11/11/11

cameldriver · 11 November 2009, 04:21 AM

Let us remember today what took place on this date in 1918 on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. It is regrettable that we have not learned from the War to End All Wars, but let us give thanks to those who have served to keep us free.

bristol scout · 11 November 2009, 04:34 AM

Very well said cameldriver.

Dave.

crankcase · 11 November 2009, 05:05 AM

I've been wearing my poppy for the last few days and drawn a few queries from locals (here in Romania).

On sunday i was at the British war cemetery (Tincabesti) near Bucharest. A Romanian honor guard was there, along with local military brass and ambassadors. The pastor of the Anglican church led the service with the UK military attache (a colonel in full regalia) and the British ambassador laid a wreath at the monument.

The weather was the warmest in years!
marc

ManfredT · 12 November 2009, 05:42 AM

Cameldriver,

when living in Cologne there is a one and only "Elfter im Elften, elf Uhr elf". Never heard that the people of Cologne want to take your freedom. But what the hell were British soldiers doing in Cologne 1919? Okay, they skip town when they got frightened by the battle call "Kölle Alaaf".

YouTube- Heumarkt 11.11.2009 - Karneval in KÃ¶ln

ManfredT

cameldriver · 12 November 2009, 07:59 AM

Manfred
Sorry, I don't speak German. I guess that's a result of the outcomes of WWI and WWII. Therefore, I'm not able to follow your logic. While we can all try to live together in friendship, we can't forget or rewrite history.

bristol scout · 12 November 2009, 08:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cameldriver

Manfred
Sorry, I don't speak German. I guess that's a result of the outcomes of WWI and WWII. Therefore, I'm not able to follow your logic. While we can all try to live together in friendship, we can't forget or rewrite history.

And---with a due sense of dread--I must say---Well said cameldriver.

And the simple facts are ---

11-11-18

Armistice agreed and brought into effect---remember that an armistice is ONLY an agreed cessation of hostilities.

The war did not officially end until June 1919 with the signing of the treaty of Versailles.
One of the main tenets of that formal surrender by Germany was for the de-militarization of the Rhineland (including Cologne) that de-militarization to be assured by allied forces.

So-- the answer to Manfred's question ("what the hell were British soldiers.......") is simple---the surrender of Germany in 1918 was dependent on the signing of a lasting peace---which happened in 1919---British soldiers were in Cologne in 1919 to ensure the compliance of a defeated Germany within the strictures of it's surrender agreement.

Long live Cologne----but was'nt it another little dictator that re-entered the de-militarised zone?

Dave.

Terrencejones · 12 November 2009, 08:31 AM

Manfred
The people of Cologne didn't want to take any bodies freedom away, it was the rulers of the German Nation that wanted to do that, the general poulation as always have little choice in the matter. Wasn't "Kolle Alaaf" a line in a song? I didn't think it was a battle cry. I'm not sure of your sentiments here Manfred

Terry

bristol scout · 12 November 2009, 08:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Terrencejones

Manfred
The people of Cologne didn't want to take any bodies freedom away, it was the rulers of the German Nation that wanted to do that, the general poulation as always have little choice in the matter. Wasn't "Kolle Alaaf" a line in a song? I didn't think it was a battle cry. I'm not sure of your sentiments here Manfred

Terry

Hi Terry,
It means 'long live Cologne'---so i can't imagine British soldiers 'getting frightened and skipping town'--when they heard that....It takes a tad more than that to indimidate a Tommy--especially a victorious one!

Cheers,
Dave.

Terrencejones · 12 November 2009, 09:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bristol scout

Hi Terry,
It means 'long live Cologne'---so i can't imagine British soldiers 'getting frightened and skipping town'--when they heard that....It takes a tad more than that to indimidate a Tommy--especially a victorious one!

Cheers,
Dave.

I vaguely remember some American President misquoting the phrase in a visit to Cologne which they found amusing.

I think the Tommies in 1919 probably found it more admirable of the people in Cologne rather than intimidating. The people of Cologne remained in good spirits and maintained their pride in the face of defeat. The allies did not want to destroy that in anyone, only stop those who did.

Terry

ManfredT · 12 November 2009, 09:14 AM

Terry,

the rulers of the German Nation want NOT to take your freedom, that is bloody propaganda, which works even today. But I am sure a more objective view of history will take place. Great Britain saw Germany as a business rival, that was the reason for war - a pure affair of capitalism, but the rulers of Great Britain couldn't tell that.

Have a trip to Düsseldorf with a cheerfull "Kölle Alaaf", afterwards you can inform us if it's a battle cry or not. Same with "Düsseldorf Helau" in Cologne.

ManfredT