Happy ANZAC Day!

[Toffee in Jandals]

Happy ANZAC Day to Blues everywhere, especially our Kiwi and Aussie Bloos.

Big turnout this morning for the Dawn Service in Christchurch, 3,898 crosses planted in one of our town squares to represent the 3,898 from the Canterbury region alone who perished in the first World War.

Mad when you think the population of the whole of New Zealand at that point in 1918 was barely one million people.

We will remember them.
NSNO

 

[jaycee]

A song that should be played every ANZAC day

 

[peteblue]

I have nothing but admiration for our Australian and New Zealand cousins and those that died for our future......

 

[Gareth Gibson]

The Anzacs sacrificed so much in the world wars.

 

[Blue 1]

Visited the ANZAC cemetery in Kanchanaburi, made me cry. So many of them were so young. Quite heartbreaking.

 

[dublinbluenose]

I've been reading quite a bit about Gallipoli recently (specifically about Irish soldiers). Brave men and boys indeed. Unimaginable horror the must have witnessed.

 

[chrismpw]

Gallipoli was a terrible blunder by the British command. A young Churchill was responsible, as I recall.

Good job the privilaged public school old boy network gave him another chance later on, as they do, but not in the military.

Better though if they'd appointed commanders by ability and talent, rather than by connections, but that isn't the British way at all.

My respects to all the ranks who carried the ineptitudes of our commanders through history.

 

[riddick]

WW1 was just the absolute worst of mankind. Horror doesn't even describe it.

Was in Australia for ANZAC Day once, we both jubilant and extremely subdued at re same time.

Not religious at all but hope there is a Valhalla for all those who lead the charge in to unfathomable awfulness

 

[GBH73]

Gallipoli was a terrible blunder by the British command. A young Churchill was responsible, as I recall.

Good job the privilaged public school old boy network gave him another chance later on, as they do, but not in the military.

Better though if they'd appointed commanders by ability and talent, rather than by connections, but that isn't the British way at all.

My respects to all the ranks who carried the ineptitudes of our commanders through history.

He resigned his government position and went and fought at the front with his old regiment (motivated by guilt maybe?) in France. First time he'd seen combat in 16 years, since his exploits in the Boer War.

 

[Toffee in Jandals]

Gallipoli was a terrible blunder by the British command. A young Churchill was responsible, as I recall.

Good job the privilaged public school old boy network gave him another chance later on, as they do, but not in the military.

Better though if they'd appointed commanders by ability and talent, rather than by connections, but that isn't the British way at all.

My respects to all the ranks who carried the ineptitudes of our commanders through history.

Churchill also had to be persuaded from sending more RAF fighters to help defend France in June 1940; as the Chief of Figher Command forsaw (correctly) that the Hurricanes and Spitfires would be needed for the air defence of Britain. Sending a British / ANZAC force to fight an unwinnable battle in Greece in April 1941 was also chiefly his decision.

Fortunately though, a certain leader in Germany made many, many more mistakes, and wars are won by the leader who makes less cock-ups.