WWI - Losers ask Winners not to Celebrate
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WWI - Losers ask Winners not to Celebrate
Germany intervenes in WW1 commemoration debate
Germany has intervened in the debate over how to mark the centenary of the First World War, with a call for Britain not to make its commemorations too celebratory.
....In Britain, an advisory board of historians, writers, religious leaders and retired military figures has been formed to advise the Government on commemorations. The panel includes Professor Sir Hew Strachan, from Oxford University, who has been one of those calling for a greater emphasis on celebrations. Officials from the German embassy also met with him, to discuss the issues.
He said: “I understand Germany’s position. There is no virtue in offending Germany. But if we are going to honest to the history of this war from a British perspective, then it can’t all be about waste and futility. A lot of people fought and died thinking it was worthwhile. We need to respect what those motivations were. It’s not about being triumphalist, or even necessarily celebratory. It is about acknowledging that when the war ended there was a victory. The allies thought it was pretty important and would have been pretty disastrous if they had lost it.”..........
Germany has intervened in the debate over how to mark the centenary of the First World War, with a call for Britain not to make its commemorations too celebratory.
....In Britain, an advisory board of historians, writers, religious leaders and retired military figures has been formed to advise the Government on commemorations. The panel includes Professor Sir Hew Strachan, from Oxford University, who has been one of those calling for a greater emphasis on celebrations. Officials from the German embassy also met with him, to discuss the issues.
He said: “I understand Germany’s position. There is no virtue in offending Germany. But if we are going to honest to the history of this war from a British perspective, then it can’t all be about waste and futility. A lot of people fought and died thinking it was worthwhile. We need to respect what those motivations were. It’s not about being triumphalist, or even necessarily celebratory. It is about acknowledging that when the war ended there was a victory. The allies thought it was pretty important and would have been pretty disastrous if they had lost it.”..........
Rather than bragging about a Win.....why not commemorate the Losses on both sides and agree to put an end to War if at all humanly possible?
There are no "winners" in War....just one side that loses more.
There are no "winners" in War....just one side that loses more.
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Dear me, are they suddenly getting sensitive? How very un-German.
SASless, i'm not sure you're correct. In a clear cut victory against unwarranted aggression such as WWs I and II there certainly are winners and losers.
In - er - less definable results like VietNam you are probably right.
SASless, i'm not sure you're correct. In a clear cut victory against unwarranted aggression such as WWs I and II there certainly are winners and losers.
In - er - less definable results like VietNam you are probably right.
Last edited by Agaricus bisporus; 18th Aug 2013 at 17:10.
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With you 500N, I always thought they were an act of remembrance and reflection brought about by the hope that in remembering them we will learn from it and never again go down the path of total war, and in doing so you remember both sides.
I will always remember that closing scene of the last Blackadder as an inspirational way to end one of this Countries finest comedies whilst bring home the futility of it all and honouring those that that died. Simply perfection.
..
I will always remember that closing scene of the last Blackadder as an inspirational way to end one of this Countries finest comedies whilst bring home the futility of it all and honouring those that that died. Simply perfection.
..
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Nutloose
Thanks
"and in doing so you remember both sides. "
Especially over the last few years, at least in Aus where at certain services
(not all) they have had the Ambassador from the enemy countries
- Japan being one, Turkey being the other and very prominent.
Thanks
"and in doing so you remember both sides. "
Especially over the last few years, at least in Aus where at certain services
(not all) they have had the Ambassador from the enemy countries
- Japan being one, Turkey being the other and very prominent.
AB,
Politicians may think Victory....and some may think they are right....but those that pay the price for Politicians scheming may not be so enthusiastic.
Politicians may think Victory....and some may think they are right....but those that pay the price for Politicians scheming may not be so enthusiastic.
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WWI - Losers ask Winners not to Celebrate
It should be a commemoration of the lives lost on both sides to give us all the freedom we enjoy today. That said, history is generally written by the victors. But we should celebrate and commemorate in equal measure and ignore the thoughts of a minority who don't want to offend Germany!
So they are not going to find a current sqn with a good record of WW1 'kills' and paint up the tail with a depiction of a enemy plane going down in flames? Damn....... or should I say Dam?
Lets us remember the dead of all nations - just look at French war memorials - but also remember who won, and had to do it again a generation later, and hope there will be no more.
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Germany has intervened in the debate over how to mark the centenary of the First World War, with a call for Britain not to make its commemorations too celebratory.
My grandfather and his two brothers were killed in Ypres in 1915. My father was a POW in Singapore.
While we must acknowledge that we fought to stop aggression, did so successfully, and I honour our war dead, we must never forget the needless waste - of life and cultural heritage.
We should not celebrate but, instead, vow never ever to do it again. I can't tell you how strongly I feel about this.
While we must acknowledge that we fought to stop aggression, did so successfully, and I honour our war dead, we must never forget the needless waste - of life and cultural heritage.
We should not celebrate but, instead, vow never ever to do it again. I can't tell you how strongly I feel about this.
Dog Tired
I wish older school-children were taken to Ypres and attend the evening ceremony at the Gate as part of their education in Matters of Importance.
Then, they would never forget.
Then, they would never forget.
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And then on to Auschwitz.
Just another erk
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The only winners in war are those that live through the fighting. Notice how not many politicians take part, yet seem to start them all. Lets honour the dead on all sides.
AB,
If you think that....about clear cut winners.....how do you explain what happened in the UK post WWII.....Rationing, Political unrest, unemployment, nationalization of industry, housing shortages, etc......and then compare that to Germany's successful rebuilding and return to be a major economic power?
Twas not a good or easy time for you Brits after the War.
If you think that....about clear cut winners.....how do you explain what happened in the UK post WWII.....Rationing, Political unrest, unemployment, nationalization of industry, housing shortages, etc......and then compare that to Germany's successful rebuilding and return to be a major economic power?
Twas not a good or easy time for you Brits after the War.