Another of the NAM's Polls: Britain's Greatest Battles | Online Exhibitions | National Army Museum, London
Interesting. So many battles from the world wars but I would anticipate something like waterloo to come out on top because it's an obvious battle where as it takes a little research and understanding to know battles from the world wars.
The selection criteria included: - political, historical and cultural impact - challenges faced by the Army - innovative use of strategy and tactics - global spread of British Army deployments - recognition of the vital contributions of Commonwealth troops
(1910) The Battles of the British Army - A Popular Account of All the Principle Engagements During the Last Hundred Years Internet Archive Search: British army The old colonel said to the new ensign my great grandfather fought with Wellington, Grandfather with Redvers Buller and my father with Haig - the young ensign said - argumentative sort of family what! Internet Archive Search: Waterloo AND subject:"Waterloo, Battle of, Waterloo, Belgium, 1815"
Battle of Britain? It is the National Army Museum, after all. The withdrawal in contact is reputed to be one of the most difficult military manoeuvres, so perhaps the 'retreat' to Dunkirk should be on the list.
The WW2 Battle of the Atlantic is missing altogether. This was the one battle that Britain could not afford to lose.
I note with shock that only ONE (!) of Britain's WWI land victories is listed (Megiddo). What the hell? Has anybody at the NAM ever heard of Amiens?? That's a lot "greater" than the Somme, in my opinion. Why do so many British people think Britain LOST the First World War?
Why do so many British people think Britain LOST the First World War? With respect, I don't know anybody, nor have I ever met anybody who thinks Britain lost WW1.
I note with shock that only ONE (!) of Britain's WWI land victories is listed (Megiddo). What the hell? Has anybody at the NAM ever heard of Amiens?? That's a lot "greater" than the Somme, in my opinion. Why do so many British people think Britain LOST the First World War? Probably because to pause in the centre of any British (or indeed French) village is to gain the impression that most communities did lose....Were there any winners ? Millions dead and their sons fighting over the same piece of ground a little over twenty years later.
V-P, you do realise that could be misread, don't you??? :p All good thread titles have a Marketing component!
With respect, I don't know anybody, nor have I ever met anybody who thinks Britain lost WW1. I am speaking in terms of the public and official memory of the war, which tends towards the lugubrious. No wars are cheerful and we must always respect the memory of the dead, but in terms of public memory great victories like Amiens seem to have fallen into obscurity in favor of the Somme and Passchendaele. My friend Peter Hart at the IWM often complains about this, and I think with some justice.
Were there any winners ? Millions dead and their sons fighting over the same piece of ground a little over twenty years later. Yes, there certainly were winners--the Allies, and a good thing too. I don't wish to demean the commemoration of the Great War dead, but as Orwell put it during WWII, "what if the Germans had won?"
I am speaking in terms of the public and official memory of the war, which tends towards the lugubrious. No wars are cheerful and we must always respect the memory of the dead, but in terms of public memory great victories like Amiens seem to have fallen into obscurity in favor of the Somme and Passchendaele. My friend Peter Hart at the IWM often complains about this, and I think with some justice. Well maybe that might have something to do with the abundance of popular histories written about the Somme and Passchendaele by authors like..er...Peter Hart.
I am speaking in terms of the public and official memory of the war Just a final thought. If that was the "official memory" didn't the British Government drop rather a large clanger by issuing something known as the Victory Medal to all those who served overseas between 1914-1918? Just a tad confused at what an official memory is actually supposed to mean?
