[Misc] What was Britain’s single greatest achievement of the 20th century?

[DavidinSouthampton]

It's a spoof!

(hint) The real fairy is all lower case.

There are two pi11ocks around then...…..

 

[Bold Seagull]

Professional football.

19th Century?

 

[Baker lite]

It’s has to be standing alone against German aggression while the rest of Europe capitulated.

 

[mejonaNO12 aka riskit]

Fray Bentos pies?

 

[Bakero]

Fray Bentos pies?

Croissants?

 

[zefarelly]

I think smash probably pips Fray Bentos in the culinary achievements.

Fray Bentos pies?

 

[Taybha]

Bic (bollock friendly ) razors

 

[Greg Bobkin]

Bucks Fizz. The Eurovision-conquering pop group, not the drink.

 

[studio150]

There's this big country on the other side of the Atlantic called the United States of America which made a fairly significant contribution.

As well as Russia

 

[Bold Seagull]

It’s has to be standing alone against German aggression while the rest of Europe capitulated.

Well, the reality is we capitulated with the rest of Europe as our entire BEF was on the mainland and routed with the other armies. Lets be brutally honest, we only stood alone because of water. That said, and it has been pointed out, specifically the Battle of Britain is what turned the war, but let us also not forget, 20% of the pilots who fought as 'The Few' where not British nationals either.

 

[DavidinSouthampton]

As well as Russia

Indeed. I read somewhere recently that more Russians died in Leningrad during the second world war than the Americans and British combined lost in that war.

 

[The Gem]

Got to be Maggie Thatcher !!!

 

[wellquickwoody]

From a confirmed right winger, the defeat of German facism. Any left winger trying to play down the importance of this event needs to take a long hard look at themselves.

 

[Gwylan]

From a confirmed right winger, the defeat of German facism. Any left winger trying to play down the importance of this event needs to take a long hard look at themselves.

I don't think anyone is playing down the significance of this: the question is whether it's a British achievement. There were many countries involved. And, as pointed out earlier, even British squadrons/regiments had significant proportions of foreign members.

 

[jakarta]

Well, the reality is we capitulated with the rest of Europe as our entire BEF was on the mainland and routed with the other armies. Lets be brutally honest, we only stood alone because of water. That said, and it has been pointed out, specifically the Battle of Britain is what turned the war, but let us also not forget, 20% of the pilots who fought as 'The Few' where not British nationals either.

Which means 80% were, and many of the rest (Canadian, South African, New Zealander and Aussies) had British Ancestry. I'm not knocking the Poles and Czechs who fought on our side but it is a fact that around 95% of the Pilots were from the British Empire.

 

[Miami Seagull]

Second vote for the Battle of Britain. If that had ended differently then nothing would be the same.

 

[Pretty pink fairy]

Universal suffrage.

are you Mr BEN as two minutes ago you were PPF
regards
DR

 

[studio150]

Indeed. I read somewhere recently that more Russians died in Leningrad during the second world war than the Americans and British combined lost in that war.

Sadly true, an estimated 800,000 civilian deaths in the near 900 day siege of the city which is nearly the same as the total civilian deaths of British and American civilians during the whole of World War II

 

[Pretty pink fairy]

Sadly true, an estimated 800,000 civilian deaths in the near 900 day siege of the city which is nearly the same as the total civilian deaths of British and American civilians during the whole of World War II

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AyJVKYwzxD8
regards
DR

 

[daveinplzen]

Sadly true, an estimated 800,000 civilian deaths in the near 900 day siege of the city which is nearly the same as the total civilian deaths of British and American civilians during the whole of World War II

We played a massive role in WW2, but so did others. Four out of five German military personal who were killed, died in the East.
Its a bit of a strange thread. To pick any one thing can be disrespectful to others just as deserving.