Quote:
Originally Posted by I B Hankering
Hitler entered into an alliance with Japan because Japan had something he needed: a blue water navy. Hitler was delightfully surprised to learn that Japan had bombed Pearl Harbor. After all, Germany had been urging Japan to strike for months, and when they finally did, it fit into Hitler’s plan perfectly … or so he believed.
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Hitler entered into "alliances" and "treaties" with countries he wanted "on the bench" until he was ready to "fire them." (Remember the Russians?) Germany had an adequate "Navy" so long as the U.S. didn't crank up the shipbuilding industry .. which Germany needed to disrupt the supply routes from the U.S. to Europe and Africa. (Veracruz, Mexico, was a UBoat base pursuant to Germany's treaty with Mexico ... in WWII).
The importance of the various versions that have developed over the years ... as history is "tweaked" for political purposes .... is the common thread that this country's lack of preparedness was a fundamental cause for the boldness of our enemies.
The image we have created in the World is a lack of will upon a foundation of a lack of preparedness ... Not a good formula to prevent hostilities. Now we have the impact of a guy who's paid ransom to the people who wish us ill will and who threaten our friends.