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1st July 1916 - start of The Battle of the Somme.
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 Eden Eagle  Kent 01 Jul 23 6.00am |
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Today marks the 107th anniversary of the start of the Battle of The Somme when British and Commonwealth forces launched their long awaited attack designed to relieve pressure on the French forces fighting further south at Verdun. Despite a week long bombardment and over 1 million shells fired at the German lines the wire was not destroyed and the German troops were sheltering in their deep bunkers, consequently when the call to go “over the top” was given the German were able to man their machine gun posts and on this day alone 20,000 British & Commonwealth troops were killed with over 40,000 wounded (many of these were to die of their wounds). This is the single worst loss of life suffered by the British army in a single day. I was fortunate to visit the area last week to pay respects to these incredibly brave individuals - the monuments and graves (impeccably kept by the CWGC) are a stark reminder of the events that took place. If you have the chance to visit I would strongly recommend going.
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cryrst  The garden of England 01 Jul 23 6.33am |
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Originally posted by Eden Eagle
Today marks the 107th anniversary of the start of the Battle of The Somme when British and Commonwealth forces launched their long awaited attack designed to relieve pressure on the French forces fighting further south at Verdun. Despite a week long bombardment and over 1 million shells fired at the German lines the wire was not destroyed and the German troops were sheltering in their deep bunkers, consequently when the call to go “over the top” was given the German were able to man their machine gun posts and on this day alone 20,000 British & Commonwealth troops were killed with over 40,000 wounded (many of these were to die of their wounds). This is the single worst loss of life suffered by the British army in a single day. I was fortunate to visit the area last week to pay respects to these incredibly brave individuals - the monuments and graves (impeccably kept by the CWGC) are a stark reminder of the events that took place. If you have the chance to visit I would strongly recommend going. In Folkestone by the seafront there is a square about 8 or so metres with stones set in with concrete. It is exactly the amount of men killed on the first day. As you say just shy of 20k. Brave brave men fighting for freedom from tyranny and persecution. I hope they have and continue to RIP. X
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Teddy Eagle  01 Jul 23 10.35am |
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 Hrolf The Ganger 01 Jul 23 11.41am |
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A war started by fools over next to nothing, and the result was the beginning of our downfall as a nation. We are still governed by fools, and they continue to ruin all that we have left with the insanity of their arrogance, greed and ambition.
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ASCPFC  Pro-Cathedral/caravan park 01 Jul 23 11.50am |
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The Somme was largely the new volunteers. Most of the original army were already dead or wounded from holding far larger German forces. Shame so many died pointlessly but that is in hindsight - they may well have believed they were fighting for something. Typical German jackboot atrocities were going on but doubtful they will be highlighted by modern historians. The war will eventually get labelled as England's fault and useful idiots in academia will lap it up. Our men dying for France and continental freedom does not seem to be particularly worthy of any gratitude from Paris or Brussels.
Red and Blue Army! |
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Nicholas91  The Democratic Republic of Kent 01 Jul 23 12.29pm |
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I was fortunate enough a while back to visit both France and Belgium and tour the sites. This isn’t a dig or attempt to hijack for contemporary commentary however it was extremely sombre, almost eerie, and whilst actually not that distant in terms of history it really is hard to empathise or imagine the reality and scale of what happened to these soldiers as a man of today. We owe them so much, everything, may they rest in peace.
Now Zaha's got a bit of green grass ahead of him here... and finds Ambrose... not a bad effort!!!! |
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PalazioVecchio  south pole 01 Jul 23 1.16pm |
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A great War for nothing. Just a few flags and trade agreements. Imagine if our elites were still at that lark ?
Kayla did Anfield & Old Trafford |
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| The groover Danbury 01 Jul 23 1.55pm |
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My daughter lived in an old cottage in Essex. We discovered that the son of the first occupants joined the Sussex regiment because when he tried to join the Essex they discovered he was too young. He was 17. He survived the somme but was killed on the final day of the battle of Passchendaele. November 1917. The Germans withdrew the very next day. He was just 18yo. There is now a brass plaque in the hall way of the cottage which I commissioned in remembrance of his sacrifice.
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| Eden Eagle Kent 01 Jul 23 2.28pm |
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Originally posted by Nicholas91
I was fortunate enough a while back to visit both France and Belgium and tour the sites. This isn’t a dig or attempt to hijack for contemporary commentary however it was extremely sombre, almost eerie, and whilst actually not that distant in terms of history it really is hard to empathise or imagine the reality and scale of what happened to these soldiers as a man of today. We owe them so much, everything, may they rest in peace. I agree it is quite a sombre experience - there were a number of school trips there last week so hopefully future generations will continue to remember the fallen and the sacrifices they made.
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| PalazioVecchio south pole 01 Jul 23 2.47pm |
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Originally posted by ASCPFC
The Somme was largely the new volunteers. Most of the original army were already dead or wounded from holding far larger German forces. Shame so many died pointlessly but that is in hindsight - they may well have believed they were fighting for something. Typical German jackboot atrocities were going on but doubtful they will be highlighted by modern historians. The war will eventually get labelled as England's fault and useful idiots in academia will lap it up. Our men dying for France and continental freedom does not seem to be particularly worthy of any gratitude from Paris or Brussels. The war started in the Balkans. And as we saw, it did nothing to prevent future bloodshed there. WARS have always been sold to Tommy as a defensive measure. To prevent your country getting flooded with foreign men....taking your homes, jobs, women etc. If you are pro Ukraine war today, I feel sorry for you. Most Empires are evil. Investors always seem to carry more political clout than citizens. Edited by PalazioVecchio (01 Jul 2023 2.49pm)
Kayla did Anfield & Old Trafford |
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