“… I fear’d to set my foot upon a dead man’s cheek” - Anselm in northern France
Feb 4th, 2008, 10:56 PM
#62
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I, too, had missed this great report.
Some of your intense descriptions brought back memories of suffering through a semester of studying Claude Simon's "La Route De Flandres"...talk about a sense of emptiness and senseless waste!
Thanks for taking the time to share your experiences and thoughts...that no one should forget.
Some of your intense descriptions brought back memories of suffering through a semester of studying Claude Simon's "La Route De Flandres"...talk about a sense of emptiness and senseless waste!
Thanks for taking the time to share your experiences and thoughts...that no one should forget.
Feb 5th, 2008, 07:11 AM
#64
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Anselm,
I knew you were a great writer, but this is truly superb, a deft interweaving of the glorious, the grim and the gourmet. I hope that your are able to make the TO GTG so that we can hear more of your personal experiences. As a Newfoundlander, I had thought about paying my respects to the lost young men of my town at Beaumont Hamel.
I knew you were a great writer, but this is truly superb, a deft interweaving of the glorious, the grim and the gourmet. I hope that your are able to make the TO GTG so that we can hear more of your personal experiences. As a Newfoundlander, I had thought about paying my respects to the lost young men of my town at Beaumont Hamel.
Feb 5th, 2008, 09:43 AM
#65
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Hi Anselm,
Thank you for topping this; I too missed it completely the first time around. Had you not done that, I'd now be bereft of an eloquent, interesting and moving account of an event in World history that is sadly being lost in the memories of many as the years go by, and one that - I admit - I should know more about than I do. Thank you again.
Looking forward to seeing you again later this year.
Mathieu
Thank you for topping this; I too missed it completely the first time around. Had you not done that, I'd now be bereft of an eloquent, interesting and moving account of an event in World history that is sadly being lost in the memories of many as the years go by, and one that - I admit - I should know more about than I do. Thank you again.
Looking forward to seeing you again later this year.
Mathieu
Feb 5th, 2008, 04:43 PM
#67
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Looks like I've been forgiven the dreadful sin of topping. Thanks to all for the recent comments. I'm truly touched.
LJ, we're planning to visit Vimy and Beaumont Hamel this November. I'm looking forward to seeing you and all the others at the Toronto GTG this summer.
Anselm
LJ, we're planning to visit Vimy and Beaumont Hamel this November. I'm looking forward to seeing you and all the others at the Toronto GTG this summer.
Anselm
Feb 5th, 2008, 11:27 PM
#68
This site will be of interest to those who are interested in the region and its history:
www.verdun-douaumont.com
www.verdun-douaumont.com
Nov 26th, 2008, 03:41 AM
#69
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Hello Anselm 
I found your wonderful report this morning as I was searching for information on Reims. Thank you for taking the time to write such an informative and gripping report.
This past summer, we visited Verdun and some of the surrounding areas. It has awakened in me a keen desire to learn so much more about this part of history.
Next summer we are heading there again. The information you have provided will be most helpful.
Happy travels!
I found your wonderful report this morning as I was searching for information on Reims. Thank you for taking the time to write such an informative and gripping report.
This past summer, we visited Verdun and some of the surrounding areas. It has awakened in me a keen desire to learn so much more about this part of history.
Next summer we are heading there again. The information you have provided will be most helpful.
Happy travels!
Nov 27th, 2008, 09:15 AM
#72
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Ah, Anselm, another of your reports--fascinating as always and, despite the grim subject matter, elegant to read. Glad to see this resurface, as I'd missed it before.
Your skill for looking deeply into history, as well as your profound humanism, can be seen in all your reports.
Et vous savez bien comment faire un bon voyage!
Nov 27th, 2008, 12:14 PM
#73
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Once we were driving in the Fère-en-Tardenois area of Champagne, and in the middle of an otherwise empty field in the middle of nowhere we came across a small cemetery for about 15 American fliers and soldiers. It was lovingly tended, apparently by locals, and was a very moving experience for us.
Nov 27th, 2008, 05:16 PM
#74
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smalti, je ne sais comment vous remercier.
Underhill, an interesting NYT article about Meuse-Argonne and other American cemeteries of the Great War: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/30/tr...teps.html?_r=1
I've been thinking about a trip to look at the American role in 1917-18, perhaps a trip report called "a Canadian follows the Americans through France". We'll see. Meanwhile, I have Flanders and Picardy to write up; we just got back last week.
Underhill, an interesting NYT article about Meuse-Argonne and other American cemeteries of the Great War: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/30/tr...teps.html?_r=1
I've been thinking about a trip to look at the American role in 1917-18, perhaps a trip report called "a Canadian follows the Americans through France". We'll see. Meanwhile, I have Flanders and Picardy to write up; we just got back last week.
Nov 27th, 2008, 05:28 PM
#75
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Amazing report! We're history buffs, especially WWII, just returned from Belgium, had a guide for the WWII sites, plan next year to see the WWI sites. Thanks so much. I'm definitely saving this.
May 5th, 2009, 06:19 PM
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Not to my knowledge. Sometimes a troll will top really old or contentious threads just to be annoying. The regulars will let the topper know how they feel quickly enough. Actually, I like people to top threads that need more input, or are exceptionally good.
This one by Anselm falls into the outstanding category!
This one by Anselm falls into the outstanding category!
