1903 & Armistice Day Tribute

[fjruple]

This Sunday I will pay tribute to my grandfather CPL Harvey Rupple as I will be running a rifle range. At 11:00AM I will call a 10 minute cease fire as a tribute to all that fell and served in the Great War.

[Cosine26]

For those of you who are interested in the close of the Great War (WWI to the new comers) there is a good book recently published which addresses the thinking of some of the leaders on the Allied side. 11th Month, 11th Day, 11th Hour by Joseph E. Perscio and published by Random House.
The crux of the matter is that November 11th was an armistice not a surrender. The German Army marched back into Germany INTACT as an army and the German General Staff remained intact. Unlike May 8, 1945 when the Wehrmact and the German General Staff was dismembered. This gave Herr Hitler the opportunity to say that Germany did not lose but was betrayed by the politicians. During WWII the German General Staff had been down graded in authority by the Little Corporal (Herr Hitler). It is a very good read and worthy of consideration. The German surrender came with the Treaty of Versailles] which, while it designated the size of the German army, it did not dismantle it or the German General Staff.
FWIW

[fjruple]

Unfortunately after the signing of the Armistice several American commanders took it upon themselves to do several last minute "offensives" to gain some last minute glory at the cost of several thousand lives, one being the seizure of a French town because they had better shower facilities. Even after the war General Pershing was question by Congress as to why these "offensives" were permitted given that after the armistice went into effect they simply could occupy the "showers" without the cost of American lives. What a waste.

[browningautorifle]

last minute "offensives" to gain some last minute glory

We had our share too, the general staff wanted to end the war where they began, so they pushed and lost a large number of men... They didn't see the futility? After all that and you ended up where you started, after four years and several months and you were back where you started. All those guys dead...

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

last minute "offensives" to gain some last minute glory

Perhaps some things never change. This reminds me of "Operation Ripcord" one of the last major engagements of the 101st in Vietnam recounted in a book by the same name in which some officers sensing the end of the war approaching made some questionable choices costing many lives in an effort to advance their carriers.

---------- Post added at 12:22 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:19 PM ----------

My Father and his Victoy Medal

Thank you for a most excellent and interesting post and your service as well.
Do you mind sharing where in Mississippi you are from?

[Cosine26]

HOOKED ON HISTORY
I was born in Moorhead, and lived in Greenville, Indianola, Sunflower, and Columbia. For a short while I also lived in Osyka. I have not been back since 1951.

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

I was born in Moorhead, and lived in Greenville, Indianola, Sunflower, and Columbia. For a short while I also lived in Osyka. I have not been back since 1951.

Know any (Greenville) Azars?

[Cosine26]

PM Sent
I do not remember any Azas

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

PM Sent
I do not remember any Azas

They are Greenville folks.
First Legal Liquor Store Historical Marker
Might try the PM again.

[Cosine26]

New PM Sent