# The Great War Centenary Thread: The Thread to End All Threads **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [June 28, 2014, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-war-centenary-thread-the-thread-to-end-all-threads/691863 "2014-06-28T15:03:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 9
**Author:** ![AK84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2015, 4:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-war-centenary-thread-the-thread-to-end-all-threads/691863/161 "2015-05-27T04:33:35Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > My sense is that it was a daring plan, a potential masterstroke well worth trying, but appallingly poorly executed by those to whom it was assigned. I suspect Churchill might just be able to recover from the debacle, although it will take quite some time. Guys a glory hound without two braincells\* to rub together. Good riddance. \*OOC: Did they know about braincells in 1915? ---
**Author:** ![Your\_Great\_Darsh\_Face](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/ac8455/32.png) [@Your\_Great\_Darsh\_Face](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Your_Great_Darsh_Face)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2015, 6:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-war-centenary-thread-the-thread-to-end-all-threads/691863/162 "2015-05-27T06:34:32Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > I must disagree. Even in wartime the British ought to uphold the rule of law and give them a fair trial, or you’re no better than the Huns. > > There was a Zeppelin raid on Southend today, and severe fighting around Przemsyl in southeastern Poland. Indiscriminately dropping things on people from high in the sky - and on a town at that, and not a battlezone - is barbaric and about what we’d expect from those sausage-eating baby-killers. But you won’t win a war like that. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2015, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-war-centenary-thread-the-thread-to-end-all-threads/691863/163 "2015-05-27T17:30:35Z")
> [@AK84](#): > > …Did they know about braincells in 1915? Yup: [Franz Nissl - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Franz_Nissl) ---
**Author:** ![Sangahyando](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f14d63/32.png) [@Sangahyando](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sangahyando)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2015, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-war-centenary-thread-the-thread-to-end-all-threads/691863/164 "2015-05-29T13:47:48Z")
> [@Sangahyando](#): > > In the early morning of May 22nd 1915, there took place the railway disaster with the highest toll of dead and injured that has ever happened in the United Kingdom. This occurred at Quintinshill, on the England – Scotland main line a little way north-west of Carlisle. It involved five trains: two civilian passenger, two freight, and a southbound troop train; the passenger, and troop, trains’ colliding with each other, resulted in a devastating outbreak of fire which consumed all five trains, and added greatly to the number of casualties. The catastrophe is reckoned to have resulted in 226 people killed and 246 injured. The majority of the dead were soldiers of the Royal Scots regiment, destined ultimately for Gallipoli and being conveyed by the troop train, which was the first to catch on fire. > > The cause of the disaster is suggested to have been sloppy and negligent working practices, involving dangerous “cutting of corners” on the part of railway employees: the most culpable being the two men operating the signal cabin at Quintinshill, in charge of the devices to regulate safe passage of trains between one section of track and another. Staff who were working on the trains involved, made lesser contributions to this horrible event. The suspected chief perpetrators are in police custody, pending further investigation. > > In my opinion, these men are German agents, who were working to hit Britain’s rail system where it would grievously hurt, and to kill numerous soldiers before they even got to the theatre of war. For these bastards: the firing squad, with no blindfold or final cigarette – that’s what I say… > [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > I must disagree. Even in wartime the British ought to uphold the rule of law and give them a fair trial, or you’re no better than the Huns. Oh, absolutely: give them a fair trial (the outcome of which will be certain and beyond doubt), and then put them up against the wall… …as for that vulgar tawdry Southend place: if Fritz feels he absolutely has to clobber towns of ours from the air, I consider that a good one to choose 😃 . > [@](#): > > There was a Zeppelin raid on **Southend** today, and severe fighting around Przemsyl in southeastern Poland. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2015, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-war-centenary-thread-the-thread-to-end-all-threads/691863/165 "2015-05-29T20:22:43Z")
The French took Ablain today, a Russian counter-offensive forced the Austrians to retreat in east Galicia, the Italians occupied Valona, and Anglo-French forces took Njok (Cameroons). ---
**Author:** ![Gedd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gedd/32/4938_2.png) [@Gedd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gedd)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2015, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-war-centenary-thread-the-thread-to-end-all-threads/691863/166 "2015-07-29T16:52:17Z")
And here we are. A year later . . . [First six months](https://youtu.be/i7UvEaozUm8) [Second six month](https://youtu.be/zqSXFbskrSA) This thing continues even though not much seems to happen somethimes. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2015, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-war-centenary-thread-the-thread-to-end-all-threads/691863/167 "2015-07-29T17:12:47Z")
President Wilson just sent a contingent of Marines ashore… in Haiti. I think they’re needed just a _bit_ more in France. ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2016, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-war-centenary-thread-the-thread-to-end-all-threads/691863/168 "2016-06-07T01:58:14Z")
One hundred years ago, [Great Uncle Captain John Clarence Milne](http://freepages.history.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cdobie/ftwilliam-captain.jpg), 28th Battalion (Northwest), Canadian Expeditionary Force, fell at Hooge on 6 June 1916, at which time the Germans detonated four mines beneath the British trenches and retook the Hooge crater and the British front line. “In their next action, however, the battle of Hooge, on June 6, they suffered even worse losses than those sustained by the other battalions of the Brigade in April. Two companies, " A " and " B," were all but wiped out–the former being victims of more German mines, while the latter came under one of the most terrific enemy bombardments of the war. The 6th was the blackest day in the history of the unit, and while the casualties in the ranks were exceptionally high, some of the noblest and most experienced officers were lost. These included Captains Milne and McGovern, of "A Company, both killed.” ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2016, 4:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-war-centenary-thread-the-thread-to-end-all-threads/691863/169 "2016-06-07T04:41:23Z")
The Arab Revolt began two days ago against the Ottoman Empire. Hussein bin Ali, Sharif of Mecca, is leading it; it seems he and his followers hope to create a single unified Arab state spanning from Aleppo to Aden. I wonder if the Allies will be able to make common cause with the rebels and, in time, make a significant difference against the Ottomans? ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Feldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lord_feldon/32/341_2.png) [@Lord\_Feldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Feldon)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2016, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-war-centenary-thread-the-thread-to-end-all-threads/691863/170 "2016-07-02T01:20:40Z")
I hear the British have had better days. ---
**Author:** ![AK84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2018, 10:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-war-centenary-thread-the-thread-to-end-all-threads/691863/171 "2018-06-01T10:51:34Z")
Hard fighting last few months and two years. But surely, the Germans will get some sort of settlement now. Thousands of American troops, inexperienced aren’t going to do much, but be machine gun fodder. ---
**Author:** ![Cicero](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cicero/32/3594_2.png) [@Cicero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cicero)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2018, 11:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-war-centenary-thread-the-thread-to-end-all-threads/691863/172 "2018-06-02T11:07:48Z")
By 1918, the USA had a bigger army in Europe than the British. They learned the hard way. I can understand Pershing insisting his forces fight under his command- and not be used to bolster losses in other forces- but it cost a lot of lives. ---
**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2018, 12:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-war-centenary-thread-the-thread-to-end-all-threads/691863/173 "2018-06-02T12:08:37Z")
This week, Third Battle of the Aisne (Wikipedia): The bombardment was followed by a poison gas drop. Once the gas had lifted, the main infantry assault by 17 German Sturmtruppen divisions commenced, part of an Army Group nominally commanded by Crown Prince Wilhelm, the eldest son of Kaiser Wilhelm II. The Kaiser came to inspect the progress of the battle. Taken completely by surprise and with their defences spread thin, the Allies were unable to stop the attack and the German army advanced through a 40 kilometres (25 mi) gap in the Allied lines. Reaching the Aisne in under six hours, the Germans smashed through eight Allied divisions on a line between Reims and Soissons, pushing the Allies back to the river Vesle and gaining an extra 15 km of territory by nightfall. Victory seemed near for the Germans, who had captured just over 50,000 Allied soldiers and over 800 guns by 30 May 1918. But advancing within 56 kilometres (35 mi) of Paris on 3 June, the German armies were beset by numerous problems, including supply shortages, fatigue, lack of reserves and many casualties. On 6 June 1918, following many successful Allied counter-attacks, the German advance halted on the Marne, much as the “Michael” and “Georgette” offensives had in March and April of that year. ---
**Author:** ![Teuton](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/teuton/32/3864_2.png) [@Teuton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Teuton)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2018, 9:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-war-centenary-thread-the-thread-to-end-all-threads/691863/174 "2018-11-11T09:47:47Z")
And so, after 4 years, the guns fall silent at 11 o’clock on the 11th day of the 11th month. Europe is different now. The vast Austro-Hungarian empire was split, Germany cut down, new countries formed in the aftermath. The Ottoman Empire was similarly partitioned, it’s Middle Eastern territories given to France and the UK. But, for the people of Europe, the war was over. War dead estimates vary wildly, but it seems likely that over 30 million, both military and civilian, lost there lives due to the war. They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old: Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning We will remember them. ---
**Author:** ![Cicero](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cicero/32/3594_2.png) [@Cicero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cicero)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2018, 10:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-war-centenary-thread-the-thread-to-end-all-threads/691863/175 "2018-11-11T10:13:51Z")
> [@Teuton](#): > > And so, after 4 years, the guns fall silent at 11 o’clock on the 11th day of the 11th month. > > Europe is different now. The vast Austro-Hungarian empire was split, Germany cut down, new countries formed in the aftermath. The Ottoman Empire was similarly partitioned, it’s Middle Eastern territories given to France and the UK. > > But, for the people of Europe, the war was over. War dead estimates vary wildly, but it seems likely that over 30 million, both military and civilian, lost there lives due to the war. > > They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old: > Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. > At the going down of the sun and in the morning > We will remember them. Well if you want to split hairs, the war wasn’t over until 1919. This was simply an Armistice and there was still a war going on in the Soviet Union. However, by and large, this was the end. It seemed so pointless that attacks continued on the morning of the 11th even though the Generals knew that the Armistice was about to be signed. ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2018, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-war-centenary-thread-the-thread-to-end-all-threads/691863/176 "2018-11-11T14:04:01Z")
> [@Teuton](#): > > And so, after 4 years, the guns fall silent at 11 o’clock on the 11th day of the 11th month. > > Europe is different now. The vast Austro-Hungarian empire was split, Germany cut down, new countries formed in the aftermath. The Ottoman Empire was similarly partitioned, it’s Middle Eastern territories given to France and the UK. > > But, for the people of Europe, the war was over. War dead estimates vary wildly, but it seems likely that over 30 million, both military and civilian, lost there lives due to the war. > > They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old: > Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. > At the going down of the sun and in the morning > We will remember them. That poetry is the fourth verse of “For the Fallen” > **[For the Fallen by Laurence Binyon | Poetry Foundation](https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/57322/for-the-fallen)** > > With proud thanksgiving, a mother for her children, My grandfather had, less than a month before the armistice, turned eighteen years old, so he was not drafted and didn’t go to war. He probably would have been shooting at cousins, as his own father left Germany to avoid the draft, at the age of sixteen. He didn’t fancy being cannon fodder for Bismarck’s ambitions. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-war-centenary-thread-the-thread-to-end-all-threads/691863.md?page=8)