WW1 - was it worth it?

[DennisNedry]

It was worth it.

 

If we'd have not entered the war, Germany would have defeated France and probably Russia also and gained control of the continent. We'd have been forced in to a war with them soon after and we'd have stood little chance. 

 

It's worth mentioning that our decision to defend Belgium, whilst based on a very old treaty, was definitely a just cause - as invading German Soldiers brutalised thousands of Belgian civilians.

 

Edit: I also watched the 4 part series by Paxman, the excellent documentary by Hastings, and the very unconvincing presentation by that other bloke who's name I forget

[Finnaldo]

What makes me appreciate how heroic those soldiers were is that people my age (16) and younger desperately tried to enlist to help our country when it needed it - unprecedented patriotism that this country will never see again.

The sheer bravery and courage to want to go and fight in a foreign country, in terrible conditions against a better organised enemy is astonishing.

I know I couldn't do it, I'd have to do it but I'd be scared and wouldn't be confident with the rest of my generation around me.

Hopefully nothing as disastrous at either war happens ever again.

Although I'd agree that they were all extremely brave and that it most likely would never happen with the coming generations, I think that's more to do with the lack of technology or movement at the time.

Most young lads around our age (16-19) would have never of set foot out of their home county, yet alone Britain, so it would have all been a big adventure to them. No one would have access to footage that wasn't heavily censured, as was the case with any photography or media. Britain had never really faced trench warfare at that scale (or any type of war at that scale to be fair) so they never would have heard of the horror or the real experience that they would face.

[Stadt]

Although I'd agree that they were all extremely brave and that it most likely would never happen with the coming generations, I think that's more to do with the lack of technology or movement at the time.

Most young lads around our age (16-19) would have never of set foot out of their home county, yet alone Britain, so it would have all been a big adventure to them. No one would have access to footage that wasn't heavily censured, as was the case with any photography or media. Britain had never really faced trench warfare at that scale (or any type of war at that scale to be fair) so they never would have heard of the horror or the real experience that they would face.

Agreed, the more I think of it the more it seems it would have been a laugh for young lads at the time, obviously they changed their minds when they got there.

As Mark said it was thought that the war wouldn't last long, nobody knew it'd turn into a war of attrition.

[Rincewind]

This is something I wrote with WW1 in mind. Specifically the Somme. It's to do with how young people were recruited by glorifying what they would face.

 

The General's Speech

 

A young man watched open-mouthed,
As he listened to the general's speech.
Who spoke of pinnacles of bravery,
That only a fearless man could reach.

The young man was given a uniform,
And a rifle placed into his hand.
He proudly stood on the ship's deck,
As it sailed to a foreign land.

Lying in a trench covered in mud,
He waited anxiously for the call.
Thinking about going over the top,
Where he would see the enemy fall.

At last the captain gave the order,
‘Righto chaps do your best.’
The young man ran but 20 yards,
Heedless of shells hitting his chest.

His memories spilled onto the ground,
Where his comrades were not far behind.
They trampled his short life underfoot,
Lost in the earth never to be found.

The young man was laid beneath the grass,
Where he used to run and play.
On his old school's roll of honour board,
Was added another young man’s name.

A young man watched open-mouthed,
As he listened to the general's speech.

[indierich06]

It was worth it.

 

If we'd have not entered the war, Germany would have defeated France and probably Russia also and gained control of the continent. We'd have been forced in to a war with them soon after and we'd have stood little chance. 

 

It's worth mentioning that our decision to defend Belgium, whilst based on a very old treaty, was definitely a just cause - as invading German Soldiers brutalised thousands of Belgian civilians.

 

Edit: I also watched the 4 part series by Paxman, the excellent documentary by Hastings, and the very unconvincing presentation by that other bloke who's name I forget

 

Absolute bollocks wasn't it? Made me laugh when the panel of historians he invited on tore his argument to shreds, then when he appealed to the audience for a bit of backing, they tore him apart too. It was cringeworthy stuff.

[Rincewind]

37 days was quite good. It gave the account leading up to the start of the war. Even though Britain had a pact with France they said it wasn't clear what was involved. A few of the cabinet resigned because of the proposals to go to war. A few did say we were not ready but the actions of Germany were done to provoke war throughout Europe.