sometimes more things have happened in our military history

[Caissa]

Here's a review of the book http://www.jstor.org/view/00222801/di955050/95p0176i/0

As I said, I haven't thought much about the topic for 20 years and my recollections could be a little muddled.

[Croghan27]

I have lost the link, but I used to use it some time ago -

There were many fascists in their ranks, as well as prominent early antifascists such as Carlo Levi, the Rosselli brothers, Sion Segre...

That was even true in Germany - as late as 1939 there were two Jews in prominant positions in the Deutsche Marine. Gobbles found out and went ballistic, but for Admiral Donetz, culture trumpted race. I had their names, now sadly lost.  :cry:

[lagatta]

Some shitheads stole a huge plaque honouring war veterans from a park in St-Lambert (an old suburb on the South Shore), probably for scrap: Plaque Stolen in St-Lambert. Other historical plaques have been stolen in Old Montréal and elsewhere - this is becoming quite a plague, considering their cost and importance.

[Croghan27]

The plaque can be replaced in 6 months - the insult will last for decades.

 

[Holly Stick]

Not even an intended insult, probably; just capitalism at work.

[Croghan27]

I received a response from the Canadian Legion yesterday regarding the 'Battle of Bourlon'. Here it is reprinted in full with only my name removed: (emphasis mine)

Dear _______:

Thank you for your e-mail. The Legion Calendar was
produced by Dominion Command of The Royal Canadian Legion. It drew on some of our sources for the events and dates. The Battle of Bourlon took place in Italy as noted on the calendar, but I can add the following for your information:

Bourlon was the codename for a key strongpoint in a
German network of fortified hamlets and farms. An early-morning West
Nova Scotia Regiment patrol was ambushed 30 yards from the strongpoint, starting a close-range firefight that lasted until late afternoon when a platoon attack and artillery covering fire recovered the patrol.

Four Canadians were killed and 14 others wounded in an action which typifies  the viciousness of Canada's patrol war along the Ortona front in early 1944, intended to prevent German divisions there from moving to attack the Anzio beachhead.

I hope this extra information helps.

Sincerely,
Dan Black, Editor. Legion Magazine.

[lagatta]

More on Ortona campaign
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Ortona

What a pretty little town - most of it destroyed. The townspeople had to flee.

Many people immigrated here from that area, by the way.

[Croghan27]

April 4, 1942: While flying a PBY-5 flying boat, Squadron Leader L.J. Birchall and his crew spot and report a Japanese naval force heading toward the island of Ceylon. Birchall’s plane is shot down and he and the other surviving crew are taken prisoner, but their warning allows the island’s defenders to prepare for the Japanese attempt to take the island. For his actions, Birchall earns the name Saviour of Ceylon and is awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.

April 4, 1949: Canada signs the agreement creating NATO. Initially involving Canada, the United States and 10 Western European countries, NATO would continually grow over the years in response to the perceived threat posed by the Soviet Union.

[Croghan27]

April 6, 1945: With the Royal Canadian Navy now officially the third largest in the world, HMCS Uganda arrives in the Pacific to join the war against Japan. Near Okinawa, Uganda joins the task force assigned to screen British aircraft carriers and she becomes fully engaged in the offensive, shooting down enemy aircraft and surviving kamikaze attacks.

[Holly Stick]

Croghan, have you seen this website? http://www.vimy1917.ca/
R.H. Thompson was on Sounds like Canada talking about it.  A vigil; it says it will show the name of each man who fought at Vimy Ridge.  There are photos of some of the survivors, etc.

[Croghan27]

Holly:  

This from the government (PWGSC) website about activities on the 8th. (Now tomorrow).

On the home front, PWGSC will play a role in the Vimy Ridge ceremonies in Ottawa, Ontario. On April 8, PWGSC will help commemorate the anniversary by participating in an overnight vigil to be held at the National War Memorial in downtown Ottawa.

The names of thousands of Canadians who died during this battle will be “etched in light” onto the monument beginning at 7:53 p.m. and ending at 6:15 a.m. the following day. Photos of 80 people who fought at Vimy and survived will also appear.

In order to ensure maximum visibility of all names, buildings surrounding the monument will be shutting down all but essential light for the vigil.

PWGSC is responsible for some of the buildings in the area around the War Memorial. The Department will be participate in the vigil by turning off most lights in the Government Conference Centre, Langevin Block, the East Block of Parliament, and the Chambers Building.

The Ottawa Citizen has been running articles associated with Vimy all week. This darkening of that area of town is not just a matter of throwing a switch - there are considerations of elevating devices, emergency equipment and heating cooling facilities that cannot be shutdown.

It is admirable that both the government and the local industries (several hotels and even Belinda Stronach's condo is in the area) agreed to work together to make it happen.

I am working that day - but hope to make it in time for most of the activities/display.

[lagatta]

We can access Rick Salutin's column: Vimy, was it worth it? via rabble (thanks, Sharon). Remembering the troops and their courage under fire, while deploring the sickening and ultimately vain loss of a generation of youth on all sides.

[Holly Stick]

It's a good column.

I didn't realise the vigil would be such a complex undertaking; I had missed the bit about the names being written in light, and was thinking more about the website.  I hope you can get to it, Croghan.

[Croghan27]

Ever since the G&M decided to hide them behind a subscription wall,  :x   I get my Rick Salutin, Linda McQuaig fix off babble.  :D

James Laxer also has a 5 part meditation on our involvement in Afghanistan that I have been following too.  :)

I wish the little croghan27 mind could see things in the wonderful and logical contexts they do, all by its' self.  :cry:

[skdadl]

I think the little croghan27 mind is working away quite well, Croghan.  :)