaborationist Vichy regime further reinforced the notion of French surrender, even though the Free French forces continued to fight the Axis.
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Jokes, stereotypes, and political rhetoric from other countries, particularly the United States and United Kingdom, helped propagate the idea of the "cowardly French" and their tendency to surrender. This was often used for political purposes or as a way to mock France.
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The French military's focus on defensive strategies in the early 20th century, such as the Maginot Line, was interpreted by some as a lack of willingness to fight, further contributing to the perception of French surrender.
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In summary, the idea that the French surrender easily is not based on historical facts, but rather on a combination of specific military defeats, political rhetoric, and cultural stereotypes that have become entrenched over time. The search results indicate that this perception is largely unfair and not reflective of the French military's overall record.
