• bricklove@midwest.social
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    9 days ago

    The Francs were named after the throwing axe they used in battle, Charlemagne ruled half of Europe after Rome fell apart, William the Conqueror changed the English language, the Normans were such renowned warriors that they served as mercenaries in Constantinople, France won the 100 years war, France came out ahead after the 30 years war, Vauban was the greatest siege engineer of all time whose tactics were used for centuries, the French won the American Revolution, Napoleon conquered everything, French tanks and tactics were key in breaking the stalemate on the Western Front during WWI, and I’m sure I’m missing a bunch.

    But they were occupied by Nazi Germany so they’re forever cowards

    • prettybunnys@sh.itjust.works
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      9 days ago

      They also put up one hell of a fight against the Nazis and didn’t just roll over.

      There’s a infographic film thing out there stylized like an older war film that shows how close the French were to accidentally encircling the entire German thrust.

      In hindsight they coulda won, fairly easily, but the blitz itself acted like a punch that stunned the fighter.

    • ryathal@sh.itjust.works
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      9 days ago

      A lot of this depends on perspective. Norman knights existed because France surrendered the territory to the Vikings, claiming them as a French success is a bit of a stretch. The effects on the English from William the conqueror, would be as much or more a viking win than a French one.

      France winning the 100 years war just means after 100 years they finally repelled an English invasion. Napoleon’s empire was destroyed before his own death. WWI featured several massive failures of the French military that extended the war.