Why does everyone think France's military history sucks?

You are 100% correct after Germany invaded Poland yes the Brits did declare war on Germany but that was the end of it they sent in troops into France who really just stood around for 8 months in fact one U S congressman said ''there is something phoney about this war'' [no fighting] when the Germans invaded France the Brits retreated out of there in days [Dunkirk] Russia could not even overrun little Finland and they tried twice Guess who covered the treated of those Brits at Dunkirk? Sure was not the Brtis

Even better... without the French, the US wouldn't even exist! Remember the Battle of the Chesapeake, and the Siege of Yorktown !

you bring up some solid points. I personally believe it because of some huge military blunders they have made. For instance in WW1 the Germans attacked them by cutting through Belgium. So they build the maginot line. Spend a lot of money on it. But guess what they didn't build it on the border with Belgium. Guess what the Germans did. Same thing as before right through Belgium. Things like that have to put a smile on your face. Stupidity at its best. :)

This is mostly an American thing, mainly because we really only saw France at their worst, WWI and WWII. Any historian knows that France was *the* military power in Europe for centuries. Need proof? Look at the vast number of French words we use in our military. Platoon, Battalion, Corporal, Sergeant, Lieutenant, Colonel, cantonment.. the western world learned war from the French.

«Why does everyone think France's military history sucks?» — Because it does. All the jealous cheese-eating surrender monkeys should cry me a river. Big one. .

Is this a French ego thing? This a rant more than a question. Nobody bought it up but you. France has a mixed record. I'm happy to have them in nato.

Who gives a toss? Its all in the past. Now the strongest army on earth is Botswana. And thats mighty Botswana to you.

In WW l the Germans surrendered to the Allies...not just the Frogs !!!! Good thing the English made it back across the Channel... After they came to your Rescue and you surrendered to the NAZI... Hear you still have those WW ll Rifles on sale ??? "Like New only Dropped Once" !!!! France is also the only Country on the Planet that has a PURE Mercenary Force to protect its interests... Called the "Foreign Legion"...since No Frenchmen even wants to fight for France... It is also the only Country that still wanted to enslave the people in its Colonies after WW ll... Which has been the cause of most WARS since then... including Vietnam...

Personally, I don't think that the Military History of France sucks and I see your point (I also remember in American History Class about how France came to help the U.S. fight the Brits during American Indepence War). However, you forgot to mention Viet Nam and Algeria in your rant.