The Great War (2 Viewers)

[lancer]

Added the outstanding new Schneider tank and GWF-24 to my total along with one of the new FL figures. Very happy with all of them. Now have 3 tanks and 29 figures. Beginning to see Horizon Blue in my dreams. Must find money for another set of the excellent and very versatile JJD tank riders. They can be placed just about anywhere. Really love these tanks and where this whole HB concept seems to be headed. I can see that a first-aid post/ field hospital and mobile kitchen would be very useful additions to my HB army.:wink2:^&cool -- Al

Unlike the French Army of 1917-18, my French Army continues to expand. I have finally added the TGM MG team and the shot Poilu along with 2 of the very excellent FL figures (thanks, George) and this will bring my 'army' to 35 figures. Still on the fence about the KC figures (more a monetary thing than anything else) and trying to put funds together for the KC Renault. Having seen the superb JJD painted pigeon wagon, I will be needing that, as well. I hope John has some French figures to go with the coop. With the announcement of the early version of the St. Chamond tank (which I shall also have to get^&cool), that will build my French Armored unit to 5 tanks. Now all I have to do is figure out some way, some how, to afford a German or two for my French onslaught to chase out of their trenches. Perhaps some of the MG nests the Germans were famous for and maybe a tank hunting team with flamethrower and anti-tank rifle. Oh, and a little space to set it all up.:rolleyes2: -- Al

 

[chalklands]

An update:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2778910/Tower-London-s-moat-turns-red-tribute-fallen-Aerial-photo-shows-art-installation-containing-900-000-ceramic-poppies-nearing-completion.html

Hope to get there in the next few weeks.

 

[jazzeum]

I saw Pete's link and wondered how Germany was looking at the 100th anniversary of the War and came across this in the Daily Telegraph, http://www.telegraph.co.uk/history/...y-intervenes-in-WW1-commemoration-debate.html

 

[jazzeum]

This appears to the French view, although not necessarily the final word, http://www.france.fr/en/institutions-and-values/first-world-war-centenary-1914-1918.html

This article focuses on the efforts of several of the countries, http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jan/16/first-world-war-europe-centenary

 

[chalklands]

Thanks for posting the links. I found them most interesting.

Pete

 

[chalklands]

"However, the plans are not without critics, most vocally in the form of anti-war activists who have come together in a No Glory campaign backed by high-profile supporters such as the actors Jude Law and Alan Rickman and the poet laureate, Carol Ann Duffy"

I haven't seen anything that smacks of 'glory' in any of the commemorations over here, far from it, it seems to me to be a time to remember the human cost of the conflict......as it should be......

 

[lancer]

Brad, thanks for the links. Some very interesting stuff, links within links. I found the one about how different nations teach about the war to school children of particular interest. -- Al

 

[jazzeum]

Thanks Pete and Al. It's hard to commemorate something when you're on the losing side.

 

[Poppo]

Thanks Pete and Al. It's hard to commemorate something when you're on the losing side.

By Tony Paterson, Berlin

6:00PM BST 28 May 2014

Chancellor Angela Merkel opened a major exhibition marking the centenary of the First World War in Berlin on Wednesday in an effort to counter criticism that Germany has provided minimal funding for the anniversary and is "uninterested" in the conflict.

Against a backdrop of a giant photograph of a field of Flanders poppies and the question "1914-2014: What have we learned?", Ms Merkel formally inaugurated Germany's principal First World War centenary exhibition with a discussion about the conflict with young people.

Speaking at Berlin's German Historical Museum, she told them that 2014 was "especially important" but admitted that because of Germany's concentration on its guilt for the horror of the Second World War and the terror of Nazi rule, "Germany has until now not had the First World War so much in mind."

Mrs Merkel said that even in her own family the Second World War had been "very much more dominant" that the 1914-18 conflict.

Chancellor Merkel's has said that Germany wants to focus on reconciliation and show that former enemies had learned from their mistakes. "Europe's unification is the true lesson of out history", she told her young audience on Wednesday

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As you see, some commemorations were made also on the german side, focusing the mistakes made by all parts.By the way, the germans aren' t very involved in it because they have in mind the nazism tragedy and because of it they lost their interest into history. So nothing concerning their losing ww1.

 

[chalklands]

An update:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2778910/Tower-London-s-moat-turns-red-tribute-fallen-Aerial-photo-shows-art-installation-containing-900-000-ceramic-poppies-nearing-completion.html

Hope to get there in the next few weeks.

Hi,
I see all of the 888,256 ceramic poppies have now been sold. Not bad at all seeing that they were £25 a pop. Planning on going there next Saturday, with some friends, to see them before the installation is taken down.

I know of a lot of people who have visited London just to see this installation. Just goes to show that people do care even after 100 years.

Pete

 

[chalklands]

Superb figures. Love the inclusion of the 'casualty evacuation labels'! Can't wait to get these!

Pete

 

[chalklands]

I see on the JJD website that a number of the Poilu's are marked as 'low in stock' and the St Chamond is out of stock.

Pete

 

[villagehorse]

I see on the JJD website that a number of the Poilu's are marked as 'low in stock' and the St Chamond is out of stock.

Pete

No surprise, John has been making nice sculpts in this series with the latest releases no exception. Robin.

 

[chalklands]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-29832698

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-stoke-staffordshire-29823895

 

[chalklands]

This is a (I did say 'a', not 'the') stand out set from this round of releases.



The figure next to the wagon looks great as well....

Pete

 

[lancer]

This is a (I did say 'a', not 'the') stand out set from this round of releases.

View attachment 162313

The figure next to the wagon looks great as well....

Pete

Agree. I would like to see a pigeon handler in a slightly bluer hue, as well. :wink2: -- Al

 

[chalklands]

Just a few pictures from my visit to the Tower of London last Saturday. Hope nobody minds me posting these?









Pete

 

[chalklands]

Hi,
Before I get accused of not uploading much toy soldierwise lately :smile2:....Here's a picture of General Sir John Monash GCMG, KCB, VD. A great figure methinks.....



Pete

 

[chalklands]

Not my photos, but from the BBC News website:





They are both outstanding photographs....

 

[chalklands]

It is beautiful to see, but VERY poignant when one thinks that each poppy represents a British or Commonwealth soldier that was lost in just four years. If there was one for each life lost from all nations, goodness knows how far it would stretch.....Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red.....

I also find it amazing that every one of them was sold weeks ago.

Both of my Grandfathers fought in the conflict, but luckily both survived unscathed.