CalH

I've just tried to read the new book "The Somme" and had to quit half way through, the numbers of men killed was just too dismal. My question is, after the first day's slaughter, why didn't the troops mutiny? Certainly they had a much reason as did the French after the Chemin de Dames fiasco. The number of Irish killed by British Artillery make today's "friendly fire" incidents seem trivial.

Taken from the RTE We bpage at: http://www.rte.ie/news/2006/0701/somme.html

Ceremonies take place on Somme anniversary

01 July 2006 23:16

Ceremonies have taken place in Ireland and abroad to mark the start of the 90th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme.

President Mary McAleese was among the dignitaries to lay a wreath at the War Memorial at Islandbridge in Dublin in honour of Irishmen who died in the battle.

Over 200 members of the Defence Forces took part, the first large-scale involvement of Irish troops in ceremonies to mark the First World War battle.

The Minister for Education, Mary Hanafin, represented the Government at ceremonies which also took place this morning in Thiepval and Guillemont in France.

More than 3,000 Irish men were among the half a million soldiers who died in the battle in northeastern France which began on 1 July, 1916.

END OF REPORT.

Its about time Ireland remembered her brave war dead with pride instead of shame, May God Bless them

Kevin in Deva