Giday everyone,
Unfortunately, I do not have internet access at home and hence I was not aware of the controversy my earlier comments caused concerning the anniversary last week of the invasion of Crete.
Having read the comments that were not deleted, I am sorry that my comments, or rather what I did not say, may have offended some people.
Willi's comments were correct. Being a forum dedicated to matters relating to the Fallschirmjäger, I chose to limit my comments to the memory of the Fallschirmjäger. In this regard, I think we all agree that the actions of the Fallschirmjäger, in the main, deserve our admiration.
The fact that I did not make reference to allied soldiers, though deliberate, was not intended as a mark of disrespect. I fully appreciate that the allied soldiers laid down their lives for the freedoms we enjoy today. Further, I agree with William's comments, namely, "all loss of life is regrettable".
Last year, when I stood in silence before the memorial in Martin Place, I read the messages pinned to the wreaths laid in memory of the Australian, New Zealander, British and Greek solidiers, sailors and airmen who died defending Crete and was thankfull for the sacrifices that they had made in cause of freedom. But I also spared a thought for the Fallschirmjäger who died too!
I am not a nazi and I do not support the National Socialist ideology preached by Adolf Hitler. Anyone who has spoken to German veterans will know that many who fought on the German side were not nazis.
I believe that all wars are a tragedy. I think any one who has a child and has watched that child grow would agree with me that life is very precious and should not be wasted fighting wars unless our freedom is at stake and no other means of resolving the situation is available.
For your interest, in the lead up to ANZAC Day, I gave a talk at a local high school about Australian soldiers who were prisoners of the Japanese during the Second World War. My talk included correspondence my family had received from my grandfather while a prisoner of war.
The purpose of my talk was two fold. Firstly, I wanted the young school kids to understand more about the PoWs. I believe that it is important that they know about the suffering of the PoWs in the hands of the Japanese, and of the hardships these men faced at home upon their return. However, I also used the opportunity to discuss with them the sufferings of the families of the PoWs.
Secondly, I was aware that a few of the students had expressed that they wished that they were involved in the fighting in Iraq. In my opinion, their eagerness reflected their ignorance of the horrors of war and it was the latter that I wished to draw to their attention.
I could go on, but I do have work to do.
Thank you John for bringing this matter to my attention.
All the best,
Ian Tannahill
Unfortunately, I do not have internet access at home and hence I was not aware of the controversy my earlier comments caused concerning the anniversary last week of the invasion of Crete.
Having read the comments that were not deleted, I am sorry that my comments, or rather what I did not say, may have offended some people.
Willi's comments were correct. Being a forum dedicated to matters relating to the Fallschirmjäger, I chose to limit my comments to the memory of the Fallschirmjäger. In this regard, I think we all agree that the actions of the Fallschirmjäger, in the main, deserve our admiration.
The fact that I did not make reference to allied soldiers, though deliberate, was not intended as a mark of disrespect. I fully appreciate that the allied soldiers laid down their lives for the freedoms we enjoy today. Further, I agree with William's comments, namely, "all loss of life is regrettable".
Last year, when I stood in silence before the memorial in Martin Place, I read the messages pinned to the wreaths laid in memory of the Australian, New Zealander, British and Greek solidiers, sailors and airmen who died defending Crete and was thankfull for the sacrifices that they had made in cause of freedom. But I also spared a thought for the Fallschirmjäger who died too!
I am not a nazi and I do not support the National Socialist ideology preached by Adolf Hitler. Anyone who has spoken to German veterans will know that many who fought on the German side were not nazis.
I believe that all wars are a tragedy. I think any one who has a child and has watched that child grow would agree with me that life is very precious and should not be wasted fighting wars unless our freedom is at stake and no other means of resolving the situation is available.
For your interest, in the lead up to ANZAC Day, I gave a talk at a local high school about Australian soldiers who were prisoners of the Japanese during the Second World War. My talk included correspondence my family had received from my grandfather while a prisoner of war.
The purpose of my talk was two fold. Firstly, I wanted the young school kids to understand more about the PoWs. I believe that it is important that they know about the suffering of the PoWs in the hands of the Japanese, and of the hardships these men faced at home upon their return. However, I also used the opportunity to discuss with them the sufferings of the families of the PoWs.
Secondly, I was aware that a few of the students had expressed that they wished that they were involved in the fighting in Iraq. In my opinion, their eagerness reflected their ignorance of the horrors of war and it was the latter that I wished to draw to their attention.
I could go on, but I do have work to do.
Thank you John for bringing this matter to my attention.
All the best,
Ian Tannahill
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