England
USA
Algeria
Slovenia
England
Well, it is probably quite lucky that England have been drawn in the same group as the USA, because if recent military history is anything to go by, without the Americans the English seem unable to actually win any serious conflicts. American involvement in both the World Wars helped to tip the balance back in the favour of the English, so the 'special relationship' could continue. Although it seems as if the partnership between the English and Americans is starting to wear off, as the engagements in Iraq and Afghanistan have not gone to plan. Of course England has a long and proud military history, with their navy the particular highlight. They have tended to struggle in South Africa however, and they seem not to have learned from their past problems on the Highveld, choosing to once again arrive wearing bright red.
Recommended reading:
ELI 32 British Forces in Zululand
GNM Young Nelsons
BTO 31 The Royal Navy
Raid 10 Certain Death in Sierra Leone - The SAS and Operation Barras 2000
USA
Well, it is probably quite lucky that the USA have been drawn in the same group as Engand, because if recent military history is anything to go by, without the English the Americans seem unable to actually win any serious conflicts. English involvement in both the World Wars helped to tip the balance back in the favour of the Americans, so the 'special relationship' could continue. Although it seems as if the partnership between the English and Americans is starting to wear off, as the engagements in Iraq and Afghanistan have not gone to plan. Of course the Americans have won some wars that they were involved in by themselves. The American Revolution and the American Civil War could both be chalked down as victories (one of which saw the English given a bit of a hiding) which should give them some confidence. The less said about Vietnam the better. The Americans have gone down the route of espionage in the run up to the World Cup, with a number of sleeper agents at English clubs this season. A sense of nepotism remains however, Mr Bush and Mr Bush have begun...and continued wars in recent times. This year the American coach has decided to pick his son. Hopefully the result will not be the same.
Recommended reading
ESP 1 The American Civil War
CMD 3 Patton
CMD 7 Robert E Lee
Raid 12 Roughshod through Dixie: Grierson's Raid
Algeria
The military history of the area that is now known as Algeria is incredibly rich - independence from Carthage, the Barbary wars (which incidentally saw them facing the Americans), French conquest, the basing of the French Foreign Legion in Algeria, German invasion during World War II, and ultimately the war for independence which saw Algeria emerge as a country. Since then the Algerians have spent a lot of time fighting over very little. In fact one of their wars must have just been over one of their nations most precious resources - sand, as they named their vicious conflict with Morocco The Sand War. They sent fighters and tanks to take part in the Yom Kippur war and more recently have sent non-combatant troops (what is the point of them?) to assist in the war against Afghanistan.
Recommended reading:
ESS 66 The Wars of the Barbary Pirates
MAA 312 The Algerian War
Slovenia
Formerly part of Yugoslavia, Slovenia is one of those countries which has only officially existed for a couple of decades, but has been a recognizable 'nation' for much longer than that. It's independence was greeted by an invasion by Yugoslav forces, in an 11 day war, which saw only 65 odd casualties. Since then, however Slovenia's military achievements have been negligible. Even their past as part of the holy Roman Empire and then the First and Second World Wars can't save Slovenia here - sure to prop up the table.
Recommended Reading
ESS 63 The Collapse of Yugoslavia
Group Winner
England, on goal difference (and because there is money resting on that outcome) - it is really only their longer history which has given them the edge over the Americans.
Runners-up
USA join England in the next round, teamed up like this could they make it all the way to the finals together?
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