Something to ponder. . . .

Cookeh · 11 Nov 2010 at 19:31

I came across an astounding statistic today;

Since the 1900's, there has only been 1 year that no British servicemen/women have been killed in a war.

For those interested, that year was 1968.

How appalling.

fiveub · 11 Nov 2010 at 19:34

That is pretty crazy, where did you hear/see this?

daz · 11 Nov 2010 at 19:36

I suspect you could say the same for most other permanent members of the UN Security Council.

sanaxe1 · 11 Nov 2010 at 19:37

Their have only been a total of 26 days since 1945 that all nations of the world have been at peace.

Smitho3 · 11 Nov 2010 at 19:40

Until the world has a common enemy it will continue to be a staging ground for countless wars. It is a pretty shocking statistic considering we have only really been in about 7 major conflicts this century and the last.

godinman · 11 Nov 2010 at 19:41

sanaxe1 said:
There have only been a total of 26 days since 1945 that all nations of the world have been at peace.

Cookeh · 11 Nov 2010 at 19:42

5UB said:
That is pretty crazy, where did you hear/see this?

My Head of Year used it in an assembly.
Think it was off a history site - could always ask him if you wish to know more

Greenlizard0 · 11 Nov 2010 at 19:42

Isn't there an old saying that America prefers wars than peace time? There's far more money involved.

Redman · 11 Nov 2010 at 19:43

Cookeh said:
I came across an astounding statistic today;

Since the 1900's, there has only been 1 year that no British servicemen/women have been killed in a war.

For those interested, that year was 1968.

How appalling.

You seem to misunderstand what the military is for, and why nations have them. Of course deaths are never welcome, it is a chance taken in such a career.

Cookeh · 11 Nov 2010 at 19:47

Greenlizard0 said:
Isn't there an old saying that America prefers wars than peace time? There's far more money involved.

Erm, not sure how to take this.
Only way I can see America making money is through strengthened economy due to a booming arms industry.
However, this would surely be countered by the costs of weaponry (e.g. $£££ millions per plane $ billions for others) and through things like funeral services.

However, wouldn't surprise me if that saying did exist.

Cookeh · 11 Nov 2010 at 19:49

Redman said:
You seem to misunderstand what the military is for, and why nations have them. Of course deaths are never welcome, it is a chance taken in such a career.

No, I fully understand that.
The OP was more of a sobering fact caused by the tragedy of war.
I am well aware its a chance taken in such a career - but is it truly necessary for British servicemen/women to have been engaged in wars for such a great amount of time.

Cosimo · 11 Nov 2010 at 19:50

I heard this sobering Great War statistic on the news this evening.

Just under 1 in 10 men under the age of 45 did not come back home from the war.

That is just mind-boggling.

Greenlizard0 · 11 Nov 2010 at 19:50

Cookeh said:
Erm, not sure how to take this.
Only way I can see America making money is through strengthened economy due to a booming arms industry.
However, this would surely be countered by the costs of weaponry (e.g. $£££ millions per plane $ billions for others) and through things like funeral services.

However, wouldn't surprise me if that saying did exist.

But it's not just arms and military related goods or services though. War's a fantastic driver of technology and that can push almost all other industries.

[TW]Fox · 11 Nov 2010 at 19:51

simulatorman said:
I heard this sobering Great War statistic on the news this evening.

Just under 1 in 10 men under the age of 45 did not come back home from the war.

That is just mind-boggling.

Put the other way it means fighting in WW1 had a 90% survival rate?

Cookeh · 11 Nov 2010 at 19:52

[TW]Fox;17769553 said:
Put the other way it means fighting in WW1 had a 90% survival rate?

Yes, think there's a typo there

Cookeh · 11 Nov 2010 at 19:53

Greenlizard0 said:
But it's not just arms and military related goods or services though. War's a fantastic driver of technology and that can push almost all other industries.

Ah, I'd never thought of that link.

Also, your sig continually changing is confusing

Vonhelmet · 11 Nov 2010 at 20:05

Greenlizard0 said:
But it's not just arms and military related goods or services though. War's a fantastic driver of technology and that can push almost all other industries.

Further reading at Wikipedia

Chilling quote:

Wikipedia said:
US President George W. Bush told his Argentine counterpart Néstor Kirchner during a summit in Mexico that the war economy has stimulated US growth and the "best way to revitalize the economy is war."