From Armistice Day to 11.11.11 - Landscapes of WW1
Remembrance Day ( or also known as Armistice Day ) is on November 11th 1918 ( the "eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month" of 1918 ) commemorating the cessation of hostilities of World War I.
I stumbled across a website that lists some pictures of landscapes that remain pretty much untouched since WWI.
Shell shock: Lochnagar Crater at the Somme as it is today. The picture is part of a collection of World War One landscapes which still bear the signs of war damage
The big bang: The detonation of buried British mines that formed the Lochnagar crater. The blast was heard 160 miles away in London in 1917
Source and more pics with stories at:
Re: From Armistice Day to 11.11.11 - Landscapes of WW1
I visited the Somme battlefields and Ypres last year and found it a profoundly moving and sobering experience. There are battle scars all over both areas and I was amazed to hear how much old ammunition is still turned up by farmers ploughing fields and left at the side of the road for the army to come and pick up /dispose of. I understand that old gas shells are picked up as a priority as they are still exceedingly dangerous.
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I visited the Somme battlefields and Ypres last year and found it a profoundly moving and sobering experience. There are battle scars all over both areas and I was amazed to hear how much old ammunition is still turned up by farmers ploughing fields and left at the side of the road for the army to come and pick up /dispose of. I understand that old gas shells are picked up as a priority as they are still exceedingly dangerous.
Could not agree more. Gave a short visit to the Verdun area in the mid80ies and was impressed in a way. Neither shocked nor surprised as I knew what scars weaponry causes but impressed to see that it is visible after so many years
A moving poem. But, even the youngest soldier between 1914 and 1918 in 1918 was 18 years old and this means born in 1900 or rather BEFORE. Alright, Granddad was born in 1882 and Grandmum in 1881, so that they were in the generation of those who perished on the battlefields of WW-I. Had they died in those times they WOULD BE forgotten, only are NOT as they lived into the 1950ies and 60ies.
Amazing btw. is that I right now sit at the writing-desk inherited from Granddad
I felt a bit strange when being shown in Shreveport Louisiana the Memorial commemorating the unknown fallen Confederate soldier of the 1861-65 War of Secession.
While there of course have been more wars since 1945, what counts is that all the conflicts were, are and hopefully will be contained and will not and never become worldwide ever again as few of us in such a case would see a peaceful world ever again
Re: From Armistice Day to 11.11.11 - Landscapes of WW1
I always find Wilfred Owen's "Anthem for Doomed Youth" to be most fitting.
What passing-bells for these who die as cattle?
Only the monstrous anger of the guns.
Only the stuttering rifles' rapid rattle
Can patter out their hasty orisons.
No mockeries now for them; no prayers nor bells;
Nor any voice of mourning save the choirs, –
The shrill, demented choirs of wailing shells;
And bugles calling for them from sad shires.
What candles may be held to speed them all?
Not in the hands of boys but in their eyes
Shall shine the holy glimmers of goodbyes.
The pallor of girls' brows shall be their pall;
Their flowers the tenderness of patient minds,
And each slow dusk a drawing-down of blinds.
Cheers,
Nick
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Re: From Armistice Day to 11.11.11 - Landscapes of WW1
I know, and have participated in Armistace Day commemerations in various countries outside the UK, but I am curious as to whether any other couuntries have this particular date as their oficial Memorial Day. Any other Commonwealth countries, perhaps? eg: I know that NZ has ANZAC Day in April.
I know, and have participated in Armistace Day commemerations in various countries outside the UK, but I am curious as to whether any other couuntries have this particular date as their oficial Memorial Day. Any other Commonwealth countries, perhaps? eg: I know that NZ has ANZAC Day in April.
In canada its 11.11.11 Month ,date ,houre ,we call it "Rememberings day" it honors of the Fallen ,active ones and the veterens .The pic is my youngest one presently in afganistan
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If you forget your past you are doomed to repeat it.
Today war and violence is glorified in popular culture - through films, games, books - to all but those on the front lines and those who have lost relatives, friends and loved ones.
It is not about moving on, it is about remembering those who died and useful reminder, on one day in 365, that war is not a game sold for 25 CHF.
Re: From Armistice Day to 11.11.11 - Landscapes of WW1
On May 23, 1915, Italy entered the war on the Entente side and declared war on Austria; previously, Italy had been a member of the Triple Alliance but had remained neutral since the beginning of the conflict.