France and Britain: A history of relations
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Can it possibly work? Yesterday's Ministry of Defence green paper suggests that, to save taxpayers' money, Britain and France should co-operate more closely on military matters. It is a fact often forgotten that the two countries ceased fighting each other almost two centuries ago (leaving aside occasional misunderstandings in Africa, the Middle East, Twickenham etc). On the other hand, the history of Anglo-French collusion since the Battle of Waterloo has not been an entente tout à fait cordiale. Here is a brief guide to some of des hauts et des bas (ups and downs) of cross-Channel collaboration in the past two centuries.
Crimean War, 1853-56
Fighting on the same side, more than 400,000 French troops were deployed (100,000 casualties) and 250,000 British troops (21,000 casualties), for very little gain.
Success rating: Deux sur dix (2 out of 10).
France, May and June, 1940
According to British history, a heroic rearguard allowed 330,000 troops to be evacuated from Dunkirk. French history says the British ran away.
Success rating: zéro sur dix (according to the French).
Success rating: Cinq sur dix (5/10) (according to the British)
Suez crisis, 1956
London and Paris took grave exception when the Suez Canal was nationalised in 1956. Almost 45,000 British soldiers (16 killed and 96 wounded) and 34,000 French soldiers (10 killed and 33 wounded) were sent to Egypt.
Success rating: zéro sur dix (0/10)
Serge and Jane, 1969
Serge Gainsbourg and Jane Birkin's heavy-breathing pop duet "Je T'aime, Moi Non Plus" sold a million copies in just a few weeks.
Success rating: Neuf sur dix (9/10)
Concorde, 1976-2003
The two governments never recouped the £1bn-plus spent on development. But Concorde was a great symbol of Franco-British aeronautical know-how and co-operation.
Success rating: Sept sur dix (7/10)
Channel Tunnel, 1994-
The Chunnel has brought the two nations closer together, physically – and psychologically (discuss).
Success rating: Neuf sur dix (9/10)
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments