Stop saying the French are COWARDS in WAR

Any discussion of a nation’s reputation in warfare will almost inevitably lead to derogatory remarks directed towards the French. Their military exploits are the punchline of countless jokes, memes, and other derogatory remarks, lampooning them as cowards or inept on the battlefield.

The reality, however, is much different. Throughout its long history, the nation of France has an extensive and distinguished record of military triumphs, dating back as far as the early Middle Ages. For millennia, French soldiers fought and died with courage, skill, and distinction.

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Credit:
Show Created by Daniel Turner (B.A. (Hons) in History, University College London)
Script: Robert de Graaf
Narrator: Chris Kane

[oliversherman]

As a Brit, I have nothing but respect for the French army. They won countless victories over many centuries and showed bravery on the battlefield
Even though we're historical rivals, Britain and France have also been allies in some conflicts like Crimea and the World Wars. The French have every right to be proud of their country

God save the King and Vive La France 🇬🇧♥️🇲🇫

[RayRandm]

People love to forget how France had the world in a chokehold several times in history

[jdoe]

Technically, France had the most number of military victories of all countries throughout history.

[raphaelembarbe]

This "French surrender" thing became viral when we refused to go for Irak.
Guess what ? Best decision ever.

[MegaBouzigue]

My great grandfather was executed by the Germans and his body thrown into the Dordogne river in 1944 for being part of a resistance movement and it always hurts to see people online calling your whole bloodline cowards when they fought like lions. So thank you for this video, it honors the courage of our ancestors.

[axrxnlt]

The French literally sacrificed themselves in ww2 so the British army could escape at Dunkirk so our army wasn’t completely wiped out. Nothing but respect

[omer.g]

It's also important to note that the whole reputation also relies on the refusal to participate in the Irak war.

[incroyableMec]

Honnêtement je suis assez étonné en tant que français de lire autant de commentaires positifs sur les français.. c’est adorable force à tout le monde 🇫🇷❤

[jackwei]

You skipped the Crimean War where the French Army regained its Prestige and arguably had the most powerful army in the world until the late 1860s.

[daskriegsman]

To any French reading this. As an American. To anyone who says your cowards. Just remember your long and extensive fighting history. You are not cowards. You are all brave fighters. Never forget that. 🇺🇲🇨🇵

[kennethwebber]

I'm not French, but thank you for speaking against this bullshit stereotype. My grandad was a US GI, and everything he saw of the French went against that lie. Tough, insanely brave, craftier than the Brits, and as brutal as the Russians whenever they caught a colaborator.

[Seylaaa]

My great-grandfather was a radio operator during the Second World War. Then, when the French government surrendered, he left his job as a radio operator and became a member of the French Resistance, where he was in charge of encrypting and decrypting radio messages. He was captured, tortured and executed with his friends. Much later my family learned that he had never surrendered and had never spoken even under torture. He probably didn't personally play a major role in the end of the war but that doesn't stop me from being extremely proud to be of his blood although I unfortunately never knew him.

[robertstrong]

As a Brit I can 100% say we would not have been able to withdraw our forces without French assistance pure facts

[aeea]

I'm French and reading all those comments is heart-warming 🥰
Do not forget that main part of the French-bashing is due to the refusal to take part in 2003 Iraqi war (and at the end history has shown we were right on that point)

[MajorDenisBloodnok]

My grandfather tried to enlist during WWI, but he was refused two times being too young and too skinny. The third time, the officer said "you really want to go? Then go!".
He was 17 years old and was sent in Verdun during the battle...he was wounded, not too seriously, was sent back to the front and finished the war safely.
Thankfully, my grandfather died before hearing from these computer warriors, maybe as young as he was when he enlisted, calling the French soldiers "coward"...
Anyway, as a French person, I thank you for this video, if it can help some people to learn to show respect for fallen soldiers and civilians from all countries...

[CloneCaptainHowzer]

As a Brit, I do admire the French. Their help throughout the ages has been significant. Although it is also my duty as a Brit to poke fun at them wherever possible, as they do to us🇬🇧♥️🇫🇷

[ggirault]

As a French, thank you for this documentary. I must specify that in 1940, it was not a capitulation but an armistice, the army refusing to be designated as guilty of the defeat.

[uncookedpanzer]

I would always describe France as a cowardly country for fun, but once I traveled there, I saw just how WW1 and WW2 impacted France and saw many of the famous forts there such as Fort Douaumont. I saw many of the memorials that were filled with gravestones and the countryside near the frontlines still has the artillery craters speckled everywhere. I looked further into the history of France and I now have nothing but respect for they’re bravery against all odds

[scylax]

The worst part of that stereotype is that not only it's unfair for current french citizen, but it's also disrespectful for the millions of french soldiers who died with bravoury for their country through the ages. We pay a huge respect to our fallen soldiers especially in WW1; there were an astonishing number of casualties and we try to pay tribute to a maximum, so much so that there is a monument to honor the city's people gone for France in every single town in France except for ONE. There was only one soldier from this village and he came back.

[johntory]

"The french only lasted 6 weeks in WW2"
Danish: hold my beer