I have a thought experiment regarding the time travel vs US winning the World Cup debate. Imagine you invented time travel, went back to 2002, and told the refs to watch for German hand balls before the game. They correctly called the penalty, leading to the US winning the 2002 World Cup. Which would have happened first - the invention of time travel or the 2002 US World Cup victory?
Good point, Jorge. Also, the Maginot Line extension would have been great against WWI tactics, even with a slow incursion through Belgium. Then Germany said “Hold my beer, check out this thing called ‘BlitzKrieg’”. And don’t forget the spec op glider landing at Fort Ében-Émael. The Third Reich would have rolled on, but they got impatient and fought a major two-front war.
I have a thought experiment regarding the time travel vs US winning the World Cup debate. Imagine you invented time travel, went back to 2002, and told the refs to watch for German hand balls before the game. They correctly called the penalty, leading to the US winning the 2002 World Cup. Which would have happened first - the invention of time travel or the 2002 US World Cup victory?
Good point, Jorge. Also, the Maginot Line extension would have been great against WWI tactics, even with a slow incursion through Belgium. Then Germany said “Hold my beer, check out this thing called ‘BlitzKrieg’”. And don’t forget the spec op glider landing at Fort Ében-Émael. The Third Reich would have rolled on, but they got impatient and fought a major two-front war.
PJ: And the French looked at planes and said "nah, bad idea."
Why did France think Germany would not invade through Belgium a 2nd time? Probably because someone signed a treaty promising not to do that!