I read the book as well and my school took us to see the film. What you say about the stupid loss of life is true.
However, some did benefit. One group of people said they could get another country to join in the war and that would tip the balance. All they wanted in return was a beachfront country at the end of the Mediteranean Sea for their people.
The Military Industrial Complex was born. They made a small fortune.
Huge reparations were required from Germany who were still paying in the 1980s. Who does not like free money?
Also, it set things up nicely for WW2. Parts of Germany were split off and given to Germany's neighbours. The Germans who ended up in Poland were severly persecuted by the Poles (just like Russians in Ukraine - parallel anyone?) to the point where they were tortured and killed. Germany tried to get Poland to desist but they refused to listen.
Eventually, Germany lost patience and blitzkrieged its way into a large Polish city within 24 hours. Poland immediately started looking for its victim cards. And the rest is history ...
I read the book as well and my school took us to see the film. What you say about the stupid loss of life is true.
However, some did benefit. One group of people said they could get another country to join in the war and that would tip the balance. All they wanted in return was a beachfront country at the end of the Mediteranean Sea for their people.
The Military Industrial Complex was born. They made a small fortune.
Huge reparations were required from Germany who were still paying in the 1980s. Who does not like free money?
Also, it set things up nicely for WW2. Parts of Germany were split off and given to Germany's neighbours. The Germans who ended up in Poland were severly persecuted by the Poles (just like Russians in Ukraine - parallel anyone?) to the point where they were tortured and killed. Germany tried to get Poland to desist but they refused to listen.
Eventually, Germany lost patience and blitzkrieged its way into a large Polish city within 24 hours. Poland immediately started looking for its victim cards. And the rest is history ...