The Thin Yellow Line

[gaztop]

>:( I have just finished reading William Moore's excellent book{The thin yellow line} about soldiers that were executed during the first world war because they were shell shocked.
The Bast$%ds that ordered these killings never answered for thier actions.

May I suggest you read this book

[Felix/FFDS]

Who did the executions?

[Hagar]

I've not read this particular book but have seen many accounts of this. The executions were ordered by the highest authorities to set examples & avoid any chance of a mutiny. After a quick court martial the executions were carried out at dawn by local firing squads. In some cases the men were shooting their own comrades. Some relatives have been campaigning ever since to get these men officially pardoned. I'm not sure they have been successful to date.

I've also read accounts of military police stationed behind the troops going "over the top". They were under orders to shoot any soldier refusing to go or showing any reluctance to obey orders. It was a Catch 22 situation. Either follow orders & be mown down or be shot by your own side. I'm not sure if most people realise how terrible WWI really was. If only it had been the "War to End All Wars" it might have been worth it.

PS. http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/war/wwone/shot_at_dawn_01.shtml

[ozzy72]

I've read this book, and its excellent.
I remember at school also seeing a v.good B&W movie about 4 soldiers being tried and then executed, similar thing... can't remember the name of the film though.
The British military did not cover itself in glory, the way officers treated enlisted men was horrific.
A good tonic for this would be Blackadder Goes Forth which parodies the whole thing beautifully, but sometimes you do wonder about some of the tongue-in-cheek jokes

[Hagar]

A good tonic for this would be Blackadder Goes Forth which parodies the whole thing beautifully, but sometimes you do wonder about some of the tongue-in-cheek jokes

I agree. Everyone should be made to watch it to see the futility of it all. There is a lot of truth lurking below the sometimes risque humour. The last episode is probably the most powerful & moving piece of TV I've ever seen.

[gaztop]

Hagar has expressed more eloquently {Thank you} what I wanted to say in response to the book.
He is absolutly right in what he has said, historically and factually.
My anger and frustration were overwhelming, almost bringing me to tears, at the thought of these youths being subjected to such archaic punishments.

I also agree with Ozzy, Blackadder was the parody of Haige and his rediculous retinue.
Why has no one been judged?

[ozzy72]

'Cos in those days Gaz their actions were considered perfectly acceptable
Nowadays things are a tad different... or not in the case of MPs

Mark (formerly of HM Armed Forces and hater of politicians)

Ps. Has anyone considered the origins of the word politics?
Poli - from the Greek meaning many
Tics - small blood-sucking insects.... 'nuff said

[gaztop]

Roger that Ozzy, I was in HM Forces for some years, and most of the officers I met were complete planks!

The only person I had any time for was my RSM.
I still go to see him to this day.
Remember the 6 p's?
Preparation and Planning Prevent piss poor performance! Who made these things up??