IrishGunner

No reason. I think you are pretty logical in your argument. And applied to the subject of "who" is to "blame" for WWI, I think your theme pretty much sums it up... Every ruling elite in Europe, because they didn't know what war really meant... It was easy. It was peasy. It was a mistake, but they had no yardstick with which to measure. War was a useful policy tool...damn the poor sods...they'll die for King and Country, or the Tricolor, or the Fatherland...and be damn glad of it...because its "normal." If the Great Powers had the power of foresight, they wouldn't have been so eager to run off to war. But they didn't, so ... The Guns of August shall be unleashed.

It seems all 26 episodes are available...

My biggest problem with Fisher is the lack of a smoking gun. His thesis that Germany "conspired" to wage war and actually precipitated the event is based upon snippets of conversations, including alleged ramblings of the Kaiser himself. There was a very detailed war plan, but there is not detailed evidence that Germany's actions were premeditated and executed with foresight. Oh, Berlin was willing. But stumbled along (as I think you call "drift"). If Berlin indeed had an aggressive "plan" to instigate a war, then what was the intended trigger? Certainly not Sarajevo. As for Imogen...I've no interest.

If old Fritz hadn't died in '99, I'd say you two have a special thing... I agree that his thesis has a lot of merit. I wrote about the Dec 1912 War Council in an earlier post. But it's too one dimensional. We still need to look at the other Powers and what they did, didn't do, and wanted to do...going back to the turn of the century. It's cliche, but it takes more than one to make a party. I would even be willing to say Germany owns a larger share...but I would put that share at less than 75%. Let's not forget that Fisher had his own "domestic political" motivations for writing in the 1960s ... Perhaps even to salve his own Nazi past. His remains a significant historical work on the subject, but it shouldn't be considered the last word. Or even gospel.

Well, there was that fat kid video. That was kind of odd... Maybe you're right. Okay, everyone stop picking on Chris!

Wasn't me... I have no feelings.

That is correct. The US Victory Medal is actually considered a service medal with the clasps denoting campaign credit. There was an Army of Occupation of Germany Medal issued in 1941 for occupation duty between the dates of November 12, 1918 and July 11, 1923.

France

Well, when you get your first one, it's okay to BLUSH

Hugh, in 1917 all cap badges changed from branch insignia to the eagle; so, that would make sense for your father's insignia. From 1905-1917, the cap badges were still branch insignia, but were smaller than the 1902 version. Here is a Field Artillery cap badge...1905-1917. A CAC cap badge would have been similar, but with the Company number on the bottom. Alongside with the pin back is the 6th FA enlisted collar insignia, 1905-1917. CAC would have had the Company number on the bottom. The shell disc in the center of the cannons for CAC enlisted insignia didn't come until the end of 1917. Gold was for the blue dress uniform and black was for the olive service uniform.

Here's a common Vernier version... (PS: This thread was worth reviving only to see Chris "BLUSH" at the top...)

Here's a rough looking one...

A welcome different perspective Frank... I can see the logic.

Here's the 1866 Karl version...

Indeed. Who would have noticed another madman around here?

I for one love Blackadder... And who can forget: Baldrick opined that the war began when 'Archie Duke shot an ostrich because he was hungry'.

Censorship ... that's the ticket.

The fact of the matter is... Britain was still building more ships than any other nation. The German ship building effort was not a threat. I'm convinced it was all about British ego when it comes to naval power. Now, German control of the Low Countries and a "defeated" France with Germany dominant on the Continent; that presented a threat to the English Channel. That's a different story. Dreadnoughts were not of any use in Flanders.

You'll have to look at the history of the company; AMERICAN EMBLEM CO UTICA NY; to get anything better than post-1902. A Google search turns up discussions on many other forums about this particular company and its manufacture of US Army buttons. To summarize what I've read from my Google search; the company was founded around 1914 and was in business in NY into the 1950s/1960s. So, now you are somewhere in 1914-mid/late 1960s. I'd guess it's from the 40s/50s/60s. But that's a real "swag". The plastic button is probably from the mid 40s when metal was in short supply due to the war effort. Late WW2 most likely.

I always think of this when I think of historical debates on GMIC. What time is it? And don't forget, according to the Marquis de Queensbury Rule #2 "no hugging allowed".

Berlin is my most favorite city of Europe. Probably because I was posted there 83-86 and explored almost every nook and cranny of West Berlin and many in East Berlin. I've been back many, many times over the past 30 years and have enjoyed watching it's genesis. But I still wonder what it must have been like at the turn of the century.

I completely agree... National interests were in competition long before 1914 and on a collision course. If the Continental Powers had been ready, my argument is that they would have in fact gone to war in 1912. Europe didn't rush headlong into war in August 1914, they had been preparing since 1912 - or even before, only waiting for the right moment. This was discussed in some detail about a year ago in this very Forum. See here. We unfortunately, did not carry through in extending the discussion through the year. I am sure there were many details from the year 1913 that would have been interesting to discuss over the past year. I'm sure we'll cover some of the same ground in the next six months, but your point is excellent, Mervyn, the issue demands deeper analysis and a further look back in time.

When I started reading this paragraph my mind immediately jumped to Allenby as well.

Hear, hear.

I have one of these brother cards; however, they died two years apart. Those same day cards are tough. One has to wonder how many from the same village on the same day...