Lot's of good facts stated here. I'm pleased to see some of the younger contributors are actually studying history on their own and not swallowing what is force fed them in the school systems! Two other things I find interesting...#1 after my initial post, there was only one attempt to flame me, and #2 a "moderator" instantly jumped in. I don't know which of these is more bothersome to me? I hope that I will be allowed to respond without being seen as an instigator and I also hope that this thread wil not be shut down because of my response. Actually I will respond in reverse order to these items. First, I totaly understand the job of the forum moderator, and his responsibility to keep things under control. I hope that he doesn't see one expressing factual statements as looking to start trouble.

As for the attempt to flame me, my response is simple. I am an American, I served in the US Army 1st Cav. Div. I couldn't agree more, most times the right thing to do isn't prettier or the most popular. However your statement only serves to verify what I have said much more than the insult you attempted to throw at me.

I was/am merely trying to point out a major flaw in the portrayal of modern history in many countries/societies/individuals. From knowing the truth about history and studying to understand why and how these events occurred, this is what will enlighten our and future generations to assure that these same blunders are not repeated. If they are covered up or whitewashed, then our children and our childrens children will of course be condemned to repeat these mistakes.

I invite any of you to pick up a HS history book, and go to the chapters that deal with WWII. In a nutshell, it will tell you how the US saved the world from Nazi Germany. It will only mention the Soviet Union by saying that the US gave them lot's of lend lease equipment, and probably a sentence or two about our mistrust of Stalin. If you believe this, then fine...you have just proven your ignorance. The truth of the matter is that if Germany hadn't been at war with the Soviet Union, the US undoubtedly would never have come to the aid of Great Britain. The landings of D-Day were not cakewalks, and came very close to failing. Had Germany not had more than half of it's military strength on the eastern front, D-Day would have most likely been a masacre. The truth is that the Soviet Union bore the brunt of the battle against Nazi Germany. Over 26 million Russians died in the conflict. Now I am not saying that the Russians defeated Germany alone...nor that they could have? My point is simply to try and point out the lies and propaganda that is taught to our children. And unless something happens to change this, future generations will suffer the same mistakes that those who came before did. Talk about crimes against humanity!
Rob