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From: ssc-vax!shuksan!major@beaver.cs.washington.edu (Mike Schmitt)
Newsgroups: sci.military
Subject: Re: Eastern Europe
Message-ID: <11669@cbnews.ATT.COM>
Date: 22 Nov 89 17:12:22 GMT
References: <11431@cbnews.ATT.COM> <11499@cbnews.ATT.COM>
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From: ssc-vax!shuksan!major@beaver.cs.washington.edu (Mike Schmitt)

In article <11499@cbnews.ATT.COM>, convex!uiucuxc!muse!cash@uxc.cso.uiuc.edu (Peter Cash) writes:
> 
> 
> From: convex!uiucuxc!muse!cash@uxc.cso.uiuc.edu (Peter Cash)
> 
> In article <11431@cbnews.ATT.COM denbeste@BBN.COM (Steven Den Beste)
> writes:
> 
> >What we now think of as France and what we now think of as Germany have
> >been at war or almost war for most of the last 400 years. Does anyone think
> >that the French army will ever cross the West German border in anger again?

  I'll insert a footnote here.  Though France has 'officially' withdrawn
  militarily from NATO - the French still have the 3rd French Army stationed
  inside West Germany (Southwest West Germany).  The French PX in Baden-Baden
  is a very interesting place to shop.  They 'own' and operate a major training
  area in Muensingen (about 30 kilometers southeast of Stuttgart and 20
  kilometers west of Ulm).  At Muensingen, is the French Commando School
  (which I had the dubious pleasure to attend).  Some of their Sergeants were
  'former' French Foreign Legionnaires.  (Yes, I know that there is a 'rule'
  that no French citizen can join the Legion - they sign up as Belgians).
  
  We (the US 1st Infantry Div (Forward)) would hold joint manuevers with
  their armor battalions (AMX-30 tanks).  Very fine troops.  Well equiped,
  well disciplined, well led. 

  So, in one sense, they don't have to cross the West German border - they're
  already there.  In anger?  My first choice is that they will support NATO. 


  major mike