• Day 1 - How are different nationalities remembered?

    Our first day in France we get to work straight away visiting sites commemorating soldiers from different countries. We were amazed at the differences between them. Listen to our report and tell us what you think.
    9th November 2008
  • Vimy Ridge

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    18 Comment(s)
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    Having visited sites in Germany and other places commemorating events that happened during WWII I noticed it is definately easier to commemorate the victims or victors rather than those seen as perpetrators and I wonder if this is this difference you are noticing
    Kay Topping
    10/11/2008 10:45:01
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    have you visited any trenches?
    malena
    10/11/2008 12:28:22
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    Are the German dead commemorated adequately? I think that's a good question. I would say the German soldiers are victims in much the same way as the French, English etc. and it would be right to commemorate them in the same way. Remember this is not WWII, this was not simply a battle of good against evil.
    Arjen Jansen
    10/11/2008 13:16:27
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    Hello Anna! Hey! Hows France? The menim (is that spelt right?) looks amazingly big... I thought it was about half the height! Everyone says hello including Eva who asked me to mention specialy.
    Louise
    10/11/2008 15:27:28
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    That's a good film. Interesting to see all four different national cemeteries and monuments compared like that. The German cemetery certainly looks less cared for - but even more, it looks less MONUMENTAL and grand. Whereas the French, British and Canadian sites seem to have more confidence and a feeling of them having the 'right' to be there?
    Sam TPYF
    10/11/2008 15:37:31
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    How tall is the memorial ? I hope you enjoy your trip.
    Soph C
    10/11/2008 17:25:45
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    Very interesting film. I feel very sorry for the Germans that were just left at this on site. They are so far from home and the last site was much less grandeur than the other places. there are no big statues or plaques. It seems very dismal.Also, their freinds and family have to travel all the way to France, just to see their grave. I think there should be more of a special monument to represent the them. Just because Germans were considered the 'baddies' dosen't mean we should forget that many lost their lives in the wars and fought for their country too. What do you think?
    Flo
    10/11/2008 18:07:45
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    How many walls have names on?And how many nationalities are there on the graves?
    Bella B
    10/11/2008 20:43:35
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    Wow, what you have already achieved is really impressive. I have never visited this particular site but is one I would definately like to. What I always find incredible when we visit the cemetaries in Belgium is how different each one is- particularly the difference between Tyne Cot and Langemark German cemetary. I will be very interested to see what else you guys find out and look forward to hearing all the reactions from tommorrow's commemoration.
    esther- you are clearly getting a great deal from this trip and look forward to hearing all about it next wee!- Miss G
    Rebecca Godfrey
    10/11/2008 21:00:41
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    Wow ! How tall is "Vimy Ridge"? The people look like ants because it is so tall. Have a nice trip and i hope you discover interesting information.
    Holly
    10/11/2008 21:04:08
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    Hi Matt. Nick & I found the video very interesting and thoughtful. The differences in the three cemeteries were very striking. As regards the German cemetery, Winston Churchill said, "History is written by the victors" and that would seem to apply to the way the war dead were treated.
    Caroline Gurney
    11/11/2008 01:14:46
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    How do you feel about this comment? (It was left by someone on the BBC website about a remembrance article):

    "We should honour those who fought and died in all all wars, but recognise that WW1 was utterly unnecessary"
    Poppy
    11/11/2008 09:16:48
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    I think that it must have been so interesting to see where all of the soldiers had died ad fought in WW1. everyone should remember this day and although the Germans were the "baddies" we shouldn't forget that those men fought for our country.
    Alex
    11/11/2008 19:00:21
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    Hi guys, really interesting stuff, you've certainly prompted me to look more in depth at my country's involvement into the Great War (i am from new zealand). I really think that what you guys are doing opens the door for others to learn more about the sacrifices that were made by these guys( and ladies) all those years ago. Really informative stuff, i look forward to tomorrows videos!
    mclutchy
    11/11/2008 23:56:04
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    Something that struck me when I saw these memorials was how much they seemed to say about each country. For me the Vimy memorial is so much more emotional than that at Thiepval and most of the European graves tend to downplay religion, whereas in US cemeteries this is more clear. Also, the British cemeteries are more personal somehow with their 'English garden' approach, whereas others are more monumental and about the country more than the individuals. What do you think?
    helen snelson
    12/11/2008 19:53:44
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  • Made By
  • This is in
  • Vimy
    Vimy Ridge
    Filming
    Filming at Notre Dame de Lorette
    Notre
    Notre Dame de Lorette Cemetery and Memorial
    The
    The German Cemetery