German embassy calls for Britons not to celebrate First World War victory

[Locutus]

as centenary of conflict looms



A German envoy has urged Britons not to be too triumphant when they celebrate the centenary of the First World War over fears that it will cool relations between the two nations.

Andreas Meitzner, the country's special envoy to the centenary of the conflict, met with his British counterpart Andrew Murrison earlier this month to voice his concerns about the anniversary of the conflict.


Any excuse for a Python clip.

Basil Fawlty waits on the Germans - Fawlty Towers - BBC - YouTube

 

[Blackleaf]

Thankfully the British will ignore such silly political correctness from the Hun and hundreds of events around the country are being planned from 2014-2018 to mark the centenary of the Great War (which, Germans, the British Empire won).

Here's one of them....

World War I centenary: Paving stones to honour heroes

British infantrymen marching towards the front lines in the River Somme valley during World War I

Special paving stones will be laid in the home towns of every UK soldier awarded the Victoria Cross as part of 2014's World War I centenary events.

The specially-commissioned stones will be given to councils in the areas where the VC recipients were born.

A total of 28 will be unveiled next year to commemorate medals awarded in 1914 and others will be laid in every year up to 2018.

Plans to restore war memorials around the country have also been announced.

Help will be given to local communities and a website will be launched so people around the UK can obtain funding and support to ensure all memorials are in good condition by November 2018.

Communities secretary Eric Pickles revealed there will be a national competition to design the paving stones, which will have a QR barcode , which people can scan with a smartphone to learn more details about the recipient.

Mr Pickles said: "It is our duty to remember the British and Commonwealth troops who lost their lives fighting in the Great War and laying paving stones to mark these Victoria Cross heroes will ensure that there is a permanent memorial to all the fallen who fought for our country."

Culture Secretary Maria Miller said: "The First World War had a fundamental effect on the course of our history but as time passes, the living links that connect that terrible time and the present day have dwindled.

"So it is really important that we mark the centenary which saw some of the darkest days in our history and remind everyone of the sacrifice that was made - and how it has affected all our lives today."

The Heritage Lottery Fund has also announced the first grants under its new £6m First World War - Then and Now small grants programme.

A campaign is also being launched to get 100 employers signed up to the new Centenary Apprenticeship scheme in 100 days.

The aim is to get companies who existed 100 years ago, which focus on crafts with a modern application, to join up.

There will also be a programme of cultural events presented by the First World War Centenary Partnership, led by the Imperial War Museums who are launching an online centenary cultural events calendar on the centenary website at 1914.org.

Plans for two pupils and a teacher from every state-funded secondary school in England to visit the Western Front battlefields and for a service at Glasgow Cathedral on August 4 next year were announced last month.

The First World War


The First World War began in the summer of 1914 and ended on 11 November 1918 - which subsequently became Armistice Day.

• It involved all the world's major powers, but centred on a conflict in Europe between the Central Powers (Austria-Hungary, Germany, the Ottoman Empire) and the Allied forces (Britain, France, Russia).
• It was sparked by the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the throne of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Austria-Hungary blamed Serbia for the killing and because Europe was linked by a series of diplomatic alliances the affair escalated into full-scale war.
• Over 4.5m Britons served as soldiers during the war (in addition to over 3m troops from the British Empire).
• Around 8m soldiers were killed - including 947,000 soldiers from the British Empire.

BBC News - World War I centenary: Paving stones to honour heroes



********************************

The historic centenary is to be commemorated by a 4-year programme of national acts of remembrance, UK-wide cultural initiatives and educational opportunities.

The Third Battle of Ypres was fought between the British, French and Belgians against the Germans from 31st July - 10th November 1917


A service of commemoration for Commonwealth leaders in Glasgow Cathedral will start the series of national events to mark the 100th anniversary of the First World War in 2014.

Culture Secretary Maria Miller announced details of the 4-year plan today, which is to include national acts of remembrance and a scheme of Great War battlefield visits for schoolchildren, together with an extensive UK-wide cultural programme.

Marking the beginning of the First World War



The opening day of the centenary on 4 August 2014 will focus on 3 events:

• a wreath-laying service at Glasgow’s Cenotaph following the special service for Commonwealth leaders at Glasgow Cathedral
• an event at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission St Symphorien Military Cemetery in Mons, Belgium – which has an equal number of British and German soldiers, and is where the first and last Commonwealth casualties of the war are believed to be buried
• a candlelit vigil of prayer and penitence at Westminster Abbey finishing at 11pm – the moment war was declared

The centrepiece of the commemorations will be the reopening of the Imperial War Museum (IWM) London following the £35 million refurbishment of the First World War galleries. The IWM London was founded in 1917 to record the then still-continuing conflict.


Other activities in the 4-year programme include:

• national acts of remembrance to mark the first day of the Battle of the Somme (2016) and Armistice Day (2018 )
• an enduring educational legacy funded with £5.3 million from the Department for Education and the Department for Communities and Local Government, which will allow 2 student ambassadors, plus a teacher, from each maintained school in England to visit First World War battlefields and undertake research on people local to their school who fought in the war
• at least £15 million from the Heritage Lottery Fund, including a new £6 million community project fund to enable young people working in their communities to conserve, explore and share local heritage of the First World War
• a grant of up to £1 million from the National Heritage Memorial Fund to support HMS Caroline, the last surviving warship from the Battle of Jutland – the ship will have a secure future in Belfast, where thousands of people will be able to visit her and learn about her unique role in the First World War

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/...ning-of-the-first-world-war-in-2014-announced

 

[WLDB]

I doubt it'd have any effect one war or another on the relationship between the two countries. I dont know if "celebrating" is the best idea either though. Memorials seem to be in order but throwing a party? The whole war was pointless and accomplished nothing for either side. We got a nice national myth out of Vimy but I dont think it was wroth the roughly 60,000 dead we lost.

 

[BaalsTears]

The British should never forget July 1, 1916...the first day of the Battle of the Somme. Sixty thousand Brits died on that day.

 

[Tecumsehsbones]

The British should never forget July 1, 1916...the first day of the Battle of the Somme. Sixty thousand Brits died on that day.

And a wonderful day it was!

 

[BaalsTears]

And a wonderful day it was!

The British also had many wonderful days during the subsequent Battle of Passchendaele. Btw, Passchendaele was won by Canadian forces.

 

[Tecumsehsbones]

The British also had many wonderful days during the subsequent Battle of Passchendaele. Btw, Passchendaele was won by Canadian forces.

Saw the movie.

And knew about Vimy Ridge before the movie.

Quaerie: Why did Canada bleed itself white in a war that it really had no interest in?

 

[damngrumpy]

The first world war was the last of the old monarchy wars. Once one soldier
from each side is shot neither side can claim victory. This was a canon fodder
war. It was about pride of the wealthy and to maintain the status quo.
Yes the Germans were militarily beaten but there was no real threat to the world
like the WWII.
As for not celebrating well that will happen regardless. It should also be noted
the British Monarchy is presently controlled by the Germans. Yes the Tudor line
is more German than British. Bring back the Stuart Line and free the country.
This whole thing of endless parades amounts to nothing really.

 

[WLDB]

Saw the movie.

And knew about Vimy Ridge before the movie.

Quaerie: Why did Canada bleed itself white in a war that it really had no interest in?

The movie was dull. Kind of reminded me of Michael Bay's take on "Pearl Harbor." A dull fictional love story taking up 3/4 of the movie and only a few minutes at the place named in the title of the movie.

As for that question - who knows. One of my great grandfathers volunteered and made it through. Another one was conscripted and ran off to live in the woods til the war ended. Cant say I blame him. I would not have wanted to take part in that war at all. Im not sure why anyone would. Loyalty is all well and good, but blind loyalty to people who will waste countless lives as cannon fodder? I cant get behind that.

Btw, Passchendaele was won by Canadian forces.

And given up to the Germans without a fight shortly thereafter making the victory useless.

The British should never forget July 1, 1916...the first day of the Battle of the Somme. Sixty thousand Brits died on that day.

And nearly every young man from Newfoundland too. A sad waste.

 

[Mowich]

Whoever wrote the caption for that photo, Blackleaf forgot to mention that the Canadians not only participated but won the 3rd battle of Ypres. Canadians won a total of nine Victoria Crosses for their valor in that battle. In the second battle as the French and Algerians were forced to retreat in the face of gas attacks, the Canadians and British stood their ground. Give credit where it is due.

 

[Tecumsehsbones]

Whoever wrote the caption for that photo, Blackleaf forgot to mention that the Canadians not only participated but won the 3rd battle of Ypres. Canadians won a total of nine Victoria Crosses for their valor in that battle. In the second battle as the French and Algerians were forced to retreat in the face of gas attacks, the Canadians and British stood their ground. Give credit where it is due.

He does. But in Alf's "mind," credit is only ever due to the Brits.

They invented the telephone, after all. And the aeroplane. And the human tampon.

 

[EagleSmack]

Whoever wrote the caption for that photo, Blackleaf forgot to mention that the Canadians not only participated but won the 3rd battle of Ypres. Canadians won a total of nine Victoria Crosses for their valor in that battle. In the second battle as the French and Algerians were forced to retreat in the face of gas attacks, the Canadians and British stood their ground. Give credit where it is due.

Nah... he said the British Empire won the war... nobody else was involved.

 

[hunboldt]

Saw the movie.

And knew about Vimy Ridge before the movie.

Quaerie: Why did Canada bleed itself white in a war that it really had no interest in?

Propaganda...
and

 

[Spade]

Canada won WW1 for imperialist Britain.

 

[damngrumpy]

Actually in the European theatre in WWI and WWII the British did most of the
heavy lifting being on the front lines for the longest period of time. The Russian
were there and went to fight their revolution and America came in much later.
In World War Two America came in much later than most. WWII saw Russia
take the brunt of things.
I am tired of the 9/11 thing already and it replaced Pearl Harbour as the gathering
thing. We did D'Day and what have you for a lot of years over and over again.
Enough already its like the Protestants in Northern Ireland after a while

 

[Colpy]

Canada won WW1 for imperialist Britain.

Kitchener was an idiot, as was most of the British command.

Which changes nothing. Great Britain did not start the war. The Kaiser's idiotic "blank cheque" to Austria Hungary was the catalyst.

Celebrate our victory.

**** the Germans.

 

[Spade]

Austrians and Hungarians getting a bye?

 

[damngrumpy]

There was an alliance and Germany was bound to defend its ally
just like the deal between Britain and its allies and the fight was on.
Germany did not start WWI they just paid for it in the long run.

 

[Spade]

That;s right; Germany did not start the war,

 

[Blackleaf]

It should also be noted the British Monarchy is presently controlled by the Germans.

No, it isn't. The Germans have no control over the British Monarchy whatsoever.

Yes the Tudor line is more German than British.

Nope. The Tudors were British - Welsh to be more precise.

Quaerie: Why did Canada bleed itself white in a war that it really had no interest in?

Because, at the time, Canada was part of the British Empire and when Britain declared war on Germany and her allies the Dominions of the British Empire, including Canada, immediately and without hesitation supported Great Britain.

Canadians - the majority of whom were at the time, and still are, of British descent - gave widespread support arguing that Canadians had a duty to fight on behalf of their Motherland. Indeed, Sir Wilfrid Laurier, although French-Canadian, spoke for the majority of English-Canadians when he proclaimed: "It is our duty to let Great Britain know and to let the friends and foes of Great Britain know that there is in Canada but one mind and one heart and that all Canadians are behind the Mother Country." Prime Minister Robert Borden offered assistance to Great Britain, which was quickly accepted.


Military history of Canada during World War I - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Whoever wrote the caption for that photo, Blackleaf forgot to mention that the Canadians not only participated but won the 3rd battle of Ypres. Canadians won a total of nine Victoria Crosses for their valor in that battle. In the second battle as the French and Algerians were forced to retreat in the face of gas attacks, the Canadians and British stood their ground. Give credit where it is due.

"British" means the British Empire forces. The British, Australians, Canadians, Newfoundlanders, Indians, South Africans and New Zealanders took part.

That;s right; Germany did not start the war,

Germany and Austria started WWI seeking European domination, historian says

Germany and Austria were reponsible for starting the First World War believing they could win European domination, historian Sir Max Hastings has said.

British troops of the 4th East Lancashire Regiment in trenches near Nieuport Bains. According to a historian, because of political correctness the British are today afraid to point the finger of blame for this conflict to where the blame truly lies - continental Europe Photo: Alamy


By Hayley Dixon
10 Jun 2013
The Telegraph

As the plans are revealed for events to mark the centenary of the start of the war in August next year people still do not understand why Britain got involved in 1914, it is said.

In a style reminiscent of the infamous Fawlty Towers sketch “don’t mention the war”, people are now too afraid to point the finger of blame directly at mainland Europe, Sir Max said today.

No one predicted the horrors of the four year war in which nearly 10 million soldiers were killed, and there is still some debate as to what lay behind the bloody conflict.

Max Hastings: "Germany and Austria were to blame for WWI"

Decade long tensions in Europe over the arms race, political alliances, and a growing sense of nationalism all came to a head when the Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria was assassinated in Sarajevo in June 1914 by Serbian nationalist Gavrilo Princip.

But even after the shocking event war was not inevitable, and it was the subsequent actions of Germany and Austria which threw Europe into some of its darkest days, it is claimed.

“The causes of the First World War are very complicated and broad,” explained Sir Max, whose book 1914: Europe’s Tragedy is to be released later this year.

“But the truth is that Austria and Germany bear the chief responsibility. They believed that they could win a war which would give them European domination.

“Nobody wants to say it as they don’t want to upset the Germans. We mustn’t over simplify it too much, it was a complex background, but Britain did not want a war and the Germans did.”

It was just as important for Britain to defeat Kaiser Wilhelm II’s Germany as it was to win against Hitler, he said.

His view that the war was triggered by the actions of Austria and Germany is shared by David Stevenson, Professor of International History at the London School of Economics, who has written several books on the topic.

He described that assassination of the Archduke - the trigger - as an act of “state sponsored terrorism” which gave Austria-Hungary the excuse it was looking for to declare war on Serbia.

British machinegunners during WWI. Britain was the world's superpower during the conflict and declared war on Germany when Germany invaded Britain's little neighbour Belgium, a country which Britain was bound by treaty to protect, just as it was bound by treaty to protect Poland when Germany invaded Poland in WWII

“But they wouldn’t have done it had they not been given a blank cheque by Germany promising to support them,” Professor Stevenson said.

“This is crucial in escalating it into a Europe wide conflict. My view is that Germany did it knowing that it was dangerous, they knew that there was a chance that the Russians would come to support Serbia.

“Germany deliberately risked a European war when they gave that blank cheque. But there is responsibility on all sides, everybody behaved in a way that was risky. Britain was not involved in the process that started it.

“Germany, Austria, Russia and France all took steps that were dangerous, but they were not expecting the war that happened, no one premeditated that.”

Tensions had been bubbling across Europe for at least a decade, but it did not mean that war was “inevitable”, he added.

“The Germans and Austrians took the initiative, but it took two sides to make the war.”

Britain became involved when Belgium was invaded – a country we had a treaty to protect – prompted by fears over national security.

The centenary next year should be the perfect opportunity to inform the public, but instead the government are failing to fully recognise the truth, Sir Max added.

A British tank during WWI. The tank had recently been invented by the British and it was first used during this conflict


“I never stop being amazed by the number of people I meet - who are educated, thoughtful people – who say to me “I have never understood why the whole of Europe went to war just because some Austrian big wig was shot in Sarajevo”."

In Blackadder Goes Forth, Baldrick said the war began when “Archie Duke shot an ostrich because he was hungry”, reflecting confusion the popular opinion that the issues we were fighting over were not worth the huge loss of life.

“We think we know the story of World War II because Hitler was evil, we can get our heads around that,” Sir Max said.

“But the modern British view of the First World War is dominated by the Blackadder attitude which is believed even by school teachers.

“The Germany of 1914 might not have been as evil as Hitler’s Germany, but it was still bent on dominating Europe, and the idea that it didn’t matter who won is ridiculous.

“The politicians are frightened of saying that we fought a great evil and they are afraid of saying who started WWI.”

Commenting on the the non-judgemental approach of the Government to the centenary, Sir Max added: “Basically it is a cop out, our politicians have learned most of their history from Blackadder and none of them have enough knowledge of what happened to know how to remember it properly.”


Germany and Austria started WWI seeking European domination, historian says - Telegraph