Doesn't your parliament have anything better to do than arguing about how to rewrite history. FFS, just tell what happened.
Indeed. There are some who believe that siding with Imperialist Russia was an assault upon the common man. I do know, however, that British Aristocracy were falling over themselves to get to the Western front. With their 'tally ho's' they fell and died in those trenches along with the common men. Hundred's and thousands of them. I don't know if it was a 'just' war or not. It was a bloody stupid one.
The most memorable event in my mind of that time was the 'Christmas Truce'. An event of which either side can be proud of. Not an official truce made by decorated officers but one made from the banter that developed at the front line. Trench warfare dictated that some points of the line was only yards away from the enemy. This meant that both sides could effectively shout to the other. This was common. They would also hold up boards with messages written on them. British black humour and sarcasm would often be demonstrated with words like "you missed" or "left a bit" It was this important dialogue that led to an unofficial truce along most of the front line on 24th and 25th December. The Germans main christmas celebration is held on the 24th and they begun to sing carols. The British answered back with carols too. Good wishes were exchanged. In places, men stepped out of their trenches and met the enemy half way. They shook hands. Exchanged cigarettes. And yes they played football. They agreed to put their guns down for Christmas. It was a common sense arrangement which also allowed both sides to bury their dead.
I love that story. It was not one I learned about in school. For some bizarre reason those in high places did not acknowledge the truce. There is plenty of evidence that it happened.
Letter from Private H Scrutton, Essex Regiment, published in the Norfolk Chronicle on January 1, 1915
From out trenches: "Good morning Fritz." (No answer).
"Good morning Fritz." (Still no answer).
"GOOD MORNING FRITZ."
From German trenches: "Good morning."
From our trench: "How are you?"
"All right."
"Come over here, Fritz."
"No. If I come I get shot."
"No you won't. Come on."
"No fear."
"Come and get some fags, Fritz."
"No. You come half way and I meet you."
"All right."
One of our fellows thereupon stuffed his pocket with fags and got over the trench.. The German got over his trench, and right enough they met half way and shook hands, Fitz taking the fags and giving cheese in exchange
Forget about the politics of the war. Children should be told this story. *It is one of the most poignant Christmas Stories in 2000 years*
Thousands of men on both sides in the gravest of situations thought 'Fuck this for a game of soldiers, let's play football' - Priceless! Human! Brilliant!
I wonder if the powers that be did not want to make a big thing of this because in a war where thousands of lives were sacrificed in order to gain 'inches' of territory it was one of the only sensible actions. And it was made by 'lowly'' privates, and it was made against orders. :viking:
Views on this war will differ greatly. I don't think it matters. No one can say these men did not suffer. It was a horrible war. Trench warfare is not a stroll in the park. I think those who participated (on both sides) showed courage and endurance. Many paid the ultimate price. They ought to be remembered.
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.
Laurence Binyon