[NeilE]

Originally Posted by Taz

Pete, Jenny- No doubt the "Spanish Lady" would have had a great impact if the war had continued into 1919. I forget how many times I have read of a British officer surviving four years of warfare only to die in the epidemic of Winter 1918/1919. I believe it killed quite a few famous Germans like Bernert, as well.

The extra casualties who would have missed their future greatness or infamy caused by extending the war is another interesting thought. Possibly no Churchill, no Hitler, no Roosevelt etc. We have several novels on what would have happened if the Confederacy had won our Civil War with very interesting outcomes, some affecting relations with GB, still not too good in the 1860s with the War of 1812 only 50 years ago.

The US went through another isolationist period following WWI and did not even join the League of Nations. If we had remained neutral longer and come into the war later, would the Treaty of Versailles have been different with the US having a bigger say? We had virtually no impact on that treaty. As written, it was so punishing it gave the far right a chance to take over in Germany, helped by the worldwide depression and run-away inflation. Maybe there would have been no Great Depression and no WWII. Who knows, but makes for interesting speculation. With no WWII, the Russians might have remained mired in the 19th Century and possibly there would have been no cold war. No WWII and there might have been a much later development of nuclear weapons and nuclear power generation.

Better get back to looking at Triplane photos and get something done. Thanks for the insights.

Taz
Terry Phillips

Perhaps not, given the theory it may have originated in the US in the first place... and may not have reached Europe until sometime later if not carried to Europe by the AEF. It certainly had nothing to do with Spain. I'm not sure on the mortaility rates on combat soldiers - any figures anyone? - given their somewhat hardened immune systems, would it have much affect on the armies' functioning? On the civilian population yes but not so sure on the other? Anyone know?