Oh how I cringe, now that I have read the blither coming out of the news reports. We become somewhat insulated over such tug-of-wars in other parts of the world as we watch how in America our politicians, the media, the entertainment industry and the ENTIRE education community (home schools excepted) are constantly waging war over Political Correctness, Social Engineering and Historical Revisionism. The casualties are mounting: Many-fold increase in the wounds of ignorance Gruesome amputations of common sense are prevelant Traumatic Brain Injuries from the concussive force of many new myths are on the rise I've attended too many funerals where true history is being buried alive Begin a pessimist, I am sorry to predict that the trend will only get worse until it collapses within itself. No society has survived these trends! Soooooo...what do we do? Put on the full armor of the historian. Keep reading, keep posting on these blogs, insulate ourselves from the ignorance by continuing to read scholarly history that is well researched and footnoted. Ask tough questions. And yes, as you folks are doing, stay involved in local events and help to portray how it really was, as my favorite historian, Leopold von Ranke put it, "wie es eigentlich gewesen". In other word truth in reporting history, how it really was. oz
[/quote] Hopefully Brian it will abate very soon. regards Clive[/quote] In relation to this subject I really wouldn't hold your breath chaps. Some who should really know better appear to be revelling in the squabble.
In Australia or should I say Point Cook RAAF base (now RAAF Williams) will be marking the 100 year Anniversary of Australian Military Aviation. This will be mainly for the Australian Flying Corps however many Australians also fought and died with the Royal Flying Corps, Royal Naval Air Service and by 1918, the Royal Air Force. All those British, Commonwealth/Empire aviators were truly "Those Magnificent Men in Those Flying Machines"! Cheers Geoff
There were remaindered copies of one of the new books published for the Centenary, '100 Days to Victory' by Saul David, in our local branch of 'The Works' a few weeks after publication. Not a good omen for the publishers hoping for an anniversary bonanza, perhaps.
I've just read that a candidate in the 'Miss Belgium' competition yesterday, in answer to the question: "When did the First World War begin" answered "Ten years ago" ! Perhaps it's only us who feels that there has been too much publicity ?
Works in Chatham Dockyard Outlet had PeterHarts latest The Great War from £25 down to £5.99 , reckon a few publishers might start to get the jitters?
Eine Beobachtung: Im Westen nichts Neues. ...................................... A translation into English (so the post is not ruled invalid by one of the moderators!) - One thought: All Quiet on the Western Front.
I'm just hoping I'm still compos mentis in 2039 - can't want to enjoy laughing at the revisionism THEN!
Who cares - I got my blinkers on, my fingers in ears. (I'm pretending it's all over already - as the Olympics eventually passed, so shall the Scottish referendum, the Commonwealth games and this rolling centenary.) It's yet another one of those things that give politicians & others too much air time for their waffling platitudes, box ticking, point scoring, etc. Most of us might well simply stick to what is personally of interest and relevance.
I am heading a working group for the local branch of the RBL (why did I volunteer I sometimes ask myself) for the WW1 Commemorations, and this year all we are doing is having a Drumhead Service followed by a Candlelit vigil ..... there are also a few of us researching the names on our 3 war memorials, which includes those who served and survived, and some who aren't mentioned at all!! And not having had a lot to do with WW1 (there weren't any Airborne you see) although my grandad was in it and I found out that I had some relatives I didn't know about, has made me want to learn some more, from a personal perspective. But each to his own Regards Andy PS. and I hope they do release the 1921 census and 1939 thing soon so I can do lots more diggin!
So far in the 7 Valleys a few exhibtions and various offical gatherings,and even the odd book! But it seems strange to me that back in Blighty for years there were moans of no tv no museum exhbtions,and the war is forgotten,now that same group are moaning that there is to much and spend hours pulling apart the tv and the books and saying wo is me to much will ignore it all hide under my rock and come out in 4 years time,and god forbid if someone suggests making a movie on the war THEIR WAR! more books please ,more tv and i aim to be at as many battlefields on the 100th as i can as well as 70th for WW2 and the 200th of Waterloo.
I am pleased to see many War Memorials in the UK getting a refurbishment due to the centenary.The Memorials often include WW1,WW2 and other conflict casualties. This is a positive.
Good point over the years have noticed various neglected or damaged out of the way memorials,so if it now means some councils are having to get their fingers out fantastic ,there is a memorial not far from me for Major Latham of 1812 Pennisular fame and from 2012 its now cleaned and on a touritst trail, yes i think some of the projects are doomed to fail,and the good and the great will see it as a photo opp but thats what they do bless em ,and its a hoot to seem them put foot in mouth,yes Dave 1000,000 dead on 1st July doooh!
I must admit I was quite looking forward to the upcoming centenary. Not anymore. If the constant arguing over the centenary being used as a battleground promoting right or left wing ideologies wasn't bad enough you now have the sight of the more Academic Historians slating everything and anything they are not personally involved with, be it TV, Radio or Online. Fair enough you might think but the fact is they then admit to not even watching or listening to the programmes made! Recently, users of a certain Social Media platform were treated to the unedifying sight of the Historical Consultant to the Paxman series basically distancing himself from about 75% of the content aired. The irony that he was quite prepared to still collect his fee having signed off on the series seemed lost on him. Thank god that the upcoming 70th Anniversaries of events in Italy, South East Asia, Normandy and NWE are being left in the hands of the enthusiastic and more openminded amateurs like us lot.
Interesting point ,why is it that the Great War gets them all gnashing their teeth and having a dose of the vapours, from academics to the key board warriors else where( no names no pack drill) but interestingly WW2 arguments are put forward people respond in a adult fashion ,programmes and films are shown and comments are made in a adult fashion , the last time I recall some one throwing their toys out of the pram was David Irving back on the Frost programme .
