Britain pays 1945 war debt

The Times ^ | 12/24/06 | David Smith

[Lonesome in Massachussets]

Britian was useful to the U.S. during the Cold War. On the whole, I cannot help concluding that the US/UK relationship since 1940 has been one of the most successful and mutually beneficial in history.

[Caipirabob]

That was nice of them. To be honest, they paid the debt in blood standing by us when the world has turned it's back on us throughout the WOT. Then again, it's definitely in the best interests of both nations to fight together.

Yet they stood with us when their resident idiots were screaming louder than our own to deny us aid. God bless us both, our other great allies and protect our nations...from the enemies without and WITHIN...

[metesky]

When this final loan to GB occurred, it was against the background of the FBI and MI6 hunt for "Homer" the Soviet mole inside the British FO. The loan was negotiated in part by Donald Maclean, who ironically, was "Homer".

[SampleMan]

Pay 10% of value with money from a loan at 2% with a 50 term.

You don't think that's a gift? Do you have goods to sell me, or simply money to lend me on those terms?

[G-Man 1]

The USA should have taken Canada as repayment for WW1 and WW2 debt and keeping the communist from taken them over. But then again half of the Brits were commie sympathizers.

[J_Baird]

Unfortunatly neither Germany nor France paid their debt. I believe Britain is the only country to have paid us back.

[MuttTheHoople]

DARN! There goes our plot to make England our 51st State.

[Moonman62]

Writing off 90% of the debt and giving them a 2% interest rate was subjugation? Was Keynes right about anything?

[Moonman62]

Not only that but they were allowed to defer payments, and did.

[Moonman62]

The Nazi's had to be defeated, with or without British help. The Brits knew that in 1939 and they fought alone as the Wests only bulwark against Hitler until 1942.

It was in Britain's interest to fight the Nazis. We came to their aid, not the other way around.

[hnj_00]

good article...brings out how some people feel again...blame america...yeah that's right...it was the US fault to fight in european war theatres 20 years apart in the first half of the 20th century saving freedom!!!

when will the french start paying back their debts?????

[Androcles]

The USA should have taken Canada as repayment for WW1 and WW2 debt and keeping the communist from taken them over. But then again half of the Brits were commie sympathizers

Well, the US did demand and receive bases from the Brits which gave them a force projection capacity hey'd never had and Britain had to thank them for the privilege...but it was worth it to Britain, given the alternative. Both countries got a reasonable deal.

[Farmer Dean]

Still waiting to hear from the French about their war debt.

[IronJack]

By my way of seeing it, we owe Britain at least as much as they owe us. They were the rampart of Fortress Europe; without them, we never could have launched the counteroffensive that ultimately drove to Berlin. Their courage during the Blitz and the bleak days after Dunkirk is an object lesson for any nation beset by implacable enemies. Love them or hate them, they have proven dependable allies with steel in their spines.

By standing true to their debt, they have proven that their honor is equally staunch.

[SeeSalt]

"Some critics, including Lord Keynes, saw the loan as a means used by America to subjugate Britain after the war."


Britain exist in nowadays as we know it due to America.If America wouldn't have got in WWII and wouldn't help Britain the Shakespeare language would sound like that:landwirshaflihenproductiongenosenshaft.

[Basheva]

I think we should have forgiven Britain this WW2 debt.

However, we should sue for reparations for burning the White House in the War of 1812.

And for damages during the Revolutionary War.

At today's rate.

[Condor51]

***Unfortunatly neither Germany nor France paid their debt. I believe Britain is the only country to have paid us back.****

Wrong, right and 1/2 right

Germany repaid its war debt in 1960
France never did.
Until we receive this final payment GB still owes us money.

The 1953 London Debt Agreement, or the German debt

Germany was the FIRST country to pay us back. And yes the terms were favorable, so were the terms we gave to everyone else.

[buck61]

I sometimes think the only reason God can bless America is because we are feeding over half the worlds population.

God sure isn't blessing America for its life style. homosexuals, and abortion, just for starters.

[Mashood]

One of the only other country to pay us back from WWII is Taiwan.

[DeaconBenjamin2]

Not to state that you are not correct, but why would a Japanese colony repay US WWII loans? Or did you mean the ROC?