WW1 1914-2014 Centenary thread (1 Viewer)

[Rob]

Guys, for those of us interested in all things WW1 I thought I'd start this ongoing thread as we approach next years anniversary.

In this thread I will post anything to do with WW1 that may be of interest. From news and events on the battlefields, anniversaries and remembrance events, books, films, tv etc etc. As these things are announced I'll call up and update this thread.

So to kick off here is a book that I already mentioned in another thread that sounds as if it should be good, Max Hastings has written some fine books so I've ordered this from Amazon;

http://www.harpercollins.co.uk/Titles/77170/catastrophe-max-hastings-9780007467648

 

[Rob]

http://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/news/...programming-for-wwi-centenary/5049267.article

And the world famous football match to be replayed;

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/feb/08/first-world-war-kickabout-replayed-centenary

 

[waynepoo]

Rob,
Very timely mate as tomorrow is ANZAC Day here in Oz and NZ with only two years to go and it will have been 100 years since the landings on Gallipoli.
This thread will be much visited I think, a great idea.
Wayne.

 

[jazzeum]

Rob,

While looking at a review of another book I came across a book entitled The Sleepwalkers: How Europe Went to War in 1914 by Christopher Clark. The review called it one of the best books of its kind. I'm planning to pick this up soon.

Brad

 

[Rob]

Rob,
Very timely mate as tomorrow is ANZAC Day here in Oz and NZ with only two years to go and it will have been 100 years since the landings on Gallipoli.
This thread will be much visited I think, a great idea.
Wayne.

Hey Wayne, hope you have a great day tomorrow, have been to several dawn Anzac services in London myself over the years, deepest respect to all the Anzacs that fought on our side (the right side{bravo}})in both Wars . Funny you wrote as I was just about to post this I found for all our Australian friends;
http://www.cambridge.org/gb/knowledge/isbn/item7169669/Anzac Journeys/?site_locale=en_GB

Glad you like the thread mate :smile2:

Rob,

While looking at a review of another book I came across a book entitled The Sleepwalkers: How Europe Went to War in 1914 by Christopher Clark. The review called it one of the best books of its kind. I'm planning to pick this up soon.

Brad

Thanks for posting Brad, this sounds good and will take a look myself now mate.

Cheers

Rob

 

[lancer]

Rob,

While looking at a review of another book I came across a book entitled The Sleepwalkers: How Europe Went to War in 1914 by Christopher Clark. The review called it one of the best books of its kind. I'm planning to pick this up soon.

Brad

This is a very well done book, Brad. I mentioned this book over on the 'what are members reading' thread when I got it in early April. Haven't made much progress because of other projects but what I have read is very good and readable. It appears to be a great place to start for those who want to learn about this very complicated subject. It may not be as detailed as Sidney Fay's or Luigi Albertini's works, after all, those are both multi-volume classics, but it will be more readable and more compact. It is well worth getting, IMO. -- Al

 

[skeeterbuck]

WW-I to my way of thinking is one of the worst events in human history. Over 4 years of death & destruction followed by the fiasco of the Treaty of Versailles that in the end accomplished lighting the fuse that would lead the world into another world war.

Check out the book: Paris 1919 - Six months that changed the world by Margret MacMillan

May we never forget all those innocent lives on all sides that lost loved ones. (insert "sad" face here)

On a side note, it did provide a platform for producing great toy soldiers representing all combatants of both world wars. {sm3}

Chuck

 

[waynepoo]

Ran across these thec drawings from the Great War, they are from the same Engineer Company my Grandfather served with. May be of some interest to some.
Wayne.

 

[jazzeum]

This is a very well done book, Brad. I mentioned this book over on the 'what are members reading' thread when I got it in early April. Haven't made much progress because of other projects but what I have read is very good and readable. It appears to be a great place to start for those who want to learn about this very complicated subject. It may not be as detailed as Sidney Fay's or Luigi Albertini's works, after all, those are both multi-volume classics, but it will be more readable and more compact. It is well worth getting, IMO. -- Al

Al,

Thanks. Didn't realize it was that long so may put it off until the summer. Have you read the Beauty and the Sorrow. One of my friends brought it up the other night when we were having our monthly book club meeting. He said it was really good.

Brad

 

[lancer]

Al,

Thanks. Didn't realize it was that long so may put it off until the summer. Have you read the Beauty and the Sorrow. One of my friends brought it up the other night when we were having our monthly book club meeting. He said it was really good.

Brad

Brad, as a matter of fact I have read it. My wife took a chance and bought it for me at a library sale. It is made up of POV stories by participants. Some very interesting stuff in it. Lots of stuff from the 'other' fronts. -- Al

 

[Guy]

A few pics of Belgian uniforms from the great war . Also a picture of an original Field Kitchen model 1914. Note the very attractive uniform of the recruitment officer sitting at the table
guy

 

[Jack]

Anyone who has seen the buglers play at the Menin Gate will know why this painting has such an impact.

For a full discussion try : http://www.awm.gov.au/encyclopedia/menin/notes.asp




Will Longstaff's Menin Gate at midnight (Ghosts of Menin Gate), painted in 1927, is undoubtedly one of the best known paintings in the Australian War Memorial's art collection. In the years following the first world war, this painting's tribute to sacrifice, combined with its spiritualist overtones, struck exactly the right chord with many Australians who had lost family and friends in the war. The painting has been hung in the Memorial in a darkened room, under spotlights, in an environment that somewhat resembles a church, and that inspires a meditative and spiritual response.

 

[Jack]

For my British friends, another Longstaff painting.

 

[Jack]

For my Canadian Friends - another Longstaff painting.

 

[The Military Workshop]

Jack,
Had not seen the Canadian one before. I think should be one more to go and Toddy and LTCOL RNZIR might appreciate it.
Brett

 

[TomB]

Anyone who has seen the buglers play at the Menin Gate will know why this painting has such an impact.

For a full discussion try : http://www.awm.gov.au/encyclopedia/menin/notes.asp

View attachment 125464


Will Longstaff's Menin Gate at midnight (Ghosts of Menin Gate), painted in 1927, is undoubtedly one of the best known paintings in the Australian War Memorial's art collection. In the years following the first world war, this painting's tribute to sacrifice, combined with its spiritualist overtones, struck exactly the right chord with many Australians who had lost family and friends in the war. The painting has been hung in the Memorial in a darkened room, under spotlights, in an environment that somewhat resembles a church, and that inspires a meditative and spiritual response.

It sends a chill up your spine...did to me anyway......strikes the right cord alright....it is a painting you do not forget....TomB

 

[UKReb]

This is a very well done book, Brad. I mentioned this book over on the 'what are members reading' thread when I got it in early April. Haven't made much progress because of other projects but what I have read is very good and readable. It appears to be a great place to start for those who want to learn about this very complicated subject. It may not be as detailed as Sidney Fay's or Luigi Albertini's works, after all, those are both multi-volume classics, but it will be more readable and more compact. It is well worth getting, IMO. -- Al

Al

I note you have hardly started Clark's tome but personally I found his book to be somewhat skewed and far too pro German and far too pro Wilhelm II for my taste.

The whole of German society was militarist by 1914 including the Kaiser, who was rarely photographed or painted without wearing his full military regalia. Following the catalyst of Sarajevo (not the cause) the only European royal who mourned Arch Duke Ferdinand was Wilhelm himself and therefore a perfect emissary to goad Austria in serving an ultimatum on Serbia and one they couldn't possibly accept. I'll agree that the Kaiser was just a mere pawn in the hands of Moltke and the much overrated German High Command but I cannot accept that he was a completely innocent pawn.

When Germany aligned with Austria they knew war was inevitable and relied on them to hold the Eastern Front whilst they turned West. But Germany blundered when they attacked France (worth remembering that France was not part of the Serbian dispute). Although they adopted the Schlieffen plan they were not fast enough and forgot all about logistics- that's why it failed.

I normally avoid participating in threads referencing causes; leaders and the murderous incompetence of WWI as it normally ends up with an argument over opinions so I'll top and tail this post based purely on Clark's book-It was not for me. However and I fully accept it's a matter of taste but I found the non-biased fact filled Europe's Last Summer by David Fromkin a much better read on the causes of WWI.

Bob

 

[jazzeum]

Bob,

Thanks for the feedback. We were going to read the Clark book for our book club but may decide now to read the Fromkin one, with which I am familiar. Have you read the Englund one?

Brad

 

[lancer]

Al

I note you have hardly started Clark's tome but personally I found his book to be somewhat skewed and far too pro German and far too pro Wilhelm II for my taste.

The whole of German society was militarist by 1914 including the Kaiser, who was rarely photographed or painted without wearing his full military regalia. Following the catalyst of Sarajevo (not the cause) the only European royal who mourned Arch Duke Ferdinand was Wilhelm himself and therefore a perfect emissary to goad Austria in serving an ultimatum on Serbia and one they couldn't possibly accept. I'll agree that the Kaiser was just a mere pawn in the hands of Moltke and the much overrated German High Command but I cannot accept that he was a completely innocent pawn.

When Germany aligned with Austria they knew war was inevitable and relied on them to hold the Eastern Front whilst they turned West. But Germany blundered when they attacked France (worth remembering that France was not part of the Serbian dispute). Although they adopted the Schlieffen plan they were not fast enough and forgot all about logistics- that's why it failed.

I normally avoid participating in threads referencing causes; leaders and the murderous incompetence of WWI as it normally ends up with an argument over opinions so I'll top and tail this post based purely on Clark's book-It was not for me. However and I fully accept it's a matter of taste but I found the non-biased fact filled Europe's Last Summer by David Fromkin a much better read on the causes of WWI.

Bob

That is a very interesting review of the book, Bob. I actually was aware that the book was less severe on Germany than some other works and I am interested to see how and why this is. I have also been meaning to get the Fromkin book but have not managed to, yet. I will move it up on my priority list now that I see you like it. --Al

 

[nshighlander]

Hi
The family and I are planing a trip this summer to Belgium, Germany, France, the Netherlands.With a side trip for Euro Park.I hope to hit as many sites on the road as possible.Vimy and Ypres,Mons to name a few.I just hope my girls well be OK with all the stopping.This should be a trip of a life time.
Cheers
Dave.Now off the top of Scotland.