The 1st world war was completely pointless. If Britain had stayed on the sidelines, Germany would have won, taken off a piece of France and the 2nd world war probably wouldn't have happened. In fact if the Russian-German conflict hadn't gone on so long then there wouldn't have been a revolution, and without the 2nd world war China wouldn't have been taken over by the communists.
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Chaos as Corona virus test site for key workers closes after a few hours
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Originally posted by BlasterBates View PostThe 1st world war was completely pointless. If Britain had stayed on the sidelines, Germany would have won, taken off a piece of France and the 2nd world war probably wouldn't have happened. In fact if the Russian-German conflict hadn't gone on so long then there wouldn't have been a revolution, and without the 2nd world war China wouldn't have been taken over by the communists.
The excellent book by Christopher Clark, "The Sleepwalkers: How Europe Went to War in 1914", shows how all parties sort of drifted into war without really thinking it through and having completely misunderstood the motivations of the other parties.
Another good book on the period is by the soldier turned historian, Allan Mallinson, "Too Important for the Generals: Winning and Losing the First World War (2017)". Which as the title suggest, assesses all the evidence (including the "donkeys" comment attributed to Alan Clarke) and comes to the conclusion that the British generals were in fact slow in learning lessons over the whole period.Last edited by sasguru; 25 April 2020, 08:49.Hard Brexit now!
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Originally posted by sasguru View PostHardly.
Your senility probably prevents you noticing that it's OG futilely trying to make a point with the proven cretin Vetran (sic)
But I'll bite.
I've only skimmed the dross that the imbecile vetran(sic) wasted his time posting on a Friday evening.
His main point seems to be that the lower rate of the butcher's bill for the British army proves that the leadership were not donkeys. ..
If it hadn't been for the Boer war, a giant wake up call for the complacent real donkeys around the turn of the century, I've no doubt Britain would have been in an even worse state of preparation and lost WW1.
Also, Admiral Fisher had to battle widespread opposition to his naval reforms in the 1890s, both from politicians and military bods. If only the army had had someone as far sighted and determined, WW1 would have lasted only a fraction of the time with far fewer casualties.
.. comes to the conclusion that the British generals were in fact slow in learning lessons over the whole period.
For example, in 1914 the Germans came within a whisker of occupying France. So there was hardly time to sit back and reflect how the army could be reorganised and retrained, or new weapons developed, while they were literally fighting at full pelt with all available manpower and armaments production.Last edited by OwlHoot; 25 April 2020, 09:02.Work in the public sector? Read the IR35 FAQ hereComment
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Originally posted by OwlHoot View PostSome fair points in your post, granted. But arguably it was the previous generation of army and navy top brass and who were the real donkeys, .
Books I've read include "Catastrophe" by Max Hastings (anything by him or Beevor is a must) who thinks Britain was right to go to war in 1914 but slates the leadership, and few other histories.
"Mud, Blood and Poppycock" makes the opposite case, but seems to be more of a nationalist polemic than a sifting of the evidence.
But Mallinson's book, mentioned in a post above, is the most even-handed and he really digs deep into the evidence from a military point of view. He comes to the same conclusion as Hastings.Last edited by sasguru; 25 April 2020, 09:19.Hard Brexit now!
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Originally posted by sasguru View PostI've read a fair bit on this topic, WW1, (and WW2) over the years. The "Lions led by Donkeys" quote is probably an exaggeration, attributed to Alan Clarke. And some historians over the years (obviously of a nationalistic bent) have gone the other way. But no evidence-led, dispassionate analysis concludes that the British generalship in WW1 was competent.
Books I've read include "Catastrophe" by Max Hastings (anything by him or Beevor is a must) who thinks Britain was right to go to war in 1914 but slates the leadership, and few other histories.
"Mud, Blood and Poppycock" makes the opposite case, but seems to be more of a nationalist polemic than a sifting of the evidence.
But Mallinson's book, mentioned in a post above, is the most even-handed and he really digs deep into the evidence from a military point of view. He comes to the same conclusion as Hastings.Comment
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Originally posted by sasguru View PostCoronavirus: Test website closes after 'significant demand' - BBC News
The words "couldn't", "pissup" and "brewery" come to mind.
Meanwhile about 100 NHS staff have died from Covid:
Coronavirus UK: More than 100 frontline workers thought to have died | Metro News
I thought the Lions led by Donkeys scenario had died out in the 1st world war?
Very depressing. Really makes me glum.
Netflix and YouTube are slowing down in Europe to keep internet from breaking - CNN
Facebook says coronavirus is sending usage through the roof - The VergeComment
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Originally posted by minestrone View Post
Let me give you a hint.
What's the difference between the above and a site that should have been designed for at least the known number of key workers in the Uk?
If you get stuck ask your missus.
Oh wait, she's only got medical trainingLast edited by sasguru; 25 April 2020, 16:26.Hard Brexit now!
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Originally posted by sasguru View PostYou're being so stupid I'm guessing your drinking has remained constant, or increased, during lockdown?
Let me give you a hint.
What's the difference between the above and a site that should have been designed for at least the known number of key workers in the Uk?
If you get stuck ask your missus.
Oh wait, she's only got medical trainingComment
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Originally posted by minestrone View PostNo, that is a question. The question mark at the end gives it away.Hard Brexit now!
#prayfornodealComment
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Originally posted by sasguru View PostStarted early I see. What does your missus think about your drinking, now you have to do it at home?Comment
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