Alex
>>In all major conflicts this century, the US had a significant advantage in that its civilian population and industry was not being hammered while it geared for war.<<
Unlike the French, Belgians, Poles, Brits, Russians and others whose civilian population and infrastructure was carefully targeted ASAP to prevent effective militarisation. If Europeans appeared to "need their bacon saved" by the US, perhaps it was because if civilians are in the firing line and productive capacity is overrun by a mechanised enemy, organised resistance is both difficult to mount and self-defeating.
Regards
JR
"... They ne'er cared for us
yet: suffer us to famish, and their store-houses
crammed with grain; make edicts for usury, to
support usurers; repeal daily any wholesome act
established against the rich, and provide more
piercing statutes daily, to chain up and restrain
the poor. If the wars eat us not up, they will; and
there's all the love they bear us."
-- Shakespeare: Coriolanus, Act 1, scene 1
