Today is the anniversary of the signing of the Armistice on 11th November 1918.
Under the agreement signed in Compiegne, Germany was to surrender weapons, artillery, tanks, trains, and trucks, amongst other things. All prisoners were to be released, and property to be left intact. The defeat of Germany was total. The death toll had been around 20 Million.
So, who would then have imagined that Germany would begin ANOTHER world war just 20 years later, in which over 80 Million people were killed. Again they were defeated.
Included in the number of the dead were the 6 Million innocent Jews who were shamelessly murdered by the Nazis.
So, what have we learned from those TWO German Wars? Not a lot it seems.
We still have uneducated groups screaming for Jews to be eliminated, and we still have other forms of ethnic and religious slaughter continuing throughout the world.
It seems that certain 'World Leaders' are incapable of living peacefully, and/or concentrating on the welfare of their own citizens.
I suppose we simply have to accept that we humans are a bunch of gullible, bloody-thirsty, louts, and that some amongst us will always hate some groups, or want certain nationalities to be annihilated.
Of course, conflict is essential in certain extreme cases, but open hostility towards peaceful neighbours IS NOT.
My title says 'Lest we Forget', but sadly many young left-wing Pro-Hamas supporters MUST HAVE FORGOTTEN. and a new wave of Hitler/Nazi style aggression towards the Jewish community is once again prevalent.
I find that incomprehensible, and extremely sad.
p.s. Above is Alphonse. He's the doll I've had since I was born, and every year he wears his Poppy with pride; in remembrance of all those who died.
Unfortunately, the seeds of WW2 were sown at that November 11th armistice - the total annihilation of Germany, and the ensuing economic breakdown left festering resentments that someone like Hitler was able to exploit to further his dreams.
ReplyDeleteThe aftermath of WW2 learned the lessons, and both Germany and Japan weren't subject to such total destruction.
In fact, both became more successful than the erstwhile victors - UK, France.....
We pumped a lot of money into both countries, to our own detriment.
DeleteNo it was the ERP .
DeleteThe UK was a recipient of money under the Marshall Plan, it did not pump a lot of money into Germany and Japan!
DeleteThe Marshall Plan concerned reparation money paid to the UK by Germany. The UK rebuilt a lot of German industry and infrastructure.
DeleteThe Marshall Plan was funded by the US government. The UK got more money than any other country, about twice as much as West Germany got. I didn’t know the Marshal Plan was also known as ERP, thanks for that anonymous.
DeleteJe vous ai bien cerné comme une personne incapable de mener une discussion. Très dommage et pas un signe d'intelligence. Fêtez bien .
ReplyDeleteHuguette
You really do need to look at your inner thoughts. I was writing about the end of the two wars. Perhaps you have read that it was the UK who helped liberate France. On this day we remember all those who were killed; including all those who died on the beaches of Normandy. Today is not a day when we support neo-Nazi antisemitic groups. Please try to show some respect!
DeleteWhen I goty poppy a couple of weeks ago I was the first to pop money in. I checked yesterday and it hadn't increased much. I watched some children walking to school and didn't see one poppy. It's sad but when one looks at school teachers not surprising
ReplyDeleteIt is almost becoming forgotten. It probably isn't mentioned in school History Classes. Not woke enough!
DeleteI thought Johnson looked like a tramp at the Remembrance Service on Sunday.
ReplyDeleteVery rarely have I seen a 'tramp' as well dressed. But you obviously mix with a very high class group of tramps.
DeleteWell dressed! He looked as if he had been dragged through a hedge backwards…very disrespectful I thought.
DeleteArmistice Day is not celebrated here but I always remember the date. My mother was born on Armistice Day and she always reminded us of both anniversaries.
ReplyDeleteI have come to believe that human beings generally are incapable of living peacefully. Conflict is built into our DNA.
A salute to your treasured Alphonse
So many British lives were lost during the two German wars, that it is right that we remember them. There will be ceremonies all over the UK at 11-O-Clock.
DeleteRoger I was surprised to read in your post about Christmas gifts that Seth is married again. How did the boys handle it ?
ReplyDeleteThe one you forgot over the years knows still a bit about you..
He is now very happily married. The boys, as in all such cases, are understandably still a bit divided, but are doing very well. Both are currently at University. Do let me know who you are!
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