Dave225 Posted August 18, 2013 Share Posted August 18, 2013 The Centenary of the start in 1914 and then the end of the Great War in 1918 is looming and it appears there are differing opinions on how this should be marked. I use the word ‘mark’ rather than celebrate as this is where some of the conflicting opinions are arising. Most of us of a certain vintage have learned all our lives that the Allies were the victors in WW1 and that it was started by a little German called the Kaiser who had ambitions to control Europe. Seem to have heard that one somewhere else I think. However, the current German government would prefer us to mark it as an episode of suffering on both sides (which indeed it was) and that we should look instead to the positives that the development of the EU has made in preventing further such conflicts rather than any form of jingoism. Personally although I sympathise with their loss of life, I do not share the belief that it was a total human catastrophe. If the Allies had not won the conflict we could ask ourselves what type of Europe we would be living in today and it is very unlikely it would be the ‘cosy club of nations’ that I guess we can agree is the current case, even if we disagree sometimes on how it is run. I also do accept that the actions of some of the ‘victors’ such as the French after 1918 certainly inflamed a bad situation and directly led to the rise of Hitler, which led to a re-run of the conflict. Similarly weak Governments in the UK allowed a situation to get far worse in the 1920’s and 30’s, due in no small way to a fear that WW1 would be repeated and some could rightly ask if the huge sacrifice made in WW1 was indeed worth it. It certainly did not stop an even more horrendous conflict 21 years later. But the fact remains the Allies did win the Great War and as such we should remember and celebrate the achievements made by all the allied personnel, both those that died and those that survived (who are of equal importance) and I am sorry but if the Germans do not like it, then tough. Again, I am sure that if the Kaiser or Hitler had won their wars then the relevant German celebrations would be well over the top for taste and diplomacy. Plus if the Germans feel this is a reason to not support desperately needed changes to the way the EU is heading, which is what some in Germany are suggesting ( I guess you could call that blackmail) , then I have even less time for them. Bluntly, call their bluff and show them for what they are. I also suggest that while Germany today may not be rolling Panzer tanks over international borders some of their actions are certainly not very sociable in other ways and that true diplomacy is still something they need to fully understand. Deep down in their psyche there is still a ‘take it or leave it’ approach to certain matters and a belief that they have all the answers. They do have answers but whether they are the right ones is the question. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest pelmetman Posted August 18, 2013 Share Posted August 18, 2013 Looking back I guess some UKIP cynics like me would suggest that the allies won two battles.........but Germany won the war *-).............. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
antony1969 Posted August 18, 2013 Share Posted August 18, 2013 Whatever peoples thoughts on the Great War or any war the fact is as I like many others who have looked around military cemeteries in France and Belgium cannot fail to be touched and thank those young lads that fought to preserve our way of life . Wether they thought looking at our country now they would think the sacrifice was worth it would be another thing . God bless those that marched off almost 100 years ago never to return . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pampam Posted August 27, 2013 Share Posted August 27, 2013 Wouldn't it be great if we had a whole day off shops etc CLOSED so we could spend day with family and friends even pubs shut. I'd do it without pay t think that would be best otherwise it would be just a normal day. L est we forget eh?? Pp Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tracker Posted August 27, 2013 Share Posted August 27, 2013 Pampam - 2013-08-27 7:55 PM Wouldn't it be great if we had a whole day off shops etc CLOSED so we could spend day with family and friends even pubs shut. I'd do it without pay t think that would be best otherwise it would be just a normal day. Lest we forget eh?? Pp Why not have two - 28/7/2014 and again on 11/11/2018 - lest we forget. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pampam Posted August 27, 2013 Share Posted August 27, 2013 Could you imagine the likes of tesco agreeing with that 2days?? I'd be happy with the 11th hey how weird is that am watching downton abbey and they've just declared war. Pp actually might write to my mp mr milliband and request it. Pp Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tracker Posted August 27, 2013 Share Posted August 27, 2013 No need to worry poor Mr Bean Pam as by the time 2018 comes I suspect that he may well also be part of history! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CliveH Posted August 27, 2013 Share Posted August 27, 2013 I would say we should do something. But to be fair - I would hate it to be a government sponsored "thing" In many ways it was the stupidity of the then governments that started the 1914/18 conflict. Sadly - I see similar levels of government stupidity 100 years later. So I suggest whatever is done should be via those on the receiving end of Government idiocy. I was always moved to see the town of Wootton Basset honour the fallen. Something similar - with those that want to simply standing on their local High Street at 11am on the 11th November 2014 would be my suggestion. It could be done on the 28th July 2014 of course - which in many ways would be better still. .......... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kelly58 Posted August 27, 2013 Share Posted August 27, 2013 My father was born in February 1900 and enlisted in the Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry in June 1916 aged 16 and servered on many fronts in France and Belgium, after 1918 he continued serving in Mesipitania on the north west frontier and was according to his discharge papers demobbed in 1922 .Then in 1939 he re enlisted to serve in the 2nd WW. Unfortunately he said very little of his time in the armed services like a lot of his generation he just wanted to put it behind him . I have read many books of WW1 and find it hard to believe the conditions they had to live through , if you can get a copy one of the best accounts is well documented in a book called Somme Mud. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pampam Posted August 28, 2013 Share Posted August 28, 2013 I just think how nice it would be to have "peace"as in no cars on road no pubs and shops open etc just peace and quiet and some nice remembrance music on radio (it's just me being whimsical) having three sons I always think of the young men who had such a horrific time in trenches etc and I just think we should honour their memory in some way . But perhaps NOT a celebrity concert in Hyde park with fireworks but something more personal and private but that's just what I'd like ,what would others prefer? Or are most people not fussed ? Pp Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
antony1969 Posted August 29, 2013 Share Posted August 29, 2013 Pampam - 2013-08-28 9:26 PM I just think how nice it would be to have "peace"as in no cars on road no pubs and shops open etc just peace and quiet and some nice remembrance music on radio (it's just me being whimsical) having three sons I always think of the young men who had such a horrific time in trenches etc and I just think we should honour their memory in some way . But perhaps NOT a celebrity concert in Hyde park with fireworks but something more personal and private but that's just what I'd like ,what would others prefer? Or are most people not fussed ? Pp We usually do quite well with things like this us Brits , as long as it's never forgotten is fine by me . On a recent trip to France we dropped off at Etaples to pay respects at the war graves , over 10.000 young lads and a few nurses also I might add . Anyone who goes to these places who is not moved is not human . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tracker Posted August 29, 2013 Share Posted August 29, 2013 Perhaps the Lottery could fund for as many school trips as possible for youngsters to visit such places, and maybe the D day beaches and places like Auschwitz. From the news pictures of those young people who have made such visits it does seem to have an impact and hopefully makes them think? Although I suppose in today's PC sanitised world all the youngsters will have to have counselling before and after! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CliveH Posted August 29, 2013 Share Posted August 29, 2013 Pampam - 2013-08-28 9:26 PM I just think how nice it would be to have "peace"as in no cars on road no pubs and shops open etc just peace and quiet and some nice remembrance music on radio (it's just me being whimsical) having three sons I always think of the young men who had such a horrific time in trenches etc and I just think we should honour their memory in some way . But perhaps NOT a celebrity concert in Hyde park with fireworks but something more personal and private but that's just what I'd like ,what would others prefer? Or are most people not fussed ? Pp I like that idea Pam. I think something should be done But I want it to be a personal thing not a big event. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pepe63xnotuse Posted August 29, 2013 Share Posted August 29, 2013 CliveH - 2013-08-29 11:44 AM Pampam - 2013-08-28 9:26 PM I just think how nice it would be to have "peace"as in no cars on road no pubs and shops open etc just peace and quiet and some nice remembrance music on radio (it's just me being whimsical) having three sons I always think of the young men who had such a horrific time in trenches etc and I just think we should honour their memory in some way . But perhaps NOT a celebrity concert in Hyde park with fireworks but something more personal and private but that's just what I'd like ,what would others prefer? Or are most people not fussed ? Pp I like that idea Pam. I think something should be done But I want it to be a personal thing not a big event. Same here, I do hope they don't just shove together yet another of those pitiful "celebrity concerts"... :-S As for, "are people fussed?"..well, I suppose we have to face the fact that, although the conflict was obviously on a different scale,for todays' teens/youngsters, WW1 is as far off for them, as the Crimean war was for the likes of my parents(and maybe some on here)when they were that age... My eldest is a secondary school teacher(although they probably don't call 'em secondary schools now)..and she accompanied a group of 14-15 year olds on a 3-4 day tour of war cemeteries. She fully expected them to be a real handful...but she came back really proud of them..as when faced with sight of the massed graves and the ages of those who lost their lives, she said they were all in tears..it really hit home to them... So maybe, instead of just sending kids off on skiing trips, perhaps some nationwide programme of similar visits would be in order..? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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