Mush Martin
12-23-07, 06:47 AM
I often in discussing history qualify my explanations with the phrase
"now bear in mind that if put on trial for warcrimes hed likely be convicted"
this phrase often accompanies some very big names on the allied side
and never accompanies discussions of the axis side as they were by and
large put on trial.
It started out for me years ago when studying the allied bombing campaigns
and I came to realize what sort of response was made to the bombings
of Gurneka and later and more importantly Rotterdam.
the things that were justified from the latter event were horrific and
even though a very small number of luftwaffe aircraft and even though
a recall order was issued though unrecieved by the bomber flight as a
result of the capitulation of the dutch prior to the bombing. much was
made of it by the allies. although ten thousand homes were destroyed
in the city center and many hundreds killed the allies circulated the
speculation that still shows up in some accounts not so well researched
that 10000 were killed after the dutch surrendered and this premise
justified an awful lot.
needless to say when I think of war crimes that go unmentioined in the
name of freedom the allied strategic bombing campaign leaps to mind.
this is not to belittle in anyway the noble and dedicated
patriotism or service of any of the allied aircrews or
their teams. but I cant help but feel that if we tried the two biggest
names in allied bombing we would probably succeed if we were self honest
in stripping them of their honours.
this isnt really meant to put those two names on the block as such though
in the event they may end up there, you never know how a general thread will go.
but whenever I discuss these two gentlemen I cant help but think
of the two national leaders who put them in power and knowingly
encouraged and empowered their behaviour. (not listed here yet)
so I ask you are any of us interested in the polite and proper mock trial
process?
does any one have any nominees they would like to put up?
I would like to hear from neal or a moderator regarding this idea
prior to proceeding with a trial thread etc.(assuming it goes that far)
what do you think it could be a good one or a nightmare?
"now bear in mind that if put on trial for warcrimes hed likely be convicted"
this phrase often accompanies some very big names on the allied side
and never accompanies discussions of the axis side as they were by and
large put on trial.
It started out for me years ago when studying the allied bombing campaigns
and I came to realize what sort of response was made to the bombings
of Gurneka and later and more importantly Rotterdam.
the things that were justified from the latter event were horrific and
even though a very small number of luftwaffe aircraft and even though
a recall order was issued though unrecieved by the bomber flight as a
result of the capitulation of the dutch prior to the bombing. much was
made of it by the allies. although ten thousand homes were destroyed
in the city center and many hundreds killed the allies circulated the
speculation that still shows up in some accounts not so well researched
that 10000 were killed after the dutch surrendered and this premise
justified an awful lot.
needless to say when I think of war crimes that go unmentioined in the
name of freedom the allied strategic bombing campaign leaps to mind.
this is not to belittle in anyway the noble and dedicated
patriotism or service of any of the allied aircrews or
their teams. but I cant help but feel that if we tried the two biggest
names in allied bombing we would probably succeed if we were self honest
in stripping them of their honours.
this isnt really meant to put those two names on the block as such though
in the event they may end up there, you never know how a general thread will go.
but whenever I discuss these two gentlemen I cant help but think
of the two national leaders who put them in power and knowingly
encouraged and empowered their behaviour. (not listed here yet)
so I ask you are any of us interested in the polite and proper mock trial
process?
does any one have any nominees they would like to put up?
I would like to hear from neal or a moderator regarding this idea
prior to proceeding with a trial thread etc.(assuming it goes that far)
what do you think it could be a good one or a nightmare?