What Was The Most Successful British Victory/Contribution Of WWII?

[KG_Panzerschreck]

I think that most of us will agree that the Battle of Britian was the most important victory for the British in the war. They were on their own and without that win the Germans would of launched sealion and then who knows what would of happened.

This poll is asking you to look at the other victories/contributions that the British made during WWII. What in your opinion was the biggest?

[KG_Jag]

Operation Compass was originally envisaged as a spoiling attack, combined with a reconnaissance in force to disrupt the Italian forces that had advanced into Egypt in September 1940. Lt Gen. Richard O'Connor launched what amounted to a British "blitzkrieg." Instead the British forces swept 500 miles along the coast of North Africa. The 7th Armored Division raced across the desert to cut off the retreating Italians, and O'Connor's men destroyed 9 Italian divisions, and took 130,000 prisoners--the good news.

The bad news was that it "forced" the Germans to intervene with the Afrika Korps, led by the soon-to-be legendary General Rommel.

[KG_ThorsHammer]

I picked El Alamein. It wasnt that it was a stunning victory or anything, the Brits had them outnumbered badly and the German/Italien troops were very low on supplies. The reason I picked it is because it stopped once and for all Axis ambitions to drive on Egypt and the middle east, and lead to the eventual removal of the Axis from North Africa

[KG_RCT_Hasty]

I'd go with El Alamein. Montgomery had to stop the Germans. If not, Britain risk to loose its hold on Africa. Loosing Egypt would have open new strategical opportunities for the Germans. Who knows if that would not have tip Turkey into the Axis. By winning there, they reverse the African war, and begin to push the German back.

[KG_Swampfox]

Breaking the Enigma code........

[KG_Cloghaun]

Breaking the enigma code was huge- great call, Pat!

I would say the overall British command of the seas, especially earlier in the war in the Med was crucial in winning the war in North Africa. Kesselring was unable to resupply Rommel adequately due to British naval interdiction (and air). The Royal Navy also made Operation Sealion virtually impossible for the Germans. Dominance in the Atlantic & the Med was in my opinion Britain's biggest contribution/victory of WW2, so I chose "other".

[KG_SSpoom]

Great call swampy, I was drawing a blank till you posted. Ill have to agree.
Breaking the code has to be one of the biggest coups of the war

[KG_Panzerschreck]

Breaking the Enigma code........


I thought a Polish Mathematician Broke the code?

[KG_Swampfox]

Everything I've heard was that it was broken at Betchley Park.....

[KG_Panzerschreck]

Everything I've heard was that it was broken at Betchley Park.....


The breaking of the Enigma was initially started in 1932 by Marian Rejewski (http://kampfgruppe.us/wiki/Marian_Rejewski) a Polish mathametician. His big breakthrough came in 1938.

You can read all the details at Wikipedia -

Cryptanalysis of the Enigma

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cryptanalysis_of_the_Enigma

[KG_Swampfox]

I stand corrected, Marian Rejewski did in fact break the first 3 wheel enigna machines. the latter 5 wheel and naval 8 wheel machines were more time consuming and more difficult to break. A great accomplishment for Mr. Rejewski for his work as early as 1932

I still feel the the major contributing British contribution to the war was the Bletchley Park reading of german message traffic.

[KG_Panzerschreck]

I opted for Montgomery's enlargement of the D-Day forces. I think hands down this was a huge decision. While i am certainly no fan of Montgomerys', I belive that this was by far his biggest contribution to the war effort and in fact one of the best decisions made in the war by the Anglo-American forces period. If this wasnt done, only God knows what would of happened. We easily could of been thrown back into the sea and it probably would of taken at least another two years until another invasion of that magnitude could of been launched again. My .02 cents.

[KG_ThorsHammer]

always wondered that, if the allies had been thrown back, what a disaster.
The Russians would still be too stong, but I could imagine all the tactical options, with Hitler and OKH drooling! All those troops and equipment! Redeployment of a large number, especially the mobile divisions would have certainly started almost immediately. All those crack SS Divisions and other experienced divisions, probably near or at full strength, heading east just before bagraton was launched. Could have arrived just in time to prevent collapse of army group centre.

[kawaiku]

always wondered that, if the allies had been thrown back, what a disaster.
The Russians would still be too stong, but I could imagine all the tactical options, with Hitler and OKH drooling! All those troops and equipment! Redeployment of a large number, especially the mobile divisions would have certainly started almost immediately. All those crack SS Divisions and other experienced divisions, probably near or at full strength, heading east just before bagraton was launched. Could have arrived just in time to prevent collapse of army group centre.

True, but knowing Hitler's paranoia and all, I highly doubt they'd free them up for the Eastern Front. If they had thrown them back I'm quite positive that Hitler and the OKH would've strengthened their defense all along the coasts so that if they tried anywhere else(like the one in Southern France) they would have a helluva time getting anywhere. But you'd have to consider air power, the big guns of the war ships, etc. But all of that is just me and my ideas :wink:

AS for me, I'd go with the Bletchley Park readings of the Axis "secret" codes.