Am I the only one who finds World War I...

~~someonecompletelyrandom~~ · 12-20-2010, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tore

The trench wars of WWI don't appeal to me much. In general, I think WWI lacks some of the drama and flair (dashing nazi uniforms) that large scale fascism had and I guess the trench wars sort of show that the generals of WWI didn't really know how to do tactics with their new war toys either.

What I do like from WWI is the air combat and the pilots. Although they perhaps didn't do the largest contribution to the war, it's a piece of the history away from the muddy trenches that has a bit of shine to it.

I love that era of aviation. The red baron is like the most badass thing ever.

loveissucide · 12-20-2010, 05:20 PM

What's interesting about the First World War is the role played by class in the society of the time, with no real hardship among the rich, and the poor massacred like cattle due to the misadvised policy of top brass who had inherited their positions. The impact this would have on the 20th century is fascinating, especially considering the last few years have shown how social class is still very much an issue.

Guybrush · 12-20-2010, 06:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Conan

I love that era of aviation. The red baron is like the most badass thing ever.

Yeah, it was completely stupid and awesome at the same time. There was lots of glory involved for those who did well (like the Red Baron), but I find it hard to understand the relative strategic importance of winning such dogfights. Perhaps protecting zeppelins or something from enemy fire (?) ..

But yeah, it was totally cool nonetheless

~~someonecompletelyrandom~~ · 12-20-2010, 06:26 PM

Well, I know that the early dogfighters were also bombers. So that probably had something to do with it.

Guybrush · 12-20-2010, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Conan

Well, I know that the early dogfighters were also bombers. So that probably had something to do with it.

Yeah, I am of course thinking of the kind of dogfighters similar to the picture I posted earlier .. although I'll repost it here.

I think this is the kind of fokker flown at some point by the Red Baron himself. I was not really sure if these commonly carried bombs or not, but if you say they did, I'll take your word for it. Aside from bombing, they could of course have strategic importance as scouts as well so I'm not saying whatever they did would be completely pointless .. just maybe a bit compared to some of the other stuff that went on. Like generally, how much of the war was won and lost in the air by these dogfighter planes?

**Scarlett O'Hara** · 12-21-2010, 03:44 AM

I guess I've been partial to the WWII due to only learning that at school (I didn't continue history). Due to a majority of war books being based on WWII I've mainly only been introduced to stories from that respect. I find war incredibly interesting full stop.

Guybrush · 12-21-2010, 01:11 PM

Growing up, I heard lots of little stories from the war from old teachers and grandparents and such that were alive to experience it. That's another thing that adds to WWII's interestingness.

right-track · 12-21-2010, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tore

Yeah, it was completely stupid and awesome at the same time. There was lots of glory involved for those who did well (like the Red Baron), but I find it hard to understand the relative strategic importance of winning such dogfights. Perhaps protecting zeppelins or something from enemy fire (?) ..

But yeah, it was totally cool nonetheless

Originally used for reconnaissance. In fact, using them for anything else was considered a war crime.
It quickly progressed from shooting at each other with hand held weapons, to mounted machine guns.

~~someonecompletelyrandom~~ · 12-21-2010, 05:18 PM

Yep. Early bombing runs also dropped bricks instead of explosives.

Zaqarbal · 12-28-2010, 11:35 PM

I don't find WWI interesting. Too much military inefficiency. Enormous amounts of casualties, only to achieve mediocre tactic and strategic results.

Trivia: French troop transport in the Battle of the Marne. Taxis:

First Battle of the Marne - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

12-20-2010, 05:20 PM	#62 (permalink)
loveissucide Himself Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Leuven ,Belgium, via Ireland Posts: 1,325	What's interesting about the First World War is the role played by class in the society of the time, with no real hardship among the rich, and the poor massacred like cattle due to the misadvised policy of top brass who had inherited their positions. The impact this would have on the 20th century is fascinating, especially considering the last few years have shown how social class is still very much an issue. __________________ www.last.fm/user/p-mccusker http://www.mixcloud.com/pmccusker www.valjester.wordpress.com

12-21-2010, 03:44 AM	#66 (permalink)
Scarlett O'Hara Make it so Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 6,181	I guess I've been partial to the WWII due to only learning that at school (I didn't continue history). Due to a majority of war books being based on WWII I've mainly only been introduced to stories from that respect. I find war incredibly interesting full stop. __________________ "Elph is truly an enfant terrible of the forum, bless and curse him" - Marie, Queen of Thots

12-21-2010, 01:11 PM	#67 (permalink)
Guybrush Juicious Maximus III Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Scabb Island Posts: 6,525	Growing up, I heard lots of little stories from the war from old teachers and grandparents and such that were alive to experience it. That's another thing that adds to WWII's interestingness. __________________ Something Completely Different

12-28-2010, 11:35 PM	#70 (permalink)
Zaqarbal Music Addict Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Spain Posts: 824	I don't find WWI interesting. Too much military inefficiency. Enormous amounts of casualties, only to achieve mediocre tactic and strategic results. Trivia: French troop transport in the Battle of the Marne. Taxis: First Battle of the Marne - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia __________________ "Lullabies for adults / crossed by the years / carry the flower of disappointment / tattooed in their gloomy melodies."

12-20-2010, 06:26 PM	#64 (permalink)
~~someonecompletelyrandom~~ Account Disabled Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,538	Well, I know that the early dogfighters were also bombers. So that probably had something to do with it.

12-21-2010, 05:18 PM	#69 (permalink)
~~someonecompletelyrandom~~ Account Disabled Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,538	Yep. Early bombing runs also dropped bricks instead of explosives.