For the few on here that mentioned an interest in WWI I'm currently reading Storm of Steel by Earnst Junger. Very straight, unromantic account of the life of a German officer on the Western front. There's a new translation out in paperback now.
There's one story about WW1 that really gets to me, and that's the one about soldiers in the trenches stopping war for one Christmas day, both sides came together, wished each other merry christmas, and then restarted fighting the following day. An amazing story but just can't picture it!
The one which gets me is where the generals, fully aware that the armitice had been signed, were still ordering attacks right up to 11.00. The German's couldnt understand why men were still going over the top and running at machine gun fire when to all intents and purposes the war was over.
They were desperate to finish the war with more land gained than lost and didn't care about the men they were using to bolster their egos.
Sounds just like everyday for the previous 4 years.
Watched documentary recently on Gallipoli and the errors made.
Basically the 2nd landing was supposed to surround the Turks, giving the boys at the first landings and opportunity to push out, but despite landing in the middle of the night with total surprise the Generals just let the troops splash around on the beach whilst supplies were landed, instead of pushing on and taking the high ground, which meant the Turks could and then we couldnt get off the beach.... Exactly what had happened previously!
[cite]Posted By: Medders[/cite]There's one story about WW1 that really gets to me, and that's the one about soldiers in the trenches stopping war for one Christmas day, both sides came together, wished each other merry christmas, and then restarted fighting the following day. An amazing story but just can't picture it!
Amazing demonstration of the futility of it all. They actually stopped and had a kickabout in no-mans land didn't they?
Have a listen to the words to Altogether Now by The Farm next time you hear it - written about just that.
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They were desperate to finish the war with more land gained than lost and didn't care about the men they were using to bolster their egos.
Watched documentary recently on Gallipoli and the errors made.
Basically the 2nd landing was supposed to surround the Turks, giving the boys at the first landings and opportunity to push out, but despite landing in the middle of the night with total surprise the Generals just let the troops splash around on the beach whilst supplies were landed, instead of pushing on and taking the high ground, which meant the Turks could and then we couldnt get off the beach.... Exactly what had happened previously!
idiots!
Amazing demonstration of the futility of it all. They actually stopped and had a kickabout in no-mans land didn't they?
Have a listen to the words to Altogether Now by The Farm next time you hear it - written about just that.
Actually in a a lot of sectors there was no fraternization.
Having said that went to see a new client today who produce intelligence and insight on weapons and warfare so some one makes a living out of it.