ross blackford Posted October 4, 2015 Share Posted October 4, 2015 :D, Gday again Calum. I'm not sure that without WW1 the russian Revolution wouldn't have happened. the seeds of that conflict were sown well before WW1 brooded onto the historical landscape. Back in the late 19th century in fact, but became far more likely in the early 20th century and the conditions for the Russian Revolution existed well before WW1. , Ross. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
11bee Posted October 4, 2015 Share Posted October 4, 2015 yawn! You lost me when you said "BBC". glt Wow..... Don't know whether to laugh or just feel sorry. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Helidriver Posted October 4, 2015 Share Posted October 4, 2015 Have anyone watched "The War at Sea"? How does that compare? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Gordon Shumway Posted October 4, 2015 Author Share Posted October 4, 2015 (edited) I'm working through more episodes, right now I'm watching episode 11:RED STAR, SOVIET UNION 1941-43. This episode will IMO enlighten anyone to better understand especially Russians. Not just what was the Soviet Union but Russia as it's a nation and culture that goes back centuries. A culture that knows strife and suffering at the hands of others. This episode hi-lighted especially the siege of Leningrad ( St. Petersburg today). The suffering and strife the citizens and army dealt with, NOBODY in the western world today can truly grasp. The things many of us whine and cry about today matter not when compared to what The Russians and much of the then USSR suffered back then. IMO, it is never wise not even 70+ years past their GREAT PATRIOTIC WAR to under estimate Russia and Russians. You'd be hard pressed to find a heartier people on this planet. This following poem was read in this episode by Sir Laurence Olivier. I'll post it below for it is one of the most thought provoking and deepest meaning poems of WWII and maybe the 20th century. Konstantin Simonov to Valentina Serova Wait for me, and I'll come back! Wait with all you've got! Wait, when dreary yellow rains Tell you, you should not. Wait when snow is falling fast, Wait when summer's hot, Wait when yesterdays are past, Others are forgot. Wait, when from that far-off place, Letters don't arrive. Wait, when those with whom you wait Doubt if I'm alive. Wait for me, and I'll come back! Wait in patience yet When they tell you off by heart That you should forget. Even when my dearest ones Say that I am lost, Even when my friends give up, Sit and count the cost, Drink a glass of bitter wine To the fallen friend - Wait! And do not drink with them! Wait until the end! Wait for me and I'll come back, Dodging every fate! "What a bit of luck!" they'll say, Those that would not wait. They will never understand How amidst the strife, By your waiting for me, dear, You had saved my life. Only you and I will know How you got me through. Simply - you knew how to wait - No one else but you. 1941 :worship:/> OMG Sir Laurence Olivier also read this other 1942 Russian Poem. Placed on Youtube. Do Not Call Me, Father Anonymous, Soviet Union, 1942 (Son to father…) Do not call me, father. Do not seek me. Do not call me. Do not wish me back. We’re on a route uncharted, fire and blood erase our track. On we fly on wings of thunder, never more to sheath our swords. All of us in battle fallen – not to be brought back by words. Will there be a rendezvous? I know not. I only know we still must fight. We are sand grains in infinity, never to meet, nevermore to see light. (Father to son…) Farewell then my son. Farewell then my conscience. Farewell my youth, my solace, my one-and-only. Let this farewell be the end of a story Of solitude past which now is more lonely. In which you remained barred forever from light, From air, with your death pains untold. Untold and unsoothed, never to be resurrected. Forever and ever an 18 year old. Farewell then. No trains ever come from those regions, Unscheduled and scheduled. No aeroplanes fly there. Farewell then my son, For no miracles happen, as in this world Dreams do not come true. Farewell. I will dream of you still as a baby, Treading the earth with little strong toes, The earth where already so many lie buried. This song to my son, then, is come to its close. :salute:/> Edited October 4, 2015 by Gordon Shumway Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Gordon Shumway Posted October 4, 2015 Author Share Posted October 4, 2015 Have anyone watched "The War at Sea"? How does that compare? I have it in DVD. It's a good rather US centric WWII doc series, well worth having for any war buff or history buff, but it is not in the same class of pure documentary candor and colour as The World At War. I do have on vinyl LP The War At Sea, music soundtrack as well. On another side note, and especially for our US friends here, the best WWII t.v. series IMO was COMBAT from the 1960's. I freaking love that series. Well done, made you really want to know and like the characters. US Army based but IMO just fine and well written for a t.v. series. I liked how they made sure the German army characters SPOKE GERMAN in the show. You can also buy COMBAT on DVD box set too. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ChippyWho Posted October 4, 2015 Share Posted October 4, 2015 Gordon Shumway, any response to that can only be superfluous -except to thank you for posting these verses, of course! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Bill Posted October 4, 2015 Share Posted October 4, 2015 Yes it is an excellent series. I enjoy the interviews of the leaders who fought during the conflict. There was one episode where Gen. Clark was interviewed and he discussed the battle for Italy and North Africa. Also the music was very haunting. Great series. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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