This posting refers back to two separate Foolishness...Or Is It? postings on the same subject. The first reiterates the Ignorance of Mankind & the second asks you to think about a Very Sobering Question.
First Posting...
The day humankind proved it is not too smart … again.
When did the First World War end? Many of you just said to yourselves…The 11th Hour of the 11th Day of the 11th Month of 1918. It sounds like that was scripted by Hollywood.
The most awful part of the story is that the armistice was signed at 5am on November 11th but was not effective until 11am and the fighting continued for those last six hours between 5am and 11am.
After the war, in a Congressional Hearing, General Pershing blamed Marshal Foch but many said that, at the time, Pershing appeared to be gung ho about the last assaults.
These were full frontal assaults as vicious as any on any other day of the war.
The Germans were shocked when the assaults started but defended against them with all that they had.
During these six hours, thousands of men were wounded or killed fighting for land on which they could have casually strolled smoking a cigarette at 11:01am on the 11th Day of the 11th Month of 1918.
I wish I were kidding you.
Smartfella
-------------------------
Second Posting...
No Foolishness, As My Mind Wanders Through This One
After you read below, I will invite you to ask yourself a very sobering question.
I published “The last day of World War One” commentary on April 23, 2008. It was about how WWI continued for six hours after the armistice was signed at 5 A.M. on November 11, 1918.
At present I am reading a book by Joseph E. Persico entitled 11th Month, 11th Day, 11th Hour. The quoted excerpt that follows is from page 3 of this book…
"The captain read the message twice. It must be a mistake. True, the night before, the U.S. 26th Division had received Field Order 105 to attack at 9:30 this morning. But at 9:10, just as they had been checking their ammunition and fixing their bayonets, word came that the armistice had been signed. Hostilities were to cease at 11 A.M. The attack had been cancelled. And here was another message telling the captain that the assault had been reinstated. His watch showed 10:30. A half hour remained in the war."
Now for the sobering question ... If you were this captain, what would you have done?
Would I kid u?
Smartfella
5 comments:
Super! Yep, put it on your annual calendar. I had no idea about the history of 11-11.
General Sherman said, "War is hell." He was exactly right. Men who do not personally know one another are forced to kill for someone in charge and not having to die for his decisions.
In days of yore with swords and spears, you could kill only so much and so long. Today with buttons and bombs a single stroke wreakes massive havoc and death. Those who kill for fun are demented and back to their animal roots.
I fail to see how the glory of battle and veterans limping past in a parade in any way glorifies killing and maiming others for personal gain. It is far more human to live and let live with respect for the differences between individuals and nations.
Excellent. A 10 on the TMc Wizometer.
Never knew the rest of the story thanks and why?
I was just telling my son about this the other day. Just like my dad told me about it. So stupid, so stupid, so stupid. I suppose that many wars, if not most wars, are stupid, but that war ranks right up there as the stupidest of them all. Thanks for posting.
Post a Comment