Old Adversary

I was half way through writing an article on the middle east when I had to stop.

It's old news, I was bored writing about it. Things have been in a constant state of change there for 2000 years.

I suppose it's like a river, you can never step into the same one twice. That said it's still the same river.

Without getting too philosophical I thought I'd instead write about a story which is new. Or rather a hidden piece of history only recently uncovered.

It's easy to imagine war with the most unlikely of allies, thrown together to battle a common foe. What about unlikely enemies?

Recent documents from the Library of Congress have revealed America's WW2 plans for war with a number of countries. Russia, South America, China, (the usual suspects) and Britain.

No that's not a predictive text mistake - war with Great Britain and her colonies.

I'd always found it weird that the USA distanced itself from events in Europe when fighting was at its ugliest. Why they only intervened at the last.

It makes sense that it was a wait and watch. If Britain had steam rolled over Hitler's plans they may have resorted to taking measures to stop us trying to invade.

Before Pearl harbour shocked the USA into facing facts and taking action they had even began to mobilise troops along the Canadian border, building secret air bases ready for an invasion.

Following WW2, we continue to enjoy a lasting military alliance with the USA but it's amazing to think how different things may have been.

In fact we've only just taken down flags together in Afghanistan - where our joint militaries have been for the last 13 odd years.

Here's to a lasting friendship -- and please, no more surprises!

~Fraser