WW1 started 100 years ago today

DoneADougalOnSofa

DoneADougalOnSofa

DoneADougalOnSofa

Associate
Joined
3 Feb 2012
Posts
2,269
Location
Bath
So at 11pm tonight, it will be exactly 100 years since Britain joined what was to become known as the Great War.
Over 17 million people died over the duration, with another ~20 million injured.

The horror and sheer atrocity of this human travesty must never be forgotten.
The trenches were the nearest thing we have ever seen to 'hell on Earth'.
Millions of brave young men went to fight, so few came back.

For my part, I would like to thank them all for their efforts and sacrifices.
I have studied WW1 fairly deeply, and the details never fail to bring a tear to my eyes.

I will never forget what those men did for us- I hope you won't either.

REST IN PEACE BOYS. And that goes for all nations. A senseless waste of life all round.

if_ye_break_faith_-_victory_bonds_poster_wwi_poppies_poppy.jpg
 
Last edited:
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.



John McCrae, May 1915.
 
How to die

Dark clouds are smouldering into red
While down the craters morning burns.
The dying soldier shifts his head
To watch the glory that returns;
He lifts his fingers toward the skies
Where holy brightness breaks in flame;
Radiance reflected in his eyes,
And on his lips a whispered name.

You’d think, to hear some people talk,
That lads go West with sobs and curses,
And sullen faces white as chalk,
Hankering for wreaths and tombs and hearses.
But they’ve been taught the way to do it
Like Christian soldiers; not with haste
And shuddering groans; but passing through it
With due regard for decent taste.

Siegfried Sassoon.
 
RIP for all. My family and I are grateful.

While this is a comedy it ends with one of the most poignant scenes that sums up the futility of it all:

 
The Great War was, in many ways, a senseless, complex and stupid war - one that sowed the seeds of World War Two. Against this dark canvas, the sacrifices and endured hardships of those good men, women and children stand even more starkly. Rest in peace.
 
Edrof said:
The Great War was, in many ways, a senseless, complex and stupid war - one that sowed the seeds of World War Two. Against this dark canvas, the sacrifices and endured hardships of those good men, women and children stand even more starkly. Rest in peace.
Click to expand...

Absolutely pointless waste of life. From what I learn't it was the posturing of a mad German Emperor, backing up a fight between Austria-Hungary, and Serbia. Sadly it seems almost everyone had a treaty with another country meaning we all took sides like children in a school fight. Sad.
 
Staggering the amount of lives lost/injured :(

Have read and watched so many things relating to WW1 and 2, and still cant get to grips of how brave these people were fighting some of the most horrific battles.

Thoughts are with those who served, were injured, died - RIP - Never forgotten.
 
ChroniC said:
Absolutely pointless waste of life. From what I learn't it was the posturing of a mad German Emperor, backing up a fight between Austria-Hungary, and Serbia. Sadly it seems almost everyone had a treaty with another country meaning we all took sides like children in a school fight. Sad.
Click to expand...

From what I learnt, the roots go back to before he was even born. He was most of the final trigger, but not the main cause.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom