The Royal British Legion, Nerja Branch
100 years ago this month, battles were still raging along the
Western Front in what was called by the Germans “The Spring
Offensive” Casualty numbers were enormous, both fatalities
and injured, and the appalling weather made matters worse.
Fighting was continuing in other areas as well, and countries all
over the world declared war on Germany. The picture was
bleak everywhere. With no one now left to tell their tales of
“the war to end all wars” we have to rely on historians, writers
and photographers to remind us of the horror of that dreadful
war. However, sometimes we can find interesting facts which
are mostly unknown.
enemy, then a friend again…..and so on….amazing isn’t it?
Anyway, no matter how we think or believe, the Royal British
Legion’s work is to support all those who made sacrifices in
conflict or in service while protecting our freedoms and
standards. The Nerja branch proudly endeavours to maintain
the level of support that this branch started in 1988. We
welcome new friends and members of any nationality, religion
or Scout pack.
Our first event of spring is the concert
with the Coralaxia Choir in the Caves
Restaurant on Saturday April 21 at
7:30pm and all are welcome.
For example, in 1914 Germany was allied to Austria-Hungary
and Italy; Russia was allied to France, and both countries had
an entente with Britain. While these alliances certainly
contributed to the prewar build-up of tension between the
great powers, surprisingly, none of them actually produced a
declaration of war.
Tickets are €5 per head available from
Hamish Tel: 615 550 886 Email:
[email protected]
Patsy Tel: 633 382 117 Email: [email protected]
Dave Tel: 654 085 811 Email: [email protected]
In July 1914 Germany gave Austria-Hungary a “blank cheque”
guarantee of support that went far beyond the terms of their
formal alliance. The French came in because Germany
launched a pre-emptive strike against them and Britain
declared war not because of the entente agreements but
because the Germans invaded Belgium, and Italy first kept out
of the war and then came in against its own allies!
Our monthly lunches are also open to anyone who is interested
in coming along, just give Vera a ring and book. Vera Tel: 952
967 200 Email: [email protected]. We would love to
see you and you will be made very welcome.
DOROTHY GRAVES
Royal British Legion, Nerja Branch
Another interesting detail was that Britain’s only formal
alliance before 1914 was with Japan, and it was designed to
relieve the Royal Navy of some of the burden of defending
Britain’s Asian colonies, and to enable Britain and Japan to help
one another safeguard their respective interests in China and
Korea.
When war broke out, the Japanese attacked German
possessions in the Pacific and China, but in 1917 Britain
requested Japanese assistance with escort duties in the
Mediterranean. The region was vital for supplying Allied
armie s in Italy and Greece, and for maintaining
communications with Africa, but the Allied navies faced threats
from German and Austrian submarines. The Japanese,
operating from Malta, provided escorts for Allied merchant
and troop convoys, and a search-and-rescue service for the
crews of torpedoed vessels.
Such are the vagaries of the world….once a friend, then an
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