h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

A call for a full a full pardon for those convicted and executited for cowardice.

Rushed to the front line without much training, and with many "men" under age it is not surprising that some could not handle it. To stand up climb out of a trench and walk across open country under heavy fire, goes against every instinct.

Thease men were often denied a proper/fair trial and as regarded as guilty until proven innocent (an impossibility in so many cases). Often excuted by edict of rabid senior officers, with a shambles of a trial. Often arrested tried and shot within 3 days.

I am in favour of a full pardon to be given to these men, it will not help them but the shame it brought to their families can be lifted and their names added to memorials as apprioate.

What is your opinion.

Please see www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-25841494

Difficult one.

What would the army do today if a soldier showed cowardice? I guess with modern training methods that's largely been beaten out of them before they go to war.

It may depend whether they endanger men on their own side, in which case they might be shot as part of the operation. And then you may never know their motives.

Training is much better I believe the style eg. trench warfare added to the problem. The D-landings were easier due to training provided. Though I have had the action shown in the film such as Saving Private Ryan as toned down by those who were there

I would like to see a book written about this before everything is swept under the carpet with a general pardon.

WWI was said to be a family war (relatives of Victoria), jockeying of position to land grab a weakening Ottoman Empire, settle a few old disputes of territory, Germany wish to compete against the British for Empire (for which Britain had a head start), Tsarist Russia keen to pick up territory from the Ottomans and get access to the Mediterranean. All a bit of a mess with secret alliances, deals and double deals. There was that grab for Africa going on and people eyeing territory around India. Of course I could be wrong but you get to hear about these stories (whether based on truth or fiction).

The class system was still strong in those days with the expectation that civilian troops should sacrifice themselves wholesale for a few feet of gain that was trench warfare.

I should add that the British did lose a lot of idealistic young officers (of the noble class) at the time too (at least that's what I hear).

Thats true their forbears last fought at Waterloo a very different type of war. WWI was the first modern war the first without red coats.

They were just as ill equipped mentally, leading the chaps from the front was the done thing so they were but down. It has been suggested that caused the collapse of the aristocracy around Europe.

Quote......:It may depend whether they endanger men on their own side,:

Aye! that would make anyone feel rather exposed, when you have doubts about the person who is watching your back, in a battle zone?

Smudger.

Good to have the view of an ex service man Smudger, good point you make.

To far in the past to be sure there must be records somewhere.