River Cruising Water Cooler

[Canal archive]

Your right gnome12 you also may see a white poppy created for pacifists and more recently black poppies which is self explanatory but I much prefer the original Red Poppy as it was created for the remembrance of all who lost their lives during all conflicts. Our nations national service is this coming Sunday. 
During our various river cruises where we had excursions to for instance Pont du Hoc, Theipval and the Australian museum Scenic gave us poppies we decided  to place ours on those memorials, known only unto God.

[Daisi]

I've always found it nice that when mentioning the various nations affected by war at my parents ceremony, they include Germany. Their loss was to many as much as ours, they were still sons, brothers, fathers and loved ones. Because there is are a couple of  bases where a lot of US troops come up for specialised training, the ceremony opens with both the US and Cdn anthem, and it has to be explained every couple of years that the visitors are honoured with their anthem first. 

 

I will have to say, it felt odd singing "God save the King" at the end.....first time for many of us.

Edited November 12, 2022 by Daisi

[Canal archive]

Agree the poppy is not just for the so called winners, you’ve only got to look at the Ukrainian conflict to realise that the opposition is not necessarily made up of fully agreeable troops.
 

Us as well, he’s a lovely guy no frills very straight forward, at least people now realise he was right all along with his green credentials! 

[notamermaid]

1 hour ago, Daisi said:

I've always found it nice that when mentioning the various nations affected by war at my parents ceremony, they include Germany.

That is touching. As far as I know I have lost only one relative, a greatuncle in WWI. He is buried in France. My grandparents lost one house, I mean a shop building they owned in WWII, but not the house they lived in.

 

1 hour ago, Daisi said:

I will have to say, it felt odd singing "God save the King" at the end.....first time for many of us.

I can imagine.

 

As a teenager I took part in the scheme collecting money for the upkeep of war graves. Part of school and education.

 

Last week I was reminded of the terrible tragedies that happened along the Rhine when I read the story in a regional newspaper of remains of soldiers having been found and identified earlier this year. Part of a buckle lead to one soldier being traced and relatives found. For the other soldier they have not traced any relatives (yet). Both were German and stationed at the bridge at Urmitz near Koblenz. I happened to be involved briefly there through work some years ago and the brutal tragic stories I learnt about the 1945 bombings I will never forget.

 

If you are interested in the work of the institution Volksbund have a look here: https://www.volksbund.de/en/together-for-peace

They look after German graves all over the world but there are also other nationalities buried alongside them occasionally.

 

notamermaid

 

[sharkster77]

I recall that when the centennial of the end of WWI approached in 2018, here in the US many called attention to what was dubbed The Forgotten War.  Because the US entered the war only near the end, many Americans knew (and still know) little about it.  It is too bad, because the root of understanding why WWII happened lies in how WWI ended.  Strangely, many Americans learned more about WWI watching the first couple seasons of Downton Abbey than from anywhere else.  The losses for the British during the 5 years of the war dwarf the US losses in less than two years.

 

We recently toured Scotland, and were touched by the presence of a WWI memorial in every city, town, village, and hamlet.  It was also during the period of the Queen's death, so many flowers and tributes to her were placed at the WWI memorials.

[Canal archive]

On a school coach trip to stay in Austria in the mountains just above Innsbrook when around Arras we kept seeing the Commonwealth war graves so asked our teachers and coach driver if we could stop to see at least one. Our driver said it was not suitable for young ladies to see them. We managed to persuade our teachers. We later discovered that our driver was a very highly decorated army veteran.

[Host Jazzbeau]

20 minutes ago, Canal archive said:

On a school coach trip to stay in Austria in the mountains just above Innsbrook when around Arras we kept seeing the Commonwealth war graves so asked our teachers and coach driver if we could stop to see at least one. Our driver said it was not suitable for young ladies to see them. We managed to persuade our teachers. We later discovered that our driver was a very highly decorated army veteran.

Did you have to convince them you weren't young ladies?  😉

[Canal archive]

During the same trip we did a tour to the Dolomites and at that time crossing the border into Italy meant the coach was searched with us still in it by armed Italian border guards. To a group of yes young ladies these all appeared quite dishy - I think anything on legs and Italian did in those days - all they did was tell us our ties weren’t correctly tied. Oh the embarrassment of having to wear full school uniform.

[notamermaid]

On 11/12/2022 at 9:43 PM, sharkster77 said:

I recall that when the centennial of the end of WWI approached in 2018, here in the US many called attention to what was dubbed The Forgotten War.  Because the US entered the war only near the end, many Americans knew (and still know) little about it.

I had not heard the term The Forgotten War before. I am surprised about the lack of knowledge. No real criticism but surprise. Of course, I am quite close to that history geographically so know a far bit. 2018 saw large commemorations and was the start of exhibitions and projects around the American occupation of the Rhineland. The 1918 takeover of administration was the beginning of closer relationships with the US. Quite fascinating for me. I researched a lot and now am quite convinced that American soldiers marched, or at least walked, during my street in 1919 as well. They were kind of everywhere but gradually handed over to the French in the following years. I find the great legacy of the occupation is the photos and even reels the Americans took and filmed. Until a few years ago I did not know that such video footage existed. Here is one photo from Ehrenbreitstein unto Koblenz:

https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Datei:Blick_von_Ehrenbreitstein_1919.jpg

see the source - Library of Congress

 

A history project - for the real enthusiasts for details: https://www.regionalgeschichte.net/bibliothek/ausstellungen/stars-and-stripes-over-the-rhine-the-american-occupation-1918-1923/the-american-forces-in-germany-afg.html?L=1

 

You US Americans virtually ran this place for quite a while. It would be nice if tour guides talked about this, not sure if they do so. To my embarrassment I must admit that I have not attended many guided tours in the Middle Rhine valley. Must go on a river cruise some time...

 

notamermaid

 

 

[ural guy]

I work on a US Army base that had POW facilities, and also has POW cemetery.

 

1 Italian and 6 Germans are currently buried there. 1 Italian and 1 German were repatriated to their home countries.

 

4 November a wreath was placed at the Italian’s headstone, provided by their embassy, and placed by a Colonel with Italian Heritage.  Last Saturday, the German-American club placed a wreath on their graves.  Taps was played (that countries version).

 

I can vouch for the care and respect these men are given: ‘Joes’ just like us GI’s, sent to do something not of their choice.

 

And every year when those pictures are in the paper, I always forward to my old boss.  He approved me installing a faux wrought iron fence behind the 7 remaining graves, to kinda highlight them.  Maybe finessed some paperwork to have it flow through system unchallenged.  Sometimes doing the right thing is just a bit outside of the dotted lines.

 

 

[Canal archive]

When remains (I hate that expression) are discovered anywhere in Europe the Commonwealth War Graves Commission goes all out to try for a name, working with departments in Germany, France, etc even using DNA to match with family members.

It is amazing the history you can discover for instance the son of the last lock-keeper at Bradford on Avon is buried in the war graves cemetery in Baghdad which was moved from its original position by Idi Amin and the CWGC have not been allowed there for quite a few years. First WW yes but his Dad George fought in the Boer War.

[CPT Trips]

@Canal archive Help. I’m confused by the reference to Idi Amin, Baghdad, and Boer War. 

[Canal archive]

Okay the Boer war was nothing to do with North America but Baghdad was part of the 1st WW which North America I thought was.

[gnome12]

55 minutes ago, Canal archive said:

Okay the Boer war was nothing to do with North America but Baghdad was part of the 1st WW which North America I thought was.

"North America" was not part of WWI. Canada joined August 4, 1914 when the UK entered the war. The US didn't come in until April 6, 1917.

[Canal archive]

But they did join in.

Although as pointed out before it is sometimes called ‘the forgotten war’, just saying not being iffy at all.

Edited November 16, 2022 by Canal archive

[sharkster77]

1 hour ago, Canal archive said:

But they did join in.

Although as pointed out before it is sometimes called ‘the forgotten war’, just saying not being iffy at all.

Since you're talking about Baghdad, when you said Idi Amin, did you mean Sadam Hussein?  Idi Amin was in Uganda, IIRC.

Edited November 16, 2022 by sharkster77

[Canal archive]

Yes sorry got my nasty leaders mixed up.

[Daisi]

6 hours ago, Canal archive said:

Okay the Boer war was nothing to do with North America but Baghdad was part of the 1st WW which North America I thought was.

 

Actually, the Boer war was the first war Canada sent troops directly overseas to fight. Although we still fought under the British Ensign as British troops, 7000 Cdns. went over.

[Canal archive]

The Commonwealth of Nations is the most amazing group of countries and long may it be so regardless of who heads it up it has the capability of doing so much more in this world than it does. Whoops that shows my idealism.

[ural guy]

https://www.army.mil/article/261759/fort_drum_honors_italian_pow_with_wreath_laying_ceremony_on_national_unity_day
 

 

[sharkster77]

We were recently in Scotland and visited the Italian Chapel on Orkney.  I was truly touched by  the humanity displayed by the British toward the Italian POWs.  They wanted a Catholic chapel to worship in, and their captors gave them 2 quonset huts, which the POWs, using scrap materials in their spare time, converted into a masterpiece.

 

Even in time of war, folks can still display their humanity.

[OneSixtyToOne]

On 11/12/2022 at 12:43 PM, sharkster77 said:

I recall that when the centennial of the end of WWI approached in 2018, here in the US many called attention to what was dubbed The Forgotten War.  Because the US entered the war only near the end, many Americans knew (and still know) little about it.

 

 "War is God's way of teaching Americans geography" - Ambrose Bierce

[Canal archive]

If you look carefully around Great Britain there are little areas of Italians usually given away by some of the best ice-cream ever and a gem of an Italian restaurant.

[gnome12]

8 hours ago, sharkster77 said:

We were recently in Scotland and visited the Italian Chapel on Orkney.  I was truly touched by  the humanity displayed by the British toward the Italian POWs.  They wanted a Catholic chapel to worship in, and their captors gave them 2 quonset huts, which the POWs, using scrap materials in their spare time, converted into a masterpiece.

 

Even in time of war, folks can still display their humanity.

I loved the Italian Chapel when I visited Orkney! What you don’t point out is that almost all of the decor is just paint, but the artistry makes it look sumptuous. 

[Host Jazzbeau]

The Italians who were on Orkney appreciated the way they were treated, so when the chapel needed restoration the original artist came back voluntarily to restore his paintings.