M63

Remembering our past..

November 11 2012

It's that day again. The one where we pause at 11am to remember those who've died in conflict. Australians should pay particular note of this moment as over 60 000 of us perished in The First World War alone. This is almost the sole responsibility of the English.On a battle field, you require a certain amount of logistical forces to support the blokes who are actually doing the shooting. In Peter Fitzsimons book The Ballard Of Les Darcy, he points out that for most of armies involved in The First World War, this was 1:3. As the 1st AIF (The army Australia sent to WW1) was so new, we did not have anything like this sort of logistical ability. What am I talking about? Communications, field kitchens, engineering, transport, armorers and most importantly medical. The English promised to make up the difference for us. It never happened. For large parts of the war Fitzsimons says our ratio was closer to 15:1The sight of Australian solders being left on stretchers, to die of wound infections and gangrene was not uncommon. The medical support an army in the field needs was never properly forthcoming. I've not even begun to mention the sort of assignments our blokes were given. Or the fact that England sent us a bill for helping them in WW1. The interest on which almost sent Australia broke.It's also worth noting, that the flag the 1st AIF fought under was the union Jack, and on rare occasion a Defaced Red Ensign (like our current flag but with a red background). This is because the Defaced Blue Ensign was only intended to be flown over government buildings. The current flag was not official until Bob Menzies passed law to recognize it in the 1950s.It's worth thinking about these things as we remember the fallen and what symbol we should use to remember them by. I prefer Kangaroo and Boomerang.

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RHP User

13 years ago

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RHP User

13 years ago

I come from a perspective that my absolute hero was a man and his donkey. I was born into a service family and I have never felt the urge to take arms. My father seved in malaya and then vietnam as a warramt officer and was not a big fan of war or conflict. The only people who benefit from war are the arms makers ie: Krups, Boeing, Colt, McDonnell Douglas... Mike

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RHP User

13 years ago

That was a shock I forgot...at least you made me realise and its true respect and remember.

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RHP User

13 years ago

As mum to two soldiers, Anzac and Remembrance Days are sacred, and every other day just makes me more proud of my sons. Thanks for the topic LRE Viking

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RHP User

13 years ago

When the one minute's silence was announced. Over 90 percent of customers stopped in their tracks and bowed their heads. Respect.

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Cheekyarses

13 years ago

I was shopping in a bigw store this morning when it was 11am... I small male voice come over the speaker asking ppl to have one minute silence for Remembrance Day! And to my shock, none of the staff I could see stopped what they were doing - they continued to put items through the check outs - how rude n how rude of costumers to let them!

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1playfulcpl

13 years ago

we were at an auction an every1 stopped for a minute silence great to see the respect for our fallen an current service ppl

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RHP User

13 years ago

This is just another reason to remove the union jack from our flag. Mike

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boots_69

13 years ago

Was at a large event, a friend came up to me on Saturday night and asked if I would run a short Remembrance Service.As a serviceman I was more than happy to oblige.Expecting only a few people was pleasantly surprised when almost everyone there turned up.What we remember them with:I always get a poppy if I can - they were chosen for a reason and that reason is still valid today.A sprig of rosemary - (Rose of Mary for those who wish to look into it further) A tear for missing friends and the pain that their families are going through.A bit of hope so that my job may one day become redundant.Thanks LRE for the postVikingBitch thanks for the two fine companions in arms - hope they always return safely to you.Lets not forget.Boots

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RHP User

13 years ago

You made me cry.xx

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RHP User

13 years ago

Thanks man,I resisted the urge to put it in my post. Though it is how I feel.Although we are not a militaristic nation, we have a very proud military history. Particularly in respect to infantry. The first nation to defeat the Japanese and Germans in WW2. At Millne Bay and Tobruch respectively.Thanks to all of you for your posts.

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RHP User

13 years ago

The problem is, so many Australians have died defending the existing flag. I'm not speaking symbolically, I'm talking about flag bearers killed in combat and the soldiers defending them. The families of these men would feel deep offence at having the flag changed. Respect for the flag is still instilled in our service men and women. This is not a firm opinion, I'm just musing here, perhaps keeping the current flag, even in the event that we become a republic, wouldn't be so bad. A reminder of our history and heritage couldn't hurt. Any thoughts?

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RHP User

13 years ago

I did a career in the american Army. Talked to a friend who was inAfghanistan Putting roadside bombs back together to find out where they came from, You would be AMAZED and SHOCKED at what countries are supplying these idiots to blow up our troops. I was emailing him ( I was already out of the army), he knew i was in Australia and he asked me what the aussies thought about the war. I said probably the same as the states, some for some against.He said the place was CRAWLING with Aussie and Kiwi sniper teams.America is too high profile and EVERYONE is looking at us with a microscope, so we give the Aussie and Kiwi snipers the satellite intel and a picture of the person whos head we want to disappear.'No worries, Mate!', and off they go.BOOM!!!!the sound of the .50cal sniper rifle echoing through the valleys....You talk about logistical support, and it has been sorely lacking in all armies until only recently. During the american civil war, more troops died of disease than gunshot wounds. The same in WWI and to a lesser extent, WWII.During desert Storm, we OUTRAN our supply lines, so had to stop to allow the combat trains to keep up, then refuel, re arm and off we go again. Only recnetly have the armies of the world began to upgrade logistics and support to provide for front line troops. on the average, it take 30 support personnel to care for one wounded soldier. the terrorists know this and have been trying to bleed us to death financially. While the U.S. had had only a few hundred deaths, we have had over TEN THOUSAND wounded. part of this is due to better medical care than even when I was in.Jensman, i can see your point about the aussie flag. From the outside looking in, i am sorry to say, but jolly old england really stuck it to Australia in WWI and WWII, considering you guys nothing more than cannon fodder.For king and country.They said that During the french and indian war in america when it was a colony, which fueled resentment that helped kick off the revolution 'king and country my colonial ass! i am going home to defend my family! (indians fighting for the french were slaughtering the families along the frontier (Pennsylvania), while the militia was off fighting for the crown)I personally believe that Australia should be a republic, but as far as the flag, keep most of it, but maybe some small change to signify the change to a republic.The original American flag was a coiled snake that said 'dont tread on me!, and thousands of americans died under that flag. it changed probably ten times before we got what you see today.hats off to all fellow warriors and to our fallen comrades.

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Lifes_great

13 years ago

Well done LRE and everyone else who shared stories, thoughts and feelings. As a Kiwi I can tell you that many over the ditch feel the same way.

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RHP User

13 years ago

I knew the us flag had changed to accommodate Alaska and Hawaii. But I did not know about the snake. That's cool.

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RHP User

13 years ago

The only Australians who have died under the current flag are those who’ve done so since 1956..We stormed the beaches of Gallipoli under a Union Jack and In WW2 (at least in the beginning) it was the Defaced Red Ensign.

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Remembering our past..

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