The most momentous centenary of them all is finally here.
Shortly after 11 p.m. on Tuesday August 4th 1914, the Admiralty in London sent a signal to all ships in the British fleet instructing them to commence hostilities with Germany at once.
War had already begun. Earlier in the day news had reached Downing Street that German troops had crossed the Belgian border in force. A general European conflict could no longer be avoided.
But the entry of Great Britain ensured that the war would be global in extent. And as the only belligerent power who need not fear invasion, she would fight on until her war aims were accomplished. If there was ever a chance that the war would be ‘over by Christmas’, it disappeared that day one hundred years ago.
Was Britain right to declare war on Germany in defence of ‘little’ Belgium? I believe that we were.
Was the declaration of war an unmitigated catastrophe? Almost certainly.
The historian Norman Davies has described the 30 years between 1914 and 1945 as the period when Europe ‘took leave of its senses’. Britain may not have perpetuated some of the more grotesque excesses that took place during these decades, but we cannot be entirely absolved from blame.
Would it have made a difference if more prudent counsel had prevailed? We’ll never know.
What’s certain is that throughout Europe millions of men, women and children were to fall asleep on that fateful evening blissfully ignorant of the immense – and all too often tragic – consequences of the decisions being taken on their behalf.
Let us learn from the suffering they were to endure. It’s the very least we owe them.
Music: ‘Harold Land’ by Yes
http://youtu.be/nBoR3Crv9Rc
Comments
Indeed
Part of the rationale behind A Lomger War.
At times like this.....
I vacillate between two thoughts, thoughts best exemplified by General officers of the opposing sides of the US Civil War.
In the words of Robert E. Lee, "It is good that war is so terrible, lest we grow too fond of it." Lee's quote puts into words my thoughts and memories, my feelings if you will, that only in conflict is the best in some people brought out. As horrible as it was, and as bad as many of my memories of my time in service are, I will always remember the wonderful comraderie that I had with those in my unit. I will always remember how proud I was of them all, and how simply serving with them made me want to be better for them - to be the best that I could be to take care of them and to get them all home safely. I will never forget how combat turned ordinary men into my brothers, and how I saw them all at the best they will ever be.
But I will also always remember the words of William Tecumseh Sherman, "War is hell."
I will always bear the brunt of the fact that I lost too many of my brothers - that in their greatest hour I, their commanding officer, failed them. I was granted for a short time the opportunity to know and love those men, and receive their love and caring in return. I was also cursed to watch several of them die before my eyes, one in my arms.
I leave you with one last quote:
"Greater love hath no man, than to lay down his life for his fellow man."
Perhaps some day we will finally realize just how horrible war is, and we will all say, "From this day forward, I will make war no more."
Dallas
D. Eden
Dum Vivimus, Vivamus