The Guns of August...

[Hauksbee 103]

Today's the day! A hundred years on, of course, but the Schlieffen Plan lives and the ghosts still march. I wonder  if they still declare a truce at Ghost Christmas and toast themselves and each other? This evening, I certainly shall.

[RAF_Louvert 101]

.

 

Agreed Hauksbee.  We should all take a moment to remember this tragic commencement and raise a glass to all those fallen millions and say a prayer as well that we never see the likes of the Great War again.

 

. 

[Olham 164]

May we never make such mistakes again, and only fight such wars

from the safety of our arm chairs, with a freshly brewed coffee next to us.

Salute!

[Olham 164]

PS: I remember a line from one of the history books I read (was it "The Lions of July? Not sure...), where it said (in similar words):

 

"And now the mighty military machinery began to roll, and even the Kaiser had to realise,

that from now on he would not be able to stop it anymore."

[Hauksbee 103]

"And now the mighty military machinery began to roll, and even the Kaiser had to realise,

that from now on he would not be able to stop it anymore."

 

Good quote, and too true. I recall reading one account that said WWI was the first occurrence of war where the full might of a modern industrial state was brought to bear. (tho' I think the American Civil War might hold that dubious distinction) Where Kings and Barons struggled over the size of their fiefdoms, they paused periodically due to bad weather and lack of funds. By comparison, modern war is a fight to the death. The very size of the commitment makes it nearly impossible to disengage.

 

 

"And now the mighty military machinery began to roll, and even the Kaiser had to realise,

that from now on he would not be able to stop it anymore."

 

Good quote, and too true. I recall reading one account that said WWI was the first occurrence of war where the full might of a modern industrial state was brought to bear. (tho' I think the American Civil War might hold that dubious distinction) Where Kings and Barons struggled over the size of their fiefdoms, they paused periodically due to bad weather and lack of funds. By comparison, modern war is a fight to the death. The very size of the commitment makes it nearly impossible to disengage.