Thread: Reflections on History - 1944 Oct 26

Many of us who collect antique and vintage razors, are fascinated by events in History.

We discuss whether something was made pre-1891 via a tang stamp, some have razor's from the 18th century, and we try to relate to life and events of that time.

Hard to imagine 75 years ago, during WW2, the Battle of Leyte Gulf was about to get underway, the largest naval battle in WW2, and qualifies in many ways as to being the largest naval battle in History.

US Destroys Japanese Navy Battle of Leyte Gulf



Just 75 years ago, the world was a much different place, Occupied Europe, was discussing that with some family members, one who was overseas in the Canadian army, and an Englishman who was in Italy.

They were all young and older people, caught up in events, and just watching this movie last night filled me with wonder at what it would have been like to live during this epic time.

Food for thought, watched, Casablanca, last night a movie about a monumental moment in world history. When this movie was released, I was told that many who watched it had an overwhelming emotional reaction to this dramatic scene that captures the conflict the world was plunged into:

That was a scary time worldwide, for sure, and it could have just as easily gone disastrously the other way for the Allies in either the Atlantic or the Pacific (The Battle of the Bulge or Midway, to name just two examples).

I sincerely hope that we can get beyond all the current saber-rattling (China, Russia, the little freak with the pompadour in North Korea, and now this A-hole Duterte in the Phillipines sticking his tongue out at the US from behind China), not to mention rogue players like ISIS. I really don't think WWIII will last 6 years-it might last 6 days if things go South...

Originally Posted by ScoutHikerDad

I really don't think WWIII will last 6 years-it might last 6 days if things go South...

Ain't technology wonderful? It could easily be over for most of us in a blinding flash the day it , hopefully, never starts. You don't want too many of the wrong sort of leaders who are too willing to engage in nuclear golf for the sake of their own egos.

Bob

So you ran out of ice during the last storm,,

My parents survived Occupation in Holland during WW2. Came to Canada in 1954. My Father's sister passed away in the spring, and he died this August. They wanted our generation to get together for a reunion, and we did earlier this month. Walking the streets of Amesfoort, I discovered a wonderfully crafted, if incredibly sad tribute to that time. you do not really notice them at first, but once you do recognize them, you cannot MISS them, as they are everywhere throughout the City. Each stone bears silent witness to a life extinguished in the Holocaust. It is a very moving thing, and much more relatable than a simple statue in some plaza or City square. this is something that cannot be ignored.

WWII was a deadly war. The attached is from Wikipedia, and while I'm sure there are more definitive sources, this gives the picture of how deadly: "World War II was the deadliest military conflict in history in absolute terms of total dead. Over 60 million people were killed, which was about 3% of the 1940 world population (est. 2.3 billion).... World War II fatality statistics vary, with estimates of total dead ranging from 50 million to more than 80 million... The higher figure of over 80 million includes deaths from war-related disease and famine. Civilians killed totalled 50 to 55 million, including 19 to 28 million from war-related disease and famine. Total military dead: from 21 to 25 million, including deaths in captivity of about 5 million prisoners of war."

We should all pray that we never see another like it.

Originally Posted by Haroldg48

WWII was a deadly war. The attached is from Wikipedia, and while I'm sure there are more definitive sources, this gives the picture of how deadly: "World War II was the deadliest military conflict in history in absolute terms of total dead. Over 60 million people were killed, which was about 3% of the 1940 world population (est. 2.3 billion).... World War II fatality statistics vary, with estimates of total dead ranging from 50 million to more than 80 million... The higher figure of over 80 million includes deaths from war-related disease and famine. Civilians killed totalled 50 to 55 million, including 19 to 28 million from war-related disease and famine. Total military dead: from 21 to 25 million, including deaths in captivity of about 5 million prisoners of war."

We should all pray that we never see another like it.

“I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought, but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones.” -Albert Einstein