When was the last decisive military victory in a major conflict achieved by France?
I am just wondering when the last time was that France won a clear and decisive military victory in a major war... In 1918 they were able to kick Germany out of their territory, with the help of Britain and the United States, but World War I ended in an armistice, not an actual decisive conclusion, and during World War II, even though Germany eventually lost the war, France had already surrendered within a year of the war starting. The only other 20th century conflicts I can think of involving France, those in French Indochina and Algeria, both resulted in French defeats/withdrawals. I am just wondering when most historians would agree (if they would) that France last had a clearly decisive victory over another nation in an important international war.
caspian882012-10-01T13:17:20Z
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Are you speaking of France alone or as the clearly dominant member of a coalition, or of France as a major contributor to a coalition?
The latter has an easy answer - Libya, 2011. France was the leader in that conflict, having been the country that really pushed for the intervention and then conducted some 20% of all air sorties during the conflict (if I remember correctly), a similar figure to that of Britain, the United States, and Canada, and conducted the very first air strikes of the war (destroying loyalist tanks and vehicles near Benghazi). This was a major international conflict, involving most of NATO and having taken significant diplomatic efforts with the rest of the Arab world, Russia, and China. It wasn't a massive war, but it was important.
Other conflicts of this sort include Kosovo, Bosnia, the Gulf War, the Battle of Kolwezi in Zaire, the Suez Crisis, the First World War, the Boxer Rebellion, the Austro-Sardinian War, and the Crimean War.
Of the former, one must consider when France ceased to be a superpower. The last significant French victory (where France was the leader or on its own) was probably Napoleon's defeat of Austria in 1809. However, Napoleon's conquests were probably not sustainable in the long term. Before that, I'd argue the War of the Austrian Succession.
One must remember that France's military golden age came and went many years ago, and France has not enjoyed military supremacy in Europe for at least 150 years, and wars in Europe tend to become general wars. France has spent much of her history fighting off most of Europe, sometimes all at once, and generally coming out ahead.
"World War I ended in an armistice, not an actual decisive conclusion" That's just rhetoric, it's still considered a major victory.
France also technically won WW2, but considering France's early defeat and occupation I can understand what you mean.
Anyway, the Lybian War would be considered the latest French military victory.
Since this potentially smells like another moronic "France never wins wars alone" claim (I apologize if it isn't) I will just say that wars not won through coalitions are very very very rare, and that France is actually kind of the European specialist of one-against-everybody victories. I always laugh when some American and British morons start claiming "WW1 cannot be considered a victory because France didn't fight alone" even though that means it cannot count as a victory for the US and Britain either ;)
You are incorrect about France surrendering in WW 2 France ad the British had a mutual defense treaty with Poland Germany invaded Poland they had to declare war on Germany but really did nothing the Brits sent in troops into France who really just stood around for 8 months in fact one U S congressman said ''there is something phony about this war'' [no fighting] thus the ''phony war'' Germany invaded France and in days the Brits retreated out of there [Dunkirk] the French covered their retreat [fight on brave lads] The French did win a victory in WW 2 the Japanese give permission for Thailand to attack the French Navy off the Cambodia they were both allies of Japan the French defeated the Thailand Navy\
You down there the attempted take over of the Suez Canal by the French,British , and Israel was sure not a victory the President of the U S ,Ike, got wind of it and stopped it he told the Brits he would release the warehouse full of British pounds they were storing to keep it from becoming worthless pulled out without consulting with the frogs You talk of French victory in the gulf war oh sweet Jesus that is not worth a reply
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