Britain commemorating VE day

blinding

Timberrrrrrrr wrote: »

Born in England

Spent 35 years living in ireland

Have 4 adult children as well as siblings living in ireland.

Joined boards in 2000, moved back to England in 2016.

Should I stop posting on boards now that I no longer live in ireland?

Yeah

extra gravy

Timberrrrrrrr wrote: »

Born in England

Spent 35 years living in ireland

Have 4 adult children as well as siblings living in ireland.

Joined boards in 2000, moved back to England in 2016.

Should I stop posting on boards now that I no longer live in ireland?

Not at all. Just didn't see the point in you telling someone to stick to the news in their own country while you're here posting in a different country's forum complaining about "another hand wringing good old fashioned brit bashing shìtefest that pops up every few weeks."

TheBoyConor

Timberrrrrrrr wrote: »

Born in England

Spent 35 years living in ireland

Have 4 adult children as well as siblings living in ireland.

Joined boards in 2000, moved back to England in 2016.

Should I stop posting on boards now that I no longer live in ireland?

You are not Irish and you never will be. It's not personal. You just don't have the requisite Celtic soul, man.

Timberrrrrrrr

TheBoyConor wrote: »

You are not Irish and you never will be. It's not personal. You just don't have the requisite Celtic soul, man.

Never claimed to be, never wanted to be.

Ultrflat

TheBoyConor wrote: »

With only 20 years between the conflicts, we must remember that many of the Black n Tans, and their ilk, probably also fought in WWII. So think twice before you commemorate them as you are also commemorating the black and trans.
And remember, this is also the same army that murdered, tortured and persecuted thousands in the occupied 6 and continues to do so to this day.

They would of been to old to fight. They were most likely in there 40s and 50s so the only job they would of been used as Air raid wardens.

Tom Mann Centuria

Celebrating seems odd. I like what they do in some countries, just have a candle lit in the window to celebrate liberation/end of war. I am however happy to commemorate my Grandad who signed up to the militia in 1938 to get off the dole, and because he was told he could get out earlier. In the end he fought throughout the whole war and got out in 1947 as he was left guarding Prisoners of War for two years.

He rarely talked about the war, except on the odd occasion where he'd had one too many whiskey and gingers! Those times he'd cry, for what he'd seen, his medals were in a drawer and didn't see the light of day until he died.

To have street parties after all this time just seems arbitrary. Like there's a bigger story the establishment would rather not have you thinking about.

I celebrated my grandad, cheers Ernie.

Jizique

cj maxx wrote: »

I don't resent the UK celebrating the end of WWII, as that war was the biggest event in world history imo.
However, I do think that it's time to move on from big nationalistic celebrations.
It's over and while we should never ever forget how it arose it is time,imo,to stop .

My sentiment exactly - plus the fact that the most keen of those doing the celebrations are (a) using war analogies with Brexit, and (b) would run a mile from ever serving near a frontline ala Trump with his bone spurs.
The English can leave the EU if they wish, no issue there; but portraying the departure in war terms and the ongoing negotiations over the future relationship in similar terms is inappropriate and does nobody any favors, least of all those whose nationalistic flames they have whipped up.
That, plus the fact that many of them have more in common with the ideals of the nazis, are the reason that they need to move on.

extra gravy

Tom Mann Centuria wrote: »

He rarely talked about the war, except on the odd occasion where he'd had one too many whiskey and gingers! Those times he'd cry, for what he'd seen, his medals were in a drawer and didn't see the light of day until he died.
.

This seems to be the case with a lot of those that fought. They wouldn't talk about it and certainly wouldn't celebrate it. People today that celebrate don't have a clue about the reality of war and what it was like for men like your grandad. May he rest in peace.

Tom Mann Centuria

extra gravy wrote: »

This seems to be the case with a lot of those that fought. They wouldn't talk about it and certainly wouldn't celebrate it. People today that celebrate don't have a clue about the reality of war and what it was like for men like your grandad. May he rest in peace.

Thanks, he was a lovely man, and a great dad to my mum, he genuinely had no interest in even thinking about the war, let alone celebrating killing others because for all the cnuts on both sides, most men there had no stake in it apart from getting out alive. I think the two years guarding the "enemy" cemented that.

Banana Republic 1

[QUOTE=MoonUnit75;113385641 like fire bombing cities almost every night, [/QUOTE]

Like Dresden

blinding

Banana Republic 1 wrote: »

Like Dresden

The Germans started it. Up to no good again as usual.

When you start something like the second world war , there ain’t no point whinging when you get some nasty back !

Timberrrrrrrr

extra gravy wrote: »

This seems to be the case with a lot of those that fought. They wouldn't talk about it and certainly wouldn't celebrate it. People today that celebrate don't have a clue about the reality of war and what it was like for men like your grandad. May he rest in peace.

No one was celebrating though, it was a commemoration not a celebration.

Banana Republic 1

blinding wrote: »

Regardless, why are Irish people watching reading so much Brit Media if they are going to whinge about it. Don’t watch or read it ! ! !

Because the the Irish media are being strangled by their green jumpers.

Banana Republic 1

blinding wrote: »

The Germans started it. Up to no good again as usual.

When you start something like the second world war , there ain’t no point whinging when you get some nasty back !

Yes but soldiers are one thing civilians are something else. Was it the people of Corks fault the Tans burned it down.

blinding

Banana Republic 1 wrote: »

Yes but soldiers are one thing civilians are something else. Was it the people of Corks fault the Tans burned it down.

Don’t start something like the second world war unless you are willing to accept the consequences.

The German people did not stop Hitler.

end of the road

blinding wrote: »

Don’t start something like the second world war unless you are willing to accept the consequences.

The German people did not stop Hitler.

who started what and who didn't stop who is irrelevant, it's not justification for murdering civilians.

blinding

end of the road wrote: »

who started what and who didn't stop who is irrelevant, it's not justification for murdering civilians.

The Germans could have surrendered to save their civilians . The chose not to.

Jizique

blinding wrote: »

The Germans could have surrendered to save their civilians . The chose not to.

In fairness, read Berlin by Anthony Beevor or watch Downfall; and remember there were no elections and the press was more tightly controlled than the UK press currently is by the proTory offshore non tax paying billionaires and try to be realistic in what you post

blinding

Jizique wrote: »

In fairness, read Berlin by Anthony Beevor or watch Downfall; and remember there were no elections and the press was more tightly controlled than the UK press currently is by the proTory offshore non tax paying billionaires and try to be realistic in what you post

Poor little Germans. Always an excuse for Not doing the Right Thing :eek::eek:

droidman123

Timberrrrrrrr wrote: »

Every Patrick's day, guaranteed, six one news will have a segment showing a pub, 4 or 5 "musicians" in the corner belting out some diddley eye shìte.

Tacky as anything and an annual thing, never hear me complain though. The point is every country has tacky parts to certain things. As I said, if it bothers you that much just switch channels, no one forced you to watch a foreign news programme.

But i never said it bothered me. I said i found it tacky.i also find those green wigs and leprechaun outfits on st.patricks day tacky.i watch rte news,and bbc news and cnn news to get a wide angle on current affairs and will continue to do so

Odhinn

blinding wrote: »

The Germans could have surrendered to save their civilians . The chose not to.

More specifically, Hitler chose not too. As regards 'stopping Hitler', I might suggest reading "The coming of the Third Reich" by Richard J Evans.

TheBoyConor

Ultrflat wrote: »

They would of been to old to fight. They were most likely in there 40s and 50s so the only job they would of been used as Air raid wardens.

What are you talking about?
Maybe fellas in their 50s but many fellas in their 40s would be very fit and well able to fight. I'm sure their practices in Ireland would make them a good shot at picking off innocent civilians.

MoonUnit75

end of the road wrote: »

who started what and who didn't stop who is irrelevant, it's not justification for murdering civilians.

In Germany there was a cult of militarism, large numbers of civilians would have died in either a ground or air campaign in Germany. They were sending the equivalent of Boy Scouts to counterattack in France.

extra gravy

Timberrrrrrrr wrote: »

No one was celebrating though, it was a commemoration not a celebration.

If street parties and congas are your idea of commemoration then fair enough. Wouldn't be mine.

Timberrrrrrrr

droidman123 wrote: »

But i never said it bothered me. I said i found it tacky.i also find those green wigs and leprechaun outfits on st.patricks day tacky.i watch rte news,and bbc news and cnn news to get a wide angle on current affairs and will continue to do so

I'll lool forward to checking in with you on July 4th to read your complaints about how the American celebrations on Independence Day are "tacky" so.

blinding

extra gravy wrote: »

If street parties and congas are your idea of commemoration then fair enough. Wouldn't be mine.

Did anyone ask you to go ? ?

Timberrrrrrrr

extra gravy wrote: »

If street parties and congas are your idea of commemoration then fair enough. Wouldn't be mine.

Again, a few idiots does not a nation make

extra gravy

blinding wrote: »

Did anyone ask you to go ? ?

Is that a condition for posting in this thread?

end of the road

blinding wrote: »

The Germans could have surrendered to save their civilians . The chose not to.

they couldn't have, hitler had full control until near the end.
even so, still not justification for deliberately targeting civilians.

blinding wrote: »

Poor little Germans. Always an excuse for Not doing the Right Thing

more like good old realism, tbh.

lawred2

extra gravy wrote: »

You don't think people having street parties and not practising social distancing puts the elderly and vulnerable in danger? Why did we bother having a lockdown then? Just because you didn't see it doesn't mean it didn't happen.

https://twitter.com/Tucker5law/status/1259079129657466880?s=19

https://twitter.com/GoodPoliceUK/status/1259046608630616065?s=19

Pure stupidity and selfishness as well as tacky.

Exceptionalism

Hamsterchops

pgj2015 wrote: »

Exactly, the British did it all so Irish people could be free:pac:

Well, not just the British but many thousands from Ireland also, who laid down their lives to fight the Nazis, (even if this State officially remained neutral).

Both sides of my extended family & my wife's family were in RAF or Royal Navy service during WWII, and we're all very proud of them.

Unclebumble

TheBoyConor wrote: »

True enough, good idea.

Take em back and send off all the West Brits and protestants too with them. They'd probably be happy to go off to their deaths for their British masters.

So you believe you can't be a protestant and an Irish republican eh?

razorblunt

Living in Scotland , VE Day is never really a thing but I guess with the 75th they made an effort. Socially distant lawn parties with people setting up cake stands was nice to see. Very very different to The month that surrounds Poppy Day.

MoonUnit75

Muscles Schultz wrote: »

Indeed. Well the US and Soviet Union. England were hopeless early on Norway, fall of France, Singapore. It was only that Hitler was disinterested and didn’t dislike England all that much that he didn’t invade and stomp them in 1940.

This is an interesting poll-

https://yougov.co.uk/topics/politics/articles-reports/2015/05/01/Britain-America-disagree-who-did-more-beat-nazis

Not at all, Hitler needed to invade Britain because the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force severely impacted German supplies and production and had the capacity to gut major German cities. The German navy was no match for the Royal Navy who, along with the RAF, would have likely destroyed most of a German invasion force before it reached the beaches. The failure of the Luftwaffe to eliminate the RAF meant an invasion was too high risk. No matter how you look at it, it was a defensive victory.

Don’t forget also that the British and their colonial forces halted and then defeated the German army in Africa with minimal US involvement. When the US army did show up in force the Germans thought far less of them than the British.

Banana Republic 1

blinding wrote: »

Don’t start something like the second world war unless you are willing to accept the consequences.

The German people did not stop Hitler.

Because he used democracy itself to end democratic rule in Germany, he the crowned himself dictator. Learn some history.

Mad_maxx

Your Face wrote: »

I have to admit - the British making themselves out to be defenders of democracy and 'fair play' always irks me a bit given their history.

Straight after WW2 they were trying to further the cause of their empire at the expense of self-determination.
Another thing I find is that lot of their commemorations come across as triumphalist and you'd swear they never had allies in any war.

Anyway, at least there is relative peace now.

Britain has always been a highly militaristic nation, the most of any European nation

El_Duderino 09

Ah lads. Don't begrudge the British a bit of national pride. WW2 was a big event in modern British history. A lot of British history is a mix of triumph with deep shame. WW2 is a pretty good event in their history.

If Ireland had a similar impact on WW2, we'd celebrate it too. VE day is a good day out for the British (not this year, obviously) and I certainly don't begrudge them a bit of national pride.

Mad_maxx

policarp wrote: »

The Australians and New Zealanders celebrate Anzac day.

British down under, that's all both countries were back then, both oz and nz only became real independent nations post ww2 and certainly were extensions of Britain in 1915, new Zealand especially as it had little or no Irish influence, at least not paddy Irish

MoonUnit75

Banana Republic 1 wrote: »

Because he used democracy itself to end democratic rule in Germany, he the crowned himself dictator. Learn some history.

Do you really think Hitler would have lost free and fair elections by the mid 1930s?

Jizique

Odhinn wrote: »

More specifically, Hitler chose not too. As regards 'stopping Hitler', I might suggest reading "The coming of the Third Reich" by Richard J Evans.

Another great book

Tom Mann Centuria

Victory day today incidentally.

Hamsterchops

Some bloody awful begrudging posts on here regarding VE day :cool:

Victory in Europe Day (VE Day) is one of the most important historical days in the modern World (obviously), so for all small minded "Emergency" posters on here, listen up. The British people (+many Irish people) fought the Nazis and won, not forgetting all the other countries involved in the WWII struggle like the US, Russia, France etc etc etc.

So many countries marking VE day in a positive and reflective light, so how anybody can come on here and sneer at Britain and her Allies needs the be taken down a peg or two and given a history lesson on WWII / Hitler and the Nazis.

Honestly, some of the crap we get posted on here is beyond trash.

Banana Republic 1

MoonUnit75 wrote: »

Do you really think Hitler would have lost free and fair elections by the mid 1930s?

There weren’t any

FrancieBrady

Hamsterchops wrote: »

Some bloody awful begrudging posts on here regarding VE day :cool:

Victory in Europe Day (VE Day) is one of the most important historical days in the modern World (obviously), so for all small minded "Emergency" posters on here, listen up. The British people (+many Irish people) fought the Nazis and won, not forgetting all the other countries involved in the WWII struggle like the US, Russia, France etc etc etc.

So many countries marking VE day in a positive and reflective light, so how anybody can come on here and sneer at Britain and her Allies needs the be taken down a peg or two and given a history lesson on WWII / Hitler and the Nazis.

Honestly, some of the crap we get posted on here is beyond trash.

When the British fought the Germans they lost, surely?

It was when the Allies formed that the Germans were defeated, thankfully.

extra gravy

Hamsterchops wrote: »

Some bloody awful begrudging posts on here regarding VE day :cool:

Victory in Europe Day (VE Day) is one of the most important historical days in the modern World (obviously), so for all small minded "Emergency" posters on here, listen up. The British people (+many Irish people) fought the Nazis and won, not forgetting all the other countries involved in the WWII struggle like the US, Russia, France etc etc etc.

So many countries marking VE day in a positive and reflective light, so how anybody can come on here and sneer at Britain and her Allies needs the be taken down a peg or two and given a history lesson on WWII / Hitler and the Nazis.

Honestly, some of the crap we get posted on here is beyond trash.

Who's sneering? Of course it's an important day and there's nothing wrong with marking it in a sombre and reflective manner. Some people (including many who served) just don't think it should be celebrated. There's a difference.

Hamsterchops

extra gravy wrote: »

Who's sneering?

Quite a few on here if you look back.

MoonUnit75

Banana Republic 1 wrote: »

There weren’t any

There was the 1934 referendum though, even with widespread intimidation there’s little doubt Hitler would have won that vote in any case. It was something like 90% for to 10% against with almost full turnout. The question was basically do you give Hitler full dictatorial powers and the sole right to select his replacement.

blinding

Banana Republic 1 wrote: »

Because he used democracy itself to end democratic rule in Germany, he the crowned himself dictator. Learn some history.

History tells you to be wary of the Germans and the British.

MoonUnit75

FrancieBrady wrote: »

When the British fought the Germans they lost, surely?

It was when the Allies formed that the Germans were defeated, thankfully.

No, the British successfully defeated the planned invasion by Hitler, defeated the Italians and then, with time, the Germans in North Africa.

FrancieBrady

MoonUnit75 wrote: »

No, the British successfully defeated the planned invasion by Hitler, defeated the Italians and then, with time, the Germans in North Africa.

You'll have a hard time convincing anyone that a hurried retreat is a win.

There is no conclusive evidence that Hitler planned to invade Britain and different schools of thought on it.

Repelling an invasion of a power that went on to grow ain't no victory anyway.