Mervyn Mitton

Please see if you can get someone to help you translate this into English.    Mervyn

Interesting points , Brian.   Although you could have really confused us by adding metric weights.   However, I will totally agree with you on Elephants  -  one of my favourite creatures  -  but a Cow can weigh over 3 tons and a big bull , up to 6 tons.  I have always, therefore, tried to avoid being stood on by one of them .........

You certainly keep us thinking with your variety of subjects.     Mervyn

pt09ps    -  thankyou for your comment  -  which brings clarity to this issue.     We have an active British Police Forum + one for overseas Police.

I hope you will join us with some posts on your experiences.     Mervyn

Brian  -  a very insightful article  -  and the sort of advice and guidance that the older, experienced members, should be giving to the new collectors.   We all know from our own experience that some pieces can rightly be called 'investment items'  -  however, the great majority on the market are collectables.   These will appreciate and give pleasure to the collector  -  however, very few are worth a really great value.

Keep-up the good work.    Mervyn

Brian  -  this has been a well researched series - and one that I am sure will have helped many younger members to understand the complexities of WW2.    With Historians, so often the views they push are written from their own perspective - I think that you have been careful to avoid this trap .     GMIC has certainly gained from your hard work and I - for one - am most happy to offer you Congratulations on achieving the objectives you set out right at the start.  Best wishes.   Mervyn

A frustrating experience  -  particularly for Nick.   No-one could have expected these problems and whilst there has been an annoyance factor , dedicated members to our Forum will have accepted them and shown patience whilst waiting for the problems to sort themselves.

May I suggest that members send notes of encouragement to Nick  -  being on your own whilst waiting for the updates must be a lonely experience.     Remember  -  he has regularly kept us up-to date on developments .   Mervyn

One final point  -  Chris Boonzaier has been seconded to the air crash site in the Alps.  Again please send him a note of encouragement   -  it must be a soul shattering experience.

Rick  -  the later bombing of German cities - following their earlier devastating attacks on British Cities - was something that was felt necessary at the time to draw a conclusion to the War.   However, in most later day assessments we

now feel that it was excessive.  However, 'Bomber' Harris was at that time following Cabinet orders.   Perhaps in the same way that the US used the

atomic bombs under the orders of President Truman.

Both decisions led to an earlier peace and saved untold lives - including

those of the adversaries.   The great pity was that it allowed Russia to gain

control over much of eastern Europe. A barbaric people who have used their numbers to dominate smaller countries for far too long.  This decision to allow them to have so much territory in exchange for Greece, was a serious mistake on Churchill's part.

However, to go back to our origninal discussion.  We bombed Berlin in the early part of the war for several reasons  -  one, to show Germany that it too could  face severe damage from bombings.  Secondly, to take pressure off

of eastern Europe.   I totally dispute that it was done as a temptation to Hitler to bomb British cities  -  although that was one of it's results.  German High Command had always planned to make peace with Britain and use our Forces to help conquer Russia.  When this didn't happen they decided to subdue us and then use our Forces.

The Bravery of the RAF stopped this happening  - and to quote Churchill  -

"Never have so many ,owed so much, to so few !"  I may not have this quite right , but all of Britain totally agreed with the tribute.

To be fair to the German pilots - most of them were following target guides -

unfortunately their instruments were not that accurate and we had the blackout.  That meant that many bombs were dropped by guesswork  -  others, overshot docks etc. and hit suburban areas.  My earlier blogs on my

childhood in London talked about the dradful damage caused by overshoots when they were after the Docks at Greenwich.  The blogs may still be on our section- they covered my memories of life as a small boy in London - I was 9 when the

war ended against Germany.

So, yes I agree that we did have a raid on Berlin to show our capabilities.

However, it had no intention of inviting Germany to bomb our cities.  That was 

already part of their "master plan"  - and well practised on Europe.   Mervyn

Rick  -  I must take issue with you  -  in a nice way, of course  -  over your

cynical view of the early part of the War.  To say that we bombed the Germans to make them bomb our cities is  quite untrue.   Had it been true you would have seen some war trials of our own after 1945.

There is much talk of the so called excesses of British bombing over Germany in the later parts of the war  -  however, Europe  and particularly Holland and Rotterdam were virtually raised to the ground.  Many British Cities had the most terrible damage  -  and the East End of London had to be

restrained from up-rising against the deaths and damage.  No, I totally 

dispute that we caused our cities to be bombed  -  that was done by a violent

and evil enemy  -  that saw civilians, prisoners and other races as just

expendable items.   Mervyn

Brian  -  a well written continuation to this important look back on Winston

Churchill.   Your historical facts and their presentation are excellent and

combined with the biographical side, brings the story along very well.

Congratulations for your perseverance , research and the ability to make

this such an interesting story  -  despite all the many previous histories.

I very much look forward to your next in the series.   Mervyn

Brian - another succinct and insightful chapter on Churchill. This part is

perhaps, the most important of his WW2 activities , as it covers the Narvik

Battle and the events to the Dunkirk Retreat.

Sir Alan Brooke was Churchill's senior aide throughout the War and his memoirs make interesting reading. By his account Churchill was more than

strong willed - and often threw tantrums when crossed. However, despite

reservations, he was undoubtedly the 'man for the job' and you show this very well in your account.

These were dark days for Britain and I lived in London as a small boy aged

5 years. Even at that age the concern of older people was very obvious.

I must congratulate you on keeping the pace and the information in the story

on a continuing level - I am now waiting for part 3. Mervyn

Irish Gunner - your Blog is an insightful look at the present state of collecting

in 2014. I think you are being unduly generous when you say that our

Collectors on GMIC are the ones doing research. Yes - of course - the

serious ones would not dream of just adding to their collections without doing

the necessary research. The younger ones, and the quick visit ones are

just as guilty of wanting to own items - but to take things no further then a name.

From having the top collectors' shop in SA, I can tell you that very few of the

under 18's could tell you when the second World War took place - or, who

was involved.

From when you joined I have admired your dedication and have enjoyed your articles. This present blog helps to focus on problems in collecting - as you

see them. Should our Chat Room re-open , perhaps some classes on your

chosen subjects would be appropriate ? Well done Mervyn

This memorial stone marks the spot where the armoured train was derailed

Brian - a,very well written and informative article. For those who thought

everything had been said about Churchill , this will be a short reminder that

we can always learn from other points of view.

Obviously, you could continue to expand on different sections and actions of

his career ,however, we are a Forum and your approach will help younger

(and indeed,older) members to refresh their memories of these events.

Well done - a lot of work, but I think it very worthwhile. I will look forward to

your next instalment. Mervyn

Pat - welcome to GMIC. This would have been better as a post on the British

Forum - Medals. More people would see it and there are many of the

members who enjoy research.

I would suggest you repost - with any pictures - and when you have done

this, I will delete this one. Best wishes Mervyn

Nice thought Stuart - I tend to rather say more then I should. Brian is

the right person - he strikes a nice balance of humour and fact - and

as this present blog has shown , the membership does wish to join-in on

serious matters of history. Well us present 5 do ! I must mention it on the

Lounge and let others have a chance to comment. Mervyn

You will realise - to a certain extent - that I was 'stirring' a little. However,

the facts remain that his weakness led us into war - where-as, a show of

determination and force would possibly have stopped him.

My comments on Churchill should probably be the subject of Brian's next

blog ? Mervyn

As the only Englishman present - I stand by my comments. He was a hated,

weak leader and by not taking a stand , led us into war.

Churchill is also not a highly revered leader. He had the habit of dictating to

his staff and ignoring advice - this led to the loss of many unnecessary

lives. From the 1stWW and the Gallipoli Campaign when he was 1st Sea

Lord - just mention his name in Australia - they used to just spit on the

ground.

Given a position, just so many leaders fail to listen to their electorate. Mervyn

Great article Brian - but, you're fighting an up-hill battle. He was - and always

will be a 'wet willy' ! Mervyn

Brian - you've brightened up my morning in a way you will never appreciate !

The maid is dying of a cough - 5 very loud Zulu workmen are attempting to

re-mount my big front gate ,after the weight caused the brickwork to crumble ,

the electricity is off , they keep blowing the fuses and it is bitterly cold , 66oF.

and - my Dachsie puppy is under treatment for worms - probably picked-up

from the marauding monkeys.

So, to put it mildly this was not a good morning - until I read your blog - your

sense of irony and an inner sense of humour are superb - keep them coming. Mervyn

You are both - as the Feminist movements used to put-it " Male

Chauvenist 'pigs' !"

Having never married I do not feel qualified to comment further.......... Mervyn

Try the Greek Embassy - they may well have one on file. Also, one

of the Museums in Cyprus could probably help.

Well, it certainly won't be this example - lighting is not even.

Members - please check your collections to see if you have a good example ?

Shanakee - unfortunately, you have picked the blog section , rather then

the Firearms section. This will not get you a lot of views.

I suggest you re-post lower down the pages on the section designated for

Firearms, Edged weapons and Armour. Please let me know if you have

any problems ? Mervyn

Brian excellent subject matter - well reasoned out. However, I have to say

that I am entirely on the side of the squirrels !

Throughout history empires have collided - well meaning people have tried

to keep peace - but rarely with any success.

WW1 and WW2 are already distant history to most people - particularly the

younger generation. Who remembers Korea - or, Vietnam ? Perhaps

families of victims but, few could remember individual battles.

We are now well on our way to the next rounds of unnecesary warfare -

the unpleasant Russians under Putin - trying to regain the lost Empire.

The Middle East - the vast majority of Arabs not even knowing who their

enemy is - but driven by leaders who have neither sense or dignity -

just a strong belief that their religion is stronger then any other. The North

Koreans with atomic bombs.......... It just goes on and on - just like the

period that led to WW1.

The Khyber Pass could be bombed permanently closed by the US - but, they fear public opinion more then military reality.

I can only say that I fear for the safety of the World we know - and grew up

in. I don't think it will have the same boundaries and links in 5 years time.

Perhaps the squirrels are the best off - but even they are nasty little critters.

They eat young birds in their nests - I shot 50 in 2 months in my garden in the Uk to protect them. Perhaps a desert island would be best......

Well done Brian - another informative article which will help

create new collecting interests.