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Post by duster on Nov 11, 2008 15:52:34 GMT -5
I was watching the Ottawa ceremony on television. Passing the torch from Canada's last First World War veteran, John Babcock to a Second World War veteran, then a Korean War vet and, eventually, a current member of the CF was a nice touch.
I'm was thinking of seeing the movie "Passchendaele" this evening. Anyone seen it?
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Post by CrocRob on Nov 11, 2008 16:31:42 GMT -5
I was watching the Ottawa ceremony on television. Passing the torch from Canada's last First World War veteran, John Babcock to a Second World War veteran, then a Korean War vet and, eventually, a current member of the CF was a nice touch. I'm was thinking of seeing the movie "Passchendaele" this evening. Anyone seen it? I've heard it was good, but I'll be watching the Habs game.  |
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Post by Disgruntled70sHab on Nov 11, 2008 17:43:27 GMT -5
I don't know if it's still in town but I wanted to see it. I understand there's a love story involved so I'm hoping there's some historical significance included.
It's too bad really. I tend to go into historically-based movies expecting to see facts of some sort. A lot of times I'm let down a bit but then I remind myself that it's a movie, not a documentary.
Have visited Passchendaele several times in the past. There's a terrible history that goes with the battle. Field Marshal Sir Douglas Haig told General Curry that Passchendaele had to be taken at all costs. Curry asked why and Haig told him he'd tell him the whole story at the end of the war.
As it turned out, Curry predicted 16,000 casualties and he was over by about 350 (approximately). At the end of the war Haig finally disclosed why Passchendaele had to be taken. He said that it took pressure off another allied offensive, but Curry simply smiled and walked away. The actual reason was that Haig needed a victory to end the year in order to keep the war effort going in England and also to save his own job.
To make it worse, the Canadians abandoned Passchendaele two months later without a fight. The battle became the standard for incompetence.
Would like to see this movie though.
Cheers.
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Post by Disgruntled70sHab on Nov 11, 2008 18:00:50 GMT -5
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Post by duster on Nov 11, 2008 19:21:10 GMT -5
I was watching the Ottawa ceremony on television. Passing the torch from Canada's last First World War veteran, John Babcock to a Second World War veteran, then a Korean War vet and, eventually, a current member of the CF was a nice touch. I'm was thinking of seeing the movie "Passchendaele" this evening. Anyone seen it? I've heard it was good, but I'll be watching the Habs game. Habs games here are at 4-4.30 p.m. It's easy to plan for something afterwards. |
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Post by Skilly on Nov 11, 2008 22:50:43 GMT -5
Canada's last First World War veteran, John Babcock Is this true ... there is only one left? And does this include all the "Canadians" that fought the war fighting for the British (such as veterans in Newfoundland since we werent part of Canada during the Great War, and others) |
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Post by franko on Nov 12, 2008 6:59:31 GMT -5
Yep, it's true.
I'd been kind of following, as my grandfather was in the mix for one of the last.
Think it does include any who are part of the current Canada.
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