This was the day in 1939 when Britain and France declared war on Nazi Germany. An apprehensive Britain crowded around their wireless sets to listen to the Prime Minister's announcement. They needn't have worried, though. As Alan Bennett pointed out in 40 Years On, 3 September was also the date of Cromwell's great victory over the Scots [Battle of Dunbar 1651, but you knew that already I am sure] but Hitler didn't know that. But then there were a lot of things Hitler didn't know (have you read Mein Kampf?).
In other news ...
Richard Plantagenet became Richard I of England today after years of fighting with his father, Henry II and brothers Geoffrey and John over the succession. Bearing in mind that this rather unpleasant psychopath spent only 6 months of a 10 year reign in this country, one wonders why.
Showing posts with label World War Two. Show all posts
Showing posts with label World War Two. Show all posts
Monday, 3 September 2012
Thursday, 10 May 2012
10th May
The worst blitz of World War Two on London hit tonight in 1941. Like all such disasters, figures are unreliable, but there were at least 1400 deaths and 100,000 incendiary fires all over the capital. The Houses of Parliament were hit, so was St Paul's, the British Museum, Westminster Abbey and every major railway station. The Ministry of Information announced the next day that 28 German bombers were shot down. In fact the figure was a mere eight and one of those crash landed, out of fuel, somewhere in Scotland and had nothing to do with the Blitz at all.
Or did it? The Messerschmidt in question was flown by Rudolf Hess, Hitler's deputy and if you think that's a coincidence you've been reading too much British and Nazi propaganda.
In other news ...
One of the greatest generals in the American army died today in 1863 of pneumonia and complications brought on by wounds he received soon after his brilliant victory at Chancellorsville. He was Thomas Jackson, known to all and sundry as 'Stonewall' because of his stubborn steadiness under fire. Ironically he was shot by one of his own pickets, a terrified teenager who lost his nerve and fired too soon in the darkness while on guard duty at the Confederate camp.
Personally, I wouldn't trust a teenager to point a rifle at me or anyone else for fear they would forget what they were doing and just pull the trigger to hear the bang and see the pretty bullet. It would have been better all round and certainly for Stonewall Jackson if the under twenties had been confined to pea shooters. The Sixth Form at Leighford High are certainly not allowed weaponry of any kind until they have completed at least five terms and then only if they can shoot the 'i' out of the school noticeboard at fifty paces.
Or did it? The Messerschmidt in question was flown by Rudolf Hess, Hitler's deputy and if you think that's a coincidence you've been reading too much British and Nazi propaganda.
In other news ...
One of the greatest generals in the American army died today in 1863 of pneumonia and complications brought on by wounds he received soon after his brilliant victory at Chancellorsville. He was Thomas Jackson, known to all and sundry as 'Stonewall' because of his stubborn steadiness under fire. Ironically he was shot by one of his own pickets, a terrified teenager who lost his nerve and fired too soon in the darkness while on guard duty at the Confederate camp.
Personally, I wouldn't trust a teenager to point a rifle at me or anyone else for fear they would forget what they were doing and just pull the trigger to hear the bang and see the pretty bullet. It would have been better all round and certainly for Stonewall Jackson if the under twenties had been confined to pea shooters. The Sixth Form at Leighford High are certainly not allowed weaponry of any kind until they have completed at least five terms and then only if they can shoot the 'i' out of the school noticeboard at fifty paces.
Friday, 13 April 2012
13th April
Friday 13th! This is the day that Ten Bee Eff will kick off big time, the entire school IT system crashes and they're only serving semolina in the Dining Hall.
But in the real world ... Today in 1860, Tom Hamilton galloped into Sacramento, California carrying 49 letters and 3 newspapers. He was riding the last leg of the first 1800 mile delivery service of the Pony Express. Riders carried two extra horses (not literally, of course - that would be just silly) and leapt on and off the saddle with the skill of rodeo stars. The news was spread at twice the speed of the Overland Stage Company. I think our dear old Royal Mail could learn a few things from them.
In other news ...
Today in 1882 the Anti-Semitic League was founded in Prussia. This group went on to believe a forged document called the Protocols of Zion which 'proved' attempts at world domination by the Jews and were no doubt overjoyed when Adolf Hitler wrote Mein Kampf. The sons of the League became the Nazis of the Thirties and did their best to wipe out the Jewish people, resulting in the estimated 55 million fatalities of World War Two.
But in the real world ... Today in 1860, Tom Hamilton galloped into Sacramento, California carrying 49 letters and 3 newspapers. He was riding the last leg of the first 1800 mile delivery service of the Pony Express. Riders carried two extra horses (not literally, of course - that would be just silly) and leapt on and off the saddle with the skill of rodeo stars. The news was spread at twice the speed of the Overland Stage Company. I think our dear old Royal Mail could learn a few things from them.
In other news ...
Today in 1882 the Anti-Semitic League was founded in Prussia. This group went on to believe a forged document called the Protocols of Zion which 'proved' attempts at world domination by the Jews and were no doubt overjoyed when Adolf Hitler wrote Mein Kampf. The sons of the League became the Nazis of the Thirties and did their best to wipe out the Jewish people, resulting in the estimated 55 million fatalities of World War Two.
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