Why did the British attack their French Allies in WWII?

Copyright: DO NOT translate and re-upload our content on Youtube or other social media.

SIMPLE HISTORY MERCHANDISE

Get the Simple History books on Amazon:

T-Shirts

Simple history gives you the facts, simple!

See the book collection here:

Amazon USA

Amazon UK

Credit:
Created by Daniel Turner (B.A. (Hons) in History, University College London)
Script: Dejan Milivojevic
Narrator:

Chris Kane

Sources:

Brown, David. The Road to Oran: Anglo-French Naval Relations, September 1939 - July 1940. Taylor & Francis, 2004.
Gibbs, Norman Henry, and J. R. M. Butler. Grand Strategy. Her Majesty's Stationery Office, 1976.
O'Hara, Vincent P. Struggle for the Middle Sea: The Great Navies at War in the Mediterranean Theater, 1940-1945. Naval Institute Press, 2015.
Secrets of the Dead, Season 9, Episode 5 Churchill's Deadly Decision. Directed by Richard Bond. London: 3BM Television, 2010

[alphaxalex]

The answer is simple:

*The UK has to attack France at least once a century and we realised it was almost half way through the 20th century*

[ReconPro]

The thumbnail is 100% historical accurate!
🇬🇧 🇫🇷

[vasilisgm]

The British really did just pull a *"Did you question my authority?"* move.

[blackman]

Is nobody gonna talk about how well these ships were drawn ? Gotta love Simple History's works

[benoit]

My grandpa was among the french sailors of Mers El Kebir. He told me the British tried many times to prevent this attack by trying to convince the french admiral to join them to continue the fight against the nazis. He refused, and its fleet could have fallen into the axis powers hands. So the British destroyed it. My grandpa was arrested by British mps while on land just before the attack. He understood their decision and then served on the British side and continued the fight against the axis in North Africa. He was part of the first French SAS

[papasult]

British: **Attacks the French**
French: "I thought we were allies?!"
British: "Sorry, force of habit"

[ophthalmophobicnpc]

French: We´re best buddies, we were just allied together in this war, youre gonna leave us alone now and not attack us, right?
British: (loads cannon while sipping tea)
French: Right?

[darkqwartzsytal]

The US: Are you two friends?
France: Yes
The UK: No

[darthvader]

USA : are you both friends?
UK and France : yes but actually no

[sauceyeti]

"We always have been, we are, and I hope that we always shall be *detested in France."*

- Duke of Wellington

[fbi.]

French soldiers when they get notified that friendly fire is on

Objective: *SURVIVE*

[ChaoticEmperor]

“Why did the british attack the French”

Because that’s been Britain/England’s main foreign policy for the last thousand year

[notdancooper]

The British actually attacked the French a couple times in WW2, like the battle for Madagascar, where the British fought Vichy French forces all the way up the island. This lasted for a decent couple weeks in 1942

[mehmetdemir]

Imagine if waterloo and agincourt were fought with baguettes and cups of tea?

[DieNibelungenliad]

As a Canadian, I dip my baguette in my tea

[darth_elsa]

Fun Fact....when the Germans eventually took the rest of France...the French Navy scuttled their ships. However, they aslo sent a message to Churchill saying we did what we promised you we'd do.

[renzjosephremo]

i like how the french in the thumbnail uses baguette as a literal sword

[pointly]

British: "Let's attack the French. For old time's sake."

[ifarded]

I had heard of this. I knew the ships were scuttled but I had no clue there was loss of life. Great video I always learn something new with yall keep it up!

[xAznNationsx]

*British attack French*
French: but why
British: sorry force of habit