Over the last several days this question has again surfaced after Queen Elizabeth II was initially omitted from the guest list for this weekend's D-Day ceremonies in Normandy. Though the French have stated that the omission was not meant to be a slight as the ceremony is intended as a largely Franco-American event rather than a large-scale commemoration, it has left Britons angered as they feel their contributions to the war effort were being slighted. Arguments over credit for "winning the war" date back to the conflict itself and each nation has spent decades building their national myths regarding World War II. Humorist Simon Hoggart at the British paper The Guardian sums these up in satirical fashion as:
- The French: our brave soldiers were overwhelmed by the might of the Wehrmacht. While we suffered under the German occupation, the British had it easy, and took their own good time to help us liberate ourselves, which we French finally did.
- The British: the French capitulated without a fight, leaving us to battle on alone. The Americans took their own good time to join us, but when they did between us we rescued the useless French. And are they grateful? Don't be silly.
- The Americans: For the second time in 30 years we had to bail out the Europeans, with our money and our lives. And were they grateful? Don't be silly.
Regardless of one's point of view it is clear that World War II still resonates deeply in each country and each played their own key role in achieving victory. Contrary to the American, British, and French points of view, many historians credit the Soviet Union as being the pivotal force in Europe as fighting on the Eastern Front led to 4 out of every 5 German casualties.
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