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The Great War, 1914-18

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shadowen On March 22, 2024




Bunyip Bend, Australia
#1New Post! Aug 04, 2014 @ 15:50:12
This is a forum to discuss the Great War that lasted from July 28, 1914, until November 11, 1918.

The war resulted in the deaths of approx 8 1/2 to 11 million soldiers and some 6 1/2 million civilians. A further 22-24 million soldiers were physically wounded (required evacuation from the front lines).

The war involved military forces from 22 different nations with fighting taking place in many parts of the world...
dookie On December 16, 2023
Foolish Bombu





, United Kingdom
#2New Post! Aug 04, 2014 @ 17:59:57
I remember reading Martin Gilbert's fine book on the First World War, where he reached the point of describing one of the the very first skirmishes between the opposing armies. He spoke of 9000 casualties and asked the reader to stop, think and consider. Many more such battles would be spoken of, many more numbers of dead and wounded given in the following pages. It would be easy to jump across each mention. Martin Gilbert asked us to just think that each was a human being like ourselves, each had loved ones who would hear of their death or injury. The power of words. Martin Gilbert's words should be remembered.
Willi On August 21, 2018




northinmind,
#3New Post! Aug 05, 2014 @ 00:52:55
humans sure kill well.
just think if we made peace as well as we make war.
but then it's hard to force peace.
war is much easier to force on folks.
shadowen On March 22, 2024




Bunyip Bend, Australia
#4New Post! Aug 05, 2014 @ 05:08:02
@dookie Said

I remember reading Martin Gilbert's fine book on the First World War, where he reached the point of describing one of the the very first skirmishes between the opposing armies. He spoke of 9000 casualties and asked the reader to stop, think and consider. Many more such battles would be spoken of, many more numbers of dead and wounded given in the following pages. It would be easy to jump across each mention. Martin Gilbert asked us to just think that each was a human being like ourselves, each had loved ones who would hear of their death or injury. The power of words. Martin Gilbert's words should be remembered.


Absolutely
shadowen On March 22, 2024




Bunyip Bend, Australia
#5New Post! Aug 05, 2014 @ 05:08:48
In Flanders Fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields
dookie On December 16, 2023
Foolish Bombu





, United Kingdom
#6New Post! Aug 05, 2014 @ 07:26:20
Sea of poppies
shadowen On March 22, 2024




Bunyip Bend, Australia
#7New Post! Aug 05, 2014 @ 14:34:48
a bit of trivia...

The first shot fired by the British or Commonwealth forces in World War I was not on the battlefields of Europe - it came from a windswept fort south of Melbourne, half a world away.

A 24-year-old Australian soldier fired on the German merchant ship, SS Pfalz, which was attempting to flee Melbourne less than four hours after hostilities began.

John Purdue, a sergeant with the army's Royal Australian Garrison Artillery, was stationed at Fort Nepean on the Mornington Peninsula. At 12.45pm on August 5, 1914, he was ordered to fire on the Pfalz to stop it escaping Port Phillip Bay into the open sea. From his gun emplacement, and with support from his team, he blasted a shell across its bow.

The Pfalz, which was carrying German consular officials and contraband, was captured and used as an Australian troop ship in the war. Its crew was interned as prisoners of war.
Conflict On about 5 hours ago




Alcalá de Henares, Spain
#8New Post! Aug 07, 2014 @ 08:03:39
Helo, Shadowen. Congratulations on creating another thread on the topic of the Great War. It goes to show that I am not the only one who believes this historical event to be worthy of discussion.

The four years of this conflict introduced the concepts of modern warfare very well, such as the use of the tank to overwhelm trench defenses and barbed wire, more complex fighting methods such as using grenades to flush out the enemy or dispatch a group of them in one fell swoop.

A century down the line, WW1 still resonates very well. It´s a fine subject of history for anyone to study.
Dredd On August 16, 2015




Sheffield, United Kingdom
#9New Post! Aug 07, 2014 @ 09:43:39
@dookie Said

I remember reading Martin Gilbert's fine book on the First World War, where he reached the point of describing one of the the very first skirmishes between the opposing armies. He spoke of 9000 casualties and asked the reader to stop, think and consider. Many more such battles would be spoken of, many more numbers of dead and wounded given in the following pages. It would be easy to jump across each mention. Martin Gilbert asked us to just think that each was a human being like ourselves, each had loved ones who would hear of their death or injury. The power of words. Martin Gilbert's words should be remembered.


I remember something similar from a book, when describing the number of bodies found in one mass grave in Bosnia, describing hundreds, the auther asks us to think of everyone that we know, and that in most cases we wont even know that many people!
dookie On December 16, 2023
Foolish Bombu





, United Kingdom
#10New Post! Aug 07, 2014 @ 10:48:27
@Dredd Said

I remember something similar from a book, when describing the number of bodies found in one mass grave in Bosnia, describing hundreds, the auther asks us to think of everyone that we know, and that in most cases we wont even know that many people!



Something seems to happen to the human brain when it deals with groups, and sees a group rather than an individual. Same as when we get into a group.

shadowen On March 22, 2024




Bunyip Bend, Australia
#11New Post! Aug 07, 2014 @ 13:30:08
@Conflict Said

Helo, Shadowen. Congratulations on creating another thread on the topic of the Great War. It goes to show that I am not the only one who believes this historical event to be worthy of discussion.

The four years of this conflict introduced the concepts of modern warfare very well, such as the use of the tank to overwhelm trench defenses and barbed wire, more complex fighting methods such as using grenades to flush out the enemy or dispatch a group of them in one fell swoop.

A century down the line, WW1 still resonates very well. It´s a fine subject of history for anyone to study.


World War 1 really did mark a significant change in tactics (and to a lesser degree strategy) as the conflict progressed. The machine gun really made it's mark, of course there was the introduction of the tank and the increasing use of aircraft. Indeed General Sir John Monash really pioneered the all arms approach to warfare and was one of the earliest proponents of using tanks in concentrated numbers.

Monash also introduced the concept that soldiers be trained to do the job of someone at least two ranks higher than they themselves were. Furthermore, he introduced a system whereby all ranks would be briefed on upcoming operations. Units were therefore told what the objectives were and what resources were available, but they were given flexibility in how they achieved their objectives. This gave the AIF greater flexibility than most other armies as troops on the ground could react to changing circumstances without having to send back the information to HQ and then await a reply.

He preached flexibity at all levels and concentrating forces at the decisive point of impact. His beliefs influenced General Hans von Seeckt who in turn was hugely influencial in the post war German army.

Generals Heinz Guderian, Erich von Manstein and Erwin Rommel, who served in the Great War, were also strong advocates of using concentrated armoured units with close air support, and mechanised troops following in close support. de Gaulle also held similiar views.
shadowen On March 22, 2024




Bunyip Bend, Australia
#12New Post! Aug 07, 2014 @ 13:45:28
There was a story published recently where a father enlisted along with 4 of his sons. The father's letters tell us that his main motive for enlisting was to try and protect his sons. Unfortunately the father and two of his sons were killed during the battle of Pozières. A fifth son enlisted in 1916 (despite being only 17 yrs of age) and was later killed during the battle of Amiens. Another of the sons had died ealier during the Third Battle of Ypres. Only one son came home alive and he was struck and killed by a car in 1922...
shadowen On March 22, 2024




Bunyip Bend, Australia
#13New Post! Aug 07, 2014 @ 13:47:18
One book that seeks to humanise at least some of the soldiers who fought in the Great War is called "Lost Boys of Anzac" by Professor Peter Stanley
dookie On December 16, 2023
Foolish Bombu





, United Kingdom
#14New Post! Aug 07, 2014 @ 13:51:49
@shadowen Said

There was a story published recently where a father enlisted along with 4 of his sons. The father's letters tell us that his main motive for enlisting was to try and protect his sons. Unfortunately the father and two of his sons were killed during the battle of Pozières. A fifth son enlisted in 1916 (despite being only 17 yrs of age) and was later killed during the battle of Amiens. Another of the sons had died ealier during the Third Battle of Ypres. Only one son came home alive and he was struck and killed by a car in 1922...



"Try"...........yes, "try". Little hope of protecting anyone given the descriptions of the combat in the various journals and diaries I have read.

shadowen On March 22, 2024




Bunyip Bend, Australia
#15New Post! Aug 07, 2014 @ 13:58:37
@dookie Said

"Try"...........yes, "try". Little hope of protecting anyone given the descriptions of the combat in the various journals and diaries I have read.



Yes, unfortunately there was no way he could protect his sons in the hell of Pozières...no one could. But as a father he felt he had to try.

In less than an hour a mother lost her husband and two sons. Two girls lost their father and two brothers...unfortunatley such losses were suffered by countless families in so many countries...
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