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What was the name of the first yacht to win the Americas Cup | HISTORY OF THE AMERICA'S CUP - 35th America's Cup
HISTORY OF THE AMERICA'S CUP
A Brief History of The America's Cup
First contested in 1851, the America’s Cup is the oldest trophy in international sport, predating the modern Olympic Games by 45 years, and is yachting’s biggest prize.
The trophy’s roots date back to when a syndicate of businessmen from New York sailed the schooner America across the Atlantic Ocean to represent the United States at the World’s Fair in England. The schooner won a race around the Isle of Wight and, with it, a trophy called the £100 Cup. (It was subsequently inscribed, incorrectly, as the 100 Guineas Cup.)
Poster advertising the £100 Cup - an invitational race around the Isle of Wight off the South Coast of England. The yacht America beat the best of the British fleet to win the sterling silver trophy that would become the America’s Cup (named after the yacht, not the country)
After winning the trophy, the United States embarked on what would become the longest winning streak in the history of sport, a 132-year stretch of domination that saw boats representing the country successfully defend the trophy 24 times from 1870 through 1980—until 1983, when Australia II became the first successful challenger to lift the trophy.
Throughout its history, the America’s Cup has bedazzled a worldwide roster of business and industry tycoons such as Oracle’s Larry Ellison, brewing and real estate mogul Alan Bond, tea merchant Sir Thomas Lipton, aviation pioneer Sir T.O.M. Sopwith, the Aga Khan, media mogul Ted Turner, and Harold S. Vanderbilt, an American railroad executive who won the America’s Cup three times and also helped author the original racing rules of sailing.
The yacht America beat the best of the British fleet to win the sterling silver trophy that would become the America’s Cup (named after the yacht, not the country).
It’s also attracted larger-than-life sailing figures such as Tom Blackaller, Peter Blake, Paul Cayard, Dennis Conner, and Russell Coutts.
Now, a new generation of sailing superstars have taken up the challenge, like Britain’s Ben Ainslie and Iain Percy, and Australians Jimmy Spithill, Tom Slingsby and Nathan Outteridge, along with Kiwis Dean Barker, Peter Burling and Blair Tuke, and French superstar Franck Cammas
The Whole Story
1. IN THE BEGINNING
In 1851 a radical looking schooner ghosted out of the afternoon mist and swiftly sailed past the Royal Yacht stationed in the Solent, between the Isle of Wight and the south coast of England, on an afternoon when Queen Victoria was watching a sailing race.
As the schooner, named America, passed the Royal Yacht in first position, and saluted by dipping its ensign three times, Queen Victoria asked one of her attendants to tell her who was in second place.”Your Majesty, there is no second,” came the reply. That phrase, just four words, is still the best description of the America’s Cup, and how it represents the singular pursuit of excellence.
Her Majesty Queen Victoria congratulates John Cox Stevens, Commodore of the New York Yacht Club, aboard the yacht America, winner of the £100 Cup.
That day in August, 1851, the yacht America, representing the young New York Yacht Club, would go on to beat the best the British could offer and win the Royal Yacht Squadron’s 100 Pound Cup. This was more than a simple boat race however, as it symbolised a great victory for the new world over the old, a triumph that unseated Great Britain as the world’s undisputed maritime power.
The trophy would go to the young democracy of the United States and it would be well over 100 years before it was taken away from New York.
Shortly after America won the 100 Guinea Cup in 1851, New York Yacht Club Commodore John Cox Stevens and the rest of his ownership syndicate sold the celebrated schooner and returned home to New York as heroes. They donated the trophy to the New York Yacht Club under a Deed of Gift, which stated that the trophy was to be “a perpetual challenge cup for friendly competition between nations.”
Thus was born the America’s Cup, named after the winning schooner America, as opposed to the country.
The America’s Cup is without a doubt the most difficult trophy in sport to win. In the more than 150 years since that first race off England, only four nations have won what is often called the “oldest trophy in international sport.” For some perspective, consider that there had been nine contests for the America’s Cup before the first modern Olympic Games were held in Athens in 1896.
2. EARLY CHALLENGES
The very first challenge would come from Englishman James Ashbury, who raced against a fleet from the New York Yacht Club just off Staten Island in 1870. After much dispute over the conditions for racing, Ashbury’s Cambria finished tenth in the 17-boat fleet, prompting a second challenge the following year.
The 1871 America’s Cup match was a precursor for many of the legal battles that would engulf the Cup over the next 100 years. After reportedly consulting his lawyers, Ashbury insisted on racing against just one boat, not an entire fleet and protested both the scoring of the races and the Race Committee who set the race course. In the end he limped home complaining bitterly about poor sportsmanship on the part of the Americans and insisting he had actually won the America’s Cup, to no avail.
The next two Challenges came from Canada, but the northerners were no match for the Americans and were soundly beaten.
3. LIPTON ERA
There were a further six challenges before the turn of the Century, including the first of what came to be called the Lipton era of the America’s Cup. Sir Thomas Lipton, the Irish/Scottish tea baron challenged five times between 1899 and 1930. He became the loveable loser; a man whose good-natured approach to the obstacles stacked against him turned him into a folk hero and promoted his business interests in America as well.
© The Edwin Levick Collection, Mariners' Museum
Sir Thomas Lipton. The son of a grocer, Lipton went on to be well known for his involvement in the purchase of tea plantations in Ceylon. Lipton challenged for the America's Cup five times in succession between 1899 and 1930 with his boats "Shamrock'.
While Lipton didn’t win the America’s Cup, he became one of the first to introduce the idea of sports sponsorship, and he realised a financial windfall from it. Lipton’s final challenge in 1930 was the first in the new J-Class boats. This was a period of magnificent beauty afloat, as the towering masts carrying an improbable amount of sail powered through the chop off Newport, Rhode Island. Harold Vanderbilt was selected to defend for the New York Yacht Club that year and did so with ease.
4. POST WAR
The Second World War marked the end of the J-Class, and when America’s Cup racing began again in 1958, it signaled the beginning of the 12-Metre era. The Americans would successfully defend eight more times over the next 25-year period. Sadly, in 1939, all but three of the original ten J’s were used as scrap metal for the war effort. The three surviving J-Class yachts have been restored and still sail in regattas around the world.
5. CHALLENGER SERIES
In 1970, more than one yacht club interested in challenging for the America’s Cup, so for the first time, a competition was staged to determine the single Challenger that would face the Defender, the New York Yacht Club.
The French malletier Louis Vuitton became involved with the America’s Cup in 1983, supporting the Challenger Selection Series that came to be known as the Louis Vuitton Cup. The idea was twofold; to develop and identify the strongest possible challenger for the America’s Cup and ensure that they were sufficiently battle-tested through tough competition to beat the Defender.
The defenders had been involved in this type of selection series for most of the century, but until recently, there had been but one Challenger.
6. THE CUP LEAVES AMERICA
Australia was one of the challenging countries in 1983, and the ‘Men from Down Under’ brought a secret weapon. Australia II sported a boxing Kangaroo flag in the rigging as she was towed out to sea, and under the water, a radically-designed winged keel that gave the 12-Metre Class boat superior speed under most conditions. The Australians kept the secret to themselves, draping large ‘modesty skirts’ from the deck to the ground when the boat was hauled from the water – keeping prying eyes away and all the time building speculation as to what could be under there.
Dennis Conner, ‘Mr. America’s Cup’, was charged with defending against the upstart Australians, who handily whipped through the challenger fleet and carried off the first Louis Vuitton Cup. That summer, in 1983, the America’s Cup had pride of place on every newscast, and front-page status in every paper. There was a sense of history about that season; that somehow, finally, the New York Yacht Club’s 132-year winning streak was going to come to an end. Equipment problems on the Australian boat allowed Conner to jump ahead early in the best of seven series, but Australian skipper John Bertrand battled back, eventually bringing the series to a score line of 3-3.
The seventh and final race was symbolic of the entire series, with Conner’s Liberty leading for most of the course in a light and shifty breeze. It was not until the final spinnaker run that Australia II was able to jump into the lead, and then hold on to it despite a ferocious, last-gasp assault over the last few minutes. For the first time in 132 years, the America’s Cup was leaving the New York Yacht Club.
Dennis Conner, also known as Mr. America’s Cup. Conner won the America’s Cup in 1980, 1987, and 1988, but is perhaps best known as the first American skipper to lose the Cup, in 1983, to Australia.
Conner, then representing the San Diego Yacht Club, won the right to fight another day in 1987. Held in Fremantle, he won the Louis Vuitton Cup to become the Challenger and then delivered a shut-out victory of 4-0. This America’s Cup featured quite an on-the-water show, with the famous “Fremantle Doctor,” strong afternoon sea-breezes, blowing up incredible sailing conditions with giant white-capped seas, to challenge both the sailors and equipment.
7. BACK TO AMERICA
Dennis Conner, basking in presidential welcomes and ticker-tape parades through New York, was in no rush to settle the details of the next event, and New Zealand, exploiting a loophole in the century old Deed of Gift, demanded an immediate challenge in 1988.
What resulted was the first America’s Cup Finals where two different styles of boat raced each other, with the Kiwis in a giant 90-foot waterline boat against Conner in a much smaller but faster hard-winged catamaran. The best of three series went to the Americans and after numerous court challenges – the teams spent far more time battling in a courtroom than they did on the water – the result stood.
8. AMERICA’S CUP CLASS
A good thing to come of the entire 1988 fiasco was a new class of boat that featured a more modern design that could perform well in the lighter winds of San Diego; the America’s Cup Class, a type of boat built to a design rule.
Under the rule, all boats must look similar, although the designers had enough leeway to make an impact on boat speed. Progress is always made from one generation to the next.
In 1992, two American teams sought the right to defend the United States through a Defender series, where Dennis Conner was beaten and lost the right to defend to American billionaire Bill Koch with his massive, four-boat America programme. On the challenger side, New Zealand met the Italian Il Moro de Venezia Challenge, eventually yielding to relentless pressure from the Italians and their skipper Paul Cayard. In the concluding battle for the 29th America’s Cup, Koch, occasionally steering the boat himself, and his skipper Buddy Melges, successfully defended the America’s Cup.
9. THE KIWIS
1995 would be the year of the Kiwi. Led by the fierce determination of Sir Peter Blake and with the steady hand of Russell Coutts on the wheel, New Zealand’s Black Magic dominated the challengers in San Diego, and went on to make short work of the Dennis Conner / Paul Cayard defense partnership, taking the America’s Cup back to the Southern Hemisphere.
Sir Peter Blake’s crew declared there would be no defender selection series, and Team New Zealand focused on in-house training, taking advantage of a deep pool of young talent to push Coutts to the limit in training.
At the same time, the Louis Vuitton Cup in 2000 featured what has been described as perhaps the best two weeks of racing in the history of the America’s Cup. Italy’s Prada Challenge outlasted Paul Cayard’s AmericaOne, winning the best of nine series 5-4. Not only was the series close, but many of the races were sailed with the boats just metres apart, the lead changing hands over and over again.
But Prada’s Luna Rossa, although battle-hardened, was no match for Team New Zealand. Skipper Russell Coutts staked the Kiwis to a quick 4-0 lead – equaling the record for most consecutive America’s Cup wins set by Charlie Barr 100 years earlier – before handing the wheel to understudy Dean Barker who promptly became the youngest skipper at 26-years old to win the America’s Cup. Team New Zealand looked to be so far ahead of the challengers that the America’s Cup appeared to be secure in the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron for a long time to come.
But shortly after the win, Russell Coutts and many of his Team New Zealand stalwarts announced they were leaving to join a new team that had to be built from the ground up for Swiss Bio-Tech entrepreneur Ernesto Bertarelli.
Within months, in a scene reminiscent of an earlier era, many of the world’s most successful men announced they were coming to stake their claim on the Cup. Backed by Patrizio Bertelli of the Prada fashion house, the Italians would be back, as would three strong American challenges, including teams backed by Oracle software guru Larry Ellison, and a Pacific Northwest team led by Craig McCaw and Paul Allen. Joining them were teams from France, Italy, Sweden, and for the first time in 16 years, Great Britain, making another run at regaining that which they lost 151 years earlier.
© Moet & Chandon/Franck Socha
Russell Coutts and Dean Barker celebrate winning the America’s Cup in February 2000 with Team New Zealand. Coutts, the skipper, steered the team to a 4-0 lead before handing the helm to his understudy, Barker, for the final, deciding race.
After four months of Round Robin and elimination rounds, the Louis Vuitton Cup Challenger Series came down to a nine-race Final between Ernesto Bertarelli’s Team Alinghi and Larry Ellison’s BMW ORACLE Racing team. Both teams arrived at the Finals with impressive records in the previous rounds, and the racing showed these two teams were evenly matched. Although the record was a 5-1 series win for Alinghi, the numbers belied how close the racing actually was.
The battle to the win the Louis Vuitton Cup created a very strong Challenger, and set up a much-anticipated America’s Cup Match between Coutts and his old Team New Zealand understudy Dean Barker. Unfortunately for the Kiwis, Team New Zealand appeared ill prepared, and was no match for Alinghi. Serious equipment problems and some poor race tactics allowed Alinghi to sweep the Match 5-0, and take the America’s Cup to Europe for the first time.
10. TO EUROPE
Shortly after winning the America’s Cup, the Société Nautique de Genève (SNG) accepted a challenge from the Golden Gate Yacht Club, putting the wheels in motion for the 32nd America’s Cup. A new Protocol was issued, detailing the plans for the next event and outlining some of the changes. It was immediately clear that the move to Europe would mean a sea change for the America’s Cup. Taking advantage of what some perceived to be a problem for the new Defender, the SNG announced that it would take its time to decide upon a venue, drafting up a selection criteria that would ensure reliable sailing conditions.
The nationality rules were abolished, freeing up teams to sign the best people regardless of their passport, and rules on the transfer of technology from prior syndicates were eased to enable new teams access to old information. Most importantly, a new organising authority, AC Management, was created and charged with the task of overseeing all aspects of the 32nd America’s Cup including the Challenger Selection Series. In short, a new era of the America’s Cup had dawned.
The 32nd America’s Cup in Valencia, Spain was a success on many levels. By bidding out the city, the organising authority was able to raise revenue on a scale previously unimagined. A four-year programme of racing took America’s Cup racing to other European venues, drumming up interest in the event. And teams from new territories, like South Africa and China, added to the international flavour of the racing.
Emirates Team New Zealand, rejuvenated behind the leadership of Grant Dalton, won the Louis Vuitton Cup to set up a rematch against Alinghi. But although the Kiwis won a couple of races and lost another by just one second, the Swiss Defender proved to be too strong and retained the title.
11. MULTIHULL BATTLE
Shortly after successfully defending the Cup, SNG announced it had accepted a challenge from a newly formed yacht club, the Spanish CNEV, and released a Protocol for the 33rd America’s Cup.
Many in the America’s Cup community balked at the terms in the Protocol and BMW ORACLE Racing, with Larry Ellison leading the charge, challenged the validity of the new Spanish club. The courts agreed and GGYC became the challenger of record. When GGYC and SNG were unable to mutually consent on a new Protocol, the 33rd America’s Cup became a ‘Deed of Gift’ Match, as in 1988.
There were numerous court challenges, initiated by both sides. In the end, both teams having learned the lesson of 1988, built enormous multihulls. Then, just months before the race, BMW ORACLE Racing replaced its soft sail rig with a towering wing sail – the largest wing ever built.
When the boats finally lined up to race off Valencia in February 2010, the BMW ORACLE Racing trimaran with its powerful wing sail proved to be superior. Skipper James Spithill, just 30 years old, won with a record of 2-0. Once again, the America’s Cup would be defended by an American Team in the 34th edition.
12. THE COMEBACK
The speed, the thrill and the challenge of building multihulls proved irresistible and ORACLE TEAM USA elected to make the AC72, a catamaran powered by a towering wingsail, the class for the 34th America’s Cup. The venue would be the iconic San Francisco Bay, where late summer winds were predictable and strong.
Emirates Team New Zealand was among three challengers (along with Artemis Racing and Luna Rossa Challenge) lined up to battle ORACLE TEAM USA.
The Kiwis found enough wiggle room in the design rule to get the AC72 up and out of the water, foiling, and soon all the teams were flying above the water at speeds over 40 knots.
The boats were without risk however, and ORACLE TEAM USA capsized during training on San Francisco Bay, all but destroying one of their boats and setting their program back by months.
More tragically, Artemis Racing also had a training accident and crew member Andrew ‘Bart’ Simpson perished when he became trapped under the capsized boat. His memory lives on through the Andrew Simpson Sailing Foundation, a charity devoted to youth sailing projects.
With new safety regulations developed following the accident, racing started in the challenger series, where Team New Zealand made short work of Artemis Racing and Luna Rossa Challenge.
The Kiwis then jumped out to an impressive lead in the America’s Cup Match over ORACLE TEAM USA, who couldn’t match the New Zealander’s upwind speed.
After making a critical crew change, bringing on Ben Ainslie for John Kostecki, and making continual modifications to their boat and sailing techniques, the Americans were getting faster, but were running out of time. Team New Zealand reached match point, building an 8-1 lead.
But improbably, ORACLE TEAM USA turned the tide and began to win races. The gap narrowed and then disappeared. Now it was ORACLE TEAM USA who were faster and the score was tied, 8-8. There would be one last race; the winner would claim the Cup.
The final race was a microcosm of the match itself. Emirates Team New Zealand had an early lead, but couldn’t fend off the superior speed of the American boat. ORACLE TEAM USA sailed into history, completing the greatest comeback in sport, taking the closest match in America’s Cup history, 9-8.
© Abner Kingman
| United States |
Who presented the Channel 5 revival of It's a Knockout | Ben Ainslie Racing launches America's Cup team alongside Duchess of Cambridge in Greenwich - Telegraph
Ben Ainslie Racing launches America's Cup team alongside Duchess of Cambridge in Greenwich
Kate Middleton joins four-time Olympic champion in Greenwich for launch of Ben Ainslie Racing's America's Cup team
All systems go: Kate Middleton was in Greenwich this morning for the launch of Sir Ben Ainslie's America's Cup team launch Photo: GETTY IMAGES
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The Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton, joined Sir Ben Ainslie at the launch this morning of the four-time Olympic champion's America's Cup team.
Having become the first Briton since Charlie Barr in 1903 to sail on a winning America's Cup boat when he helped Oracle Team USA to their dramatic 9-8 win over Team New Zealand in San Francisco last autumn, Sir Ben Ainslie launched the British team which he hopes will see Britannia rule the waves once again in the oldest international sporting trophy.
The Duchess of Cambridge, a keen sailor who beat her husband 2-0 in a head-to-head aboard America’s Cup yachts during their recent tour of Australia and New Zealand, attended a private breakfast at The Royal Museums in Greenwich before the launch, meeting key investors and team members.
The America's Cup was born in the foaming Solent off the Isle of the Wight back in 1851. The inaugural trophy was lost to the Americans and has never been seen again in this country.
Ainslie, the most successful Olympic sailor of all time with four golds and a silver to his name, hopes to change that with a British team based in Portsmouth sailing under the flag of Yacht Squadron Racing, a club affiliated to the Royal Yacht Squadron.
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"This is the last great historic sporting prize never won by Great Britain," Ainslie said at the launch. "It has always been my ambition to mount a home challenge. The time is right and I am hugely encouraged by the support we are getting, not least from the Duchess of Cambridge.
"I learned a great deal aboard Oracle in San Francisco and I would not be challenging if I did not believe we have a real chance of winning this time."
Since returning from San Francisco last autumn Ainslie has been working furiously behind the scenes to attract investment and talent to his team.
The 37 year-old has been helped by two of Britain’s most passionate amateur sailors in Sir Charles Dunstone, co-founder of Carphone Warehouse, and the entrepreneur Sir Keith Mills, the deputy chairman of the London Organising Committee of the 2012 Games.
Both men were involved in the British America’s Cup bid Team Origin that also involved Ainslie and have taken on the directorial roles as well as providing funding.
Sir Charles Dunstone, Chairman of BAR’s Board said: "This campaign is about righting a wrong. We have never won it. We have an amazing maritime history. The Cup has to come home, we have to do that."
All systems go: The Duchess of Cambridge was in Greenwich this morning for Sir Ben Ainslie's America's Cup team launch
Ainslie has signed a number of experienced designers to help build the AC62 wingsail catamaran with which he hopes to wrest back the trophy from Oracle Team USA.
One name that has not yet joined is Red Bull design genius Adrian Newey. Newey is "keen" to help, but has not yet committed to his Amercia's Cup project, according to Ainslie.
Newey recently signed a new deal at Red Bull that will see him step back from the Formula One project and allow him time to indulge other interests.
"Adrian has taken a great deal of interest in the development of the team and would be a tremendous asset if he chooses to get involved," Ainslie said.
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In which city was Spender set | Spender (TV Series 1991–1993) - IMDb
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Crocodile Shoes (TV Mini-Series 1994)
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Hard-hitting Gem from the BBC
29 April 1999 | by halo80
(Bedford, NS) – See all my reviews
SPENDER is the kind of gritty, intelligent cop drama that's been missing from North American television screen. The BBC produced series is a positive gem, having run for 3 consecutive seasons, and spawned one film entitled "The French Collection". Starring the excellent and multi-talented Jimmy Nail ("Still Crazy", "Evita"), it has garnered a following in Canada through re-runs on Showcase Television.
The character of Spender is a tough and able cop cleaning up the streets of London with his somewhat unorthodox methods. Following a tragic incident, he's sent home, back to the North-East to his home-town of Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, which had taken him 20-odd years to get out of. Now re-united with old friends and haunting ghosts from his untamed past, the loathing he feels for the city and his new assignment drives his character to push the limits, and test the powers that be that govern his jurisdiction. But once we meet Spender's family - divorced wife Frances and his two young daughters - we witness an unexpected dimension to the character: that of a father and protector of his children, who finds it awkward to work his way back into their lives.
Excellent scripts, hard-hitting drama and action accompany a wealth of talent involved in the making of this quality program. Jimmy Nail not only stars, but pens a few of those scripts. Together with his friend Tony McAnaney (who also co-stars as Keith and writes the music for the series) they combine to produce a unique and often haunting musical score which creates just the right kind of atmosphere for the program. And of course, there's the thick and sexy accents which can only come from the North-East.
Spender is definitely worth a try. If the catchy theme doesn't get to you, the high-drama will!
24 of 26 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?
Yes
| Newcastle |
Who appeared in the TV series Callan, Target and Special Branch | Spender (TV Series 1991–1993) - IMDb
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Crocodile Shoes (TV Mini-Series 1994)
Drama
Jimmy Nail stars in the drama series about a Geordie factory worker who writes country songs. Looking for his big break in the music industry.
Stars: Jimmy Nail, Leonard Silver, Alex Kingston
The adventures of a gang of British workmen abroad. Combines black and white humour with moments of drama, poignancy and drunkenness. In series 1, the lads head to Germany seeking work, and... See full summary »
Stars: Timothy Spall, Jimmy Nail, Tim Healy
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Stars: Erik Estrada, Larry Wilcox, Robert Pine
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Director: Dick Clement
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Stars: James Garner, Noah Beery Jr., Joe Santos
Gritty British-made police drama series set in the beautiful location of Amsterdam. Cynical Dutch detective Commissaris "Piet" van der Valk and his colleagues investigate murders, kidnappings and political corruption.
Stars: Barry Foster, Michael Latimer, Joanna Dunham
Blandings Castle is dysfunction junction, the home of a chaotic family struggling to keep itself in order. Clarence Threepwood, Ninth Earl of Emsworth and master of Blandings Castle, yearns... See full summary »
Stars: Timothy Spall, Jennifer Saunders, Jack Farthing
Terry is divorced from his German wife and has a Finnish girlfriend Christina. At Thelma's suggestion they join her and Bob on a caravan holiday but due to a mishap the men get separated ... See full summary »
Director: Michael Tuchner
Ken Boon and Harry Crawford are two middle-aged ex-firemen who start out in business together, initially in Birmingham and later in Nottingham. During the seven series (1986-1992), Ken ... See full summary »
Stars: Michael Elphick, David Daker, Neil Morrissey
Albert Steptoe and his son Harold are junk dealers, complete with horse and cart to tour the neighbourhood. They also live amicably together at the junk yard. Always on the lookout for ways... See full summary »
Director: Peter Sykes
8 January 1991 (UK) See more »
Filming Locations:
Did You Know?
Connections
Hard-hitting Gem from the BBC
29 April 1999 | by halo80
(Bedford, NS) – See all my reviews
SPENDER is the kind of gritty, intelligent cop drama that's been missing from North American television screen. The BBC produced series is a positive gem, having run for 3 consecutive seasons, and spawned one film entitled "The French Collection". Starring the excellent and multi-talented Jimmy Nail ("Still Crazy", "Evita"), it has garnered a following in Canada through re-runs on Showcase Television.
The character of Spender is a tough and able cop cleaning up the streets of London with his somewhat unorthodox methods. Following a tragic incident, he's sent home, back to the North-East to his home-town of Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, which had taken him 20-odd years to get out of. Now re-united with old friends and haunting ghosts from his untamed past, the loathing he feels for the city and his new assignment drives his character to push the limits, and test the powers that be that govern his jurisdiction. But once we meet Spender's family - divorced wife Frances and his two young daughters - we witness an unexpected dimension to the character: that of a father and protector of his children, who finds it awkward to work his way back into their lives.
Excellent scripts, hard-hitting drama and action accompany a wealth of talent involved in the making of this quality program. Jimmy Nail not only stars, but pens a few of those scripts. Together with his friend Tony McAnaney (who also co-stars as Keith and writes the music for the series) they combine to produce a unique and often haunting musical score which creates just the right kind of atmosphere for the program. And of course, there's the thick and sexy accents which can only come from the North-East.
Spender is definitely worth a try. If the catchy theme doesn't get to you, the high-drama will!
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What animal provided Red Indians with food and clothing | Bison or Buffalo & Native Americans
more facts about buffalo
Perspective
Founded by the late Lakota elder Rosalie Little Thunder, a central tenent of Buffalo Field Campaign's mission has always been to work with people of all nations to strengthen the tribal voice in managment decisions affecting the herds. Here we take an historical look at the inseparable destinies of native peoples and the buffalo (also called bison) they depended upon for existence.
The slaughter of buffalo as presented by Nineteenth Century worldviews is perceived by many as a closed chapter in the history of the West. It is often viewed, when looking back from a comfortable distance, as a somewhat regrettable but necessary evil. Overwhelmingly, it is considered an event that is over, past.
After all: The Indians were put on reservations. The bison are being “managed.”
...and that is the end of story. Or is it?
What happened to the buffalo and the people with whom they had coexisted—in balance—for many centuries?
History Repeats Itself
The struggles between Caucasian and Indian, between cattle and bison, and between two strikingly dissimilar ways of life remain alive and strong today. The extirpation of the bison herds in the 19th century and the current harassment and slaughter outside Yellowstone National Park are closely related and fueled by many of the same economic motivations, personal fears, and misunderstandings.
The bison were exterminated, in part, to create and maintain a dominant “cattle culture” across the Great Plains and the West—and, unfortunately for Native Peoples and wildlife—it worked. Even now, in the 21st century, many of the same forces are still in place.
Learn more about the current harassment and slaughter of buffalo.
Majestic Buffalo Abounded
Buffalo once roamed from the eastern seaboard to Oregon and California, from Great Slave Lake in northern Alberta down into northern Mexico. Although no one will ever know exactly how many bison once inhabited North America, estimates range from twenty to forty million.
William Hornaday, a naturalist who spent considerable time in the West both before and during the most severe years of buffalo slaughter, commented on the seemingly boundless bison population and the impossibility of estimating their quantity:
It would have been as easy to count or to estimate the number of leaves in a forest as to calculate the number of buffaloes living at any given time during the history of the species previous to 1870.
The great herds were not decimated overnight. The slaughter was a gradual process, reaching its full momentum in the 1870s. The Native Americans of the Great Plains had relied upon and hunted buffalo for thousands of years. Without the arrival of the Caucasians—and with them the gun, the horse, and the market for bison products—it seems likely the Indians could have lived sustainably with the bison far into the future.
However, as the plains tribes acquired horses and guns from their southern neighbors—who in turn had received them from the Spanish—the Indians were able to kill buffalo with greater ease. As the market for buffalo (particularly hides) emerged in the 1820s—and as more and more European bison hunters came westward, the bison population began to decline precipitously.
Demand Drives Slaughter
In the years following the Civil War, demand for beef, hides, and tallow skyrocketed as the country began to rebuild its economy and expand its industrial base. Meanwhile, industrialization created its own demand for buffalo hides, which provided a strong yet elastic material from which to make belts to drive machinery.
A separate but equally powerful force were the growing middle and upper classes, which had a nearly insatiable appetite for beef—and the postwar economic boom gave them the buying power to satisfy it. Texas alone could not meet the demand, so ranchers turned to the western plains for cattle grazing. This vast area had already demonstrated its ability to sustain large, healthy populations of ungulates.
Land Disputes
However, before these industry- and cattle-expanding activities could take place, there were a couple of “problems” to be dealt with first: the plains' original/existing inhabitants—both Indian and buffalo—had to be removed. This aligned well with the U.S. government's agenda to "civilize" or assimilate the Indians for the following reasons:
The Indians’ nomadic way of life, synchronized with the migrations of buffalo, deer, and elk, did not lend itself to the European notion of settlement and private property ownership.
The ways of North America’s Indigenous People flew in the face of white attempts to fence and segregate tracts of land for individual use.
The creation of reservations was intended to strip the Indians of their nomadism and establish clear boundaries between Indian and non-Indian lands.
As cavalry fought Indians with rifles, cattlemen formed alliances with the U.S. Army, the railroads, and bankers to rid the west of both the buffalo and the Indian.
Some treaties "protected" the Indian's right to hunt buffalo in perpetuity, but that would only be relevant for as long as the buffalo remained.
A Way of Life
Western settlers were threatened by the nomadic ways of the Plains Indians, who for thousands of years had lived migratory lives following the great herds of buffalo. To these people, the buffalo was the ultimate companion, providing food, clothing, shelter, and nearly every other material need. As the Indians depended so much on the bison for their existence, their very religions centered on the buffalo.
This interdependence between Indian and buffalo is exemplified in the beautiful words of John Fire Lame Deer:
The buffalo gave us everything we needed. Without it we were nothing. Our tipis were made of his skin. His hide was our bed, our blanket, our winter coat. It was our drum, throbbing through the night, alive, holy. Out of his skin we made our water bags. His flesh strengthened us, became flesh of our flesh. Not the smallest part of it was wasted. His stomach, a red-hot stone dropped in to it, became our soup kettle. His horns were our spoons, the bones our knives, our women's awls and needles. Out of his sinews we made our bowstrings and thread. His ribs were fashioned into sleds for our children, his hoofs became rattles. His mighty skull, with the pipe leaning against it, was our sacred altar. The name of the greatest of all Sioux was Tatanka Iyotake—Sitting Bull. When you killed off the buffalo you also killed the Indian—the real, natural, "wild" Indian.
Tragedy Strikes
In the 1870s, more buffalo were killed than in any other decade in history. The three years of 1872, '73, and '74 were the worst. According to one buffalo hunter, who based his calculations on first-hand accounts and shipping records, 4.5 million buffalo were slaughtered in that three-year period alone.
Buffalo Field Campaign exists to stop the harassment and slaughter of Yellowstone’s wild buffalo herds, protect the natural habitat of wild, free-roaming buffalo and native wildlife, and work with people of all Nations to honor and protect the sacredness of the wild buffalo.
Influenced by all of the above, the U.S. government pursued a policy to eradicate the buffalo and thereby extinguish the Indians' very existence, forcing them onto reservations.
Writing to his superiors in 1881, General Phil Sheridan made it clear:
If I could learn that every buffalo in the northern herd were killed I would be glad. The destruction of this herd would do more to keep Indians quiet than anything else that could happen. Since the destruction of the southern herd, which formerly roamed from Texas to the Platte, the Indians in that section have given us no trouble. If the Secretary of the Interior will authorize me to protect all other kinds of game [other than buffalo] in the far west I will engage to do so to the best of my ability.
The testimony above, spoken by a U.S. Army leader of the Indian wars, clearly articulates their perspective—and their vision for the future: The buffalo and the Indian were obstructing the march of western civilization. Kill the buffalo and not only would the Indian wars be won and the Indians made "quiet," but the vast tracts of public land would be opened for the cattle business.
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Who shot and killed Wild Bill Hickock in 1876 | Bison or Buffalo & Native Americans
more facts about buffalo
Perspective
Founded by the late Lakota elder Rosalie Little Thunder, a central tenent of Buffalo Field Campaign's mission has always been to work with people of all nations to strengthen the tribal voice in managment decisions affecting the herds. Here we take an historical look at the inseparable destinies of native peoples and the buffalo (also called bison) they depended upon for existence.
The slaughter of buffalo as presented by Nineteenth Century worldviews is perceived by many as a closed chapter in the history of the West. It is often viewed, when looking back from a comfortable distance, as a somewhat regrettable but necessary evil. Overwhelmingly, it is considered an event that is over, past.
After all: The Indians were put on reservations. The bison are being “managed.”
...and that is the end of story. Or is it?
What happened to the buffalo and the people with whom they had coexisted—in balance—for many centuries?
History Repeats Itself
The struggles between Caucasian and Indian, between cattle and bison, and between two strikingly dissimilar ways of life remain alive and strong today. The extirpation of the bison herds in the 19th century and the current harassment and slaughter outside Yellowstone National Park are closely related and fueled by many of the same economic motivations, personal fears, and misunderstandings.
The bison were exterminated, in part, to create and maintain a dominant “cattle culture” across the Great Plains and the West—and, unfortunately for Native Peoples and wildlife—it worked. Even now, in the 21st century, many of the same forces are still in place.
Learn more about the current harassment and slaughter of buffalo.
Majestic Buffalo Abounded
Buffalo once roamed from the eastern seaboard to Oregon and California, from Great Slave Lake in northern Alberta down into northern Mexico. Although no one will ever know exactly how many bison once inhabited North America, estimates range from twenty to forty million.
William Hornaday, a naturalist who spent considerable time in the West both before and during the most severe years of buffalo slaughter, commented on the seemingly boundless bison population and the impossibility of estimating their quantity:
It would have been as easy to count or to estimate the number of leaves in a forest as to calculate the number of buffaloes living at any given time during the history of the species previous to 1870.
The great herds were not decimated overnight. The slaughter was a gradual process, reaching its full momentum in the 1870s. The Native Americans of the Great Plains had relied upon and hunted buffalo for thousands of years. Without the arrival of the Caucasians—and with them the gun, the horse, and the market for bison products—it seems likely the Indians could have lived sustainably with the bison far into the future.
However, as the plains tribes acquired horses and guns from their southern neighbors—who in turn had received them from the Spanish—the Indians were able to kill buffalo with greater ease. As the market for buffalo (particularly hides) emerged in the 1820s—and as more and more European bison hunters came westward, the bison population began to decline precipitously.
Demand Drives Slaughter
In the years following the Civil War, demand for beef, hides, and tallow skyrocketed as the country began to rebuild its economy and expand its industrial base. Meanwhile, industrialization created its own demand for buffalo hides, which provided a strong yet elastic material from which to make belts to drive machinery.
A separate but equally powerful force were the growing middle and upper classes, which had a nearly insatiable appetite for beef—and the postwar economic boom gave them the buying power to satisfy it. Texas alone could not meet the demand, so ranchers turned to the western plains for cattle grazing. This vast area had already demonstrated its ability to sustain large, healthy populations of ungulates.
Land Disputes
However, before these industry- and cattle-expanding activities could take place, there were a couple of “problems” to be dealt with first: the plains' original/existing inhabitants—both Indian and buffalo—had to be removed. This aligned well with the U.S. government's agenda to "civilize" or assimilate the Indians for the following reasons:
The Indians’ nomadic way of life, synchronized with the migrations of buffalo, deer, and elk, did not lend itself to the European notion of settlement and private property ownership.
The ways of North America’s Indigenous People flew in the face of white attempts to fence and segregate tracts of land for individual use.
The creation of reservations was intended to strip the Indians of their nomadism and establish clear boundaries between Indian and non-Indian lands.
As cavalry fought Indians with rifles, cattlemen formed alliances with the U.S. Army, the railroads, and bankers to rid the west of both the buffalo and the Indian.
Some treaties "protected" the Indian's right to hunt buffalo in perpetuity, but that would only be relevant for as long as the buffalo remained.
A Way of Life
Western settlers were threatened by the nomadic ways of the Plains Indians, who for thousands of years had lived migratory lives following the great herds of buffalo. To these people, the buffalo was the ultimate companion, providing food, clothing, shelter, and nearly every other material need. As the Indians depended so much on the bison for their existence, their very religions centered on the buffalo.
This interdependence between Indian and buffalo is exemplified in the beautiful words of John Fire Lame Deer:
The buffalo gave us everything we needed. Without it we were nothing. Our tipis were made of his skin. His hide was our bed, our blanket, our winter coat. It was our drum, throbbing through the night, alive, holy. Out of his skin we made our water bags. His flesh strengthened us, became flesh of our flesh. Not the smallest part of it was wasted. His stomach, a red-hot stone dropped in to it, became our soup kettle. His horns were our spoons, the bones our knives, our women's awls and needles. Out of his sinews we made our bowstrings and thread. His ribs were fashioned into sleds for our children, his hoofs became rattles. His mighty skull, with the pipe leaning against it, was our sacred altar. The name of the greatest of all Sioux was Tatanka Iyotake—Sitting Bull. When you killed off the buffalo you also killed the Indian—the real, natural, "wild" Indian.
Tragedy Strikes
In the 1870s, more buffalo were killed than in any other decade in history. The three years of 1872, '73, and '74 were the worst. According to one buffalo hunter, who based his calculations on first-hand accounts and shipping records, 4.5 million buffalo were slaughtered in that three-year period alone.
Buffalo Field Campaign exists to stop the harassment and slaughter of Yellowstone’s wild buffalo herds, protect the natural habitat of wild, free-roaming buffalo and native wildlife, and work with people of all Nations to honor and protect the sacredness of the wild buffalo.
Influenced by all of the above, the U.S. government pursued a policy to eradicate the buffalo and thereby extinguish the Indians' very existence, forcing them onto reservations.
Writing to his superiors in 1881, General Phil Sheridan made it clear:
If I could learn that every buffalo in the northern herd were killed I would be glad. The destruction of this herd would do more to keep Indians quiet than anything else that could happen. Since the destruction of the southern herd, which formerly roamed from Texas to the Platte, the Indians in that section have given us no trouble. If the Secretary of the Interior will authorize me to protect all other kinds of game [other than buffalo] in the far west I will engage to do so to the best of my ability.
The testimony above, spoken by a U.S. Army leader of the Indian wars, clearly articulates their perspective—and their vision for the future: The buffalo and the Indian were obstructing the march of western civilization. Kill the buffalo and not only would the Indian wars be won and the Indians made "quiet," but the vast tracts of public land would be opened for the cattle business.
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In which American state did Geronimo carry out most of his raiding and killing | Geronimo - The Last Apache Holdout
Geronimo - The Last Apache Holdout
Geronimo was born of the Bedonkohe Apache tribe in No-doyohn Canon, Arizona , June, 1829, near present day Clifton , Arizona. The fourth in a family of four boys and four girls, he was called Goyathlay (One Who Yawns.) In 1846, when he was seventeen, he was admitted to the Council of the Warriors, which allowed him to marry. Soon, he received permission; married a woman named Alope, and the couple had three children.
In the mid 1850s, the tribe, who was at peace with the Mexican towns and neighboring Indian tribes, traveled into Old Mexico where they could trade. Camping outside a Mexican town they called Kas-ki-yeh, they stayed for several days. Leaving a few warriors to guard the camp, the rest of the men went into town to trade. When they were returning from town, they were met by several women and children who told them that Mexican troops had attacked their camp.
They returned to camp to find their guard warriors killed, and their horses, supplies and arms, gone. Even worse, many of the women and children had been killed as well. Of those that lay dead were Goyathlay�s wife, mother, and three children and as a result, he hated all Mexicans for the rest of his life.
It was the slaughter of his family that turned him from a peaceful Indian into a bold warrior. Soon, he joined a fierce band of Apache known as Chiricahua and with them, took part in numerous raids in northern Mexico and across the border into U.S. territory which are now known as the states of New Mexico and Arizona.
Geronimo in 1887, photo by Ben Wittick.
This image available for photographic prints & downloads HERE!
It was those Mexican adversaries that gave him the nickname of "Geronimo", the Spanish version of the name "Jerome". In ever increasing numbers, Geronimo fought against both Mexicans and white settlers as they began to colonize much of the Apache homelands. However, by the early 1870s, Lieutenant Colonel George F. Crook , commander of the Department of Arizona, had succeeded in establishing relative peace in the territory. The management of his successors, however, was disastrous.
In 1876 the U.S. government attempted to move the Chiricahua from their traditional home to the San Carlos Reservation, a barren wasteland in east-central Arizona, described as "Hell's Forty Acres." Deprived of traditional tribal rights, short on rations and homesick, they revolted.
Spurred by Geronimo, hundreds of Apache left the reservation and fled to Mexico, soon resuming their war against the whites. Geronimo and his followers began ten years of intermittent raids against white settlements, alternating with periods of peaceful farming on the San Carlos reservation.
In 1882, General George Crook was recalled to Arizona to conduct a campaign against the Apache. Geronimo surrendered in January 1884, but, spurred by rumors of impending trials and hangings, took flight from the San Carlos Reservation on May 17, 1885, accompanied by 35 warriors, and 109 other men, women and children.
During this final campaign, at least 5,000 white soldiers and 500 Indian auxiliaries were employed at various times in the capture of Geronimo's small band. Five months and 1,645 miles later, Geronimo was tracked to his camp in Mexico's Sonora Mountains.
Jimmy "Santiago" McKinn in Geronimo's Camp, with group of Chiricahua Apache boys, 1886, photo by C.S. Fly
This image available for photographic prints and downloads HERE!
Exhausted, and hopelessly out numbered, Geronimo surrendered on March 27, 1886 at Ca�on de Los Embudos in Sonora, Mexico. His band consisted of a handful of warriors, women, and children. Also found was a young white boy named Jimmy "Santiago" McKinn , that the Indians had kidnapped some six months earlier in September. The "rescued" boy had become so assimilated to the Apache lifestyle, he cried when he was forced to return to his parents.
Also traveling with General Crook was the photographer, C.S. Fly of Tombstone fame. After the bands capture, he was able to take some of the most famous photographs in U.S. history .
The soldiers gathered the group and began the trek to Fort Bowie , Arizona . However, near the border, Geronimo, fearing that they would be murdered once they crossed into U.S. territory, bolted with Chief Naiche , 11 warriors, and a few women and boys, who were able to escape back into the Sierra Madra. As a result, Brigadier General Nelson A. Miles replaced Crook as commander on April 2, 1886.
At a conference on September 3, 1886, at Skeleton Canyon in Arizona, General Miles induced Geronimo to surrender once again, promising him that, after an indefinite exile in Florida, he and his followers would be permitted to return to Arizona.
The promise was never kept. Geronimo and his fellow prisoners were shipped by box-car to Florida for imprisonment and put to hard labor.
It was May 1887 before he saw his family. Several years later, in 1894, he was moved to Fort Sill in Oklahoma Territory where he attempted to "fit in.� He farmed and joined the Dutch Reformed Church, which expelled him because of his inability to resist gambling.
As years passed, stories of Geronimo's warrior ferocity made him into a legend that fascinated non-Indians and Indians alike. As a result, he appeared at numerous fairs, selling souvenirs and photographs of himself. In 1905 he was quite the sensation when he appeared in President Theodore Roosevelt's inaugural parade. Geronimo dictated his memoirs, published in 1906 as Geronimo's Story of His Life.
Never having seen his homeland of Arizona again, Geronimo died of pneumonia on February 17, 1909 and was buried in the Apache cemetery at Fort Sill, Oklahoma.
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Billy the Kid was a native of which US state | American-Indian Wars - Native American History - HISTORY.com
Google
American-Indian Wars
Warfare between Europeans and Indians was common in the seventeenth century. In 1622, the Powhatan Confederacy nearly wiped out the struggling Jamestown colony. Frustrated at the continuing conflicts, Nathaniel Bacon and a group of vigilantes destroyed the Pamunkey Indians before leading an unsuccessful revolt against colonial authorities in 1676. Intermittent warfare also plagued early Dutch colonies in New York . In New England, Puritan forces annihilated the Pequots in 1636-1637, a campaign whose intensity seemed to foreshadow the future. Subsequent attacks inspired by Metacom (King Philip) against English settlements sparked a concerted response from the New England Confederation. Employing Indian auxiliaries and a scorched-earth policy, the colonists nearly exterminated the Narragansetts, Wampanoags, and Nipmucks in 1675-1676. A major Pueblo revolt also threatened Spanish-held New Mexico in 1680.
Did You Know?
On November 29, 1864, one of the most infamous events of the American-Indian wars occured when 650 Colorado volunteer forces attacked a Cheyenne and Arapho encampent along Sand Creek. Although they had already begun topeace negotiationswith the U.S. government, more than 150 Native Americans were killed and mutilated, more than 2/3 of which were women and children.
Indians were also a key factor in the imperial rivalries among France, Spain, and England. In King William’s (1689-1697), Queen Anne’s (1702-1713), and King George’s (1744-1748) wars, the French sponsored Abnaki and Mohawk raids against the more numerous English. Meanwhile, the English and their trading partners, the Chickasaws and often the Cherokees, battled the French and associated tribes for control of the lower Mississippi River valley and the Spanish in western Florida . More decisive was the French and Indian War (1754-1763). The French and their Indian allies dominated the conflict’s early stages, turning back several English columns in the north. Particularly serious was the near-annihilation of Gen. Edward Braddock’s force of thirteen hundred men outside of Fort Duquesne in 1755. But with English minister William Pitt infusing new life into the war effort, British regulars and provincial militias overwhelmed the French and absorbed all of Canada.
But eighteenth-century conflicts were not limited to the European wars for empire. In Virginia and the Carolinas, English-speaking colonists pushed aside the Tuscaroras, the Yamasees, and the Cherokees. The Natchez, Chick asaw, and Fox Indians resisted French domination, and the Apaches and Comanches fought against Spanish expansion into Texas . In 1763, an Ottawa chief, Pontiac, forged a powerful confederation against British expansion into the Old Northwest. Although his raids wreaked havoc upon the surrounding white settlements, the British victory in the French and Indian War combined with the Proclamation of 1763 , which forbade settlement west of the Appalachian Mountains, soon eroded Pontiac’s support.
Most of the Indians east of the Mississippi River now perceived the colonial pioneers as a greater threat than the British government. Thus northern tribes, especially those influenced by Mohawk chief Thayendanegea (Joseph Brant), generally sided with the Crown during the American War for Independence. In 1777, they joined the Tories and the British in the unsuccessful offensives of John Burgoyne and Barry St. Leger in upstate New York. Western Pennsylvania and New York became savage battlegrounds as the conflict spread to the Wyoming and Cherry valleys. Strong American forces finally penetrated the heart of Iroquois territory, leaving a wide swath of destruction in their wake.
In the Midwest, George Rogers Clark captured strategic Vincennes for the Americans, but British agents based at Detroit continued to sponsor Tory and Indian forays as far south as Kentucky . The Americans resumed the initiative in 1782, when Clark marched northwest into Shawnee and Delaware country, ransacking villages and inflicting several stinging defeats upon the Indians. To the south, the British backed resistance among the Cherokees, Chickasaws, Creeks, and Choctaws but quickly forgot their former allies following the signing of the Treaty of Paris (1783).
By setting the boundaries of the newly recognized United States at the Mississippi River and the Great Lakes, that treaty virtually ensured future conflicts between whites and resident tribes. In 1790, Miami chief Little Turtle routed several hundred men led by Josiah Harmar along the Maumee River. Arthur St. Clair’s column suffered an even more ignominious defeat on the Wabash River the following year; only in 1794 did Anthony Wayne gain revenge at the Battle of Fallen Timbers . Yet resistance to white expansion in the Old Northwest continued as a Shawnee chief, Tecumseh , molded a large Indian confederation based at Prophetstown. While Tecumseh was away seeking additional support, William Henry Harrison burned the village after a stalemate at the Battle of Tippecanoe in 1811.
Indian raids, often encouraged by the British, were influential in causing the United States to declare war on Great Britain in 1812. The British made Tecumseh a brigadier general and used Indian allies to help recapture Detroit and Fort Dearborn ( Chicago ). Several hundred American prisoners were killed following a skirmish at the River Raisin in early 1813. But Harrison pushed into Canada and won the Battle of the Thames, which saw the death of Tecumseh and the collapse of his confederation. In the Southeast, the Creeks gained a major triumph against American forces at Fort Sims, killing many of their prisoners in the process. Andrew Jackson led the counterthrust, winning victories at Tallasahatchee and Talladega before crushing the Creeks at Horseshoe Bend in 1814.
Alaska and Florida were also the scenes of bitter conflicts. Native peoples strongly contested the Russian occupation of Alaska. The Aleuts were defeated during the eighteenth century, but the Russians found it impossible to prevent Tlingit harassment of their hunting parties and trading posts. Upon the Spanish cession of Florida, Washington began removing the territory’s tribes to lands west of the Mississippi River. But the Seminole Indians and runaway slaves refused to relocate, and the Second Seminole War saw fierce guerrilla-style actions from 1835 to 1842. Osceola, perhaps the greatest Seminole leader, was captured during peace talks in 1837, and nearly three thousand Seminoles were eventually removed. The Third Seminole War (1855-1858) stamped out all but a handful of the remaining members of the tribe.
In the United States, the removal policy met only sporadic armed resistance as whites pushed into the Mississippi River valley during the 1830s and 1840s. The Sac and Fox Indians were crushed in Black Hawk’s War (1831-1832), and tribes throughout the region seemed powerless in the face of the growing numbers of forts and military roads the whites were constructing. The acquisition of Texas and the Southwest during the 1840s, however, sparked a new series of Indian-white conflicts. In Texas, where such warfare had marred the independent republic’s brief history, the situation was especially volatile.
On the Pacific Coast, attacks against the native peoples accompanied the flood of immigrants to gold-laden California . Disease, malnutrition, and warfare combined with the poor lands set aside as reservations to reduce the Indian population of that state from 150,000 in 1845 to 35,000 in 1860. The army took the lead role in Oregon and Washington, using the Rogue River (1855-1856), Yakima (1855-1856), and Spokane (1858) wars to force several tribes onto reservations. Sporadic conflicts also plagued Arizona and New Mexico throughout the 1850s as the army struggled to establish its presence. On the southern plains, mounted warriors posed an even more formidable challenge to white expansion. Strikes against the Sioux, Cheyennes, Arapahos, Comanches, and Kiowas during the decade only hinted at the deadlier conflicts of years to come.
The Civil War saw the removal of the Regulars and an accompanying increase in the number and intensity of white-Indian conflicts. The influence of the Five Southern, or “Civilized” Tribes of the Indian Territory was sharply reduced. Seven Indian regiments served with Confederate troops at the Battle of Pea Ridge (1862). Defeat there and at Honey Springs (1863) dampened enthusiasm for the South, although tribal leaders like Stand Waite continued to support the confederacy until the war’s end. James H. Carleton and Christopher (“Kit”) Carson conducted a ruthlessly effective campaign against the Navahos in New Mexico and Arizona. Disputes on the southern plains culminated in the Sand Creek massacre (1864), during which John M. Chivington’s Colorado volunteers slaughtered over two hundred of Black Kettle’s Cheyennes and Arapahos, many of whom had already attempted to come to terms with the government. In Minnesota , attacks by the Eastern Sioux prompted counterattacks by the volunteer forces of Henry H. Sibley, after which the tribes were removed to the Dakotas. The conflict became general when John Pope mounted a series of unsuccessful expeditions onto the plains in 1865.
Regular units, including four regiments of black troops, returned west following the Confederate collapse. Railroad expansion, new mining ventures, the destruction of the buffalo, and ever-increasing white demand for land exacerbated the centuries-old tensions. The mounted warriors of the Great Plains posed an especially thorny problem for an army plagued by a chronic shortage of cavalry and a government policy that demanded Indian removal on the cheap.
Winfield S. Hancock’s ineffectual campaign in 1867 merely highlighted the bitterness between whites and Indians on the southern plains. Using a series of converging columns, Philip Sheridan achieved more success in his winter campaigns of 1868-1869, but only with the Red River War of 1874-1875 were the tribes broken. Major battlefield encounters like George Armstrong Custer’s triumph at the Battle of the Washita (1868) had been rare; more telling was the army’s destruction of Indian lodges, horses, and food supplies, exemplified by Ranald Mackenzie’s slaughter of over a thousand Indian ponies following a skirmish at Palo Duro Canyon, Texas, in 1874.
To the north, the Sioux, Northern Cheyennes, and Arapahos had forced the army to abandon its Bozeman Trail forts in Red Cloud’s War (1867). But arable lands and rumors of gold in the Dakotas continued to attract white migration; the government opened a major new war in 1876. Initial failures against a loose Indian coalition, forged by leaders including Crazy Horse and Sitting Bull , culminated in the annihilation of five troops of Custer’s cavalry at the Little Bighorn. A series of army columns took the field that fall and again the following spring. By campaigning through much of the winter, harassing Indian villages, and winning battles like that at Wolf Mountain (1877), Nelson A. Miles proved particularly effective. The tribes had to sue for peace, and even Sitting Bull’s band returned from Canada to accept reservation life in 1881. Another outbreak among the Sioux and Northern Cheyennes, precipitated by government corruption, shrinking reservations, and the spread of the Ghost Dance, culminated in a grisly encounter at Wounded Knee (1890), in which casualties totaled over two hundred Indians and sixty-four soldiers.
Less spectacular but equally deadly were conflicts in the Pacific Northwest. In 1867-1868, George Crook defeated the Paiutes of northern California and southern Oregon. In a desperate effort to secure a new reservation on the tribal homelands, a Modoc chief assassinated Edward R. S. Canby during an abortive peace conference in 1873. Canby’s death (he was the only general ever killed by Indians) helped shatter President Ulysses S. Grant’s peace policy and resulted in the tribe’s defeat and removal. Refusing life on a government-selected reservation, Chief Joseph’s Nez Percés led the army on an epic seventeen-hundred-mile chase through Idaho , Wyoming, and Montana until checked by Miles just short of the Canadian border at Bear Paw Mountain (1877). Also unsuccessful was armed resistance among the Bannocks, Paiutes, Sheepeaters, and Utes in 1878-1879.
To the far southwest, Cochise , Victorio, and Geronimo led various Apache bands in resisting white and Hispanic encroachments, crossing and recrossing the border into Mexico with seeming impunity. Many an officer’s record was scarred as repeated treaties proved abortive. Only after lengthy campaigning, during which army columns frequently entered Mexico, were the Apaches forced to surrender in the mid-1880s.
The army remained wary of potential trouble as incidental violence continued. Yet, with the exception of another clash in 1973 during which protesters temporarily seized control of Wounded Knee, the major Indian-white conflicts in the United States had ended. Militarily, several trends had become apparent. New technology often gave the whites a temporary advantage. But this edge was not universal; Indian warriors carrying repeating weapons during the latter nineteenth century sometimes outgunned their army opponents, who were equipped with cheaper (but often more reliable) single-shot rifles and carbines. As the scene shifted from the eastern woodlands to the western plains, white armies found it increasingly difficult to initiate fights with their Indian rivals. To force action, army columns converged upon Indian villages from several directions. This dangerous tactic had worked well at the Battle of the Washita but could produce disastrous results when large numbers of tribesmen chose to stand and fight, as at the Little Bighorn.
Throughout the centuries of conflict, both sides had taken the wars to the enemy populace, and the conflicts had exacted a heavy toll among noncombatants. Whites had been particularly effective in exploiting tribal rivalries; indeed, Indian scouts and auxiliaries were often essential in defeating tribes deemed hostile by white governments. In the end, however, military force alone had not destroyed Indian resistance. Only in conjunction with railroad expansion, the destruction of the buffalo, increased numbers of non-Indian settlers, and the determination of successive governments to crush any challenge to their sovereignty had white armies overwhelmed the tribes.
The Reader’s Companion to American History. Eric Foner and John A. Garraty, Editors. Copyright © 1991 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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What is the more common name for the explosive nitro cellulose | nitrocellulose | chemical compound | Britannica.com
chemical compound
chemical compound
Nitrocellulose, also called cellulose nitrate, a mixture of nitric esters of cellulose , and a highly flammable compound that is the main ingredient of modern gunpowder and is also employed in certain lacquers and paints. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries it was the basis of the earliest man-made fibres and plastic materials.
Pyrocellulose, or guncotton, a form of nitrocellulose.
Fabexplosive
Composition, properties, and manufacture of nitrocellulose
Cellulose is a naturally occurring polymer obtained from wood pulp or the short fibres (linters) that adhere to cotton seeds. It consists of repeating glucose units that have the chemical formula C6H7 O 2(OH)3 and the following molecular structure:
In unaltered cellulose the X in the molecular formula represents hydrogen (H), indicating a presence on the cellulose molecule of three hydroxyl (OH) groups. The OH groups form strong hydrogen bonds between cellulose molecules, with the result that cellulose cannot be softened by heat or dissolved by solvents without causing chemical decomposition. However, upon treatment with nitric acid in the presence of a sulfuric acid catalyst and water, OH groups are replaced by nitro (NO2) groups. In theory, all three OH groups can be replaced, resulting in cellulose trinitrate, which contains more than 14 percent nitrogen . In practice, however, most nitrocellulose compounds are dinitrates, averaging 1.8 to 2.8 nitro groups per molecule and containing from 10.5 to 13.5 percent nitrogen. The degree of nitration determines the solubility and flammability of the final product.
major industrial polymers: Cellulose nitrate
Highly nitrated cellulose—i.e., nitrocellulose containing more than approximately 12.5 percent nitrogen—will dry to a fluffy white substance known variously as pyrocellulose and guncotton . Guncotton is unstable to heat, and even carefully prepared samples will ignite on a brief heating to temperatures in excess of 150 °C (300 °F). Guncotton is employed in gunpowders, solid rocket propellants, and explosives. Moderately nitrated cellulose (containing approximately 10.5 to 12.5 percent nitrogen) is also flammable, though less violently so than guncotton, and is soluble in alcohols and ethers . Nitrocellulose of this type, once referred to by various names such as pyroxylin, xyloidin, and collodion cotton, is employed as a film-forming agent in solvent-based paints, protective coatings, and fingernail polishes.
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picric acid
In the commercial manufacture of nitrocellulose, wood pulp is the primary source of cellulose. Cellulose sheet and nitrating acids are fed into a reacting vessel, where nitration proceeds until the acids have been centrifuged from the nitrated product. Remaining acid is removed by washing the nitrocellulose slurry in water and boiling it in a caustic solution. The product is often treated with various stabilizers to reduce degradation under exposure to light and heat. In order to reduce the likelihood of combustion, nitrocellulose is usually stored and transported in water or alcohol .
Chronology of development and use
In 1833 Henry Braconnot, director of the Botanic Garden in Nancy, France, treated potato starch, sawdust, and cotton with nitric acid. Braconnot found that this material, which he called “xyloidine,” was soluble in wood vinegar, and he attempted to make coatings, films, and shaped articles of it. In 1838 another French chemist, Théophile-Jules Pelouze, discovered that paper or cardboard could be made violently flammable by dipping it in concentrated nitric acid; Pelouze named his new material “pyroxyline.” Christian Friedrich Schönbein , a Swiss chemist, was able to increase the degree of nitration, and therefore the flammability of the product, by dipping cotton in a mixture of nitric and sulfuric acids. In 1846 he announced the discovery of this revolutionary explosive substance, which became known as guncotton, and acquired patents in Britain and the United States . Schönbein also described the dissolution of moderately nitrated cellulose in ether and ethyl alcohol to produce a syrupy fluid that dried to a transparent film ; mixtures of this composition eventually found use as collodion , employed through the 19th century as a photographic carrier and antiseptic wound sealant.
Nature: Tip of the Iceberg Quiz
Guncotton did not come into use as an ingredient of gunpowder until the 1860s. The early history of its use was punctuated by many disastrous explosions, caused partly by the failure to appreciate that nitrocellulose is an unstable material and is subject to catalytic decomposition caused by its own decomposition products. In 1868 English chemist Sir Frederick Augustus Abel showed that the methods then prevalent for washing nitrocellulose after nitration were inadequate and that the residual acid was causing instability. In the 1880s French engineer Paul Vieille added special stabilizers to nitrocellulose to neutralize the catalytically active decomposition products; the first stable and reliable propellant , smokeless powder , resulted from his work and became the main form of gunpowder.
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The first successful revolver was patented by which American gunsmith in 1835 | Nitrocellulose lacquer | Article about Nitrocellulose lacquer by The Free Dictionary
Nitrocellulose lacquer | Article about Nitrocellulose lacquer by The Free Dictionary
http://encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com/Nitrocellulose+lacquer
nitrocellulose,
nitric acid ester ester,
any one of a group of organic compounds with general formula RCO2R′ (where R and R′ are alkyl groups or aryl groups) that are formed by the reaction between an alcohol and an acid.
..... Click the link for more information. of cellulose cellulose,
chief constituent of the cell walls of plants. Chemically, it is a carbohydrate that is a high molecular weight polysaccharide. Raw cotton is composed of 91% pure cellulose; other important natural sources are flax, hemp, jute, straw, and wood.
..... Click the link for more information. (a glucose polymer). It is usually formed by the action of a mixture of nitric and sulfuric acids on purified cotton or wood pulp. The extent of nitration and degradation (breaking down) of the cellulose is carefully controlled in order to obtain the desired product. When cotton is treated so that nearly all of the hydroxyl groups of the cellulose molecule are esterified, but with little or no degradation of the molecular structure, the nitrocellulose formed is called guncotton. Guncotton resembles cotton in its appearance. Extremely flammable, it explodes when detonated and is used in the manufacture of explosives. Guncotton is insoluble in such common solvents as water, chloroform, ether, and ethanol. If the nitration is not carried to completion (the point at which about two thirds of the hydroxyl groups are esterified), the soluble cellulose nitrate pyroxylin pyroxylin
, partially nitrated cellulose (see nitrocellulose). It is used in lacquers, plastics, and artificial leathers. Pyroxylin lacquers are made by dissolving pyroxylin in a mixture of volatile solvents and adding a plasticizer and a pigment or dye.
..... Click the link for more information. is formed.
nitrocellulose
[¦nī·trō′sel·yə‚lōs]
(organic chemistry)
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What kind of weapon is the British Army's PIAT | PIAT | Military Wiki | Fandom powered by Wikia
mechanism
Impact
The Projector, Infantry, Anti Tank (PIAT) was a British man-portable anti-tank weapon developed during the Second World War . The PIAT was designed in 1942 in response to the British Army 's need for a more effective infantry anti-tank weapon, and entered service in 1943.
The PIAT was based on the spigot mortar system, that launched a 2.5 pounds (1.1 kg) bomb using a powerful spring and a cartridge on the tail of the projectile. It possessed an effective range of approximately 115 yards (110 m) [3] in a direct fire anti-tank role, and 350 yards (320 m) [3] in an indirect fire 'house-breaking' role. The PIAT had several advantages over other infantry anti-tank weapons of the period, which included a lack of muzzle smoke to reveal the position of the user, and an inexpensive barrel; however, this was countered by, amongst other things, a difficulty in cocking the weapon, the bruising the user received when firing it, and problems with its penetrative power.
The PIAT was first used during the Allied invasion of Sicily in 1943, and remained in use with British and Commonwealth forces until the early 1950s. PIATs were supplied to or obtained by other nations and forces, including the Soviet Union (through Lend Lease), the French resistance , the Polish Underground , and the Israeli Haganah (which used PIATs during the 1948 Arab–Israeli War ). Six members of the British and Commonwealth armed forces received Victoria Crosses for their use of the PIAT in combat.
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At the beginning of the Second World War, the British Army possessed two primary anti-tank weapons for its infantry: the Boys anti-tank rifle [5] and the No. 68 AT Rifle Grenade . [2] However, neither of these were particularly effective as anti-tank weapons. The No. 68 anti-tank grenade was designed to be fired from a discharger fitted onto the muzzle of an infantryman's rifle, but this meant that the grenade was too light to deal significant damage, resulting in it rarely being used in action. [6] The Boys was also inadequate in the anti-tank role. It was heavy, which meant that it was difficult for infantry to handle effectively, and was outdated; by 1940 it was only effective at short ranges, and then only against armoured cars and light tanks . In November 1941 during Operation Crusader , part of the North African Campaign , staff officers of the British Eighth Army were unable to find even a single example of the Boys knocking out a German tank. [7]
Due to these limitations, a new infantry anti-tank weapon was required, and this ultimately came in the form of the Projector, Infantry, Anti-Tank, commonly abbreviated to PIAT. The origins of the PIAT can be traced back as far as 1888, when an American engineer by the name of Charles Edward Munroe was experimenting with guncotton ; he discovered that the explosive would yield a great deal more damage if there were a recess in it facing the target. Known as the ' Munroe effect ', this was developed upon further by the German scientist Egon Neumann, who found that lining the recess with metal enhanced the damage dealt even more. [2] By the 1930s Henry Mohaupt, a Swiss engineer, had developed this technology even further and created hollow charge ammunition. This consisted of a recessed metal cone placed into an explosive warhead; when the warhead hit its target, the explosive detonated and turned the cone into an extremely high-speed spike. The speed of the spike, and the immense pressure it caused on impact, allowed it to create a small hole in armour plating and send a large pressure wave and large amounts of fragments into the interior of the target. It was this technology that was utilized in the No. 68 anti-tank grenade. [2]
PIAT and ammunition case at the Canadian War Museum
Although the technology existed, it remained for British designers to develop a system that could deliver hollow-charge ammunition in a larger size and with a greater range than that possessed by the No. 68. At the same time that Mohaupt was developing hollow-charge ammunition, Lieutenant Colonel Stewart Blacker of the Royal Artillery was investigating the possibility of developing a lightweight platoon mortar . [8] However, rather than using the conventional system of firing the mortar shell from a barrel fixed to a baseplate, Blacker wanted to use the spigot mortar system. Instead of a barrel, there was a steel rod known as a 'spigot' fixed to a baseplate, and the bomb itself had a propellant charge inside its tail. When the mortar was to be fired, the bomb was pushed down onto the spigot, which exploded the propellant charge and blew the bomb into the air. [8] By effectively putting the barrel on the inside of the weapon, the barrel diameter was no longer a limitation on the warhead size. [9] Blacker eventually designed a lightweight mortar that he named the 'Arbalest' and submitted it to the War Office , [10] but it was turned down in favour of a Spanish design. Undeterred, however, Blacker continued with his experiments and decided to try and invent a hand-held anti-tank weapon based on the spigot design, but found that the spigot could not generate sufficient velocity needed to penetrate armour. But he did not abandon the design, and eventually come up with the Blacker Bombard , a swivelling spigot-style system that could launch a 20-pound (9 kg) bomb approximately 100 yards (90 m); although the bombs it fired could not actually penetrate armour, they could still severely damage tanks, and in 1940 a large number of Blacker Bombards were issued to the Home Guard as anti-tank weapons. [11]
PIAT in use by Canadian airborne troops.
When Blacker became aware of the existence of hollow-charge ammunition, he realized that it was exactly the kind of ammunition he was looking for to develop a hand-held anti-tank weapon, as it depended upon the energy contained within itself, and not the sheer velocity at which it was fired. [12] Blacker then developed a hollow-charge bomb with a propellant charge in its tail, which fitted into a shoulder-fired launcher that consisted of a metal casing containing a large spring and a spigot; the bomb was placed into a trough at the front of the casing, and when the trigger was pulled the spigot rammed into the tail of the bomb and fired it out of the casing and up to approximately 140 metres (150 yd) away. Blacker called the weapon the 'Baby Bombard', and presented it to the War Office in 1941. [12] However, when the weapon was tested it proved to have a host of problems; a War Office report of June 1941 stated that the casing was flimsy and the spigot itself did not always fire when the trigger was pulled, and none of the bombs provided exploded upon contact with the target. [13]
At the time that he developed the Baby Bombard and sent it off the War Office, Blacker was working for a government department known as MD1 , which was given the task of developing and delivering weapons for use by guerilla and resistance groups in Occupied Europe. [1] Shortly after the trial of the Baby Bombard, Blacker was posted to other duties, and left the anti-tank weapon in the hands of a colleague in the department, Major Millis Jefferis . [1] Jefferis took the prototype Baby Bombard apart on the floor of his office in MD1 and rebuilt it, and then combined it with a hollow-charge mortar bomb to create what he called the 'Jefferis Shoulder Gun'. Jefferis then had a small number of prototype armour-piercing HEAT rounds made, and took the weapon to be tested at the Small Arms School at Bisley . [14] A Warrant Officer took the Shoulder Gun down to a firing range, aimed it at an armoured target, and pulled the trigger; the Shoulder Gun pierced a hole in the target, but unfortunately also wounded the Warrant Officer when a piece of metal from the exploding round flew back and hit him. [15] Jefferis himself then took the place of the Warrant Officer and fired off several more rounds, all of which pierced the armoured target but without wounding him. Impressed with the weapon, the Ordnance Board of the Small Arms School had the faults with the ammunition corrected, renamed the Shoulder Gun as the Projector, Infantry, Anti Tank, and ordered that it be issued to infantry units as a hand-held anti-tank weapon. [16] Production of the PIAT began at the end of August 1942. [1]
There was disagreement over the name to be given to the new weapon. A press report in 1944 gave credit for both the PIAT and the Blacker Bombard to Jefferis. Blacker took exception to this and suggested to Jefferis that they should divide any award equally after his expenses had been deducted. [17] The Ministry of Supply had already paid Blacker £50,000 for his expenses in relation to the Bombard and PIAT. [18] Churchill himself got involved in the argument; writing to the Secretary of State for war in January 1943 he asked "Why should the name Jefferis shoulder gun be changed to PIAT? Nobody objected to the Boys rifle, although that had a rather odd ring." [18] Churchill supported Jefferis claims, but he did not get his way. [18] For his part Blacker received £25,000 (equivalent to £964,000 in 2017). [19] from the Inventions Board. [9]
Design
PIAT HEAT Projectile.
The PIAT was 39 inches (0.99 m) long and weighed 32 pounds (15 kg), with an effective direct fire range of approximately 115 yards (110 m) and a maximum indirect fire range of 350 yards (320 m). [3] It could be carried and operated by one man, [3] but was usually assigned to a two-man team, [20] the second man acting as an ammunition carrier and loader. The PIAT launcher was a tube constructed out of thin sheets of steel, and contained the trigger mechanism and firing spring. At the front of the launcher was a small trough in which the bomb was placed, and the spigot ran down the middle of the launcher and into the trough. [6] Padding for the user's shoulder was fitted to the other end of the launcher, and rudimentary aperture sights were fitted on top for aiming; the bombs launched by the PIAT possessed hollow tubular tails, into which a small propellant cartridge was inserted, and hollow-charge warheads. [6]
To fire the weapon the trigger mechanism, which was essentially just a large spring, had to be cocked, and to do this was an extremely difficult process. The user had to first place the PIAT on its butt, then place two feet on the shoulder padding and turn the weapon to unlock the body and simultaneously lock the firing pin to the butt; the user would then have to bend over and pull the body of the weapon upwards, thereby pulling the spring back until it attached to the trigger and cocking the weapon. Once this was achieved, the body was then lowered and turned to reattach it to the rest of the weapon, and the PIAT could then be fired. [21] Users of a small stature often found this difficult to achieve, as they did not have the sufficient height required to pull the body up far enough to cock the weapon; it was also difficult to do when lying in a prone position , as was often the case when using the weapon in action. [22]
When the trigger was pulled, the spring pushed the firing pin forwards into the bomb, which ignited the propellant in the bomb and launched it out of the trough and into the air. The recoil caused by the detonation of the propellant then blew the firing pin backwards onto the spring; this automatically cocked the weapon so it could be fired. [6] [21]
An Australian PIAT team during the Battle of Balikpapan in 1945
Training for using the PIAT emphasized that it was best utilized from a slit trench with surprise and concealment on the side of the PIAT team, and where possible enemy armoured vehicles should be engaged from the flank or rear. [23] It was possible to use the PIAT as a crude mortar by placing the shoulder pad of the weapon on the ground and supporting it with a monopod , giving the weapon an approximate range of 350 yards (320 m). [24] The PIAT was often also used in combat to knock out enemy positions located in houses and bunkers. [23]
Despite the difficulties in cocking and firing the weapon, it did have several advantages; its barrel did not have to be replaced or require high-grade materials that were expensive to produce, there was little muzzle blast that could give the user's position away, and the size of the barrel meant it could accommodate relatively large calibre munitions. [6] However, the weapon did have drawbacks. It was very heavy and bulky, which meant that it was quite unpopular with the British and Commonwealth troops who were issued with it. [20] There were also problems with its penetrative power; although the PIAT was theoretically able to penetrate approximately 100 millimetres (4 in) of armour, field experience during the Allied invasion of Sicily , which was substantiated by trials conducted during 1944, confirmed otherwise. During these trials, a skilled user was unable to hit a target more than 60% of the time at 100 yards (90 m), and faulty fuses meant that only 75% of the bombs fired detonated on-target. [7]
Operational history
Warsaw Uprising combatants display PIAT weapons.
The PIAT entered service with British and Commonwealth units in mid-1943, and was first used in action by Canadian troops during the Allied invasion of Sicily . [15] The 1944 war establishment for a British platoon , which contained 36 men, had a single PIAT attached to the platoon headquarters, alongside a 2-inch (51 mm) mortar detachment. [25] Three PIATs were issued to every company at the headquarters level for issuing at the CO discretion - allowing one weapon for each platoon. [23] British Army and Royal Marines commandos were also issued with PIATs and used them in action. [26] The Australian Army allocated a PIAT (which was also known as Projector Infantry Tank Attack in Australian service) to each infantry platoon in its 'jungle divisions ', which differed from the standard British organisation, from late 1943. [27]
A contemporary (1944–45) Canadian Army survey questioned 161 army officers, who had recently left combat, about the effectiveness of 31 different infantry weapons, in that survey the PIAT was ranked the number one most “outstandlingly effective” weapon, followed by the Bren gun in second place. [28]
An analysis by British staff officers of the initial period of the Normandy campaign found that 7% of all German tanks destroyed by British forces were knocked out by PIATs, compared to 6% by rockets fired by aircraft. However, they also found that once German tanks had been fitted with armoured skirts that detonated hollow-charge ammunition before it could penetrate the tank's armour, the weapon became much less effective. [7]
PIAT in 1948 museum (Beyt Gidi), Tel Aviv, Israel
The PIAT was used in all theatres in which British and Commonwealth troops served, and remained in service until the early 1950s, when it was replaced by the American bazooka . [15] The Australian Army briefly used PIATs at the start of the Korean War alongside 2.36-inch (60 mm) bazookas, but quickly replaced both weapons with 3.5-inch (89 mm) M20 "Super Bazookas". [29] As part of the Lend Lease agreement, between October 1941 and March 1946 the Soviet Union was supplied with 1,000 PIATs and 100,000 rounds of ammunition. [30] The PIAT was also utilized by resistance groups in Occupied Europe . During the Warsaw Uprising , it was one of many weapons that Polish Underground resistance fighters used against German forces. [31] And in occupied France, the French resistance used the PIAT in the absence of mortars or artillery. [32] After the end of the Second World War, the Israeli Haganah used PIATs against Arab armour during the 1948 Israeli War of Independence . [33]
A soldier of the Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry carrying a PIAT, November 1944
Six Victoria Crosses were awarded to members of the British and Commonwealth armed forces for actions using the PIAT: [34]
On 16 May 1944, during the Italian Campaign , Fusilier Frank Jefferson used a PIAT to destroy a Panzer IV tank and repel a German counterattack launched against his unit as they assaulted a section of the Gustav Line . [35]
On 6 June 1944, Company Sergeant Major Stanley Hollis , in one of several actions that day, used a PIAT in an attack against a German field gun. [36]
On 12 June 1944 Rifleman Ganju Lama used a PIAT to knock out several Japanese tanks that were preventing his unit from advancing in an area of Burma. [37]
Between 19–25 September 1944, during the Battle of Arnhem , Major Robert Henry Cain used a PIAT to disable a Tiger tank that was advancing on his company position, and force another three German Panzer IV tanks to retreat during a later assault. [38]
On the night of 21/22 October 1944, Private Ernest Alvia ("Smokey") Smith used a PIAT to destroy a German Mark V Panther tank, one of three Panthers and two self-propelled guns attacking his small group. The SPs were also knocked out. He then used a Thompson submachine gun to kill or repel about 30 enemy soldiers. His actions secured the bridgehead on the Savio River in Italy. [39]
On 9 December 1944, Captain John Henry Cound Brunt utilised a PIAT, amongst other weapons, to help repel an attack by the German 90th Panzergrenadier Division . [40]
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In British peerage what comes between an earl and a baron | Britain's Bumbling Tank Killer - Drive A Tank
of Tuesday, the 11th of July, 1944
Published by Authority
War Office, 13th July, 1944.
The KING has been graciously pleased to
approve awards of the VICTORIA CROSS to the undermentioned”:—
No. 3663590 Fusilier Francis Arthur Jefferson, The Lancashire Fusiliers (Ulverston, Lanes.).
On i6th May, 1944, during an attack on the Gustav Line, an anti-tank obstacle held, up some of our tanks, leaving the leading Company of Fusilier Jefferson’s Battalion to dig in on the hill without tanks or anti-tank guns. The enemy counter-attacked with infantry and two Mark IV tanks, which opened fire at short range causing a number of casualties, and eliminating one P.I.A.T. group entirely.
As the tanks advanced towards the partially dug trenches, Fusilier Jefferson, entirely on his own initiative, seized a P.I.A.T. and running forward alone under heavy fire, took up a position behind a hedge; as he could not see properly, he came into the open, and standing up under a hail of bullets, fired at the leading tank which was now only twenty yards away. It burst into flames and all the crew were killed.
Fusilier Jefferson then reloaded the P.I.A.T. and proceeded towards the second tank, which withdrew before he could get within range. By this time our own tanks had arrived and the enemy counter-attack was smashed with heavy casualties.
Fusilier Jefferson’s gallant act not merely saved the lives of his Company and caused many casualties to the Germans, but also •broke up the enemy counter-attack and had a decisive effect on the subsequent operation. His supreme gallantry and disregard of personal risk contributed very, largely to the success of the action.
of Tuesday, the 15th of August, 1944
Published by Authority
War Office, 17th August, 1944.
The KING has been graciously pleased to
approve the award of the VICTORIA CROSS to:—
No. 4390973 Warrant Officer Class II (Company Sergeant-Major) Stanley Elton Hollis, The Green Howards (Alexandra, Princess of W ales’s Own Yorkshire Regiment) (Middles- brough).
In Normandy on 6th June, 1944, during the assault on the beaches and the Mont Fleury Battery, C.S.M. Hollis’s Company Commander noticed that two of the pill-boxes had been by-passed, and went with C.S.M. Hollis to see that they were clear. When they were 20 yards from the pillbox, a machine-gun opened fire from the slit and C.S.M. Hollis instantly rushed straight at the pillbox, firing his Sten gun. He jumped on top of the pillbox, re-charged his magazine, threw a grenade in through the door and fired his Sten gun into it, killing two Germans and making the remainder prisoner. He then cleared “several Germans from a neighboring trench. By his action, he undoubtedly saved his Company from being fired on heavily from the rear and enabled them to open the main beach exit.
Later the same day, in the village of Crepon, the Company encountered a field gun and crew armed with Spandaus at 100 yards range. C.S.M. Hollis was put in command of a party to cover an ‘attack-on the gun, but the movement was held up. Seeing this, C.S.M. Hollis pushed right forward to engage the gun with a P.I.A.T. from a house at 50 yards range. He was observed by a sniper who fired and grazed his right cheek, and at the same moment the gun swung round and fired at point-blank range into the house. To avoid the fallen- masonry C.S.M. Hollis moved his’ party to an alternative position. Two of the enemy gun crew had by this time been killed, and the gun was destroyed shortly afterwards. He later found that two of his men had stayed behind in the house and immediately volunteered to get them out. In full view of the enemy who were continually firing at him he went forward alone using a Bren gun to distract their attention from the other men. Under cover of his diversion, the two men were able to get back.
Wherever fighting was heaviest, C.S.M. Hollis appeared and in the course of a magnificent day’s work, he displayed the utmost gallantry and on two separate occasions his courage and initiative prevented the enemy from holding up the advance at critical stages. It was largely through his heroism and resource that the Company’s objectives were gained and casualties were not heavier, and by his own bravery he saved the lives of many of his men.
of Tuesday, the 19th of December, 1944
Published by Authority
Department of National Defense, Ottawa.
19th December, 1944.
The KING has been graciously pleased to
approve the award of the VICTORIA CROSS to:—
No. K 52880 Private Ernest Alvia Smith, The Seaforth Highlanders of Canada.
In Italy on the night of 2ist/22nd October, 1944, a Canadian Infantry Brigade was ordered to establish a bridgehead across the Savio River.
The Seaforth Highlanders of Canada were selected as the spearhead of the attack and in weather most unfavorable to the operation they crossed the river and captured their objectives in spite of strong opposition from the enemy.
Torrential rain had caused the Savio River to rise six feet in five hours and as the soft vertical banks made it impossible to bridge the river no tanks or anti-tank guns could be taken across, the raging stream to the sup- port of the rifle companies.
As the right forward company was consolidating its objective it was suddenly counter-attacked by a troop of three Mark V Panther tanks supported by two self-propelled guns and about thirty infantry and the situation appeared almost hopeless.
Under heavy fire from the approaching enemy tanks, Private Smith, showing great initiative and inspiring leadership, led his Piat Group of two men across an open field to a position from which the Piat could best be employed. Leaving one man on the weapon, Private Smith crossed the road with a companion, and obtained another Piat. Almost immediately an enemy tank came down the road firing its machine guns along the line of the ditches. Private Smith’s comrade was wounded. At a range of thirty feet and having to expose himself to the full view of the enemy, Private Smith fired the Piat and hit the tank, putting it out of action. Ten German infantry immediately jumped off the back of the tank and charged him with Schmeissers and grenades. Without hesitation Private Smith moved out onto the road and with his Tommy gun at point blank range, killed four Germans and drove the remainder back. Almost immediately another tank opened fire and more enemy infantry closed in on Smith’s position. Obtaining some abandoned Tommy gun magazines from a ditch, he steadfastly held his position, protecting his comrade and fighting the enemy with his Tommy gun until they finally gave up and withdrew in disorder.
One tank and both self-propelled guns had been destroyed by this time, but yet another tank swept the area with fire from a longer range. Private Smith, still showing utter contempt for enemy fire, helped his wounded friend to cover and obtained medical aid for him behind a nearby building. He then returned to his position beside the road to
await the possibility of a further enemy attack.
No further immediate attack developed, and as a result the battalion was able to consolidate the bridgehead position so vital to the success of the whole operation, which led to the eventual capture of San Giorgio Di Cesena and a further advance to the Ronco River.
Thus, by the dogged determination, outstanding devotion to duty and superb gallantry of this private soldier, his comrades were so inspired that the bridgehead was held firm against all enemy attacks, pending the arrival of tanks and anti-tank guns some hours later.
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Thiamin is the chemical name for which vitamin | Vitamin B1 - Doctor answers on HealthTap
Dr. Randy Baker Dr. Baker
1 doctor agreed:
Excreted in urine: When you take more b1 than you need your body excretes the excess in your urine , resulting in a bright yellow color & b vitamin odor. If you take b1 & this happens, it does not mean you did not need it. When you drink water much of that is eliminated in your urine, but that does not mean you did not need water or that it was not useful as it passed thru you. B1 is non-toxic- high doses don't harm. ...Read more
| B1 |
What was introduced by the Post Office during the coronation of King George V | Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) | University of Maryland Medical Center
Depression
Abdominal discomfort
People with thiamine deficiency also have trouble digesting carbohydrates. This allows a substance called pyruvic acid to build up in the bloodstream, causing a loss of mental alertness, difficulty breathing, and heart damage, a disease known as beriberi.
Beriberi
The most important use of thiamine is to treat beriberi, which is caused by not getting enough thiamine in your diet. Symptoms include:
Swelling, tingling, or burning sensation in the hands and feet
Confusion
Trouble breathing because of fluid in the lungs
Uncontrolled eye movements (nystagmus)
People in the developed world usually do not get beriberi because foods such as cereals and breads are fortified with vitamin B1.
Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome
Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome is a brain disorder caused by thiamine deficiency. Wernicke-Korsakoff is actually two disorders. Wernicke disease involves damage to nerves in the central and peripheral nervous systems. It is often caused by malnutrition due to alcoholism. Korsakoff syndrome is characterized by memory problems and nerve damage. High doses of thiamine can improve muscle coordination and confusion, but rarely improves memory loss.
Cataracts
Preliminary evidence suggests that thiamine, along with other nutrients, may lower the risk of developing cataracts. People with plenty of protein and vitamins A, B1, B2, and B3 (or niacin) in their diet are less likely to develop cataracts. Getting enough vitamins C, E, and B complex vitamins, particularly B1, B2, B9 (folic acid), and B12, may further protect the lens of your eyes from developing cataracts. More research is needed.
Alzheimer disease
Lack of thiamine can cause dementia in Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome. So researchers have speculated that thiamine might help Alzheimer disease. Oral thiamine has been shown to improve cognitive function of patients with Alzheimer. However, absorption of thiamine is poor in elderly individuals. More research is needed before thiamine can be proposed as a treatment for Alzheimer disease.
Heart failure
Thiamine may be related to heart failure because many people with heart failure take diuretics (water pills), which help rid the body of excess fluid. But diuretics may also cause the body to get rid of too much thiamine. A few small studies suggest that taking thiamine supplements may help. Taking a daily multivitamin should provide enough thiamine.
Depression
Low levels of thiamine are associated with depression. In one study of elderly Chinese adults, poor thiamine levels were associated with a higher risk of depression.
Dietary Sources
Most foods contain small amounts of thiamine. Large amounts can be found in:
Pork
Blackstrap molasses
Available Forms
Vitamin B1 can be found in multivitamins (including children's chewable and liquid drops), B complex vitamins, or it can be sold individually. It is available in a variety of forms, including tablets, soft gels, and lozenges. It may also be labeled as thiamine hydrochloride or thiamine mononitrate. In cases of severe deficiency, thiamine can be administered intravenously.
How to Take It
As with all medications and supplements, check with your health care provider before giving vitamin B1 supplements to a child.
Daily recommendations for dietary vitamin B1, according to the National Academy of Sciences, are as follows:
Pediatric
Newborns, 6 months: 0.2 mg (adequate intake)
Infants, 7 months to 1 year: 0.3 mg (adequate intake)
Children, 1 to 3 years: 0.5 mg (RDA)
Children, 4 to 8 years: 0.6 mg (RDA)
Children, 9 to 13 years: 0.9 mg (RDA)
Men, 14 to 18 years: 1.2 mg (RDA)
Women, 14 to 18 years: 1 mg (RDA)
Adult
Men, 19 years and older: 1.2 mg (RDA)
Women, 19 years and older: 1.1 mg (RDA)
Pregnant or breastfeeding women: 1.4 mg (RDA)
Doctors determine the appropriate doses for conditions like beriberi and Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome. Doctors give thiamine intravenously for Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome.
A daily dose of 50 to 100 mg is often taken as a supplement. Thiamine appears safe in these doses. But you should talk to your doctor before taking a large amount.
Precautions
Because of the potential for side effects and interactions with medications, you should take dietary supplements only under the supervision of a knowledgeable health care provider.
Thiamine is generally safe. Very high doses may cause stomach upset.
Taking any one of the B vitamins for a long period of time can result in an imbalance of other important B vitamins. For this reason, you may want to take a B-complex vitamin, which includes all the B vitamins.
Possible Interactions
If you are currently taking any of the following medications, you should not use vitamin B1 without first talking to your doctor.
Digoxin: Laboratory studies suggest that digoxin, a medication used to treat heart conditions, may reduce the ability of heart cells to absorb and use vitamin B1. This may be particularly true when digoxin is combined with furosemide (Lasix, a loop diuretic).
Diuretics (water pills): Diuretics, particularly furosemide (Lasix), which belongs to a class called loop diuretics, may reduce levels of vitamin B1 in the body. It is possible that other diuretics may have the same effect. If you take a diuretic, ask your doctor if you need a thiamine supplement.
Phenytoin (Dilantin): Preliminary evidence suggests that some people taking phenytoin have lower levels of thiamine in their blood, which may contribute to the side effects of the drug. However, this is not true of all people who take phenytoin. If you take phenytoin, ask your doctor if you need a thiamine supplement.
Supporting Research
Ambrose, ML, Bowden SC, Whelan G. Thiamin treatment and working memory function of alcohol-dependent people: preliminary findings. Alcohol Clin Exp Res. 2001;25(1):112-16.
Bonucchi J, Hassan I, Policeni B, Kaboli P. Thyrotoxicosis associated with Wernicke's encephalopathy. J Gen Intern Med. 2008;23(1):106-109.
Bruno EJ Jr, Ziegenfuss TN. Water-soluble vitamins: research update. Curr Sports Med Rep. 2005 Aug;4(4):207-13. Review.
Costantini A, Pala MI. Thiamine and fatigue in inflammatory bowel diseases: an open-label pilot study. J Altern Complement Med. 2013;19(8):704-8.
Cumming RG, Mitchell P, Smith W. Diet and cataract: the Blue Mountains Eye Study.Ophthalmology. 2000;107(3):450-56.
Daroff. Bradley's Neurology in Clinical Practice. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2012.
DiNicolantonio JJ, Niazi AK, Lavie CJ, O'Keefe JH, Ventura HO. Thiamine supplementation for the treatment of heart failure: a review of the literature. Congest Heart Fail. 2013;19(4):214-22.
Gibson GE, Blass JP. Thiamine-dependent processes and treatment strategies in neurodegeneration. Antioxid Redox Signal. 2007 Aug 8; [Epub ahead of print].
Isenberg-Grzeda E, Chabon B, Nicolson SE. Prescribing thiamine to impatients with alcohol use disorders: how well are we doing? J Addict Med. 2014;8(1):1-5.
Jacques PF, Chylack LT Jr, Hankinson SE, et al. Long-term nutrient intake and early age-related nuclear lens opacities. Arch Ophthalmol. 2001;119(7):1009-19.
Kliegman: Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 19th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2011:chap 46.
Kuzniarz M, Mitchell P, Cumming RG, Flood VM. Use of vitamin supplements and cataract: the Blue Mountains Eye Study. Am J Ophthalmol. 2001;132(1):19-26.
Lonsdale D. A review of the biochemistry, metabolism and clinical benefits of thiamin(e) and its derivatives. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2006 Mar;3(1):49-59.
Lu'o'ng K, Nguyen LT. Role of thiamine in Alzheimer's disease. Am J Alzheimers Dis Other Demen. 2011;26(8):588-98.
McPherson & Pincus: Henry's Clinical Diagnosis and Management by Laboratory Methods. 21st ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2007.
Moonen M, Lancellotti P, Betz R, Lambermont B, Pierard L. Beriberi. Rev Med Liege. 2007;62(7-8):523-30.
National Academy of Sciences. Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs): Recommended Intakes for Individuals, Vitamins. Accessed June 1, 2011.
Raschke M, et al. Vitamin B1 biosynthesis in plants requires the essential iron sulfur cluster protein, THIC. Proc Natl Acad Sci. USA. 2007;104(49):19637-42.
Rodriquez-Martin JL, Qizilbash N, Lopez-Arrieta JM. Thiamine for Alzheimer's disease (Cochrane Review). Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2001;2:CD001498.
Roman-Campos D, Cruz JS. Current aspects of thiamine deficiency on heart function. Life Sci. 2014;98(1):1-5.
Sarma S, Gheorghiade M. Nutritional assessment and support of the patient with acute heart failure. Curr Opin Crit Care. 2010 Oct;16(5):413-18. Review.
Sica DA. Loop diuretic therapy, thiamine balance, and heart failure. Congest Heart Fail. 2007 Jul-Aug;13(4):244-47.
Soukoulis V, Dihu JB, Sole M, Anker SD, Cleland J, Fonarow GC, Metra M, Pasini E, Strzelczyk T, Taegtmeyer H, Gheorghiade M. Micronutrient deficiencies an unmet need in heart failure. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2009 Oct 27;54(18):1660-1673. Review.
Thomson AD, Marshall EJ. The treatment of patients at risk of developing Wernicke's encephalopathy in the community. Alcohol. 2006 Mar-Apr;41(2):159-67. Epub 2005 Dec 29.
Thompson J. Vitamins, minerals and supplements: part two. Community Pract. 2005 Oct;78(10):366-8. Review.
Witte KK, Clark AL, Cleland JG. Chronic heart failure and micronutrients. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2001;37(7):1765-74.
Alternative Names
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What nationality did Hannah Mandlikova take when she left Czechoslovakia | Mandlikova to raise family with another woman | Daily Mail Online
Mandlikova to raise family with another woman
by MALCOLM FOLLEY, Mail on Sunday
A hot, still morning at the exclusive Boca Raton resort in Florida. And the palm-fringed tennis courts are deserted, apart from a teenage girl practising her shots under the watchful eye of her coach sitting on the sideline.
It could be a scene from a local tennis club anywhere in the world. Except that Hana Mandlikova is no run-of-the-mill coach - she's a former star of the game, once ranked No 3 in the world, winner of four Grand Slam titles and twice a Wimbledon runner-up.
The once earnest-looking Czech --who was almost as famous for her on-court flare-ups as the power and grace of her playing - is now an attractive 39-year-old. The severe hair cut is softer, the face a little fuller and the eyes more relaxed.
But it is her advanced state of pregnancy - still obvious under her voluminous white shirt - that most catches the eye.
It is a nerve-racking time for any woman, even one used to the gruelling round of training and competitions that is the life of a professional tennis player. But Mandlikova is no ordinary first-time mother. She has no husband or boyfriend. Nor is her pregnancy just the result of a fling.
It's the product of an extraordinary arrangement between herself and a male friend, who agreed to father the twins - a boy and a girl - but have no further role in their upbringing.
Instead, Mandlikova will raise the children with another woman, attractive 35-year-old personal fitness trainer Liz Resseguie, her close friend and companion for the past two-and-a-half years.
Intensely private and fiercely protective of those close to her, Mandlikova has broken her silence for the first time to talk candidly about her extraordinarily unconventional approach to motherhood, her despair at not being able to conceive for five years and her relationship with the woman who has transformed her life.
'Liz has become my best friend in the world,' she says, 'and I've never been happier. People will always gossip and they can think what they like. Surely, what matters is that the children are loved.
'I'll never reveal the name of my children's father because that was our agreement. It would not be fair for the kids. I just know we will be friends for life, even though he will never see his children. I made that plain to him at the beginning and he accepted that as a friend. He knew I wanted to have kids and he just helped me. I know I can trust him totally. I don't expect there to be any problems.
'I don't find our arrangement extraordinary. I am sure that lots of others have done the same - you simply don't hear of it. After all, this is the 21st Century and women have the right to make choices.'
Mandlikova's sexuality and private life have been dogged by controversy and rumour since she burst on to the professional tennis circuit at 15.
She won the US Open, French Open and Australian Open twice, accumulating 23 titles and nearly £4 million dollars in prize money.
She had always planned to have children but like many women in their late 20s and 30s, the demands of her career got in the way.
When she fell pregnant at the age of 25 - at the height of her success - she realised she had to choose between being a mother and her career. In the end, she made the difficult decision not to have the baby.
No-one was more surprised than her Czech team-mates when, in 1986 - in the middle of the Federation Cup competition in Prague - she gave the world's media the slip to marry Sydney restaurateur Jan Sedlak in a civic ceremony in Prague's Old Town Hall.
A little over two years later, the marriage ended in a quickie-divorce - prompting many to suspect that it was an arrangement of convenience to secure her Australian citizenship
Mandlikova denies it was a sham.
After the marriage, her tennis career began to falter, the victim of recurring injury and a loss of motivation. She retired in 1990 at the age of 28 to coach Jana Novotna, who went on to become a Wimbledon champion.
Mandlikova was feeling the pressure of a lifetime spent on the tennis courts. Desperate to have the children she had always longed for and determined that her single status should not be an obstacle, she hatched a plan to enlist the help of a male friend . . . but with little success.
'I was trying for five years,' she says, 'but nothing happened because I had some problems of a woman's nature. Also, I was coaching Jana at this time and my life was stressful and I was travelling for so much of the year.
After Jana won Wimbledon, Mandlikova scaled down her coaching and determined to spend more time at home.
It was then that she met Liz Resseguie, a strong New York brunette, when she enrolled for the body-sculpting class Resseguie ran at a nearby exclusive club. They hit it off immediately and Mandlikova took her on as her personal trainer.
'I needed strength from someone else,' explains Mandlikova
'When I stopped coaching Jana full-time, when I stayed at home more, I became settled for the first time since I can remember,' she says. 'I had some minor surgery - then seven months ago I heard I was pregnant.'
Resseguie is not deaf to the whispers that accompany her in Mandlikova's presence on the rare occasions they visit a tennis tournament together. She says, simply: 'I knew Hana wanted to get pregnant and I was happy for her when she did. And we decided we're going to raise these children together.'
She will continue to maintain her own apartment, not far from Mandlikova's two-bedroomed home here on an exclusive estate where other retired tennis stars - such as Chris Evert, Steffi Graf and Novotna --also live.
But it is clear she will be relying heavily on her friend's support. 'Liz works extremely hard and has long hours but she wants to rearrange her diary to enable her to give me help. I respect her independence and strength of character.'
Mandlikova - who will give birth by Caesarean section in 18 days time - admits it was a tremendous surprise when she first found out she was having twins.
Mandlikova has found pregnancy more difficult than any tennis championship. 'Any woman who tells you they enjoy being pregnant is a liar!' she laughs. 'I was sick for the first three months and dread-fully tired. I had no energy whatsoever.
But she has continued to coach Czech teenage prodigy Nicola Frankova on the courts here, although she works from a court-side chair buried in the shade away from the stifling heat.
'I just couldn't sit around doing nothing,' she says.
Yet as she proudly shows me the latest scans - 'Perhaps one will get the athletic genes of my father and me,' - it is clear that for all her achievements in tennis, it is her struggle to be a mother, against all the odds, that means most to Mandlikova.
'I just can't wait to see my babies.'
| Australians |
Who was the first professional footballer in Britain to be sent to prison for an offence on the field | Women of the Third Reich
* Dedicated to all those who took part in World War II *
Women of the Third Reich - page 1 of 1 - A collection of short biographical portraits of some forty women who either gave their full support to Hitler and were sympathetic to the Nazi party, or on the other hand, were strongly anti-Nazi and played an active part in the anti-Hitler resistance movements.
Many paid the supreme penalty for their beliefs and actions.
The vast majority of German women however were neither particularly pro nor anti-Nazi but simply went along with the system thus providing passive support for it.
= pro-Nazi (or an actual, ardent Nazi)
= anti-Nazi (or with connections to the Allies)
EVA BRAUN (1912-1945)
At twenty-five minutes past two on the morning of February 7, 1912, Eva Anna Paula Braun was born in Munich. Later in life she was to become the mystery woman of Hitler's Third Reich. Wife of Hitler for one day and his mistress for twelve years, she first met Hitler in 1929 while she was assistant to the beer-loving Heinrich Hoffmann the Third Reich's official photographer who had his shop at No 50 Schellingstrasse, Munich. He had already joined the Nazi party with party card number 427. After discussing suicide, Eva Braun died with Hitler on April 30, 1945, in his underground bunker in the Reich Chancellery gardens in Berlin. It was her third attempt, the first having been in November 1932 when she was found, with a bullet in her neck. On May 28, 1935, Eva, who often complained of Hitler's neglect, decided in desperation to take twenty-five sleeping pills just to 'make certain'. Late that night she was found unconscious on her bed by her sister, Ilse, (1909-1979) who called a doctor just in time to save her life. After her recovery, Hitler bought her a six room villa in Weidermeyerstrasse in Munich and supplied her with a car and chauffeur. Although she knew about the persecucution of the Jews there is no evidence that she knew of what went on inside the concentration camps. Eva's mother, Franziska Braun, lived to the ripe old age of 96 and died in Ruhpolding, Bavaria, in January, 1976. Her father, Fritz Braun, died on January 22, 1964.
It is interesting to note that Eva never became a Nazi Party member and never appeared as a couple with Hitler in public. Outside of Hitler's close circle of cronies she was completely unknown to the general public until after the war.
GRETL BRAUN
Youngest of the three daughters of Fritz and Franziska Braun, her real name was Margarete and was born three years after Eva. They lived in an apartment on the second floor of No. 93 Hohenzollernstrasse, in Munich, (the house still stands). An adventurous and carefree girl, Eva nicknamed her 'Mogerl' because she was often sulking. She spent considerable time with her sister at the Berghof, which Eva loved to call the Grand Hotel. She married Hans Georg Otto Hermann Fegelein (37) a lieutenant general in the Waffen SS, on June 3, 1944, in the Salzburg town hall. The reception was held at the Berghof and later at Hitler's mountain retreat on the Kehlstein (The Eagles Nest) the only real party ever held there.
During the last days of the Third Reich, Fegelein, concerned for his own safety, tried to escape from Berlin but was discovered and arrested soon after he left his apartment at 10/11 Bleibtreu Strasse, Charlottenburg, with a large suitcase containing passports, jewellery and money. Next day, Hitler ordered him shot and he was taken out into the Chancellery garden and executed. An effort was made by Eva Braun to save him but to no avail. His body has never been found. Gretl Fegelein survived the war and gave birth to a daughter, Eva Barbara Fegelein, named after her aunt Eva Braun, on May 5, 1945. (Eva Barbara Fegelein committed suicide in 1975 after an unhappy love affair) Her mother, Gretl Fegelein, married her second husband, businessman Kurt Berlinghoff, on February 6, 1954, and lived at Agnes-Bernauer-Strasse 60, in Munich-Laim. The name Fegelein was never mentioned again in the Braun household. Gretl (Margarete) Berlinghoff died on October 10, 1987, in Steingaden at the age of 73.
WINIFRED WAGNER
Born Winifred Williams in 1894 at Hastings, England, to an English father and German mother. When her parents died she was brought up by distant relatives in Germany. In 1915 she married Siegfried Wagner, twenty-five years her senior, and son of composer Richard Wagner. She became entranced with Hitler and his Nazi movement in the early 20s. When Siegfried died in 1930, she became a close friend and staunch supporter of Adolf Hitler whom she first met in 1923. It was rumoured that a marriage between Adolf and Winifred was in the offing, but nothing came of it. Such an event would have solicited great support from the German people. The F�hrer himself entertained such thoughts believing that a union of the names Hitler and Wagner would ensure the adulation of the masses for time immemorial. In fact he once proposed marriage to her but on becoming Chancellor in January, 1933, he felt there was no need now for him to marry. He felt himself already 'married' to his adopted country, Deutschland.
A frequent visitor to her home, the 'Villa Wahnfried', where her three children knew him by the nickname 'Wolf', Hitler was often seen with her at various performances during the Bayreuth Festival, the last time in the late summer of 1940 when they attended a performance of 'G�tterd�mmerung'. Winifred Wagner died in Uberlingen on March 5, 1980, unrepentant of her relationship with Hitler.
PAULA HITLER
Born in 1896 in Hafeld, Austria, younger sister of the German F�hrer and the fifth and last child of Alios and Klara Hitler. At one time she worked as a secretary for a group of doctors in a military hospital but kept her identity a secret. When she would see a small chapel when travelling in the mountains, she would go in and say a silent prayer for her brother. Each year Hitler would send her a ticket to the impressive Nuremberg Rally and every month he would send her a thousand marks.
In March, 1941, Hitler was staying at the Imperial Hotel in Vienna and it was here that Paula met him for the last time. It was always her opinion that it was a pity her brother had not become the architect he always wanted to be. Paula was seven years younger than her brother, but he never mentioned her in his writings because of his embarrassment at her weak mental state.
In April, 1945, the SS took Paula from her home in Weiten, Austria (20 kms south of Melk) to Brechtesgaden and a two-bed unit at 52 Schonburgasse. Here she lived, unmarried, till after the war, her main interest being the Catholic Church. When the war ended she was interviewed by US Intelligence officers in May, 1945. Reluctant to talk she said tearfully, "Please remember, he was my brother". She lived under the name of Frau Wolf (Hitler's nickname) a name he asked her to adopt after the Anschluss with Austria in 1938. After the war, it was discovered that she was once engaged to an Austrian, Dr. Erwin Jekelius, one of the Third Reich's euthanasia doctors, but when he approached Hitler for permission to marry he was promptly arrested and sent to the Russian front where he was reportedly killed. It seems unlikely that she ever became a member of the Nazi party. She died on June 1, 1960, without ever being invited to the Berghof. Her grave is in the Bergfriedhof in Berchtesgaden.
HANNA REITSCH (1912-1979)
Born in Hirschberg, Silesia, (now Jelenia G�ra, Poland) she became Germany's leading woman stunt pilot and later in 1937, chief test pilot for the Luftwaffe. She worshipped Hitler and the Nazi ideology and became the only woman to win the Iron Cross (First and Second class). Hanna Reitsch spent three days in the Bunker just before Hitler's suicide on April 28, then flew out with the newly appointed Chief of the Luftwaffe, General Robert Ritter von Greim, whose orders were to mount a bombing attack on the Russian forces who were now approaching the Chancellery and the F�hrerbunker. Hanna Reitsch survived the war and resided in Ghana from 1962 to 1966 where she founded and ran a gliding school. She died on August 24, 1979, aged 67, in Frankfurt from a heart attack. Von Greim was arrested and while awaiting trial committed suicide in a Salzburg hospital on May 24, 1945. (The graves of Von Greim and Hanna Reitsch can be seen in the Kommunal Friedhof in Salzburg.)
LENI RIEFENSTAHL (1902-2003)
Born Leni Helene Bertha Amalie Riefenstahl on August 22, 1902. Ballet dancer, actress, film director and producer, she was born in Berlin and founded her own film company in 1931 to produce 'The Blue Light'. She was appointed by Hitler to produce films for the Nazi Party such as 'The Triumph of the Will' and her masterpiece 'Olympia', the famous documentary of the 1936 Olympic Games held in Berlin. She has always insisted that she was never a member of the Nazi party but neither was she an opponent of Hitler. Before the war her films received all the international awards but after the war Leni was castigated because of it and spent almost four years in Allied prisons. Boycotted and despised, she has never been able to make another feature film. Editing the film she says, "nearly ruined my health".
In 1952 she was cleared of war-crimes charges by a German court. In 1962 she travelled to Africa and spent eight months living with the Nuba tribe. At the age of 70 she undertook an underwater scuba diving course and for the next 18 years filmed hundreds of undersea documentaries. At age 90, Leni Riefenstahl became a member of Greenpeace. She regrets ever having made 'Triumph of the Will'. (Leni Riefenstahl died at age 101 on September 8, 2003 and her ashes buried in Munich's Ostfriedhof Cemetery.)
GERTRAUD (TRAUDL) JUNGE (1920-2002)
Born Gertraud Humps in Munich. For two years and four months she was the youngest of Hitler's three secretaries. In late 1942, she applied for a secretarial job in the German Chancellery in Berlin. Soon she was short listed for a position as personal secretary to Hitler. At the age of 22 she worked at Hitler's HQ at Rastenburg in East Prussia. In June 1943, she married Hans Junge, Aide-de-Camp to the F�hrer, who was killed a year later when a Spitfire strafed his company on the Normandy front. On January 15, 1945, Hitler and his staff moved into the underground bunker in the grounds of the Berlin Chancellery. Frau Junge survived the last chaotic days in Berlin typing Hitler's last Will and Testament, an assignment that assures her name in history books.
She was arrested by the Russians and then the Americans and interrogated for hours. Exonerated as a 'youthful fellow traveller' by Germany's denazification commission she then worked as a secretary and journalist for various publishing companies. In 1954, her mother, Hildegard, emigrated to Australia but stayed only two years before returning to Munich where she died in 1969. Traudl Junge visited Australia several times but her application for permanent residency was rejected. She last visited Australia in 1992 and again in 1995 for a family wedding. Alone, unmarried and childless, Traudl Junge died of cancer on February 11, 2002, at the age of 82 in a hospital in her native city. She died wracked with guilt for having expressed a liking for 'the greatest criminal who ever lived'. In 2004, her memoirs 'Bis Zum Letzen Stunde' (Until the Final Hour) was published. (Traudl Junge is buried in the Nordfriedhof cemetery in Munich.)
LUCIE WOLF
Conscripted into the Luftwaffe in 1939 and owing to her secretarial skills became personal secretary to Reich Marshal G�ring for a period of five weeks during the closing stages of the war. She knew at that time that G�ring's art treasures were stolen but was afraid to talk to anybody about it. While at Brechtesgaden she was issued with a pistol and a cyanide pill with instructions to shoot as many Russians as possible before taking the poison pill. (It was believed that the Red Army would reach Brechtesgaden before the Americans) Placed under house arrest by the Gestapo when they came to arrest G�ring, she was then arrested again when the Americans arrived. All her belongings were taken from her and placed in a heap, doused with petrol and set alight. She was then interned in a P.O.W. camp for the next ten days from which, with the help of an American guard, she escaped and started out on the long walk of around 1,000 kms to her home on the shores of the Baltic Sea, a journey which took her seven weeks. Some years after the war, Lucie Wolf emigrated to Australia and became an Australian citizen.
MARTHA WERTHEIMER
Journalist with the Offenbacher Zeitung in Frankfurt. Because of her Jewish faith she was dismissed from her job in the mid 1930s. Taking up social work she became director of the Centre of German Jewish Children at the Frankfurt Jewish Congregation office. In this capacity she helped thousands of Jewish children to escape to England and other European countries during the Kindertransport period of 1938-39. Martha accompanied many of these transports to England. Back in Frankfurt she helped operate a soup kitchen and eight old peoples homes which cared for 570 elderly Jews. On June 10/11, 1942, a total of 1,042 Jews of Frankfurt and 450 from Wiesbaden were assembled in the Frankfurt Grossmarkthalle prior to boarding trains for deportation to the east. Martha Wertheimer was assigned by the Gestapo to take charge of this transport. A few weeks later, a postcard sent to a friend already in the Lodz ghetto, was the last the Jewish community ever heard of this courageous woman or of the victims on the train.
SOPHIE SCHOLL (1921-1943)
Martyr of the anti-Nazi movement at Munich University where she studied biology and philosophy. A member of the BDM (League Of German Girls) she was arrested with her brother Hans, a medical student and Hitler Youth member from 1934, after dropping anti-Nazi leaflets from the balcony of the Ludwig Maximilian University's inner court in Munich on February 18, 1943, both were arrested and taken to Munich's Stadelheim Prison. Sentenced to death by the People's Court on February 22, 1943, 22 year old Sophie Magdalene Scholl and her brother Hans, 25, were beheaded by guillotine next day. They were instrumental in organizing the resistance group known as the 'White Rose' (Weisse Rose) and encouraged by the professor of philosophy at the university, Dr Kurt Huber, who was also arrested and executed on July 13. In one of their illegally printed pamphlets, she wrote "Every word that comes from Hitler's mouth is a lie". The graves of Hans and Sophie Scholl can be seen in the Perlach Forest Cemetery, near to the Stadelheim prison.
HILDE MONTE (MEISEL) (1914-1945)
Jewish poet and writer for the Berlin paper 'Der Funke representing the Socialist International. Born in Vienna she grew up in Berlin. Living In England when Hitler became Chancellor, she joined the campaign of resistance against the Nazis (ISK: Internationalen Sozialistischen Kampfbundes, led by Willi Eichler) To carry on the struggle against Hitler she decided to return to her homeland and in 1944 had reached Switzerland via Lisbon. In Vienna, she established a secret intelligence chain with a group of anti-Nazis. In attempting to cross the border into Germany she stumbled into an SS patrol near Feldkirch. A shot was fired that shattered both her legs. As the SS rushed to arrest her, Hilde Monte (Meisel) code-named 'Crocus,' bit hard into her suicide pill. She died instantly. (The ISK was dissolved on December 10, 1945. A memorial plaque to Hilde Meisel can be seen at Landhausstrasse 3, Berlin Charlottenburg, where she lived for a time)
HANNAH SZENES
Born in Budapest, Hungary, on November 7, 1921, she and her brother emigrated to Palestine in 1939. There, in 1943, she joined the British Army and trained as a parachutist and volunteered along with another 33 trainees to be dropped behind enemy lines to help rescue Jews about to be deported to Auschwitz, and also to help save downed British pilots. She was parachuted into Yugoslavia in 1944 and spent three months with Tito's partisans. On June 7 of that year she crossed the border into her homeland, Hungary, but was arrested by the Hungarian police and German Gestapo agents. Over the next few months she was tortured repeatedly but refused to give any information as to her mission. Brought before the Hungarian court she was charged with treason. Found guilty, she was executed by firing squad on November 7, 1944. She was then only 23 years old. Her remains were later brought to Israel and interred at the Military Cemetery on Mount Herzl in Jerusalem. In November, 1993, Hannah Szenes was officially exonerated by Hungary of the charge of Treason.
ANNE KAPPIUS
Trained in Britain, along with fellow member Hilde Meisel, as a secret agent for ISK, she travelled to Switzerland to serve as a courier for her husband Jupp Kappius, a German national who worked for the American O.S.S and who was the first OSS agent to be parachuted into Germany. Anne travelled twice from Switzerland deep into the heart of the Reich, disguised as a Red Cross nurse to bring back valuable intelligence collected by her husband in Bochum, his hometown. In mid January, 1945, she brought back a thirteen-page account of the growing cells of resistance building up in the Ruhr. One startling statistic brought back by Frau Kappius was that in a bombing raid on the Gottingen railway station one in three of the 300 five-thousand-pound bombs dropped failed to explode. Anne and her husband survived the war and returned to Germany after the war to settle.
ANDREE de JONGH
Born in Schaerbeek, a suburb of Brussels, Belgium, in 1916, where her father was a schoolmaster. In 1940, twenty-four year old Andree decided to hit back at Nazi Germany after the invasion of her country. Together with her father, Frederic de Jongh, they formed the Com�te Line, a 1,000 mile route for escaped Allied soldiers and shot down airmen, through France to the British consulate in Madrid, Spain, and then on to Gibralter. She personally accompanied 118 of them over the Pyrenees mountains to Spain. Hundreds of Allied fighting men, particularly shot down airmen, were able to get back home. In Brussels, the airmen were hidden in attics and cellars before being passed through a network of hundreds of people who guided them through France and into Spain and Gibraltar from whence they made the final journey back to England. During the war over 800 Allied airmen and soldiers were helped this way. Over one hundred of these helpers were arrested and executed including Andree's father, Frederick, who was arrested by the Gestapo in Paris in June 1943. In January 1944, Andree was arrested and sent to Fresnes prison near Paris. She spent the rest of the war in the Ravensbr�ck Concentration Camp north-east of Berlin where she survived until liberation by the Red Army in April, 1945. After the war, Andree moved to the Ethiopia where she worked in a leper hospital in Addas Ababa. (She was awarded the British George Cross and the American Medal of Freedom. In 1985 she was created a Countess by King Baudouin of Belgium.) Countess Andree de Jongh died unmarried in Brussels on October 13, 2007, aged 94.
LISEOTTE HERRMANN
Born in Berlin on June 23, 1909, she studied chemistry and biology at the Berlin University and In 1928 she joined the Communist Youth Association. Because of this she was expelled from the university in 1933. Working as a nanny in Berlin she kept close contact with the German Communist Party. In May, 1934, she gave birth to her son Walter and went to Stuttgart to work as a typist in her father's engineering office. Receiving secret information from the illegal Communist Party in Wurttemberg about the rearmament program in the Dornier plant in Friedrechshafen and the construction of secret underground ammunition factory near Celle, she passed the information on to the Central Committee of the Communist Party in Switzerland. Arrested on December 7, 1935, she spent the next nineteen months in prison awaiting trial. During this time her son was being taken care of by her grandparents. On June 12, 1937, she was sentenced to death by the People's Court for treason. Twelve months later she was brought to the death cell in Pl�tzensee Prison, Berlin, and there executed on June 20, 1938.
IRENA SENDLER
Born in Otwock near Warsaw in 1910, daughter of a respected physician whose patients included many poor Jews. Irena was expelled from Warsaw University in the 1930s for standing up for her Jewish friends who were forced to sit separately from other students. When Germany invaded Poland in 1939, Irena was working for the Warsaw Social Welfare Department in charge of soup kitchens providing meals to the poor and elderly. Involved in acquiring forged documents she registered many Jews under Christian names listing them as sufferers of Typhus and Tuberculosis so they could obtain financial assistance and meals from the Welfare Department. As a member of the 'Council For Aid To Jews' she helped smuggle food and clothing to the Jews incarcerated in the Warsaw Ghetto. Entering the Ghetto wearing the yellow 'Star of David' she and her helpers smuggled out hundreds of children and found homes for them with Polish families who had to promise that the children would be returned to any surviving family members after the war. This successful operation lasted two years, then on October 20 the Gestapo caught up with her. She was arrested and imprisoned in the notorious Pawiak Prison where she was tortured and had her feet and legs broken but she refused to reveal the whereabouts of the children. Offered a bribe by her friends, a guard recorded her name on a list of those who had been executed then helped her to escape. She spent the rest of the war in hiding, just like the children she had saved. Irena Sendler continued her social work after the war and was awarded Poland's highest distinction the 'Order of White Eagle' and the Yad Vashem medal for the 'Righteous Among The Nations'.
MARLENE von EXNER
In May, 1943, an electrocardiogram revealed no improvement in Hitler's heart condition. A stomach ailment also troubled him and he discussed this at a meeting with Romania's Marshal Antonescu who recommended to him a well-known dietitian from Vienna, Frau Marlene von Exner. She took up her duties to cook exclusively for the F�hrer with an inducement of a 2,000 Reichsmark cash payment and a tax free salary of 800 marks a month. While serving at Hitler's headquarters she became engaged to an SS adjutant and it was through this that Hitler learned that her great grandmother was Jewish. Hitler had no option but to sack her immediately "I cannot make one rule for myself and another for the rest" he explained.
ERIKA MANN (1905-1969)
Writer and daughter of Thomas Mann the novelist. Born in Munich, she fled from Germany to Switzerland in 1933 in a car given to her by the Ford Motor Company after she won a 6,000 mile race through Europe. In 1935 she married the English poet W. H. Auden. This marriage of convenience was arranged to give her British nationality. She returned to Europe and continued to attack the Nazi regime in her writings. Her 1938 book 'School for Barbarians' described to the world the true nature of the Nazi educational system. This was followed by a series of lectures in America titled 'The Other Germany'. In 1950 she returned to Switzerland where she died in Kilchberg, near Zurich, on August 27, 1969, after surgery for a brain tumour. One of her brothers, Klaus Mann, also opposed to the Nazi regime, emigrated from Germany in 1933. He continued his critical writings on Adolf Hitler when he moved to the USA and took American citizenship. He enlisted in the American armed forces as a correspondent for the US Army newspaper 'Stars and Stripes'. While holidaying in Cannes on May 21, 1949, Klaus Mann committed suicide.
ELIZABETH von THADDEN (1890-1944)
Teacher and activist in the anti-Hitler movement. Born in Mohrungen, East Prussia now Morag, Poland, she taught in a Protestant boarding school at Wieblingen Castle near Heidelberg which she founded in 1927. Forced to resign in 1941 by new state regulations, she started working for the Red Cross. She was reported to the Gestapo for things she said during a discussion on the regime at her home on September 10, 1943. She was arrested, charged with defeatism and attempted treason and sentenced to death by the Peoples Court. On September 8, 1944, she was executed. Her half brother, Adolf von Thadden, survived the war and became a member of the Bundestag and later chairman of the National Democratic Party (NPD) formed in the early 1960s.
LAGI COUNTESS BALLESTREM-SOLF
Daughter of diplomat Dr. Wilhelm Solf, ex Ambassador to Japan. In 1940, she married Count Hubert Ballestrem, an officer in the German military. At her mother's house a group of anti-Nazi intellectuals met regularly to discuss ways to help Jews and political enemies of the regime. Many Jews were found hiding places by the Countess and her mother, Frau Solf. Documents and forged passports were obtained to help them emigrate to safety. At a birthday party given by their friend, Elizabeth von Thadden, a new member was introduced to the circle. It later turned out that the new member, Dr. Reckzeh, was a Gestapo agent and all members of the Solf Circle had to flee for their lives.
The Countess and her mother went to Bavaria but the Gestapo soon caught up with them. Incarcerated in the Ravensbruck concentration camp the Countess only saw her husband once when he came on leave from the Russian front. In December, 1944, they were sent to the Moabit Remand Prison to await their trial before the People's Court. On February 3, 1945, Berlin was subjected to one of the heaviest air raids of the war. Next morning the word got around that the notorious Judge Freisler was killed in his own court-room by a falling beam during the raid. The trial was postponed to April 27 but a few days before, all prisoners were discharged as Judges and SS guards fled the city as the Soviet Army approached. Frau Solf went to England after the war and her daughter was reunited with her husband and lived in Berlin.
All told, seventy-six friends and acquaintances of the Countess and her mother were killed during the last few months of the war. Countess Ballestrem-Solf died while in her mid forties through trauma caused by her husband's imprisonment by the Soviet authorities.
LILO GLOEDEN (1903-1944)
Elizabeth Charlotte Lilo Gloeden was a Berlin housewife, who, with her mother and her architect husband, helped shelter those who were persecuted by the Nazis, by sheltering them for weeks at a time in their flat. Among those sheltered was Dr. Carl Goerdeler, resistance leader, Jurist and Lord Mayor of Leipzig until 1936. Lilo Gloeden, her mother and husband Erich, were all arrested by the Gestapo, and Lilo and her mother subjected to torture under interrogation. On November 30, 1944, all three were beheaded by guillotine, at two minute intervals, in Pl�tzensee Prison, Berlin.
STELLA GOLDSCHLAG
A Pretty blonde Jewish woman born and raised in Berlin and a pupil of the Goldschmidt Jewish Private School. While working in a factory she witnessed many other Jews being taken away to labour or concentration camps. Being blonde she escaped the round-up as the Gestapo believed that being blonde she could not be Jewish. Her husband was arrested and taken to Auschwitz, never to be seen again. When her parents were next to be arrested and were being shipped off to Auschwitz she hoped to save them, and after being tortured to point out other Jews, she was forced to be become 'Catcher'. ( A Jew who betrays other Jews to the Gestapo) During her seven months as a 'catcher' she received 200 marks per head. In one week alone, Stella pointed out 62 Jews to the Gestapo. She was later arrested by the Soviets and spent ten months in prison. After her release she lived in West Germany under an assumed name. Consumed by her guilt, she committed suicide by jumping out of her bedroom window.
MAVIS BATEY
In May, 1940, then a student if 19, Mavis Batey (born Mavis Lever) was recruited for a top secret job, first at the British Government Code and Cipher School and later joining the team of code-breakers at Bletchley Park, north of London. Owing to her fluency in the German language and facility for words she became a key contributor to the wartime project 'Enigma'. Regarded as a national heroine in England, her code breaking efforts helped the Allies to cripple the Italian fleet at the Battle of Cape Matapan in 1941. She also helped crack the complex Enigma codes used by the German Abwehr and helped confirm the success of the Double-Cross system in which captured spies were used to transmit false information to the Axis. Mavis Lever (Batey) died in November 2013 at Dulwich, London, aged 92.
Dr. Gertrude Luckner(1900-1995)
Born in Liverpool, England, to German parents, she was later formally adopted by a German catholic family named Luckner. When this family returned to Germany, Gertrude studied political economy, receiving her doctorate in 1938. She then consecrated her life to saving Jews from Nazi prosecution. Seen by the Gestapo to be visiting Jewish areas many times she was arrested and interrogated for nine weeks before being interned for two years in the Ravensbruck concentration camp. She was liberated by the Red Army on May, 3, 1945. After her release she flew to Israel to help migrated Jews to settle in their new homeland. The Jewish Holocaust Memorial, Yad Vashen, bestowed on her the title of Righteous Among Nations.
LILO HERMANN (1909-1938)
Liselotte Hermann was a 29 year old German student who became involved in anti-Nazi activities. She was arrested and sentenced to death for high treason for passing information about a secret underground munitions factory being built near the town of Celle, to a Communist Party cell in Switzerland. She became the first woman to be executed in Hitler's Third Reich. For this offence Lilo Hermann was guillotined on June 20, 1938.
CHARLOTTE SALOMON (1917-1943)
Born in Berlin, daughter of surgeon Professor Albert Solomon. In 1933, being Jewish, he was deprived of his right to practice medicine. Charlotte was admitted to the Berlin Academy of Fine Arts in 1935 (some Jewish students were admitted whose fathers had fought in World War I) After Kristallnacht, father and daughter were given permission to leave Germany. They settled in Villefranche in the South of France. After Italy signed the surrender, German troops marched into Villefranche and on 21 September, 1943, the Gestapo arrested Charlotte and her husband, Alexander Nagler. Deported by train to Auschwitz both were gassed on arrival. Professor Solomon survived the war and in 1971 presented to the Jewish Historical Museum in Amsterdam a total of 1,300 paintings done by Charlotte in the three years before her arrest.
VERA WOHLAUF
Resident of Hamburg, married Captain Julius Wohlauf on June 29, 1942. Captain Wohlauf was the commanding officer of First Company, Police Battalion 101, at that time conducting mass executions of Jews in eastern Poland. After the first major killing action in the town of J�zef�w, Frau Wohlauf joined her husband for a delayed honeymoon. During the next few weeks, Vera Wohlauf, now pregnant, witnessed several killing operations at her husband's side. Accompanied by Frau Lucia Brandt, wife of Lieutenant Paul Brandt, also of Police Battalion 101, they were witnesses to the day-long massacre and deportation of the Jews in Miedzyrec on August 25. Other wives of officers were party to all this as were a group of Red Cross nurses.
After the killings, the wives and their husbands sat outdoors at their billets, drinking, singing and laughing and discussing the day's activities. This was how Frau Vera Wohlauf spent her honeymoon.
MARGARET WHITE
Born in Manchester, England, and at age 26 married William Joyce, the leader of the British National Socialist League and became the League's assistant secretary. In August, 1939, she accompanied her husband to Germany and made her first broadcast from Berlin on November 10, 1940 under the name Lady Haw Haw (her husband was already well known as Lord Haw Haw) In 1942 she appeared under her real name with weekly talks about women's economic problems. Both were arrested on May 28, 1945 and taken to London for trial on charges of treason. William Joyce was found guilty and hanged in 1946. Margaret Joyce was spared a trial on the basis that she was a German citizen (her husband having become a naturalized German citizen in 1940). She was deported to Germany and interned as a security suspect for a short while. After her release she returned to London where she died in 1972.
ELENORE BAUR(1886-1981)
Born in Augsburg, Germany. A fervent follower of the Reich leader she was the only woman to march with Hitler through the streets of Munich during the Putsch of November 9, 1923. Trained as a nurse, she tended the wounded that day and later joined the SA becoming the first Brown Shirt sister. She served as a nurse during the war years as Sister Pia of Munich and in 1944 joined the staff at the Dachau concentration camp supervising medical experiments conducted by SS doctors. Arrested after the war she spent five years in interment by the Allies as a Nazi sympathiser. She died at Oberhaching in 1981 aged 95 never having renounced her belief in Nazism.
LINA HEYDRICH
Born Lina Mathilde von Osten, daughter of a minor German aristocrat, she lived on the island of Fehmarn where she owned a restaurant. She first met her husband, Reinhard Heydrich, Reich Protector of Bohemia and Moravia, in December, 1930, and were married on December 26, 1931. They had four children. After her husband's assassination she later met and married Finnish theatre director, Mauno Manninen in 1965 while she was on a holiday trip to Finland. Till the very end she claimed that she knew nothing about her former husband's terrible crimes, committed or ordered to be committed, while he was head of the Reich Security Service. Lina Heydrich died in 1985.
ODETTE SANSOM (1912-1995)
Born Odette Marie Celine in Amiens, France, in 1912. She married Roy Sansom, an Englishman, to whom she had three daughters and made her home in England in 1932. When war broke out she joined the First Aid Yeomanry (F.A.N.Y) and was later recruited into the French Section of the SOE (Special Operations Executive) Given the code name 'Lise' she was sent to France and joined up with a resistance circle headed by British agent Peter Churchill. Arrested by the Gestapo on April 16, 1943, Odette, posing as Peter Churchill's wife, was taken to Fresnes Prison near Paris. Tortured and badly treated during fourteen interrogations, she refused to give away her friends. She was then sent to the Ravensbr�ck concentration camp north of Berlin on July 18, 1944 to be executed, but the camp commandant, Fritz S�hren, believing her to be a relation of Winston Churchill, used her as a hostage to reach the Allied lines to give himself up.
On August 20, 1946, Odette Sansom was awarded the George Cross by the King and the Legion d'Honneur from France. When her first husband died she married Peter Churchill and in 1956 when that marriage was dissolved she later married wine importer Geoffrey Hallowes who had also served in the SOE in France. In 1994, the year before she died, she paid an emotional visit to the concentration camp at Ravensbr�ck (now a memorial site) her first visit since she left the camp in 1945.
VERA CHALBURG
One of the most outstanding female German secret agents of the war and the only female Nazi agent captured in Scotland. Born Vera Staritzka in 1912 in Kiev, the daughter of a Danish merchant. As an infant she was adopted and after the Bolshevik Revolution her adopted family settled in Copenhagen, Denmark. She trained as a dancer and later took up night club work in Paris. We next hear of Vera in Hamburg, as the mistress of Major Hilmar Dierks, the naval intelligence expert of the Hamburg Abwehr (the counter-intelligence department of the German High Command under Admiral Canaris) Her elder brother, Christian Frederik Schalburg, became a prominent member of the Danish Nazi party but was later killed on the Eastern Front in 1942 while a member of a Waffen SS unit. (An uncle of theirs, Ernest Schalburg, had lived in London for thirty years and became a pilot officer in the Royal Air Force). Recruited by Dierks into the Abwehr, Vera soon made a name for herself as Germany's most beautiful spy.
In September, 1940, she and two other agents were landed on the north-east coast of Scotland 'Operation Lena'. Under her code-name Vera Erikson she soon caught the attention of the Scottish police and she and her two companions were arrested at Portgordon near Banff as they tried to buy a train ticket to London. When asked to write her name she wrote 'Vera de Cottani de Chalbur'. Her two companions, Karl Druegge and Werner Walti, were brought to trial and charged with spying. Found guilty they were both hanged as spies in Wandsworth Prison on August 6, 1941. Vera, then aged 28, was never brought to trial but interned for the duration of the war. While in prison she had a miscarriage, the suspected father being Druegge. After the war she was repatriated to Germany under an assumed name where all trace of her was lost, she simply disappeared. Her family in Denmark never heard from her again.
It is assumed that she 'turned' and worked for British Intelligence until the end of the war. Parts of the Military Intelligence (MI5) files (now the UK National Archives) on Vera Chalburg, have still to be released.
CLARA ZETKIN (1857-1944)
Born Clara Eissner in Weiderau, Saxony in 1857. A strong campaigner for women's suffrage she married the Marxist Ossip Zetkin. Clara became a member of the Reichstag from 1920 to 1933, she was leader of the political movement against the Nazi Party. An early member of the German Communist Party she visited Moscow in 1920. In 1932, after a slashing attack on Hitler and the National Socialists in the Reichstag, she was denounced as a Fascist menace. She died on June 20, 1933, at age seventy-six, a few months after Hitler became Chancellor. Her ashes were laid to rest in the wall of the Kremlin.
IRMA GRESE (1921-1945)
Irma Ilse Ida Grese, twenty-two year old concentration camp guard, after initial training at Ravensbr�ck, served at Auschwitz and later at Belsen where she was arrested by the British. Condemned to death at the Belsen Trial, held at 30 Lindenstrasse, L�neberg, she was hanged at Hamelin Goal on Friday, December 13, 1945, by the British executioner, Albert Perrepoint. As she stood composed on the gallows, she spoke one last word as the white hood was pulled down over her head, "Schnell (Quick)" she whispered. Once when home on a short leave from Auschwitz, she was beaten and turned out of the house by her father for proudly wearing her camp guard uniform. A cruel sadist, she was said to have had love affairs with Dr. Josef Mengele and the Belsen camp commandant, Josef Kramer. Her body was buried in the Hamelin Goal prison yard but later reburied in the Am Wehl Cemetery.
ILSE KOCH (1906-1967)
A medical doctor at the Ravensbruck concentration camp she carried out experiments on female prisoners by oil and evipan injections, then removing limbs and other vital organs. She then rubbed dirt, sawdust and ground down glass into the wounds to simulate battle wounds of German soldiers in the hope of finding better cures. At the Nuremberg Medical Trials in 1946 and 1947 she was sentenced to twenty years in prison but served only ten years before being released in April, 1952. She then set up practice as a family doctor in Stocksee, Schleswig-Holstein, but her license to practice medicine was revoked in 1958 after a Ravensbruck survivor recognised her. She died on January 24, 1978, aged sixty-seven.
VALENTINA BILIEN
A German national, at one time married to a Russian and formally a teacher in Russia. In 1944, she was appointed to the post of matron at a newly established children's home in Velpke, a village near Helmstedt, Germany. She had no previous experience whatever in running a children's clinic. Assisted by four Polish and Russian girls, the health of the infants soon deteriorated to the extent that within months more than eighty children died through gross negligence. The infants had been forcibly removed from their Polish mothers (who were working on farms as slave labour) at four months old. At a British Military Court, held at Brunswick in March/April, 1946, Frau Valentina Bilien was found guilty of a war crime and sentenced to 15 years imprisonment.
HERMINE BRAUNSTEINER
Female guard in various camps, and one-time supervisor of the Ravensbr�ck concentration camp and later served in the extermination camp of Maidanek in Poland. While at Maidanek she enjoyed ordering women to lie down and then trampling them with her hobnailed boots. In 1949, she served three years in prison in Austria for infanticide. After her release she was granted an amnesty from further prosecution in that country. In 1959 she married an American electrical engineer named Russell Ryan and settled in New York. An Austrian citizen, born in Vienna in 1919, she was granted US citizenship in 1963, this was revoked in 1973 when a warrant for her arrest was issued in Dusseldorf, her real identity being discovered by the famous Nazi hunter Simon Wiesenthal. Arrested by US marshals she was held without bail before being sent back to Germany. At her trial in Germany she was sentenced to life imprisonment, the first US citizen to be extradited for war crimes. Hermine Braunsteiner Ryan was released from prison in 1990 and died in April 1999 from diabetes.
HERTA OBERHEUSER
Born May 15, in Cologne. Dr Oberheuser she was a physician at the Ravensbruck Concentration Camp. Her speciality was performing gruesome and lethal experiments on 86 female prisoners, who were kept fully conscious until the last moment. 74 of these victims were Polish nationals. She was the only female defendant at the Medical Trial at Nuremberg. She received a sentence of 20 years but was released 1958 and set up a practice as a family doctor in Stocksee, Germany. Her license was revoked in 1958 by the German government. She died in January, 1978, at the age of 66.
UNITY MITFORD (1914-1948)
'Bobo' to her friends, and one of six children of the second Baron Redesdale (David Ogilvy Freeman-Mitford). She was introduced to Hitler in 1935 while studying art in Munich. This 21-year-old British aristocrat became his frequent companion and supporter and together with Eva Braun, often stayed at Winifred Wagner's house during the Bayreuth Festival. She often discussed with Hitler the need for good relations between their two countries but the German Fuhrer declined to discuss politics with her. When Britain declared war on Germany, Unity's dreams were shattered and she tried to commit suicide by shooting herself in the head while sitting on a bench in the Englisher Garten in Munich. Severely wounded, she was hospitalized on Hitler's orders and for months lay in a state of coma. Hitler visited her twice in room 202 in the Nussbaumstrasse Clinic but she showed no sign of recognition. On April 16, 1940, she was sent back to England in a special railway carriage via Switzerland. Back in England it was considered too dangerous to operate due to the position of the bullet in her head. Nothing more was heard of Unity Valkyrie Mitford till the end of the war. She died on May 28, 1948, of meningitis, never having fully recovered from the gunshot wound. She is buried in the graveyard of St. Mary's Church in the village of Swinbrook.
Unity's sister, Diana, married Brian Guinness of the Irish brewing family. When later they divorced, Diana studied fascism and joined the British Union of Fascists. There she met its leader, Sir Oswald Mosley and they married in secret in 1936 in the Berlin home of Nazi propaganda chief, Joseph Goebbels. Adolf Hitler was one of the guests.
ANNE FRANK (1929-1945)
German-Jewish girl who hid from the Gestapo in a loft in Amsterdam for two years. Born in Frankfurt on June 12, 1929, daughter of businessman Otto Frank. The Frank family, Otto, his wife, daughters Margot and Anne, left Frankfurt for Amsterdam in the summer of 1933. The German army invaded Holland in May, 1940, and in 1942 the Franks went into hiding when the Gestapo started rounding up the Jews. On August 4, 1944, their hiding place was betrayed by a family friend. Anne and her family were arrested and imprisoned in Westerbork. On September 3, 1944, they embarked on a three day journey, along with 1,019 other Jews, to Auschwitz in Poland. On arrival, 549 of the deportees were immediately gassed. Some weeks later, Anne and her sister Margot were sent back to Germany to the Belsen concentration camp where Margot died of typhus at the beginning of March 1945. Anne died a few days later. Anne's mother died in Auschwitz on January 6, 1945.
Anne's diary, found in the hiding place after their arrest, was returned to her father, Otto Frank, who survived the war. When published, it caused a sensation. Translated into thirty two languages it became a successful stage play and film. Today, the secret hiding place in the house at 263 Prinsengracht by the Prinsengracht Canal, has become a place of pilgrimage and is visited by thousands every month.
ILSE ST�BE
Working in the German Foreign Office, 31 year old Ilse St�be became involved with the Red Orchestra spy organization. Early in 1941, under her code name 'Alta', she warned the Soviet leaders of a planed attack on their country. She also wrote various anti-Nazi articles in a newspaper in Switzerland and elsewhere. Her warnings were intercepted by the Gestapo and Stobe was arrested. At her trial she was charged with treason, found guilty and sentenced to death. In the evening of December 22, 1942, at 8.27pm she was executed by guillotine in Berlin's Plotzensee Prison along with ten other members of the spy ring. Ilse St�be was the only woman to be featured on a special coin issued by the East German Ministry of State (Stasi) to commemorate important spies in Communist service during the war. In 1949, the Soviet Union posthumously awarded her the 'Order of the Red Banner'. Today, Germany is considering honouring her name by placing her name on its list of 'active resistance fighters'.
EDITH STEIN (1891-1942)
Born in Breslau (now Wroclaw in Poland) the seventh child of Siegfried and Auguste Stein a Jewish timber merchant. She rejected Judaism and became a Catholic nun on January 1, 1922 and in 1932 she was appointed lecturer at the German Institute of Scientific Pedagogy, a post from which she was dismissed because of her Jewish parents. She then entered the Carmelite Convent in Cologne as Sister Teresa Benedicta. In the elections of 1933 she refused to vote and was prohibited from voting in the elections of 1938. Transferred to a convent at Echt in Holland, she and her sister Rosa were arrested by the Gestapo when Germany invaded that country. Interned in the Westerbork transit camp with many other Jews, they were sent to Auschwitz where on August 9, 1942, they were put to death in the recently built gas chambers. Edith Stein was later proclaimed a saint by Pope John Paul 11, an act which infuriated many Jews who think that she is not an appropriate representative of Jewish victims. (Of the seven members of her immediate family, four died in concentration camps.)
VERA ATKINS19808-2000
Of Jewish decent, Vera was born Vera Maria Rosenberg in Bucharest, Romania. on June 16, 1908. Her family moved to London in 1933. At the outbreak of war Vera, who spoke perfect French, joined the S.O.E. (Special Operations Executive) as assistant to Colonel Maurice Buckmaster, head of the French Section. She briefed all secret agents before being sent to France and personally watched as they took off from a secret airfield. Of around 400 agents she waved goodbye to, 118 were listed as missing when France was liberated in 1944. After the war, she went to Germany to investigate the fate of the missing agents. She was successful in 117 cases. Vera, who had changed her name to Atkins (Her mother's maiden name) died on June 24, 2000 in Hastings, England, aged 92. She was honoured with the French title 'Commandant of the Legion of Honour'. Her remains are buried in the Zennor Churchyard in Cornwall.
MILDRED ELIZABETH GILLARS (1901-1988)
An American citizen born in Portland, Maine, she studied music in Germany in the 1920s and taught English at the Berlitz Language School in Berlin. During World War II she broadcast Nazi propaganda from a Berlin radio station. Aimed at American GIs, she was soon nicknamed "Axis Sally" by the Allied troops. Her last broadcast was on May 6, 1945. Arrested after the war by the US Counter-Intelligence Corps, she was flown back to America and after a six-week trial sentenced to twelve years in prison for treason in the Federal Reformatory for Women in Alderson, West Virginia, where she converted to Catholicism. Paroled in 1961, she started teaching German, French and Music in a Roman Catholic school in Columbus, Ohio. In 1973 she completed her bachelor's degree in speech at the age of seventy-two. Five years later she died of colon cancer.
MAGDA GOEBBELS (1901-1945)
Johanna Maria Magdalena Goebbels, First Lady of the Third Reich and wife of Propaganda Minister and Gauleiter of Berlin, Joseph Goebbels. In 1930 she divorced her first husband, millionaire Gunter Quandt, from whom she was granted the custody of their son, Harald, four thousand marks monthly allowance and fifty-thousand marks to purchase a house. She eventually leased a seven room luxury top floor apartment at 2, Adolf Hitler Platz, (Later Reichskanzler Platz, now Theodore Heuss Platz) in Charlottenburg, Berlin. She became secretary to Goebbels whom she married on December 12, 1931. In the Bunker with Hitler during the last days of the war, she committed the unpardonable sin of poisoning her six children, Helga, Hilda, Helmut, Holde, Hedda and Heide. SS Doctor Kunz gave the children an injection of morphine to help them sleep but could not face up the act of giving poison to the sleeping children. Hitler's personal physician, Dr Stumpfegger, was called in and he, with the help of Magda, opened the mouths of the children and slipped an ampoule of cyanide between their teeth. Magda and her husband then committed suicide in the garden of the Reich Chancellery. A great admirer of Hitler, she decided to name all her children with a name beginning with H. Earlier, Magda had confided to her trusted friend, her sister-in-law, Ello Quandt, "In the days to come Joseph will be regarded as one of the greatest criminals Germany has ever produced. The children will hear that daily, people would torment them, despise and humiliate them. We will take them with us, they are too good, too lovely for the world which lies ahead".
Madga's stepfather, Richard Friedlaender, whom her mother, Auguste Behrend, had divorced when she was young, was Jewish. He was arrested and imprisoned in the Buchenwald concentration camp where he died a year later in 1939. Prior to his suicide, Hitler named Joseph Goebbels to succeed him as German Chancellor. He held the position for only one day before he committed suicide together with his wife and six children.
LIDA BAAROVA (1914-2000)
Czech film actress, born Ludmila Babkova in Prague on September 7, 1914. Mistress to Goebbels during the late thirties whom she first met in 1936 during the Berlin Olympics when Lida was 21 years old. The affair ended in 1938 when his wife Magda demanded a divorce and Hitler ordered that he give up the actress. A reconciliation between Goebbels and Magda took place when Lida returned to Czechoslovakia under 'advice' from the Gestapo. When the war ended she served 16 months in prison on account of her Nazi past. In later years Lida lived in Salzburg, under the name Lida Lundwall. In 1970 she had married her second husband, Kurt Lundwall, a gynaecologist. She died in Salzburg at the age of 86 on October 27, 2000, from Parkinson's disease. Her body was cremated and the ashes interred in the Strasnice Cemetery in Prague, Czech Republic. She was never forgiven in her native land for her affair with Goebbels. In 1995 she had her autobiography "The Sweet Bitterness Of My Life" published.
EMMY G�RING (1893-1973)
Born in Hamburg as Emmy Sonnemann she became a well known actress at the National Theatre in Weimar. She divorced her first husband, actor Karl K�stlin, and became Hermann G�ring's second wife on April 10, 1935. Adolf Hitler acted as best man. In 1937 she gave birth to a daughter and named her Edda, believed to be after Mussolini's daughter, Countess Ciano, who had spent some time at their home Karinhall, a hunting lodge north of Berlin. In 1948, a German denazification court convicted her of being a Nazi and sentenced her to one year in jail. When she was released, thirty percent of her property was confiscated and she was banned from the stage for five years. She was unable to revive her acting career so she moved to Munich with her daughter Edda and lived in a small apartment until she died on June 8, 1973. Edda, believing that her father was wrongly judged by the Allies, became active in the neo-Nazi movement and attends many of their meetings and reunions.
BETINA Goering
Great-Niece of Herman Goering. She chose to be voluntary sterilised, along with her brother, to ensure the family name of Goring did not continue. "In do not want to raise another monster" she said. She left Germany after the war and settled in a remote house in Sante Fe, New Mexico, where she now practises oriental medicine.
EDDA CIANO
Eldest daughter of the Italian dictator Benito Mussolini. In 1941, Edda was serving on board the Italian hospital ship 'Po' as a Red Cross nurse when it was hit by an aerial torpedo from a British plane while in harbour at Valona and sank. She was rescued from the water. Her husband was Count Galeazzo Ciano, her father's Foreign Minister. He was later found guilty of treason by voting against his father-in-law and was executed by firing squad along with seventeen other Fascist leaders after their trial in Verona in 1944. After Ciano's execution Edda disavowed her father and fled to Switzerland where she was interned. While there she wrote to her father 'You are no longer my father for me. I renounce the name Mussolini' Returning to Rome after the war she was sentenced to two years imprisonment for 'aiding fascism'. She then went to France where she wrote her memoirs 'My Testimony'. She never reached a reconciliation with her mother Donna Rachele. Her father, Benito, and his mistress, Clara Petacci, died in an execution style murder by partisans on April 28, 1945. Countess Edda Ciano died on April 10, 1995 at age 84.
EMILIE SCHINDLER (1907-2001)
Wife of Czech-born German industrialist, Oskar Schindler, who, together with her husband, saved 1,100 Jewish workers from the Holocaust. Born in a German speaking village in what is now the Czech Republic, she married Oskar in 1928 and in 1942 moved to Krakow in Poland. There they established a factory at Plaszow, later at Brunnlitz in Czechoslovakia, producing domestic kitchen utensils and employing over 1,100 Jews who they planned to save. Food was the main problem and Emilie worked day and night to procure food for their workers. In 1949 Oskar and Emilie moved to Argentina where she was abandoned by her husband who returned to Germany with his mistress in 1957 and died there in 1974. Emilie returned to Germany in July, 2001, with the intention of settling down in a retirement home in Bavaria but suffered a stroke and died in a hospital near Berlin in October 2001. She was 94 years old. In 1993, Emilie Schindler was awarded the honour of 'Righteous Gentile' by the Yad Vashen Holocaust Memorial in Jerusalem. (Oskar Schindler is buried in the Catholic Cemetery, on Mount Zion, Jerusalem.) The youngest of the 1,100 jews saved, Leon Leyson, died on January 12, 2012, in California. He was aged 83.
The title 'Righteous Gentile' has now been changed to 'Righteous Person'. Up till 1999 there were 16,552 names on this list.
ILSE HIRSCH
Born in the industrial town of Hamm in 1922 she joined the BDM at age sixteen and soon became one of its principle organizers in the town of Monschau. She trained at H�lchrath Castle for her part in Operation Carnival, the assassination of the American appointed Burgermeister of Aachen, the first German city to fall to the Allies. Dropped by parachute near the outskirts, the five man and one woman team made their way into the city guided by Hirsch who knew the area well.
At 251, Eupener Strasse, lived Franz Oppenhoff, a forty-one year old lawyer, his wife Irmgard and their three children. Oppenhoff had recently been appointed chief Burgomeister by the Americans and by accepting this appointment he had signed his own death warrant. Regarded as a traitor by the Nazi resistance movement, the so-called Werewolves, he was a prime candidate for assassination. Guided by Hirsch to the house, the actual murder was carried out by the leader of the team, SS Lt. Wenzel and their radio operator, Sepp Leitgeb, who fired the fatal shot as Oppenhoff stood on the steps of his residence. Ilse Hirsch took no part in the actual assassination but acted only as guide and lookout. Making their escape from the city, Hirsch caught her foot on a trip-wire attached to a buried mine which severely injured her knee and killed her companion, Sepp Leitgeb. Spending a long time in hospital she eventually returned to her home in Euskirchen. After the war, the survivors of the assassination team, with the exception of SS Lt. Wenzel, were tracked down and arrested. At the Aachen 'Werewolf Trial' in October, 1949, all were found guilty and sentenced to from one to four years in prison. Ilse and one other team member were set free. In 1972, Ilse Hirsch was happily married, the mother of two teenage boys and living only a score of miles from the scene of the most momentous event in her life.
KITTY SCHMIDT (1882-1954)
Owner of Berlin's top brothel the "Pension Schmidt" located at 11, Giesebrecht Strasse. It was later renamed "Salon Kitty" when taken over by the S.D. (Secret Service). It became the very epitome of relaxation for high ranking officers and visiting diplomats. Fitted out with hidden microphones, this sophisticated surveillance system became the main source of Gestapo intelligence. Twenty women were specially trained for work in Salon Kitty. During a bombing raid in 1944, Salon Kitty was badly damaged and was moved down to the ground floor. Kitty Schmidt died in Berlin in 1954 at the age of seventy two. Next door, at No. 12, was the apartment of Ernst Kaltenbrunner, head of the SD.
In 1988, the former "Salon Kitty" was in use as a Guitar Studio!
GERDA BORMANN
Wife of Martin Bormann, head of Party Chancellery. A fanatical adherent to Nazi ideology, she bore her husband ten children, the first being named Adolf, after his god-father. Of her husbands mistress, Manja Behrens, she wrote "See to it that one year she has a child and next year I have a child, so that you will always have a wife who is serviceable". After the war, the search for Gerda Borman ended when she was located in the village of Wolkenstein, twenty kilometres north east of Bolzano. With her were fourteen children, nine of her own and five who were kidnapped by her husband in order that his wife could travel posing as the director of a children's home.
In her final days Gerda converted to the Catholic faith and when found was ill from cancer and was operated on in Bolzano Civil Hospital. She died in March 1946. The five kidnapped children were returned to their parents and her own children placed in Roman Catholic homes. Her husband, Martin Borman, is believed to have committed suicide, along with Dr Stumpfegger, during their attempt to escape the bunker and his remains were discovered in 1972. His family refused to have anything to do with the bones so they lay in a cardboard box in the cellar of the District Prosecutor in Frankfurt for years. In 1999 the remains (still unclaimed) were cremated and the urn, containing the ashes, dropped in the Baltic Sea outside German territorial limits. The cremation and burial cost the German Government $4,700.
GERTRUD von HEIMERDINGER
Daughter of a Prussian aristocrat, she was employed in the German Foreign Office as assistant Chief of the Diplomatic Courier Section. An anti-Nazi, she secretly arranged for special passes to enable diplomat Fritz Kolbe (the main Allied source of intelligence) to make frequent trips to Switzerland to pass on information to Allen Dulles, head of American O.S.S.
GERTRUUD SEYSS-INQUART
Wife of the Nazi Reichskommissar for Holland, Dr. Arthur Seyss-Inquart. She fled Holland on September 3, 1944, a day before her husband made it an offence for anyone to leave. She was last seen leaving The Hague with five suitcases, bound for Salzburg in Austria.
CORRIE TEN BOOM
Heroin of the Dutch resistance, Cornelia Ten Boom was born in Haarlem on April 15, 1892. She grew up to become the first woman in Holland to qualify as a watchmaker. Up till 1940 she ran the Haarlem Girls Clubs and also founded a Christian organization for girls with thousands of members in Holland and in Indonesia. When Germany invaded Holland in May,1940, the Boom family, all devout Christians, collaborated with the resistance in helping Jews escape the clutches of the Gestapo. A small room was built behind the walls of their house in which many Jews hid during the police searches. In doing so she saved many Jews from certain death at the hands of the Gestapo. As with the Anne Frank saga, a member, believed to be a friend, reported the Boom family to the Gestapo. Arrested and imprisoned at Scheveningen, Corie's father died ten days later. He was 84 years old. Corrie and her sister were later moved to the Ravensbruck concentration camp near Berlin where her sister 'Betsie' died just a few weeks before Christmas, 1944. Due to a clerical error, Corrie was released on December 31, 1944 and after the war started rehabilitation work with Holocaust victims and other camp survivors. For over fifty years, Corrie travelled the world telling of her experiences and wrote her own story in a book titled 'The Hiding Place' which was made into a movie. In 1977, Corrie settled in California, USA, and there in 1983, died on her 91st birthday on April 15.
JOHANNA KIRCHNER
Born in Frankfurt-on-Main in 1889, she became a member of the Socialist Young Workers movement. In 1933 she helped many Jews and others to flee the Reich. In 1935, she aided those engaged in resistance work, from her home in Alsace. After the capitulation of France in 1940, she was arrested by the Vichy Government and handed over to the Gestapo. Brought before the People's Court in Berlin in 1943, she was sentenced to ten years penal servitude. In 1944 the case was reopened and the death sentence pronounced. On June 9, 1944, she was executed in Pl�tzensee Prison, Berlin. In her last letter she wrote "Be cheerful and brave, a better future lies before you."
ERNA GRUHN
A shorthand typist with the Reich Egg Marketing Board, she married Hitler's Minister of War, Field Marshal Werner von Blomberg. The F�hrer and G�ring were witnesses at the wedding on January 12, 1938. When the police reported that Erna had worked as a prostitute and had posed for pornographic pictures, Hitler flew into a rage and sacked von Blomberg on the spot. The disgraced Field Marshal and his wife retired to the Bavarian village of Weissee where they lived out the war and where the Field Marshal now lies buried in the local cemetery.
MARGARETE BODEN
Daughter of a West Prussian landowner, blonde and blue eyed, Marga, as she was called, worked as a nurse in the first World War, then went to live in Berlin. There she met and married Heinrich Himmler on July 3, 1928 and set up a chicken farm at Waldtrudering, near Munich. Eight years older then Himmler, their marriage ran into financial problems and they started to live apart. They had one child, a daughter named Gudrun.
HEDWIG POTTHAST
Attractive daughter of a Cologne businessman, she became secretary to Himmler and later his mistress when he lost all affection for Marga, his wife. In 1942, Hedwig gave birth to her first child, her second was born in 1944, another daughter. Himmler, not wishing the scandal of a divorce, borrowed 80,000 marks from the Party Chancellery and built a house for Hedwig at Schonau, near Berchtesgaden. They called it 'Haus Schneewinkellehen'. There she became friends with Bormann's wife Greda, who lived nearby.
INGE LEY
A ravishing blonde and much admired by Hitler. Wife of the drunkard Robert Ley, head of the Arbeitsfront, with whom she was very unhappy. An actress and ballerina by profession, she once took refuge from her husband in the Obersalzberg. After writing a letter to Hitler, which left him very depressed, she attempted suicide in 1943 by jumping out of a window. On October 24, 1945, her husband committed suicide while awaiting trial at Nuremberg. He had knotted together a sling from the zip-fasteners of his army jacket and hanged himself from the toilet in his cell. His suicide note stated that he could "no longer bear the shame." The villa of Robert and Inge Ley still stands on the Mehringdamm in Berlin's suburb of Templehof. (In the state of Bavaria, on June 3, 1947, all the wives of those prominent Nazi leaders who were imprisoned or executed at Nuremberg, were arrested and taken to a camp at G�ggingen, near Augsburg)
HELENE MAYER
Daughter of physician Dr. Ludwig Mayer of Offenbach. In 1930, she became Germany's woman fencing champion. Soon after Hitler came to power, his Propaganda Minister, Joseph Goebbels, portrayed Helena Mayer, now a national heroine, as the perfect specimen of German womanhood. Tall, blonde and blue eyed, she was described as the apotheosis of German racial purity. The campaign was abruptly abandoned when it was discovered that Helene had a Jewish father and grandparents. She went to the USA to study international law but was invited to take part in the 1936 Olympics in Berlin where she won a silver medal. After the Olympics she settled in the US and became an American citizen winning the US Women's National Fencing Championship eight times. In 1952 she returned to Germany and married an engineer from Stuttgart. She died after a long illness on October 15, 1953.
NINA, COUNTESS SCHENK von STAUFFENBERG
Born Elizabeth Magdalena 'Nina' von Lerchenfeld in Kovno, then part of Russia, now Kaunas, Lithuania, on August 27, 1913. Daughter of the German consul-general she first met Claus Stauffenberg at the age of sixteen while in boarding school. They were married in 1933 and during the next seven years produced four children. Arrested after the failed July 20, 1944 attempt on Hitler's life, in which she was not involved, she was imprisoned in the notorious Alexanderplatz prison in Berlin, where she gave birth to her fifth child, Konstance, on January 17, 1945. All her children were taken from her and put into a children's home, under the false surname of 'Meister' in Sachsa, Thuringia, to await adoption procedures into National Socialist family homes. The imminent end of the war prevented this fate. Spared the fate of other family members, Nina was later transferred to the Ravensbruck concentration camp where she was rescued by the Soviet forces at war's end. Eventually, the children were re-united with their mother on the Stauffenberg family seat in Lautlingen. Her eldest son, Berthold, became a general in the post war German Army. Nina von Stauffenberg died on Sunday, April 9, 2006, at Bamberg in Bavaria, at the age of 92.
IRMGARD KEUN
Born in Berlin in 1905, this German novelist had her books banned by the Nazis when she criticized them for their defamation of German womanhood. In 1933 her books were confiscated and burned and newspapers were forbidden to publish her short stories. Forced to emigrate to Holland so she could continue her writing, she again went back to Germany in secret when the Nazis invaded the Netherlands. In Cologne she went underground and began writing again making no secret of her opposition to the Nazis. After the war nothing was heard of her till 1976 when she was discovered living in poverty in an attic room in Bonn. She had spent six years in a Bonn hospital and four and a half months in the state hospital for alcoholism. In 1972 her books were republished and she died of a lung tumour on May 5, 1982.
RENATA MUELLER
A film actress and singer, one of Hitler's earlier infatuations. The relationship did not last long. After spending an evening in the Chancellery where, as Renata confided to her director Adolf Zeissler, Hitler threw himself on the floor and begged her to kick him and inflict pain. Shortly after this experience, Renata Mueller was found unconscious on the pavement in front of her hotel, forty feet below the window of her room. Renate's sister, Gabriel, maintains that she did not commit suicide but that she died from complications following an operation to her leg at the Augsburger Strasse Clinic.
HELENE BECHSTEIN
Wife of wealthy piano manufacturer Carl Bechstein. Hitler was often invited to their Berlin home where she lavished maternal affection on him. The Bechstein's donated large sums of money to the Party and to help Hitler's career by introducing him to influential people. It was Helene who introduced him to Berchtesgaden where they had a villa. It was always her expectation that Hitler would marry her daughter, Lotte.
MARIA (MITZI) REITER
Born in 1911, the youngest of four daughters of the co-founder of the Social Democratic Party in Berchtesgaden. She met Hitler while exercising her sister's dog in the Kurpark in 1926. She later visited him in his Munich apartment and the friendship developed. But in 1927, when she heard that Hitler was courting another girl, his niece Geli Raubal, blind jealousy drove her to attempt suicide. The attempt failed. In 1930, she married an innkeeper in Innsbruck and divorced him some years later. Her second marriage was to SS Hauptsturmfuhrer Georg Kubisch. In 1938 she met Hitler again , and when Kubisch was killed at Dunkirk during the French campaign he sent her one hundred red roses. There was no further contact between them. After the war, Maris Reiter Kubisch lived for a while with Hitler's sister Paula and found work as a maid in a hotel. In 1977 she was living in Munich.
MARTHA DODD
Daughter of the US Ambassador in Berlin (1933-1937) Professor William E. Dodd. She was very much attracted to Hitler and was invited to have tea with him at the Kaiserhof Hotel on a number of occasions. She once declared that she was in love with him and wanted to organize a tour of the US for him. This did not meet with the approval of G�ring, who spread the rumour that Martha was a Soviet agent (she had visited Moscow and Leningrad in July, 1934). Hitler refused to see her again and banned her from all future diplomatic receptions. Soon after, reports circulated that Martha Eccles Dodd had attempted suicide by slashing her wrists. No details of this has survived, it is possible that the affair has been hushed up 'diplomatically'.
In 1938 she married American millionaire investment broker, Alfred Kaufman Stern and became active in left wing politics working closely with Vassili Zubilin, second secretary of the Soviet Embassy in Washington. Attracting the attention of the McCarthy House un-American Activities Committee, the Sterns fled to Cuba and then to Prague, Czechoslovakia. Alfred Stern died in Prague in 1986 and Martha Dodd Stern died in August 1990 at the age of 82.
MILDRED FISH-HARNACK
Born in Milwaukee, USA, on September 16, 1902, daughter of merchant William Cooke Fish. In 1926, she married the German Rockefeller scholar Arvid Harnack whom she met while studying literature at Wisconsin University. She insisted on keeping her maiden name. In 1929 she and her husband moved to Germany where she taught American literature history at the University of Berlin. In Berlin, she became friends with Martha Dodd and through this friendship, she and her husband were often invited to receptions at the American Embassy where she met many influential Germans. When the war started, Arvid and Mildred supported the resistance movement against the Nazi regime through their friendship with Harro Schulze-Boysen and the spy ring the Nazis dubbed 'The Red Orchestra.'
On September 7, 1942, she and her husband were arrested while on a short vacation in Priel, a seaside town near K�nigsberg and taken to Gestapo headquarters at No. 8, Prinz-Albrecht-Strasse, Berlin. At their trial on December 15-19, 1942, Mildred was sentenced to six years in prison for 'helping to prepare high treason and espionage'. Arvid and eight others were given the death sentence and on December 22 Arvid and three others were hanged from meat hooks suspended from a T-bar across the ceiling of the execution chamber at Pl�tzensee Prison. The others were beheaded by the guillotine. On December 21, Hitler reversed the sentence on Mildred and at her second trial on January 13/16, 1943, she was given the ultimate penalty, death. At 6.57pm on February 16, 1943, Mildred Elizabeth Harnack, nee Fish, was beheaded by guillotine in Pl�tzensee, the only American woman to be executed for treason in World War II. Her last words were reported to be "and I loved Germany so much." By September, 1943, most of the members of the 'Red Orchestra' had died, two by suicide, eight by hanging and forty-one beheaded by guillotine. The well known writer, Adam Kuckhoff, his wife Grete and pianist Helmut Roloff were among the few survivors. In January, 1970, the Russians posthumously awarded Arvid Harnack the Order of the Red Banner, and Mildred, the Order of the Fatherland War, First Class, the highest civilian award. Sadly, in the US the Harnacks were forgotten.
MARLENE DIETRICH
Born Maria Magdalena Dietrich in the Schoneberg district of Berlin on December 27, 1901. Started a career in minor films, her big break came in October, 1929 when she screen tested for the part of Lola in 'The Blue Angel'. The film premiered at the Gloria Palast in Berlin on April 1, 1930. When Hitler came to power she was asked to broadcast Nazi propaganda. She refused and fled to the USA where on January 4, 1941, she became a naturalized American citizen. During WWII she spent much of her time entertaining US troops around the world and selling war bonds as well as doing anti-Nazi propaganda broadcasts aimed at German soldiers. Her singing of the famous song 'Lili Marlene' was a favourite of both Allied and Axis troops.
In 1960 she returned to Germany for a series of concerts, one at which she was pelted with rotted tomatoes and called a traitor. She vowed never to return. In her later years she moved to Paris and became a recluse. She died on May 6, 1992, aged 90. Her last wish was to be buried beside her mother in Friedhof 111 at Friedenau, Berlin. She married Rudolpf 'Rudy' Seber in 1924, a marriage which lasted until her husband's death in 1979 and with whom she had a daughter, Maria Riva.
ZARAH LEANDER
Soon after Marlene Dietrich fled to America, Zarah Leander became the toast of Nazi Germany. Singer, dancer and actress, Zarah was born in Sweden and being fluent in German was employed by UFA in Berlin where she completed ten films. Her continuous role in German films reflected the strong support she had from the Nazi hierarchy. She became Germany's highest paid actress which did not please the propaganda minister Joseph Geobbels, who thought that a German born actress should have filled this role. A great favourite of Hitler, and despite her love of aquavit, her independent attitude, and her insistence that half her salary be paid in Swedish kroner, she soon came to be known as the 'Diva of the Third Reich'. Although she never socialized with Nazi party members she was shunned when she first returned to Sweden but eventually managed to land roles on the Swedish stage but never regained the popularity she enjoyed before the war and in her years working in Germany. In her film 'Die Grosse Liebe' the director could not fine suitable female actors to match her build and looks, so, believe it or not, some SS men appeared in drag and with proper make-up and wigs, took part in a dance scene. (Born in Karlstad, Sweden in March, 1907, Zarah Leander died in Stockholm in June, 1981
GERTRUD SCHOLTZ-KLINK
Born in Aelsheim in 1902, married three times she bore eleven children, six from her first husband. She became Leader of the Nazi Women's Group, responsible for directing all women's organizations during the Nazi era including the Frauenwerk (a federal organization of women) Women's League of the Red Cross and the Women's Labour Front. She maintained that the traditional place for women in the Third Reich, in which women had little influence, was symbolized by the slogan 'Kinder, Kirche, Kuche' (Children, Church, Kitchen). When she visited the United Kingdom in 1939, she was billed as the 'Perfect Nazi Woman'. Arrested in 1948 by the French police she served eighteen months in prison for working under an assumed name and forging documents. Released from prison in 1953 she settled in Bebenhausen where she died on March 24, 1999. In 1950 the German Government banned her from public office. Her book 'A Woman in the Third Reich' was published in 1978.
GERDA CHRISTIAN
Born in Berlin in 1913, she became one of Hitler's secretaries from 1933 to 1945. She was married to General Eckard Christian, Chief of Staff to the Luftwaffe whom she divorced in 1946. Gerda was previously married to Erich Kempka, Hitler's private chauffeur. (Her maiden name was Daranowsky.) After the war she settled in D�sseldorf but has remained noncommittal about her time in the court of the German F�hrer.
GERTRUD SEELE (1917-1945)
Nurse and social worker, she was born in Berlin on September 22, 1917, and served for a time in the Nazi Labour Corps. She then turned to a career in public health and social service. Arrested in 1944 for helping Jews to escape Nazi persecution, and for 'defeatist statements designed to undermine the morale of the people'. She was tried before the People's Court in Potsdam and executed in Pl�tzensee Prison, Berlin, on January 12, 1945.
GERTRUD WIJSMULLER
A Dutch national who, when hearing of the German threat to refuse permission for the refugee Children's Transports to cross the border into Holland, went to Vienna and confronted Adolf Eichmann, head of the Central Bureau for Jewish Emigration. She persuaded him to issue a collective exit visa for 600 Austrian Jewish children. The children eventually arrived in England. In all, Gertrud Wijsmuller organized a total of forty-nine transports to Britain. Another transport she organized, her 50th, was from the port of Danzig on August 24, 1939. On September 1 Germany invaded Poland and occupied Danzig. Back in Holland, Gertrud continued to help in the transfer of Jewish children to England until May 10, 1940, when Germany invaded the Netherlands. After Kristallnacht, over 9,000 German, Austrian and Czech Jewish children were brought to Britain by these Kindertransports. The first transport arrived in Harwich on December 1, 1938.
CHRISTINE GRANVILLE
Born in Poland, Krystyna was the daughter of Count Jerzey Skarbek. Became involved in espionage and sabotage after the German invasion of her country. Christine and her husband escaped to England and were recruited by the S.O.E. (Special Operations Executive) and in July, 1944, she was parachuted into France to join up with the 'Jockey' Network under the codename 'Jacqueline'. When two members of the Jockey Network were arrested by the Gestapo, Lieutenant Francis Cammaerts (Roger) and one other SOE agent, Christine secured their release by bribing a Gestapo officer, Belgian Max Waem, who acted as an interpreter for the German secret police, with two million francs. The money was dropped by parachute after an urgent request to the allied headquarters in Algiers. All three escaped through Spain to England where Christine was awarded the George Medal and an OBE. Working as a salesperson in Harrods department store in London she later took up a position as stewardess on the liner SS Rauhine plying between Southampton and Australia. It was on this ship she first met Irish steward, Dennis George Muldowney, who proclaimed his love for her. Rejecting his advances, Muldowney stabbed her in the heart with a knife while visiting her at the Shelbourne Hotel in Kensington, where she lived between voyages, on June 15, 1952. Muldowney was hanged for her murder on September 30, 1952. (Christine Granville is buried in the Kensal Green Roman Catholic Cemetery)
In all, 53 S.O.E women agents were put in the field. Twelve were executed by the Gestapo and 29 were either arrested or died in concentration camps. A total of 37 women agents were sent to France by the SOE including Noor Inayat Khan. In France, life expectancy in the field was only six weeks.
NOOR INAYAT KHAN
Born on New Years Day, 1914, in Moscow. Her father was an Indian mystic and leader of the Sufi sect. Her mother was Ora Baker, a niece of Mary Baker Eddy, founder of the Christian Scientists. In England when war broke out, she joined the women's branch of the Royal Air Force (WAAF) and trained as a wireless operator using the name Nora Baker, (LAC No 424598). Later she joined the S.O.E. and under the code name 'Madeleine' was parachuted into France from a Lysander aircraft on June 16, 1943 and made contact with Cinema network in Paris. In Paris she transmitted from various addresses such as at 98, Rue La Faisanderie posing as a French woman, Jeanne Marie Regnier. Denounced by a French woman informer she was arrested and taken to Gestapo headquarters at 84 Avenue Foch, to a room on the fifth floor where she was beaten and tortured. After her escape attempt on November 25 she was taken to the reception centre at Badenvieler and then to the Karlsruhe Women's Prison, Pforzheim, where she was kept in chains until she was transferred to Dachau on September 12, 1944.
Next morning, along with three other S.O.E agents, were taken out to a sandy courtyard and told to kneel down by a wall. An SS man approached from behind and shot each one through the back of the neck. Noor Inayat Khan was posthumously awarded the George Cross, one of only three awarded to women in World War II. The others were SOE agents Odette Sansom and Violette Szabo.
VIOLETTE SZABO
Born Violette Raine Elizabeth Bushell in Paris on June 26, 1921, daughter of an English father and a French mother. In August, 1940, she married Etienne Michel Szabo a French military officer who in October, 1942, was killed in action at El Alamein. She joined the ATS (Army Territorial Service) and volunteered for special duties with SOE. Her second mission to France, under the code name 'Corinne', was on June 10, 1944, just a few days after the Normandy landings. Near Limoges, in company with Jacques Dufour, a French Maquis leader, they were involved in a gun battle with a unit of the Das Reich SS Division. Both were captured and Violette was imprisoned in Fresnes Prison near Paris prior to her transfer to the Ravensbr�ck concentration camp in company with two other agents, Denise Bloch and Lilian Rolfe. On January 26, 1945, all three were executed. In December, 1946, she was posthumously awarded the George Cross, accepted by her four year old daughter, Tania, on behalf of her mother, from King George V1. Some months later, in 1947, France posthumously awarded her the Croix de Guerre. The Violette Szabo story is dramatized in the film 'Carve Her Name With Pride'.
DENISE BLOCH
Denise Madeleine Bloch, a French citizen, was executed at the Ravensbruck concentration camp on February 5, 1945. In 1942, Denise, from a Jewish family, was recruited to work for the SOE while other French Jews were being rounded up for deportation. Trained as a wireless operator in England she was parachuted into France on March 2, 1944 and started work with fellow SOE agent, Robert Benoist in the Nantes region. Three months later, she and Benoist were arrested by the Gestapo. Benoist was executed and Denise imprisoned at Konisberg in Brandenburg before transported to Ravensbr�ck. There she was executed when only 29 years old. Two other SOE agents, Lillian Rolfe and Violette Szabo were also executed at the same time. After the war, Denise Bloch was posthumously awarded the French 'Legion of Honour' and the 'Kings Commendation for Brave Conduct' by the British.
NANCY WAKE
New Zealand born Nancy Fiocca, nee Wake, moved to Australia with her parents when she was only one year old. Became a journalist in Europe and married French industrialist Henri Fiocca. In 1940 she joined the French resistance (Maquis) She set up escape routes for hundreds of Allied soldiers and shot down airmen. Known to the Gestapo as the 'White Mouse' she escaped after her arrest in 1943 and fled over the Pyrenees to Spain and on to England. There she trained as a spy and was parachuted back into France on February 29, 1944 along with S.O.E. agent Major John Hind Farmer (Code name 'Hubert') to lead a group of resistance fighters (Maquis) to distribute weapons and sabotage German military installations. After the war she learned that her husband was killed by the Gestapo in 1943 when he refused to betray her. Returning to Australia she married former RAF pilot John Forward who died in 1997. She did not have any children. Nancy Wake received the highest decorations from the French, British and the Americans but not from Australia because she was born in New Zealand and never fought as an Australian servicewoman. She left the country in 2001. Three years later the Australian Government changed its mind and awarded her the Companion of The Order of Australia. Nancy Wake died in a London hospital on August 7, 2011, from a chest infection, she was 98.
YOLANDE BEEKMAN
Another SOE heroine of WWII was Yolande Elsa Maria Unternahrer. Born in Paris and educated in London she became fluent in English and German languages. After joining the Women's Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF) and trained as a wireless operator she was soon recruited by the 'F' section of the SOE under the control of Colonel Maurice Buckmaster. In 1943 she married Dutch army Sergeant Jaap Beekman just a short time before being dropped by parachute behind enemy lines in France. While operating the wireless for Canadian Gustave Bieler in charge of the 'Musician' network at Saint Quentin the two were arrested while they talked over a cup of coffee in the Cafe Moulin Brule. Sergeant Beekman was imprisoned but survived the war and Yolande (Codename-Mariette) transported to Fresnes prison in Paris. Interrogated and brutalized repeatedly she was then transferred to the women's prison at Karlsruhe in Germany along with three other SOE operatives. The four were then transferred to the Dachau concentration camp where at dawn on September 11th 1944, the four were taken to a small courtyard next to the crematorium and executed by a shot to the head, their bodies then burned. Yolande
ANTONINA MAKAROVA
The eldest child of the Parfenovs family. At school she forgot her last name and the teacher wrote down Makarova as her father's name was Makar. In the autumn of 1941, as German troops were approaching Moscow she volunteered to help the soldiers at the front. After the fighting had passed she took shelter in the village of Lokot. There she met up with a German policeman who offered her a job as a machine gunner with good payment. Her job was to execute partisans and traitors. Each morning she would visit the local prison and peer into the faces of those she was about to execute. The first group of prisoners she shot into a deep pit that had been previously dug. While manning the machine-gun she was absolutely drunk hardly realizing what she was doing. Later, when Soviet troops were liberating the Bryansk Region, where Antonina lived and worked, they discovered the remains of around 1,500 bodies of men, women and children whom Antonina had shot. After the war, KGB officials searched for her but drew a blank as they were searching for a Makarova, not her real name of Parfenovs. It was not until 1976 that they found a Antonina Makarova who had the last name Gunsburg, (after her marriage in 1945) At this time Antonina was a 55 year old woman with two children and living in Tepel, Belarus. Antonina was arrested and soon confessed to working for the Nazis during the war. Brought to trial the courts decision was death by shooting. Antonina Ginsburg (Makarova) was executed on August 11, 1978 the only woman ever to be executed by shooting on a court decision in the USSR.
LILY LITVAK
A legend of Russia's 'Great Patriotic War' (WW11) Born in Moscow in 1921. As a teenager she joined a local Aero Club and learned to fly. In 1942 she became a member of the 296 Fighter Division and shot down her first two German planes on her second mission while flying a YAK-1 fighter plane. During the war, she scored a total of twelve kills and was wounded three times. Lily Litvak was awarded the 'Order of the Red Banner' for her exploits. On August 1, 1943, her plane was shot down by a squadron of Messerschmit 109s while on her 168th mission. Aged only twenty-two, her remains were not found until 1979 near the village of Dmitriyevka, near Donetsk. She was given an official funeral and awarded the title 'Hero of the Soviet Union. (In all, Ninety-one women in the USSR received this award)
YELENA MAZANIK
A Native of Minsk, USSR, she was born in 1921 and at age twenty-two became a member of the Belarusian partisan movement after the Nazi invasion. She managed to get a job as housemaid to the family of Wilhelm von Kube, the Gauleiter of the district. With help from the partisans she was supplied with an explosive device which she placed under the mattress of Kube's bed. At 1.20am on September 23, 1943, the bomb exploded killing Kube, but his wife, who was in bed with her husband, survived with minor injuries. Yelena escaped the German retaliation and became a Soviet propaganda hero with the award of 'Hero of the Soviet Union'.
MADEZHDA POPOVA
Female bomber pilot of the 588th Night Bomber Regiment and Hero of the Soviet Union. She flew a 1920s vintage PO-2 two-seater biplane carrying two bombs, when she was only 19 years old. On one night she flew 18 sorties. Promoted to the rank of lieutenant-colonel she flew 852 missions. Shot down and forced to land several times she emerged one of the luckiest. Born on December 17, 1921, she was awarded many other decorations including the Order of Lenin, the Soviet Medal Of Honour, and the Order Of The Red Banner, (3 times). Madezhda Popova died on July 8, 2013, aged 91 leaving a son now a general in the Belarussian Air Force.
LUCIE ROMMEL
Wife of Field Marshal Erwin Rommel (The Desert Fox) was born on June 6, 1894. In February, 1944, the family moved into a large rented villa in the village of Herrlingen about eight kilometres west of Ulm where her husband was to spend some time on convalescent leave from the injuries he received when his staff car was strafed in France. Frau Rommel found it very strange that no one in the government or Army High Command took the trouble to telephone to inquire about his injuries. For nearly thirty years they had a good and happy life together. Lucie, her husband and their son Manfred were at home on that fateful day, Saturday, October 14, 1944, when they received a visit from the two Nazi generals, General Burgdorf and General Maisel. They told General Rommel 'You have been accused of complicity in the plot on the F�hrers life'. He was given ten minutes to say goodbye to his wife and son. Lucie, heartbroken and in tears, stayed in her room, the walls of which were covered with paintings and photographs of her husband. Downstairs, Manfred helped his father into his leather coat before a last handshake. Manfred, after studying law at Tubingen University, later became Lord Mayor of Stuttgart. On February 1, 1967, a West German Navy destroyer 'Rommel' was launched and baptised by Lucie Rommel who met her future husband while he was training at the Officer Cadet School in Danzig. Frau Lucie Rommel, born Lucia Maria Mollin, died on September 26, 1971. Neither she or her husband had Nazi Party membership.
HEDWIG HOESS
Hedwig Hoess was born Hedwig Hensel 1908 and in 1929 she met and married Rudolf Hoess. During the time he was commandant of the Auschwitz concentration camp they produced four children. To protect his family from any future 'finger pointing' he consciously lied to his wife about the goings on in the camp. They lived in a villa not far from the camp but she never made a visit to the place. No wonder then that Hedwig often referred to Auschwitz as 'paradise' as they lacked for nothing. Food and clothing were confiscated from the Jews luggage before they were gassed. In order to protect their children from future stigma and fingerprinting her husband consciously lied about his work in the camp and especially about the gassings. When she overheard comments made by Fritz Bracht, Gauleiter of Silesia, of what went on in the camp, she refused to share the same bed with her husband. Discovered living north of Flensburg with her eldest son, they were taken into custody by the British Army's 92 Field Security Section. They were interrogated for six days as to where her husband was, but she repeatedly said that he was dead. She finally relented and wrote down the address where he was living. He was at this time working as a farm labourer under the name of Franz Lang. After his arrest Hedwig Hoess and her son were released.
ROSA ROBOTA
A heroine of the Jewish resistance movement, 21 year old Rosa was sent to Auschwitz in November,1941 after her family had been liquidated. Selected as fit for slave labour she was assigned to the Personal Effects Depot (Effektenslager) There she made friends with other girls working in the munitions factory especially in the 'Pulveraum' (Powder Room). She encouraged them to steal minute quantities of the gunpowder which she passed on to male members of the underground. This was how the men of the Sonderkommando Squad 59 B (those whose duty was to remove the bodies from the gas chamber and then into the incinerating ovens) armed themselves prior to the uprising. On October 7, 1944, Cermatorium IV at Auschwitz was blown apart something the British and American air forces were unable to do. Three days later, Rosa and three other suspected underground fighters were arrested and interrogated, beaten and tortured for the next three months. On January 6, 1945, Rosa and her three friends were hanged. Two were hanged before the assembled day shift and two were hanged before the assembled night shift. Eleven days later the Germans evacuated Auschwitz prior the Soviet occupation. Thousands of Jews living today owe their being to the bravery of Rosa and her accomplices who had summoned the courage to resist the months of inhumane treatment without revealing the identities of their accomplices. (Jewish prisoner, Salman Leventhal, recorded these events in small notebooks which he buried in the ground near Crematorium 111. The jar containing these notebooks was discovered on October 17, 1962)
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What was Morecambe and Wise's signature tune | Morecambe & wise | Heatwave: The 20 best songs about summer & sunshine - Music
Music
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No 4: MORECAMBE AND WISE, BRING ME SUNSHINE
Bring Me Sunshine was written in 1966 by the composer Arthur Kent, with lyrics by Sylvia Dee (who wrote songs for Elvis Presley). Willie Nelson had a hit in 1968 with a version produced by Chet Atkins. A year later the song was adopted by comedians Morecambe & Wise as their signature tune in their second series for the BBC. Need a smile in the hot weather? Just think of Eric and Ernie dancing as they sing 'Bring me fun, bring me sunshine . . . bring me love'. And who can argue with that?
Credit: Rex Features
| Bring Me Sunshine |
Who sings the signature tune to Dad's Army | Bring Me Sunshine - morecambeandwise.com
Eric and Ern decide to try their luck in America, but things did not go to plan.
Bring Me Sunshine
2002 Article
The front cover
Review of 'The Play What I Wrote' from an American view point. Taken from The New Yorker magazine 2002.
The big hit of this theatrical season in London is the quick-witted comedy team The Right Size - the lanky Sean Foley and the stocky Hamish McColl, who scored Off Broadway a couple of years ago in a bit of slapstick merriment called "Do You Come Here Often?"
Now, at the Wyndham's Theatre, they are back at their stock-in-trade with some cunning hokum entitled "The Play What I Wrote," a sort of anti-homage to the late, great English double act Eric Morecambe and Ernie Wise, who teamed up in the early forties and who, from 1954 to 1984, primarily through a variety of television shows, corrupted the English public with a pleasure that made them among the most beloved comedians of the postwar era.
The show - which includes nonsense songs, surreal dance numbers, a visit from a mystery guest, and the staging of a terrible play ostensibly penned by McColl ("A Tight Squeeze for the Scarlet Pimple") - takes its energy and much of its shape from the arsenal of Morecambe and Wise's genial flimflammery, and it brings the antic spirit of English music hall into the twenty-first century.
"There are funny lines, but no funny men," Eric Morecambe told Kenneth Tynan in 1973. But Morecambe, who died in 1984, was a funny man. He was tall, bespectacled, rambunctious, and swift. Rubber-legged, he had the extra advantage of looking goofy in almost any costume, especially a posh one. He had the clowns rogue gene.
Wise, who died in 1999, did not. He was short, conventionally good-looking, and somewhat vacant. Where Morecambe was incorrigible, Wise was sedate. Light needs shadow to intensify its brilliance, and so it is with comics, which is why Dame Edna employs the deadpan Madge, and the blowhard Oliver Hardy was partnered by the Milquetoast Stan Laurel.
Wise’s pretensions to artistic and intellectual authority impelled Morecambe to take liberties; his gravity showed off Morecambe's grace. In other words, Wise was the prose that allowed Morecambe's poetry. Everything that Morecambe touched with his exaggerated gestures - his thick black glasses, his hat, the curtain (especially the curtain) - became an occasion for zany upstaging and for an exhilarating mockery of decorum. Together, like all great comedy teams - Martin and Lewis, Burns and Allen, Abbott and Costello - Morecambe and Wise cut a risible silhouette: they were a collection of physical and psychological opposites, which combined to present the world with a single comic psyche.
The brashest and most interesting conceit in "The Play What I Wrote" is that neither of the contemporary clowns wants to be Wise; both vie to be the madcap, scene-stealing Morecambe. The opening of Act II simulates the finale of the long-running TV series "The Morecambe and Wise Show," with Foley and McColl in top hats and tails dancing backward down neon-lit stairs to the signature tune "Bring Me Sunshine." When they turn to face us at the end of the number, both Foley and McColl are wearing Morecambe's black glasses. It's a great sight gag.
"The Play What I Wrote" also raises the knotty issue of which member of The Right Size is funnier, who is the ticket and who the passenger - an inevitable undercurrent both of a double act's curious symbiosis and of its neurosis. In this battle of nitwits, McColl, who apparently hasn't raised a laugh since 1997 (the legendary titter was caught on tape and is played for us), is the loser. He decides to throw in the towel and break up the team, which provides The Right Size with its own opportunity to send up theatrical artifice.
McCOLL: Sean, I'm retiring from show business.
FOLEY: You're only saying that to cheer me up.
MCCOLL: Its true.
FOLEY: Where are you going?
MCCOLL: I don't know yet.
FOLEY: Say your next line and find out.
MCCOLL: Eastbourne.
FOLEY: There you go.
But before he leaves, The Right Size - with the help of Toby Jones, a pug-nosed jack-in-the-box who bobs up variously as the show's producer, David Pugh, Daryl Hannah, and the people of France - manages some rollicking moments. As McColl gnashes his teeth about his inability to get more than "inaudible laughs" - "I am not funny, and I have no hope of ever being funny" - Foley keeps popping up behind him with cue cards to undermine the shaggy sob story: "PROFESSIONAL SUICIDE," "PATRONISE HIM," "BLOND GIRL . . . STALLS . . . ROW C . . . PIZZA HUT . . . FIVE MINUTES."
Every laugh is Foley's, but McColl magnanimously thanks the audience. "I am even grateful to Sean for giving me this moment alone with you, and not using it as an opportunity to make another cheap gag," he says. It's wonderful vaudeville folderol.
Such exercises in liberty are hard to pull off, but the level of oxygen that this evening generates is greatly increased by the deft direction of Kenneth Branagh, who has borrowed from such far-flung sources as James Thurber's lurking behemoth animals and Buster Keaton's collapsing house in "Steamboat Bill, Jr." And Eddie Braben, who wrote much of Morecambe and Wise's trademark daft cross talk, has been imported to add authentic dopiness to Foley and McColl's punning badinage.
"The time is 1759," McColl says, as he introduces his awful play. Foley interrupts: "Call it six o'clock."
For Morecambe and Wise, whose only higher education took place on-stage, comedy was business (they referred to playing the provinces as "bank raids"). They had nothing else. "For Ernie and I to play one minute without a laugh is murder. It is fear" Morecambe told Tynan. The urgency of their commitment was what sometimes elevated their act to the purity of metaphor and made them poetic. McColl and Foley, on the other hand, are university wits - men with options. They aspire to art, and at times they strain for the resonance of metaphor, which is why their shrewd act, even when it succeeds, seems a little earthbound.
This self-consciousness is apparent from the first beat. Taking a page from Morecambe and Wise's book, "The Play What I Wrote" begins and ends with the pair together in bed - a neat correlative for their comic interdependence. At the opening, as Foley strums a ukulele, they sing a nonsense song that concludes, "I'm dreaming of a hope / Hoping for a light /To finish a ridiculous song / About a song / About a dream." The song, which is uncharacteristically oblique, is an attempt to deconstruct Morecambe and Wise's high jinks - their dreamscape of caprice, in which gestures become a semaphore of joy, and ignorance, insult, humiliation, and ambition have no consequences but delight.
At the finale, as the men get comfortable under the covers, they ponder McColl's play and the performance of the mystery guest (the week I saw the show, it was George Cole, the hatchet-faced star of "Minder," playing the Comte de Toblerone).
The show ends with McColl planning yet another wretched play; the moment works as both sentiment and its antidote, a testament to two hapless souls bound together and killing time.
FOLEY: YOU know what you are? Brave beyond words.
MCCOLL: That's a good title, that is. I'm going to start on that in the morning. It's going to be about a Red Indian who can't speak.
(A police siren. They turn to each other.)
MCCOLL AND FOLEY: He won't sell much ice cream going at that speed.
"God they were funny," McColl and Foley add. Yes, they were. And so are The Right Size. But, no matter how hard they try to sidestep the issue, they are still lumbered with the impossibility of impersonating an incomparable act - they are neither quite themselves nor quite the act they honor. The audience is entertained but not, finally, inspired. At the curtain call, McColl and Foley surrender to the imperatives of nostalgia: they sing the song that was the simple and profound contract Morecambe and Wise made with the public and with each other at the end of every show—"Bring me fun / Bring me sunshine / Bring me love." Morecambe and Wise spent a lifetime defining their uniqueness; this remains the biggest challenge facing McColl and Foley. "The Play What I Wrote" is their greatest success so far, but not, I'd like to think, their greatest accomplishment.
© The New Yorker 2002
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For which TV theme did Ron Grainer ask the B.B.C sound workshop for sounds like wind bubbles and clouds | I am the Piano Doctor Man - Bad Astronomy : Bad Astronomy
I am the Piano Doctor Man
By Phil Plait | January 8, 2012 7:10 am
I make no excuses for my love of Doctor Who, and one of my favorite things about it since it was rebooted back in 2005 has been the music. I have always loved the title theme (originally written by Ron Grainer), ever since I was a little kid, and the modern orchestral reworking of it by Murray Gold is magnificent. I listen to the soundtracks all the time.
Gold wrote a new theme for The Doctor for Matt Smith’s version of the character, called "I Am the Doctor", and it’s fantastic. It’s got an odd beat to it, because it’s in 7 (as opposed to the usual 2, 3 or 4 beats per measure of most music). A bit off-kilter, just like the Time Lord himself, and with an underlying momentum and power. Also like The Doctor.
And that’s why I love this video : Murray Gold playing the theme on the piano — which he posted pseudonymously to YouTube!
Very cool. I’m looking forward to getting the Series 6 soundtrack as soon as it’s available here in the US. But for now, I think I’ll just go have a listen to this track from Series 5 played by the National Orchestra of Wales. Allons-y!
Tip o’ the sonic screwdriver to The Nerdist !
Related posts:
| Doctor Who |
In which country is Maastricht | I am the Piano Doctor Man - Bad Astronomy : Bad Astronomy
I am the Piano Doctor Man
By Phil Plait | January 8, 2012 7:10 am
I make no excuses for my love of Doctor Who, and one of my favorite things about it since it was rebooted back in 2005 has been the music. I have always loved the title theme (originally written by Ron Grainer), ever since I was a little kid, and the modern orchestral reworking of it by Murray Gold is magnificent. I listen to the soundtracks all the time.
Gold wrote a new theme for The Doctor for Matt Smith’s version of the character, called "I Am the Doctor", and it’s fantastic. It’s got an odd beat to it, because it’s in 7 (as opposed to the usual 2, 3 or 4 beats per measure of most music). A bit off-kilter, just like the Time Lord himself, and with an underlying momentum and power. Also like The Doctor.
And that’s why I love this video : Murray Gold playing the theme on the piano — which he posted pseudonymously to YouTube!
Very cool. I’m looking forward to getting the Series 6 soundtrack as soon as it’s available here in the US. But for now, I think I’ll just go have a listen to this track from Series 5 played by the National Orchestra of Wales. Allons-y!
Tip o’ the sonic screwdriver to The Nerdist !
Related posts:
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In which capital city is the street called the Ginza which is full of department stores and night-clubs | One Day in Tokyo: Travel Guide on TripAdvisor
Lives in London, United Kingdom
Since Sep 2014
Hello! I'm Maddie- a native NYer whose Wanderlust has taken her abroad again and again. Having lived in six countries, and visiting others for school, work, leisure, and sport, I've adopted many localities, and am an admirer of a great many more. An avid scholar of language and culture, I hope to keep expanding my travel repertoire, and sharing great stories with the rest of the travel community. To give you some background on my travels, I spent months each year since childhood in Old Montreal, where part of my family lives. Summers were spent visiting folks in Ft. Lauderdale and L.A. My first big trip outside of the US on my own was to Australia & New Zealand at 12- I caught the bug early! I then moved to Japan where I studied for part of high school & uni. I am very familiar with Japanese cities, Sapporo and Osaka especially. Some of my favourite travel destinations include Goreme, Dubai, Marrakech, and Queenstown. (Plans for 2015 include China & Uganda!) Nice to meet you!
Tokyo: Japan's sprawling capital city, with a reputation for variety that attracts travelers the world over. Whether you're visiting for business or leisure, to glimpse into history at the Imperial Palace and its many cherry-blossom-studded shrines, or to peek into the future in districts like electronic paradise Akihabra and edgy, fashionable Shinjuku, Tokyo will cater to almost every curiosity. A cradle of politics, culture, and business for Japan, Tokyo offers an almost limitless variety of entertainment, shopping, dining, and alternative opinions. If you're only visiting for a little while, deciding what to do might seem an impossible task. This guide narrows down what to see by area, and what can be done in a day, taking advantage of the city's excellent connectivity and public transport to make sure you're able to appreciate green spaces and famous places along the way. It aims to give you an experience as diverse as Tokyo itself. Yōkoso, Tokyo! (Welcome to Tokyo!)
Good for
Art and Architecture Lover
Tips
Shinjuku Station is served by over 10 subway lines, including JR Yamanote (from Ueno) & JR Chuo (from Tokyo Station). It's the world's busiest station!
Shinjuku's Skyscraper District boasts some of the ward's most delicious restaurant destinations, but note that many shops will close between lunch and dinner hours.
Isetan is Shinjuku's staple department store, a flagship that boasts ten levels, with an impressive market in the basement and rooftop dining that offers a great city view.
The Japanese Sword Museum is in this area, showing off the art of sword-making with its small but grand display of blades and hilts, forged hundreds of years ago for the samurai.
Plan to stay: 1-2 hours
Shinjuku
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Quebec and Montreal are both on which Canadian river | She wanders solo | For the solo traveller | Page 2
For the solo traveller
shewanderssolo explore , food , globe , japan , kyoto , osaka , travel , traveljapan , wanderlust , world 1 Comment
Kyoto was the capital city of Japan and where the emperor resided between 794-1868. Now, the 7th largest city in Japan with a population of 1.4 million people, this city, with its traditional architecture, is a must see destination in your Japan trip!
So what should you do in Kyoto?
Hire a Kimono / Yukata for the day!
Visit the famous Kinkakuji Golden Temple
Take pictures in front of the Kyoto Tower
Take in the views from the Kiyomizu Castle
Take a stroll through Gion for traditional tea houses and restaurants. You may even spot a Geisha!
Photograph the amazing Fushimi Inari Shrine
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shewanderssolo dotonbori , holiday , japan , kyoto , namba , okonomiyaki , osaka , shinsaibashi , solotravel , takoyaki , tokyo , travel , travelling , vacation , wanderlust 1 Comment
Originally, this entry was going to take the same form as the previous. A few of my favourite locations to pick and choose between but when it comes to Osaka, one area certainly surpasses the rest. You may have heard of this area before as it’s famous for its shopping arcade and lit up riverside logos. If you haven’t guessed it yet, it’s Namba.
So here are a few reasons you should consider Namba for your next stay:
Food, food and more food.
You know when the city is called ‘the nations kitchen‘ (tenka no daidokoro), it means business. Once you hit Dotonbori (you’ll know you’re there when you see the famous Glico sign) you will find it is lined with endless stalls filled with local food and western food alike, this is the perfect spot to make camp. Osaka is typically famous for a few dishes; Okonomiyaki and Takoyaki. Both incredibly delicious and you won’t be in shortage of either in this area! Truly a foodies delight!
Shop till you drop in Shinsaibashi arcade
Shinsaibashi shopping arcade is approximately 600 metres in length. Filled the small, independently owned stalls to bigger chains like Zara, H&M, Bulgari and more! The shopping headquarters of Osaka! And surprisingly enough, you can find a bargain here!
Nightlife
Dotonbori is kept up by an active nightlife scene which spills over past the riverbank. Whether you’re wanting to sit down for drinks at an Izakaya, find a buzzing club or have a relaxing beer at a western style pub, Dotonbori has it all. With the nightlife scene ‘on’ every night of the week, you need not worry if you are passing through on a weekday. Some clubs only take cash though so make sure you have some spare ¥ on you!
The people
From noon onward you will see the crowds flock in. Try not to be put off by this, it is all part of the experience. Unlike some other countries, you can see the difference when it comes to consideration and respect of your personal space. Although extremely crowded, you won’t be pushed in all directions by passersby. In fact, these people go over and above to make sure you have a pleasant stay. The last time I was there i dropped my coin purse in the street which had my credit cards and also hotel key card in it. By the time I got back to the hotel (only by strangers money might I add), I was informed by management my purse was being personally delivered back to the hotel by the stranger that had found it.
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shewanderssolo holiday , japan , kyoto , osaka , solotravel , tokyo , travel , travelling , vacation 2 Comments
Tokyo is the capital of Japan and made up of 23 wards. Connecting these wards together is the Yamanote line. A commuter train loop dividing Tokyo into two parts; downtown and residential. With trains running every two minutes in peak hour and carrying on average 3.5 million people daily, this is Tokyo’s most important and iconic train line. Staying within this green line will make travelling a breeze.
So which area would suit you best? Here are my top four picks:
Ginza – Recognised as a luxury shopping district, Ginza streets are lined with high end stores such as Chanel, Prada, Gucci and many other international brands and department stores. But not only is it the best place to spend big on fashion labels, it’s the place to indulge in gourmet food. While you’re there, why not have a meal at Gucci cafe or Armani restaurant? Or buy fine chocolate from the Shiseido chocolatarie?
Shibuya – Holding Japans busiest intersection, the ‘Times Square of Tokyo’, Shibuya, is the hub for connecting cities. Known as a youth-orientated shopping area, the neon lit department stores are endless. With the most famous ‘Shibuya 109’ mall located at the scramble intersection. But Shibuya isn’t just for the youthful, but the young at heart. Filled with buzzing nightlife and traditional Izakayas, Shibuya truly is a well rounded city with something to offer everyone.
Shinjuku – With over 3.6 million people passing through daily and 200 exits, Shinjuku is said to be the busiest train station in the world. A neighborhood full of electrical superstores, multilevel book stores and international department stores. Also known for its nightlife, love hotels and holding Japan’s biggest red light district. Then, in the midst of all the madness, Shinjuku Gyoen Park, a tranquil scene of traditional Japanese gardens in the city centre to restore the peaceful balance.
Harajuku – A magnet for Tokyo’s younger generation, Harajuku is filled with teenagers in search of thrifty fashion and fun. Full of independent boutiques and hip cafes, there is always something new to see. Takeshita street is where all this comes to life, with shops like Daiso, a 5 story shoppers delight filled with 100 yen ($1) goodies, it’s something not to be missed. Sunday is when the costumes come out to play. You’ll see not only locals but Gaijins (foreigners) dressing in cosplay. So put on your best outfit and join in on the fun!
FOR YOUR INFORMATION:
Izakaya = A type of Japanese bar that serves food to accompany drinks.
Cosplay = Short for costume play, is a performance art in which participants called cosplayers wear costumes and fashion accessories to represent a specific character or idea.
What city will you choose?
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In which foreign city would you be if you were walking over the Bridge of Sighs | Ponte dei Sospiri (Venice, Italy): Top Tips Before You Go - TripAdvisor
Neighborhood Profile
San Marco
The most famous sestiere (district) in Venice has one of the world's most famous squares, St. Mark's (Piazza San Marco). Anchored on one end by the basilica, clustered around it are restaurants, museums, shops, orchestras playing in the square, pigeons, the grand pink Doge’s Palace (Palazzo Ducale), the soaring campanile bell tower, an astrological clock tower, plus gorgeous cafes and restaurants like Florian and Quadri. Piazza San Marco is beloved by Venetians themselves. They book a table anytime, which offers a buffer from the fray. This grand outdoor drawing room attracts Venetians for a stroll too, especially late in the afternoon when the hoards of daytrippers thin out. It's simply a grand place to meet.
| Venice |
Into which ocean does the river Congo flow | Bridge of Sighs
Bridge of Sighs
By Durant Imboden
Remember those science-fiction comic books from the 1950s that showed skyscrapers connected by enclosed bridges far above the ground? Venice's Ponte dei Sospiri, or "Bridge of Sighs," may have been the inspiration for such architectural fantasies.
ABOVE: The Bridge of Sighs, or Ponte dei Sospiri, with the Ponte della Paglia in the distance.
Antonio Contino's bridge over the Rio di Palazzo was erected in the year 1600 to connect the Doge's prisons, or Prigioni, with the inquisitor's rooms in the main palace. The name "Bridge of Sighs" was invented in the 19th Century, when Lord Byron helped to popularize the belief that the bridge's name was inspired by the sighs of condemned prisoners as they were led through it to the executioner. (In reality, the days of inquisitions and summary executions were over by the time the bridge was built, and the cells under the palace roof were occupied mostly by small-time criminals.)
The Bridge of Sighs is included in the guided Itinerari Segreti ("Secret Itinerary") tour of the Doge's Palace, which you can book by appointment. This 90-minute tour is conducted in Italian; it also includes the prisons, torture chambers, and other rooms that normally aren't open to visitors. From June through September, tours are scheduled daily except Wednesdays at 10 a.m. and noon. Reserve at least a day in advance, since the number of visitors is limited.
Tip: Viator, our booking partner (see our Venice Tours page) offers a "Skip the Line" tour of the Doge's Palace that includes the Secret Itinerary and the Bridge of Sighs. As the name implies, booking ahead means you won't have to stand in line with the crowds.
Also see:
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What is the former name of Sri Lanka | Former name of Sri Lanka - crossword puzzle clues & answers - Dan Word
«Let me solve it for you»
Former name of Sri Lanka
Today's crossword puzzle clue is a general knowledge one: Former name of Sri Lanka. We will try to find the right answer to this particular crossword clue. Here are the possible solutions for "Former name of Sri Lanka" clue. It was last seen in British general knowledge crossword. We have 2 possible answers in our database.
Possible answers:
| Sri Lanka |
What was the former name of Radio Four | Sri Lanka: Maps, History, Geography, Government, Culture, Facts, Guide & Travel/Holidays/Cities
Chief Justice Dismissed
Geography
An island in the Indian Ocean off the southeast tip of India, Sri Lanka is about half the size of Alabama. Most of the land is flat and rolling; mountains in the south-central region rise to over 8,000 ft (2,438 m).
Government
Republic.
History
Indo-Aryan emigration from India in the 5th century B.C. came to form the largest ethnic group on Sri Lanka today, the Sinhalese. Tamils, the second-largest ethnic group on the island, were originally from the Tamil region of India and emigrated between the 3rd century B.C. and A.D. 1200. Until colonial powers controlled Ceylon (the country's name until 1972), Sinhalese and Tamil rulers fought for dominance over the island. The Tamils, primarily Hindus, claimed the northern section of the island and the Sinhalese, who are predominantly Buddhist, controlled the south. In 1505 the Portuguese took possession of Ceylon until the Dutch India Company usurped control (1658–1796). The British took over in 1796, and Ceylon became an English Crown colony in 1802. The British developed coffee, tea, and rubber plantations. On Feb. 4, 1948, after pressure from Ceylonese nationalist leaders (which briefly unified the Tamil and Sinhalese), Ceylon became a self-governing dominion of the Commonwealth of Nations.
S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike became prime minister in 1956 and championed Sinhalese nationalism, making Sinhala the country's only official language and including state support of Buddhism, further marginalizing the Tamil minority. He was assassinated in 1959 by a Buddhist monk. His widow, Sirimavo Bandaranaike, became the world's first female prime minister in 1960. The name Ceylon was changed to Sri Lanka (“resplendent island”) on May 22, 1972.
The Tamil minority's mounting resentment toward the Sinhalese majority's monopoly on political and economic power, exacerbated by cultural and religious differences, erupted in bloody violence in 1983. Tamil rebel groups, the strongest of which were the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, or Tamil Tigers, began a civil war to fight for separate nation.
President Ranasinghe Premadasa was assassinated at a May Day political rally in 1993, when a Tamil rebel detonated explosives strapped to himself. Tamil extremists have frequently resorted to terrorist attacks against civilians. The next president, Chandrika Kumaratunga, vowed to restore peace to the country. In Dec. 1999, she was herself wounded in a terrorist attack. By early 2000, 18 years of war had claimed the lives of more than 64,000, mostly civilians.
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Which royal palace in London was formerly called Nottingham House | History of Kensington | Kensington Palace
History
Kensington: name translated as Farmstead associated with Cynesige: in the Domesday Book (1086) it is written as Chenesitone.
One of the old metropolitan boroughs of London, Kensington was granted the status of Royal Borough by King Edward VII in 1901, in recognition his mother, Queen Victoria, who was born there, and lived there as a child. Later the title became: Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea.
The Manor was granted by William Ist to Geoffrey de Montbray (Mowbray), Bishop of Coutances, who gave tenancy to Aubrey de Vere; because of a later revolt by a Mowbray, against King William II (Rufus), the manor was forfeited, then granted as a royal tenancy to de Vere, whose family became the Earls of Oxford, and the region became known as Earl’s Court.
On the west side of Palace Green, in what was formerly called the King’s Garden, Henry VIII. is said to have built a conduit, or bath, for the use of the Princess Elizabeth, when a child. It was a low building, with walls of great thickness, and the roof covered with bricks. The interior was in good preservation when Faulkner wrote his History of Kensington. It is clear, from an entry in the parish books, that Queen Elizabeth, at least on one occasion subsequent to her childhood, stayed within the parish, for the parish officers are rebuked and punished for not ringing “when Her Majesty left Kensington.” On Palace Green were the barracks for foot-soldiers, who still regularly mount guard at the Palace. The Green, called in ancient documents the “Moor,” was the military parade when the Court resided there, and the royal standard was hoisted on it daily.
Kensington Palace
Nottingham House
Heneage Finch (1621-1682) was Lord Chancellor of England and created 1st Earl of Nottingham in 1681. The Nottingham House built for him in Kensington was passed to his son, Secretary of State to King William III of Orange, and the King acquired it from him in 1689, since the he wanted a residence located between Hampton Court which he liked, and Westminster which he did not like but where he had his day job.
Nottingham House morphed into Kensington Palace. Although actually situated in the parish of St. Margaret, Westminster, it is named from the adjoining town, to which it would more naturally seem to belong, and had grounds of about 350 acres.
| Kensington Palace |
What was Iceland formerly called | British Royal Residences | Unofficial Royalty
British Royal Residences
St. James’s Palace
London
Although no longer used as a residence of the Sovereign, St. James’s Palace is the senior and official palace of the British Monarchy. Used primarily for official functions and office space, it also contains the London residences of The Princess Royal and Princess Alexandra, The Hon. Lady Ogilvy. Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie of York have an apartment here as well.
Click HERE for our in-depth article about St. James’s Palace and York House!
Buckingham Palace
London
Perhaps one of the most recognized buildings in the world, Buckingham Palace is the official London residence of The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh, as well as the offices of the Monarchy. The Palace also contains the official London residences and offices of The Duke of York and The Earl and Countess of Wessex, as well as the offices of The Princess Royal and Princess Alexandra, The Hon. Lady Ogilvy.
Click HERE for our in-depth article about Buckingham Palace!
Windsor Castle
Windsor
Windsor Castle is another of The Queen’s official residences, and where she spends most weekends. Originally built as a fortress by William the Conqueror, the Castle is considered the largest inhabited castle in the world, and the oldest continually occupied. Within the Castle is St George’s Chapel, the site of many royal weddings through the years, and the home of the Most Noble Order of the Garter. It is here that the annual Garter Day service and procession take place.
In the surrounding Home Park and Windsor Great Park are many current and former royal residences, including Royal Lodge, Frogmore House, Cumberland Lodge, and Fort Belvedere (amongst others).
Click HERE for our in-depth article about Windsor Castle!
Palace of Holyroodhouse
Edinburgh, Scotland
The Palace of Holyroodhouse is The Queen’s official residence in Scotland, situated at one end of the Royal Mile, in the ‘Old Town’ area of Edinburgh. The Queen traditionally spends a week in residence at the end of June. This was the site of the first garden party, held by The Queen’s grandparents, King George V and Queen Mary – a tradition that continues to this day.
Click HERE for our in-depth article about the Palace of Holyroodhouse!
Hillsborough Castle
Northern Ireland
Hillsborough Castle is the official residence used by The Queen and Royal Family when visiting Northern Ireland, although its primarily use is as the residence of the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.
Sandringham House
Norfolk
Originally purchased as a home for the future King Edward VII, Sandringham House remains one of the privately owned homes of The Sovereign. The Queen traditionally spends the Christmas holiday here with the royal family, and remains in residence until February, after the anniversary of her accession to the throne.
Within the grounds are several other residences, including:
York Cottage – formerly the home of the future King George V and Queen Mary, now primarily offices
Park House – birthplace of Diana, Princess of Wales, now operated as the Park House Hotel
Anmer Hall – the country home of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge
Wood Farm – often used for former spouses and other guests during the holidays
Click HERE for our in-depth article about Sandringham House!
Royal Lodge
Windsor Great Park, Windsor
Located in Windsor Great Park, Royal Lodge is the official residence of The Duke of York, leased from the Crown Estate. It had been, for over 70 years, the private residence of The Queen Mother. Within the grounds is a small cottage, Y Bwthyn Bach, which was a gift to the then Princess Elizabeth in 1932 from the people of Wales. (visible in the photo above, at the bottom, center.)
Click HERE for our in-depth article about Royal Lodge!
Bagshot Park
Bagshot, Surrey
Leased from the Crown Estate, Bagshot Park is the official residence of The Earl and Countess of Wessex.
Click HERE for our in-depth article about Bagshot Park!
Gatcombe Park
Gloucestershire
Gatcombe Park is the privately owned residence of The Princess Royal and her husband, Vice-Admiral Tim Laurence. Originally purchased by The Queen as a wedding gift for her daughter, the property was later expanded to include the neighboring Aston Farm. After divorcing, Princess Anne retained Gatcombe Park while her first husband, Mark Phillips, retained the Aston Farm estate where he still lives. Gatcombe Park is the site of several equestrian events througout the year.
Kensington Palace
London
Kensington Palace, just west of Buckingham Palace is the London home of several members of the Royal Family. The newest residents are the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge who live at Nottingham Cottage on the grounds of the Palace, and Prince Harry who recently moved to a small apartment within the Palace. Other residents are the Duke and Duchess of Kent, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, and Prince and Princess Michael of Kent. Recent former residents include Diana, Princess of Wales and The Princess Margaret.
Formerly the official residence of the monarch, the last Sovereign to live here was George II. It was at Kensington Palace in 1837 that the young Princess Victoria learned that she had become Queen, at which point she moved to Buckingham Palace.
It was announced in November 2011 that the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will move from Nottingham Cottage to Apartment 1A (Princess Margaret’s former apartment) some time in 2013. It has been suggested that Prince Harry will move to Nottingham Cottage at that time.
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What role does Derek Fowlds play in the series Heartbeat | Oscar Blaketon, played by Derek Fowlds
Food and Wine Awards in October 2003; he had agreed to present the awards, but found himself (or maybe his
alter ego
) winning an prize as well! Oscar Blaketon of the Aidensfield Arms, seen (left) with Elaine Lemm, Food and Wine Editor of
Yorkshire Life
, and Peter Bourhill, was presented with the award for Pub Landlord of the Year 2003 - "and we hope," says
Yorkshire Life
, "it will soon take pride of place behind the bar of the Aidensfield Arms."
Derek Fowlds has played the role of Oscar Blaketon, one of the characters from the original novels on which
Heartbeat
is based, since the first series in 1991. He gave this interview as the tenth series was about to be broadcast.
"The offer of the role came as a bit of a surprise", he recalls. "I'd been getting back into drama again after my years in
Yes Minister
and had been in a film in Australia with Olympia Dukakis and then I'd been in Yorkshire for the first time in my life doing
The Darling Buds of May
. The scripts came for this new series
Heartbeat
and I read them thinking 'God, I'm a bit old to play Nick Rowan ', the one Southern character in the piece. When I found out they wanted me to do the sergeant I wondered why - as there must have been many wonderful Yorkshire actors who could have done it. I nearly talked myself out of a job but I'm glad I didn't as nine years on I'm still here."
Derek had a very clear idea from the start how to approach the role.
"I based him on my drill instructor, because I was in the RAF for national service", he says. "I just cut my hair shorter, slicked it back and shouted a lot and Oscar was born."
Looking back on the last nine series Derek can't recall when they knew they were on to a long running hit.
"It started off as six months work," he remembers. "About halfway through the first series noises were being made that we had a hit on our hands. Not only did they do a second series they did a second and third series back to back. And it took off."
Over the years Blaketon has had several major life changes.
"He had to take early retirement from the force" says Derek. "He didn't want to but he had a heart attack and that was that. He then took over the post office for a year which he disliked and then he came into some money and bought the pub and he's been running it ever since."
Rhea comments on ex-Sergeant Blaketon...:
"Derek Fowlds portrayed Sergeant Blaketon exactly as I imagined him. The police service had lots of men like Blaketon, good, solid and dependable characters who ran their little police stations with fierce efficiency but who, under a tough exterior, possessed warmth, generosity and kindness. Now, I get calls from serving policemen who wish their sergeants were as reliable and inspiring as Blaketon!"
...and his successor at the police station:
"There was a time it seemed impossible that anyone could replace the bluff Sergeant Blaketon but, according to the last episode of series 7, Sergeant Craddock seems to establish himself as a major player in Ashfordly Police Station. Although he makes sure Bellamy parades on time, Bradley does not wear white socks with his uniform and Ventress doesn't smoke in the office, he does emerge as a most interesting fellow. He adds a new dimension to the work of the constables of the North York Moors..."
Derek doesn't think it's the end of the line for Oscar however.
"I don't think he's finally settled", he comments. "He really misses the police station and longs to get more involved again with the police. Although I love him I think he's quite sad. He has very little in his life at the moment. He hasn't seen his son for four years - he doesn't know where his wife is and there certainly hasn't been a woman in his life for some time. This compounds his need to get back in to the business of solving crimes. Even though he is involved with the community as a local councillor I think he'd love to set up his own private detective agency. Once a copper always a copper."
There are moments in the new series when Oscar helps solve one or two crimes.
"I do get a bit of snooping in," he laughs. "I help Ventress out and help to solve the case of Jackie's stalker. I also have a nasty moment when I'm threatened at gun point by a rather unpleasant journalist".
Oscar certainly doesn't have much time for his successor Sergeant Craddock. "He thinks he's a wimp!". He does like to go back and visit his 'boys'.
"Oscar thinks Bellamy should be a sarge by now," says Derek. "And he thinks poor old Ventress should have packed it in years ago. He told him the other day that he thinks that post office is still up for sale".
When asked if there's any romance in store for Oscar this series Derek sighs wistfully.
"If only..." he comments. "I think he looks for it every day in the pub. A blast from the past does crop up this series in the form of Ursula played by the wonderful Sharon Maughan. She doesn't hold a candle for Oscar unfortunately but another resident and she's back for revenge. But he's been remarkably short of female company - he just plays his Shirley Bassey records and gets on with it."
Like many of the regular cast Derek finds it hard to define what it is that makes
Heartbeat
so enduringly popular.
"I've been asked this hundreds of times and can never really put my finger on it." he says. "It's a phenomenon really and the root of its success has to be nostalgia. It's the only show that takes place in the wonderful decade of the sixties - and it captures those years so wonderfully with the vintage cars, the fashions and of course the music of the era. It's also probably one of the only programmes on telly where you can sit down with the whole family because the fans of
Heartbeat
are aged right the way from 5 to 85. How many programmes can cover that age range?"
When asked which is his favourite
Heartbeat
moment, Derek is very quick to respond.
"Undoubtedly when Oscar had an affair with a Detective Sergeant's wife in Whitby", he grins. "He got into a lot of hot water on that occasion but thankfully his old pal Ventress managed to get him off the hook."
Derek Fowlds is one of Britain's most popular television actors. His credits include
Inspector Morse
| List of Heartbeat characters |
Which BBC 2 programme features radio controlled machines fighting each other | Oscar Blaketon | Heartbeat Wiki | Fandom powered by Wikia
Edit
A crotchety sergeant with a particular loathing for Claude Greengrass , whom he was perpetually trying to put behind bars. Often appearing cynical, suspicious and bad-tempered and very serious and hard, he has mellowed somewhat with age. His softer side is occasionally apparent, and at various times he has been a voice of wisdom or shoulder to cry on for younger policemen facing moral dilemmas or personal traumas. After a near-fatal heart attack in Series Seven which forced his retirement from the police force, Blaketon became proprietor of the Aidensfield Post Office but that did not last long because the writers found this difficult to tie in to the plots. After only a year, he was brought back to the centre of the stories by being made owner of the Aidensfield Arms , which he bought after discovering that he owned some valuable share warrants, and where he is now usually to be seen serving behind the bar with landlady and licensee Gina Ward . Blaketon was once married, but divorced some years before the series began. He has a son called Graham who appeared in several early episodes but has thereafter rarely been mentioned. Blaketon is also a local councillor and, since retirement, an occasional private investigator, sometimes working in this capacity with Ventress . Blaketon first appeared in the episode Changing Places , already in uniform, where he told Nick that there was work to be done and gave him his first introduction to Greengrass. He informed Nick that Greengrass had no respect for law and order. Nick immediately saw that Blaketon had a thing about Greengrass, although Ventress saw that it was more of an obsession. In the episode The Frighteners, Blaketon adopted a kitten called Heathcliff, after he turned out to be not so hard on it in the first place and changed his mind after he ordered it put down. In Manoeuvres in the Dark, Oscar decided to organise a gournment night involving coppers only, since Greengrass was against inviting policeman to his. Oscar ended up with food and no guests and Claude had guests and no food. Blaketon joked that the frogs legs had done a runner. He then revealed that he was now owner of the Aidensfield Arms. Blaketon also appeared to be friends with Henry Tomkinson , Jackie Bradley's uncle, where they often played golf together as shown in the episode Testament and suggested that he should retire like him. He didn't believe that Henry could just knock a young boy off his bike and leave him there. Oscar was going to be godfather to Phil and Gina's baby boy in Daniel, but Daniel died in two days before they could ask. During the last episode, whilst feeding his adventurous side, Blaketon was impaled onto a pitchfork. The finale ended without the audience knowing whether Blaketon died or not. He and Alf had planned to go and revisit many places they'd been to during the war, but it was obviously not what he had in mind. He also made an appearance in spin-off series The Royal. He also helped David into getting his money back, after he'd been conned by Martin Featherstone in Friends Like You. He also said goodbye to Nick, Jo and Katie when they later moved to Canada in Local Knowledge. He attended Nick and Jo's wedding in Affairs of the Heart. the episode Little Angel, Blaketon had another heart attack when caught up in the search for a young girl that resulted in the death of PC Steve Crane. In the following episode, Oscar was seen recovering in hospital when he discovered that it was PC Rob Walker who was the new village bobby as he'd once given his father a false alibi. In series nine, Oscar ended up collapsing behind the bar because of an Asian flu that started spreading through the area. In the final episode, Ventress said that Oscar was stubborn and that he wouldn't go until he was ready. The Aidensfield Arms regulars hailed Oscar a hero as his life hung in the balance.
Personality and appearance
Edit
In the earlier series Oscar was shown to be a typical, hard-nosed copper and was often cynical and suspicious of nearly everyone who came in through The Railway Arms. However, he did began to mellow and show his softer side, especially after his retirement - which he took particularly hard. He also doesn't want to admit that he is wrong either.
Relationships
George Ward
Georgina "Gina" Ward
When Oscar bought the Aidensfield Arms he got on Gina's nerves mostly because he acted as if he was still running Ashfordly Police Station. Soon Oscar learnt to become more relaxed and the pair warmed to each other. Oscar has a soft sensitive side and sometimes sympathised with Gina if she had any problems and it didn't take long for the two to become very good friends. Gina gave birth to a boy named Daniel in the episode Daniel, but he died prematurely and she and Phil broke off their engagement. Gina and Phil were thinking of asking Oscar to be godfather. When Phil and Gina finally married, Oscar was there as a witness. He also became a father figure to Gina after her husband PC Phil Bellamy died while on duty . Gina didn't seem to be very happy as he appeared to think that something would happen to her second baby like it did with Daniel. Eventually Gina's baby was born healthily and he was named Philip Oscar Bellamy, and was born on Oscar's birthday. Gina was furious to think that Oscar thought she was a marriage wrecker when he thought there was something occurring between her and PC Don Wetherby. This was because he visited her regularly on business related to the Police Widows' Fund but things did not happen between them. In Sweet Sorrow, Gina raised a toast to Oscar along with the other regulars as his life hung in the balance.
Mary Ward
Edit
Oscar always thought Joyce Jowett could be a pain when she wanted to and that she was very good at throwing her weight around on the council. One time when Mrs Jowett came to see Oscar he asked Gina 'What have I done to deserve her?'
"Loveable rogue" lineage
Edit
During his time as Police Sergeant he and Greengrass had numerous run-ins usually ending with Claude somehow managing to escape prosecution. Oscar very much despised Claude and was often quoted that rule number one was 'Never believe a word Claude Jeremiah Greengrass says'. Claude obviously very much despised Blaketon in the same way. However when he went to work at the Aidensfield Arms Oscar did become more relaxed as Greengrass was a regular. There was one moment where Oscar did help Claude and David when David was conned out of his money by shopkeeper Martin Featherstone; yet when David suggested that Oscar might be able to help them you can imagine what Claude's reaction was like! Eventually, Claude emigrated to the Caribbean to join his sister on a cruise and Oscar didn't have to worry about the latter getting up to no good.
Vernon Scripps
Yet he still had to put up with Vernon Scripps, who went through the same daft schemes as Claude did. Vernon appeared out of the blue in the episode Safe House , before leaving the series in style by evading the taxman and faking his own death.
Peggy Armstrong
Edit
Oscar's interests include sports such as golf, cricket and ocaisionally fishing. Oscar has been a member of the Golf Club for many years and participated in many cricket activities too. Blaketon had a couple of favourite foods these where quite simply, Chocolate Digestives and Cream Cakes!
Vehicles
Edit
During his time in the police force Sgt. Blaketon would often be seen driving in a Ford Popular/Anglia 100E Patrol Car however did also use the black Ford Anglia Patrol Car as well. After retiring Oscar's main motor was a blue Morris Minor Traveller, this car had some incidents firstly at one point it was vandalised by having the interior flooded with a hosepipe over night. At one time when the car was in for it's service Vernon Scripps went into a line of selling sports cars, Oscar had only said the other day that he wanted some form of MG, so when a little MGA sports car turned up on the garrage front he couldn't refuse. In the end it turned out the MG had been stolen by one of Vernon's dodgey 'friends' and it had to be returned.
Biography from ITV
Edit
"Blaketon was the police sergeant in Ashfordly before retiring to run first the post office and then the Aidensfield Arms.
He is a disciplinarian, a sceptic and part-time private investigator. He is also Rob Walker's mentor and grandfather figure.
Oscar is fearlessly direct, and will rarely admit that he is wrong. He has no truck with the radical social developments of the 60s, and believes that the country has been going downhill at a rate of knots since the end of the war.
Blaketon has found it hard to give up his career and often gives the other policemen advice, whether solicited or not.
Occasionally he forgets that he is no longer a police officer and tries to take charge."
From Nicholas Rhea's website
There was a surprise for Derek Fowlds at the Yorkshire Life Food and Wine Awards in October 2003; he had agreed to present the awards, but found himself (or maybe his alter ego) winning an prize as well! Oscar Blaketon of the Aidensfield Arms, seen (left) with Elaine Lemm, Food and Wine Editor of Yorkshire Life, and Peter Bourhill, was presented with the award for Pub Landlord of the Year 2003 - "and we hope," says Yorkshire Life, "it will soon take pride of place behind the bar of the Aidensfield Arms."
Derek Fowlds has played the role of Oscar Blaketon, one of the characters from the original novels on which Heartbeat is based, since the first series in 1991. He gave this interview as the tenth series was about to be broadcast.
"The offer of the role came as a bit of a surprise", he recalls. "I'd been getting back into drama again after my years in Yes Minister and had been in a film in Australia with Olympia Dukakis and then I'd been in Yorkshire for the first time in my life doing The Darling Buds of May. The scripts came for this new series Heartbeat and I read them thinking 'God, I'm a bit old to play Nick Rowan', the one Southern character in the piece. When I found out they wanted me to do the sergeant I wondered why - as there must have been many wonderful Yorkshire actors who could have done it. I nearly talked myself out of a job but I'm glad I didn't as nine years on I'm still here."
Derek had a very clear idea from the start how to approach the role.
"I based him on my drill instructor, because I was in the RAF for national service", he says. "I just cut my hair shorter, slicked it back and shouted a lot and Oscar was born."
Looking back on the last nine series Derek can't recall when they knew they were on to a long running hit.
"It started off as six months work," he remembers. "About halfway through the first series noises were being made that we had a hit on our hands. Not only did they do a second series they did a second and third series back to back. And it took off."
Over the years Blaketon has had several major life changes.
"He had to take early retirement from the force" says Derek. "He didn't want to but he had a heart attack and that was that. He then took over the post office for a year which he disliked and then he came into some money and bought the pub and he's been running it ever since."
Rhea comments on ex-Sergeant Blaketon...:
"Derek Fowlds portrayed Sergeant Blaketon exactly as I imagined him. The police service had lots of men like Blaketon, good, solid and dependable characters who ran their little police stations with fierce efficiency but who, under a tough exterior, possessed warmth, generosity and kindness. Now, I get calls from serving policemen who wish their sergeants were as reliable and inspiring as Blaketon!"
...and his successor at the police station:
"There was a time it seemed impossible that anyone could replace the bluff Sergeant Blaketon but, according to the last episode of series 7, Sergeant Craddock seems to establish himself as a major player in Ashfordly Police Station. Although he makes sure Bellamy parades on time, Bradley does not wear white socks with his uniform and Ventress doesn't smoke in the office, he does emerge as a most interesting fellow. He adds a new dimension to the work of the constables of the North York Moors..."
Derek doesn't think it's the end of the line for Oscar however.
"I don't think he's finally settled", he comments. "He really misses the police station and longs to get more involved again with the police. Although I love him I think he's quite sad. He has very little in his life at the moment. He hasn't seen his son for four years - he doesn't know where his wife is and there certainly hasn't been a woman in his life for some time. This compounds his need to get back in to the business of solving crimes. Even though he is involved with the community as a local councillor I think he'd love to set up his own private detective agency. Once a copper always a copper."
There are moments in the new series when Oscar helps solve one or two crimes.
"I do get a bit of snooping in," he laughs. "I help Ventress out and help to solve the case of Jackie's stalker. I also have a nasty moment when I'm threatened at gun point by a rather unpleasant journalist".
Oscar certainly doesn't have much time for his successor Sergeant Craddock. "He thinks he's a wimp!". He does like to go back and visit his 'boys'.
"Oscar thinks Bellamy should be a sarge by now," says Derek. "And he thinks poor old Ventress should have packed it in years ago. He told him the other day that he thinks that post office is still up for sale".
When asked if there's any romance in store for Oscar this series Derek sighs wistfully.
"If only..." he comments. "I think he looks for it every day in the pub. A blast from the past does crop up this series in the form of Ursula played by the wonderful Sharon Maughan. She doesn't hold a candle for Oscar unfortunately but another resident and she's back for revenge. But he's been remarkably short of female company - he just plays his Shirley Bassey records and gets on with it."
Like many of the regular cast Derek finds it hard to define what it is that makes Heartbeat so enduringly popular.
"I've been asked this hundreds of times and can never really put my finger on it." he says. "It's a phenomenon really and the root of its success has to be nostalgia. It's the only show that takes place in the wonderful decade of the sixties - and it captures those years so wonderfully with the vintage cars, the fashions and of course the music of the era. It's also probably one of the only programmes on telly where you can sit down with the whole family because the fans of Heartbeat are aged right the way from 5 to 85. How many programmes can cover that age range?"
When asked which is his favourite Heartbeat moment, Derek is very quick to respond.
"Undoubtedly when Oscar had an affair with a Detective Sergeant's wife in Whitby", he grins. "He got into a lot of hot water on that occasion but thankfully his old pal Ventress managed to get him off the hook."
Trivia
| i don't know |
What is the name of the church featured in The Vicar of Dibley | Vicar of Dibley: Previous Broadcasts | KQED Public Media for Northern CA
Election (Episode #105)
KQED Plus: Sat, Sep 26, 2015 -- 5:30 AM
David has been the Councillor in a safe Tory seat for a number of years. But when Geraldine becomes concerned that not enough has been done for his constituency, David finds he now has a village that is prepared to vote for the Vicar.
Window (Episode #104)
KQED Plus: Sat, Sep 26, 2015 -- 5:00 AM
Dibley is hit by a hurricane, and the fierce storm blows out the stained glass window of St. Barnabas church. the cost of a new window will be at least 11,000, but Geraldine is confident that she can raise this amount from among David's wealthy contracts.
Election (Episode #105)
KQED Plus: Fri, Sep 25, 2015 -- 11:29 PM
David has been the Councillor in a safe Tory seat for a number of years. But when Geraldine becomes concerned that not enough has been done for his constituency, David finds he now has a village that is prepared to vote for the Vicar.
Window (Episode #104)
KQED Plus: Fri, Sep 25, 2015 -- 11:00 PM
Dibley is hit by a hurricane, and the fierce storm blows out the stained glass window of St. Barnabas church. the cost of a new window will be at least 11,000, but Geraldine is confident that she can raise this amount from among David's wealthy contracts.
Community Spirit (Episode #103)
KQED Plus: Fri, Sep 18, 2015 -- 11:30 PM
Geraldine takes on the organization of annual Autumn Fair and promises to have a featured guest more celebrated than last year's event. Alice, the Verger, tells Geraldine that her cousin is Reg Dwight. And everyone knows that is Elton John's real name.
Repeat Broadcasts:
KQED Plus: Sat, Sep 19, 2015 -- 5:30 AM
1996 Easter Special (Episode #107)
KQED Plus: Fri, Sep 11, 2015 -- 11:18 PM
With the arrival of Lent, the parishioners are thinking what they may give up in preparation for Easter. Mrs. Cropley makes the difficult decision to forgo lard and fishpaste pancakes. For Geraldine, however, her true sacrifice is to give up her beloved chocolate.
Repeat Broadcasts:
| Barnabas |
How many square centimetres are there in a square metre | Vicar of Dibley: Previous Broadcasts | KQED Public Media for Northern CA
Election (Episode #105)
KQED Plus: Sat, Sep 26, 2015 -- 5:30 AM
David has been the Councillor in a safe Tory seat for a number of years. But when Geraldine becomes concerned that not enough has been done for his constituency, David finds he now has a village that is prepared to vote for the Vicar.
Window (Episode #104)
KQED Plus: Sat, Sep 26, 2015 -- 5:00 AM
Dibley is hit by a hurricane, and the fierce storm blows out the stained glass window of St. Barnabas church. the cost of a new window will be at least 11,000, but Geraldine is confident that she can raise this amount from among David's wealthy contracts.
Election (Episode #105)
KQED Plus: Fri, Sep 25, 2015 -- 11:29 PM
David has been the Councillor in a safe Tory seat for a number of years. But when Geraldine becomes concerned that not enough has been done for his constituency, David finds he now has a village that is prepared to vote for the Vicar.
Window (Episode #104)
KQED Plus: Fri, Sep 25, 2015 -- 11:00 PM
Dibley is hit by a hurricane, and the fierce storm blows out the stained glass window of St. Barnabas church. the cost of a new window will be at least 11,000, but Geraldine is confident that she can raise this amount from among David's wealthy contracts.
Community Spirit (Episode #103)
KQED Plus: Fri, Sep 18, 2015 -- 11:30 PM
Geraldine takes on the organization of annual Autumn Fair and promises to have a featured guest more celebrated than last year's event. Alice, the Verger, tells Geraldine that her cousin is Reg Dwight. And everyone knows that is Elton John's real name.
Repeat Broadcasts:
KQED Plus: Sat, Sep 19, 2015 -- 5:30 AM
1996 Easter Special (Episode #107)
KQED Plus: Fri, Sep 11, 2015 -- 11:18 PM
With the arrival of Lent, the parishioners are thinking what they may give up in preparation for Easter. Mrs. Cropley makes the difficult decision to forgo lard and fishpaste pancakes. For Geraldine, however, her true sacrifice is to give up her beloved chocolate.
Repeat Broadcasts:
| i don't know |
Who had a U.K. number 1 in the 90's with Doctor Jones | Number 1 Hits From The 90's (2013) » Lectro
Number 1 Hits From The 90's (2013)
Название диска: Number 1 Hits From The 90's
Жанр: Pop, Dance
01. Britney Spears - Baby One More Time
02. Hanson - MMMBop
04. Lou Bega - Mambo No. 5
05. Chumbawamba - Tubthumping
06. Billy Ray Cyrus - Achy Breaky Heart
07. All Saints - Never Ever
08. All-4-One - I Swear
09. Ugly Kid Joe - Cat's In The Cradle
10. Daryl Braithwaite - The Horses
11. Mr. Big - To Be With You
12. Lenny Kravitz - Are You Gonna Go My Way
13. Roxette - Joyride
14. Vanilla Ice - Ice Ice Baby
15. Kris Kross - Jump
16. Jennifer Lopez - If You Had My Love
17. BxWitched - Rollercoaster
19. Crash Test Dummies - Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm
20. Merril Bainbridge - Mouth
02. M.C. Hammer - U Can't Touch This
03. OMC - How Bizarre
04. Los Del Rio - Macarena
05. Aqua - Doctor Jones
07. UB40 - (I Can't Help) Falling In Love With You
08. Divinyls - I Touch Myself
09. Deee-Lite - Groove Is In The Heart
10. Salt-N-Pepa - Let's Talk About Sex
11. The B-52s - Love Shack
12. Big Audio Dynamite - Rush
13. Run-D.M.C. vs Jason Nevins - It's Like That
14. Cut 'N' Move - Give It Up
15. Shania Twain - You're Still The One
16. Sixpence None The Richer - Kiss Me
17. George Michael - Fastlove
18. K-Ci & JoJo - All My Life
19. Faith No More - Easy
20. The Cranberries - Zombie
| Aqua |
For which tennis star did Elton John write the song Philadelphia Freedom | JB Hi-Fi | Number 1 Hits From The 90s VARIOUS ARTISTS
Reviews
Description
Number 1 Hits From The 90s is a jam packed double CD collection of tracks from the golden era of pop, the 1990s! There's all the biggest hits from the biggest names of the 90s! There's Britney Spears, Hanson, TLC, Billy Ray Cyrus, All Saints, Jennifer Lopez , Daryl Braithwaite, Lenny Kravitz, Vanilla Ice, Cher, Coolio, MC Hammer, OMC, Aqua, UB40 , Salt-n-Pepa, Shania Twain, George Michael and so much more! If you love the 90s, then you need all the Number 1 Hits From The 90s!
Details
Britney Spears - ...Baby One More Time
Hanson - MMMBop
Lou Bega - Mambo No. 5 (A Little Bit Of...)
Chumbawamba - Tubthumping
Billy Ray Cyrus - Achy Breaky Heart
All Saints - Never Ever
Ugly Kid Joe - Cat's in the Cradle
Daryl Braithwaite - The Horses
Mr. Big - To Be with You
Lenny Kravitz - Are You Gonna Go My Way
Roxette - Joyride
Vanilla Ice - Ice Ice Baby
Kris Kross - Jump
Jennifer Lopez - If You Had My Love
B*Witched - Rollercoaster
Crash Test Dummies - Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm
Merril Bainbridge - Mouth
MC Hammer - U Can't Touch This
OMC - How Bizarre
Los del R o - Macarena
Aqua - Doctor Jones
UB40 - (I Can't Help) Falling in Love with You
Divinyls - I Touch Myself
Deee-Lite - Groove Is in the Heart
Salt-n-Pepa - Let's Talk About Sex
The B-52's - Love Shack
Run-D.M.C. vs Jason Nevins - It's Like That
Cut 'N' Move - Give It Up
Shania Twain - You're Still the One
Sixpence None the Richer - Kiss Me
George Michael - Fastlove
K-Ci & JoJo - All My Life
Faith No More - Easy
| i don't know |
Which London duo sang that you had more rabbit than Sainsburys | BRENDAN RODGERS: MORE RABBIT THAN SAINSBURY'S - The Anfield Wrap
BRENDAN RODGERS: MORE RABBIT THAN SAINSBURY’S
28 September 2015 3:07 pm
by Gareth Roberts
A WIN at last. Two fantastic finishes from the much-missed Daniel Sturridge. Impressive midfield performances from the going now staying Lucas Leiva and stand-in skipper James Milner. Tireless running from Danny Ings. More magic from Phil Coutinho.
It might have ‘only been Aston Villa’ — a team in the bottom three with one win in seven that sold its best players in the summer — but Liverpool were desperate for a victory after more than a month without one. We got one. There were reasons to be cheerful on Saturday. And two of Liverpool’s top performers on the pitch were doing their bit off it as well.
Milner and Lucas both tried to tell the media that the players are behind Brendan Rodgers. That morale is good. That he hasn’t lost the dressing room and they’re fighting for him because they think he’s a good manager.
Job done then, on the field and with the media. Let’s all go home and have a bevvy.
And then he goes and spoils it all by saying something stupid like “hysteria”…
It was a brainless line to take by the manager. A mouth in overdrive. “More rabbit than Sainsbury’s,” as Chas and Dave once sang. A home win against a team Liverpool should be beating at home; a team that finished three points above the relegation zone last season and are tipped to be embroiled in another scrap this, is not the time to go all big bollocks. Not when that same team knocked a gutless Liverpool out of the FA Cup at the semi-final stage not so long ago. Because, you know, accusations of “short memories” and all that.
Let’s have it straight again. Rodgers is extremely lucky to still be the manager of Liverpool. Approaching lottery winner standards. He was lucky to start the season still in position after last season and after results and performances that have failed to convince this, most think he is a dead man walking; a manager sure to get the bullet the next time a bad result comes along. With a defence still playing like strangers, there’s no denying that it remains a possibility whenever the Reds take to the field right now.
At Anfield, boos have punctuated poor performances. For all the criticism of modern football, that’s not something we’re used to. The criticism that Rodgers told the world is “outside” is inside. Online, the vitriol directed his way is daily and endless. It’s from Liverpool fans. For many, he isn’t a great manager or a great man. And seemingly anything goes until the day he is told to pack his bags. Coming out swinging when you’re top of the league is one thing. Trying to float a boat on a sea of shite is quite another.
On Friday, Rodgers seemed to recognise all this. Knew he was in trouble. Understood why. Respected the owners if they said ‘enough is enough’. He seemed humble. Discussing how he could get the fans back onside in that press conference, he nailed it in one: “You do that by winning games and performing.”
Exactly right. This. This all day. So do that.
All that has come since is a win against a below average Premier League side. One that without any real inclination to attack scored two goals and could have had more. The ego should have stayed in its box, the inner chimp still in chains. A 3-2 win over Aston Villa is not the time to be taking on all-comers, particularly with a trip to Goodison, a fixture that went a long way to pushing Hodgson over the cliff and a venue where Rodgers is yet to taste victory as Liverpool manager, just days away.
When Rodgers was appointed, plenty of Reds held reservations about his pedigree to manage Liverpool. His CV didn’t impress, showing only a promotion to the Premier League as evidence of being a winner of sorts.
Then he started speaking. And he was slated for being a salesman, football’s answer to David Brent — full of management-speak and the rest, to put it mildly.
The dreadful Being Liverpool didn’t help matters, evidenced by the fact that it is still referenced to this day, more than three years later. The envelopes. The touchy-feely stuff. The picture of himself in his house. All that.
Ultimately, though, when Liverpool started winning games and performing, nobody gave a flying one. All the stuff that leaves a bitter taste in the mouth now — the abuse, getting personal, the online baiting of anyone seeking the smallest bit of balance in the debate about his performance as Liverpool manager — none of that existed when Liverpool scored goals left, right and centre and won games. There was nothing to get in a “frenzy” about. There was no need for “hysteria”. Not of the negative kind, anyway.
The Kop sang his name. Said he built a team like Shankly did. The fans held banners aloft. T-shirts appeared in shops and Rodgers was named manager of the year. “Who cares about Being Liverpool and CVs now?”, Rodgers could have rightly asked while flicking the Vs at the world.
Then it all went tits up. Liverpool stopped winning and stopped performing. The bullshit came to the fore again. When the Reds did find a period of form, Rodgers was too quick to blow his own trumpet. The press was full of the genius of his formation change and how it was discovered — briefed by the manager — only for Manchester United to slap the egg on his face the following weekend. The rest of the season was a write off. Liverpool were an awful watch and Rodgers looked like he had ran out of ideas. Stoke was the horse’s head in the bed moment. Only a matter of time.
And so the summer. The support staff were whacked instead. And keeping Rodgers in charge wasn’t the only obvious decision made during the close season. The manager made one himself. Basically, he decided to shut up for a bit. To wind his neck in and say little more than was necessary. And not before time. All the Balotelli stuff. The tales of pacing kitchens. It didn’t really wash when you’re going up and down the country watching Liverpool lie down for piss-poor sides that should be put to the sword no matter what stage of development the club is supposedly at.
It felt that during pre-season, and early into the new campaign, that there was a humble approach; a new focus. A recognition from Rodgers that things had gone wrong, that he’d been lucky to remain in position at Anfield, and that now it was time for getting things right on the pitch and worrying a bit less about public perception.
So there was less of the Talk Sport matey bollocks. Less of the cosy Sky chats. Fewer cringeworthy ‘jokes’. Press conferences seemed shorter and straighter. Answers played with a straight bat. More business-like.
Then came the important bit — the results and performances bit. An away win at Stoke courtesy of a world-class Coutinho goal. A fortunate 1-0 home win courtesy of an offside goal against promoted Bournemouth. A battling draw at Arsenal before a dreadful 0-3 capitulation to West Ham and a feeble failure at Old Trafford. Three 1-1 draws with Bordeaux, Norwich and League Two Carlisle and finally the win over Villa.
Liverpool haven’t convinced at either end of the pitch in the season so far. Formations have switched. The Lovren experiment failed. An identifiable pattern of play — an ‘identity’ — is yet to truly emerge. If there is “hysteria” by Brendan Rodgers’ standards it is because Liverpool have been poor. There’s been nothing to convince. Nothing to get excited about.
Aston Villa was the first Liverpool win over 90 minutes in seven matches. And while it was better, it wasn’t a signal for popping champagne corks. It was a start. A Saturday night with a smile on your face. A step in the right direction. A sign that Liverpool — maybe, just maybe — can turn all this around. So why didn’t the manager just say all that? Say it was a good win. Say it was great to have Sturridge back. Say Lucas and Milner were great and Ings’ work-rate is fantastic. And then go home. Leave the rest. Forget the other.
Early in the season it may be, but the “frenzy” that Rodgers referred to was born from frustration that this season very quickly felt like another campaign disappearing around the u-bend. And we’ve had quite enough of those for one lifetime, thanks very much. It’s also on the back of a season that ended in a way that Liverpool are unaccustomed to.
Most Liverpool fans know where the club is financially. Most Liverpool fans know that other clubs have better resources available to them — in terms of money, in terms of facilities, in terms of youth systems, in terms of stadiums. Most Liverpool fans are also more than aware that the club finished 7th, 6th, 8th and 7th before the run to second place that no-one predicted under Rodgers.
But then there was last season and the idea of par. We’re not after par. We’re not after OK. We’re not happy for Liverpool to roll over and die in Europe. We want Liverpool to fight. And we want Liverpool to be angry, to be pissed off, to be annoyed when they lose at home to Crystal Palace, or away to Stoke, or to West Ham at Anfield.
When that happens, we expect our ex players to say that’s not good enough in the media. Because we don’t think it’s good enough either. And as much as it saddens me to say, we expect boos from some if what they’re seeing in front of them doesn’t meet expectations. That’s the way it is.
Brendan Rodgers is already walking a tightrope, and he’s a strong wind from falling out of a job. He should fight Liverpool’s corner when he’s up there representing the club by all means. But his own fight for recognition isn’t going to be won via the media. It’s not politics. It’s not an election campaign. It’s not a sales pitch. We don’t want to hear that Rodgers is a better manager than the guy who almost won the league when we’re eighth in the league having scored only seven goals in seven matches.
We don’t want to hear insinuation about the players the club have bought, or their quality, either. Whoever signs the cheques has done so on £200million-plus in two summers. And by common consensus, the latest batch was of the manager’s choosing. So whatever “tools” Rodgers has, he should try to do the work and make less noise while doing so. Results and performances. Results and performances.
The team that come so close in 2013-4 is a long time ago now, ancient history. Luis Suarez is long gone. Steven Gerrard and Raheem Sterling are no longer. And who that team excited and when and where is now irrelevant. Liverpool fans, Liverpool ex players, whoever Rodgers is pointing the finger at regarding the ‘campaign’ to get him out, all will be silenced if he can do it again. We all want Liverpool to win. That’s it. Just win.
In the meantime, seven defeats in 16 league games and only 16 goals scored is grim reading. Not being able to beat League Two Carlisle United is embarrassing.
Suggesting another manager could do a better job with the same resources is not hysteria. It’s not a frenzy. It’s yearning for standards the club has traditionally set itself that we expect Liverpool to try to return to. When it goes wrong, the manager carries the can. Rodgers wants that to end?
“You do that by winning games and performing.”
The Anfield Wrap - 19 January 2017
Pic: David Rawcliffe-Propaganda Photo
| Chas & Dave |
Who was lead guitarist with Queen | Chas and Dave - Music-News.com
Chas and Dave
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By Leigh Adams and Sue Archer
Greenwich had more Rabbit than Sainsbury’s when Chas and Dave took to the stage on Friday.
Performing their annual Christmas Jamboree at the O2 Indigo, the Cockney duo revved up a packed audience with their slowly-dying tradition of London ditties and Rockney tunes.
Die hard fans, eager to keep the nostalgia alive, couldn’t stop rocking to a medley of well-known hits, many of the audience grew up with.
The show opened with a blast of Christmas Jamboree old time Music Hall favourites, which set the party sing-along atmosphere for the night ahead.
The Can Can and Henry the Eighth had the eager crowd pounding on the sticky beer-filled floor, as Chas tinkled the ivories with his usual gusto and Cockney oompa-pah.
Joining the duo on stage was Chas’s son Nik on drums, and a quartet of Santa hat-wearing brass players, who all paid their respect to well-loved drummer Mick who sadly died in October.
After a short-break, the Rockney double-act upped the tempo and fast-forwarded a few decades, belting out a string of chart-topping hits to the delight of the crowd.
Rabbit sent the appreciative audience hopping along in unison, as Chas and Dave sang the unforgettable lyrics “You’ve got more rabbit than Sainsbury’s”.
The 02 Indigo was taken on a beano to Margate for a good old knees-up, a tune famously used in the unforgettable Only Fools and Horses’ episode Jolly Boys’ Outing.
In fact the Only Fools and Horses theme tune would have been sung by Chas and Dave, and not its screenwriter John Sullivan, had the boys not been on a promotional tour of Australia.
There’s no doubt Del and Rodney would have been proud as Chas and Dave turned the Indigo into an East End pub with further hits including London Girls and The Sideboard Song.
Gertcha and Snooker Loopy had the crowd singing at full pelt while Ain’t No Pleasing You led to the rowdy revellers linking arms and swaying in time.
It’s not often that the appearance of a new song gets widespread approval but their catchy 2013 release Two Worlds Collide could have been easily mistaken for one of their classic hits.
Taken from their album That’s What Happens, the song would surely have been a top ten hit back in the day, but sadly, the tune didn’t even enter today’s hit parade.
Although denied an encore, the Chas and Dave ravers left the venue on a high, but tinged with sadness that this traditional London sound of yesteryear is fading into obscurity.
Once a staple soundtrack to London life, this unique folk music of the working class is now relegated to nostalgia.
Flat caps off to Chas and Dave for keeping the sound and those Golden memories alive.
And all we’ve got to say to today’s record companies and the slick world of manufactured acts – Gertcha!
| i don't know |
What do we call a young horse | 3 Ways to Bond With Your Horse Using Natural Horsemanship
Understanding Your Horse’s Body Language
1
Observe how your horse uses his body and voice to communicate. Your horse is able to use many parts of his body (eg, legs, face, tail) and make many different types of voices to communicate with you and other horses. Understanding his body language is a key component of natural horsemanship; if you know why they move and use their body in certain ways, you will improve your communication and bond with your horse.
It can be helpful to initially watch your horse without interacting with him to get a better idea of what he’s trying to say.
2
Watch how your horse uses his eyes, ears, and facial expressions to communicate. Your horse’s eyes, ears, and face often work together to convey how your horse is feeling. For example, if your horse is feeling frightened, his ears will be pricked forwards and his eyes will widen. [2]
The way that your horse has his eyes open or closed often indicates his alertness and wakefulness; he is alert and attentive when both of his eyes are open, but is drowsy if his eyes are only half open. [3] [4] If he is keeping one eye shut or seems unable to open one eye, there may be something medically wrong with that eye; consult your veterinarian in this case. [5]
Horses are able to move their ears together and individually in response to their environment. For example, if one ear is positioned backward, your horse is probably trying to listen to something behind him. [6] If his ears are flattened back or pricked forward, your horse is likely frightened or upset; [7] [8] flared nostrils and widened eyes often accompany these ear positions. Move back to a safe distance from your horse if his ears indicate that he is frightened or upset.
A horse’s facial expressions can convey different emotions or responses. The flehmen response (your horse may look like he’s laughing when he does this) is a way for your horse to pick up and process different scents in his environment; he will lift his head and curl his upper lip under itself. If your horse is young, he may softly clack his teeth (softly chomp his teeth together) so that other older horses won’t hurt him. To indicate that he is relaxed, your horse may droop his chin or mouth. [9] [10]
3
Look at the way your horse uses his head, neck, and tail . Your horse can convey a variety of emotions by the way he positions his head, neck, and tail. Paying close attention to these positions will give you important clues as to how he’s feeling.
If your horse is holding his head high, he is feeling alert and curious. A lowered head could mean that he is submitting to a command, but it could also mean that he is depressed. [11] [12]
Stiff neck muscles indicate that your horse is feeling tense or stressed. If your horse’s neck is stretched out and his neck muscles are feeling loose, he’s probably feeling relaxed. [13]
When your horse swishes his tail, he could be swatting pests away (slow and steady swish) or could be feeling agitated (quick and aggressive swish). If his tail indicates that he’s agitated, give your horse some space to calm down. The height at which your horse holds his tail indicates that he’s feeling alert (high tail) or has some discomfort (tail tucked between the legs). [14]
4
Listen closely to the voices that your horse makes. Just like his other body parts, your horse will use his voice differently in different situations. Take time to learn what each of these voices means.
Horses will neigh when they’re feeling anxious (high-pitched), confident (sounds like a bugle), or simply acknowledging their presence. [15] [16]
Horses will also snort and nicker. Snorting indicates that your horse is either excited or alarmed about something. [17] [18] Nickering is a calmer noise that your horse will make when he’s anticipating meal time or, in the case of a female horse, communicating with her foal. [19]
Groans commonly mean that your horse is experiencing some type of discomfort, such as being ridden too hard or landing too hard. Groans can also indicate a serious medical condition, such as constipation or stomach pain; [20] your veterinarian will be needed to diagnose and treat the medical condition.
Horses can also sigh and squeal. Just like in people, your horse will sigh when he’s feeling relaxed or relieved. [21] In contrast, your horse will squeal when he is feeling playful or meeting another horse for the first time. [22]
5
Watch your horse’s posture and legs . Taking an overall look at how your horse is standing or moving can give you important clues as to what he’s trying to communicate. Use caution when observing how your horse uses his legs; horses are very powerful animals and can cause serious physical injury when they kick.
If you notice that your horse is walking very stiffly and has tense-looking muscles, he is likely in some type of pain. [23] Your veterinarian can perform medical tests, such as a lameness exam, to diagnose the pain.
If your horse is trembling, he’s saying that he’s afraid of something. If his trembling is severe, a veterinary behaviorist can work with your horse to calm his fears. [24]
To express playfulness, a horse will buck (lifting his back legs) or rear (raising the front legs). [25] Keep in mind that both of these leg movements can also indicate aggression or fearfulness.
If your horse’s legs are splayed, he may getting ready to bolt or may have medical issues that prevent him from standing properly. Your veterinarian can perform medical and behavioral tests to determine the cause of the splayed legs. [26]
Your horse will paw or stamp the ground with his front legs to indicate that he is feeling impatient or frustrated. [27] [28]
Watch out if your horse lifts one of his front or back legs or starts swinging his hindquarters. This means that he’s getting ready to kick. Move as far back from your horse as possible to prevent injury. [29]
Method
Applying Pressure to Your Horse
1
Understand the purpose of applying pressure to your horse. The use of pressure is a way to train your horse. Using pressure, which can be direct (touching your horse with your hands) or indirect (using a lead rope), can help your horse understand what you want him to do with his body. When done with care and consistency, your horse will learn how to quickly and calmly respond to your pressure, which will strengthen your bond with him. [30]
2
Apply direct pressure to your horse. By using direct pressure, you are teaching your horse to move his body according to how you touch him. [31] Training with direct pressure can be very time-intensive, so just be patient with your horse as you train him in this way.
Start by applying gentle pressure to his poll (between the ears) to get him to lower his head. It may take your horse a few minutes to understand what you want him to do, so just keep applying steady pressure until he moves, or at least starts to move, his head down. [32]
Once he gets more comfortable with the direct pressure to his poll, you can apply pressure to different parts of his body, such as his nose (your horse will move backwards) and behind the ears (your horse will move forwards). [33] [34]
Practice applying direct pressure each day until your horse quickly, consistently, and appropriately responds to your touch.
3
Release the pressure. It is important to remember that it’s the release of the pressure that teaches the horse that he’s doing the right thing, rather than the application of pressure itself. [35] Knowing exactly when to release the pressure will help your horse learn your commands more quickly.
Release as soon as your horse starts to respond in the way that you want him to; waiting a few seconds after he responds is too late. [36]
The release can be full (no more pressure at all) or partial (less than the initial pressure). [37]
Releasing the pressure before he has tried to respond will increase the amount of time it takes him to learn to respond to pressure. [38]
4
Apply indirect pressure to your horse. Using indirect pressure means that you are not directly touching your horse; rather, you are using a driving aid, such as a lead rope, to give him commands. [39] Practice this type of pressure after your horse has mastered responding to direct pressure.
Attach the lead rope to your horse’s halter. While standing about three feet in front of him, start to slowly wiggle the lead rope to get him to step backwards. If he doesn’t move backwards, or moves in another direction, wiggle the rope with increasing force until he takes a step or two back.
Try wiggling from even further back (about 10 feet).
Practice applying indirect pressure for a few minutes each day. [40]
As with direct pressure, release the indirect pressure as soon as your horse to starts to respond appropriately. In this case, you would stop wiggling the rope to release pressure.
Method
Ground Training Your Horse
1
Groom your horse each day. Grooming is a component of ground training, a type of training where you are standing on the ground while taking your horse through various exercises. [41] [42] Ground training is an important of natural horsemanship, since it allows you to bond with your horse by establishing boundaries and communicating with him using his natural body language. [43]
If you haven’t groomed him before, start by touching him all over with just your hands. Doing this everyday will get him used to your touch. Be mindful of the areas where he doesn’t feel comfortable being touched, such as his stomach and eyes. [44]
When you start grooming him, focus on the areas where he likes to be touched. Many horses enjoy being touched around their withers and mane. [45]
By grooming and touching your horse all over for just a few minutes each day, he will trust that you will touch him with gentleness and respect. When he trusts you in this way, you will know that you have established a strong bond with him.
2
Practice various leading exercises with your horse. With the use of a lead rope attached to your horse’s halter, lead him from various positions, including in front of him, beside him, and behind him. Leading exercises will teach your horse to respect your personal space; earning this respect from your horse is another important aspect of bonding with him through natural horsemanship. [46]
Lead your horse by walking in front of him. Determine how far in front of him you want to walk, and keep that distance for the duration of your walk. If your horse tries to close the distance that you established, gently push him back. He will learn to respect that distance. [47]
Lead from the partner position (beside him). Stand next to his shoulder for this position. Just like when you walk in front of him, establish and maintain your area of personal space when walking beside him. Practice this position next to both shoulders. [48]
Lead from the drive position. Stand behind your horse’s drive line (behind the withers) and walk diagonally behind him. [49]
As an alternative, try leading your horse without the lead rope. Practice this when your horse has mastered being led with the lead rope.
No matter which lead position you practice, the goal is for your horse to see you as alpha and respect your personal space. Practice each day until your horse is comfortable being led by you.
3
Practice ground training with your horse every day. The key to ground training is to practice it consistently until your horse responds quickly and appropriately to your commands. When he does this, you will have established a bond with him based on mutual trust and respect. Do not do ground training for more than 30 minutes otherwise he will get bored and will not respond. [50]
Community Q&A
What can I do if I am having difficulty training my horse?
wikiHow Contributor
Start by getting to know your horse. Take time to bond, learning your horse's body language and allowing your horse to learn to trust you. If you continue to have difficulty, you might benefit from the help of a professional trainer.
What can I do if my horse is older and not easily trainable?
wikiHow Contributor
Try getting to know them. Try to figure out what they have been trained in the past and start from there.
What do I do if my almost two year old horse always chases me out of the paddock?
wikiHow Contributor
Your horse is showing dominance. This behavior is unacceptable, and you should fix it yourself or get a trainer to help you.
If this question (or a similar one) is answered twice in this section, please click here to let us know.
Tips
Be gentle yet firm with your horse as you bond with him. By following the methods of natural horsemanship, you will see that you can train your horse without hurting him or forcing him into submission. [51]
Horses learn from pressure and the release of pressure, rather than through fear or pain. [52]
Avoid taking any action that would hurt your horse.
Remember that horses are social herd animals. They establish a social hierarchy in a herd, meaning that one horse will lead and the others will follow. Through consistent ground training, you can establish the same type of lead role that your horse will respond to and follow.
Bonding with your horse using natural horsemanship will take time. You will need plenty of time to understand your horse’s body language, and your horse will need time to learn how to trust and respect you.
When grooming, try to work towards allowing your horse to be untied in a stable. If he understand he should not move until allowed then he is 'following' you but if he moves around by himself it means he has no respect for your space.
Patience is the key working with horses, whether it's teaching them a new trick and especially bonding with them. The moment you loose your patience or get aggressive with the horse you break the bond you have with them already. Horses have many ways to show that they have a connection with you like racing up to see you, neighing every time they see you (doesn't count at feeding time), following you everywhere, always having your attention, ect. So just be patient and do things you both like doing like grooming or washing or even massage (meaning you massage the horse not they massage you).
| Foal |
What type of creature is a western spadefoot | TheHorse: Your Guide to Equine Health Care | TheHorse.com
An owner with a colicky horse is worried that grain could be the culprit and wants to know how much to feed.
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Barn and farm improvements small and large can boost your property's appeal to equine real estate buyers.
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Dr. Nicola Pusterla shares what owners need to know about EHV, its clinical signs, treatment, and prevention.
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Breeding a mare is exciting but not without challenges. Learn about stallion selection, breeding soundness, and more!
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Progress has been made recently in lameness diagnosis and treatment, and the future holds promise, one researcher says.
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Do you want to make sure your horse is getting the right amount of feed? Use a scale!
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Are there any parameters for offering senior feeds to horses diagnosed with Cushing's and laminitis?
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Dr. Nathan Slovis shares information about the causes and diagnosis of diarrhea in foals and adult horses.
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Nutritionist Dr. Clair Thunes explains what the National Animal Supplement Council is and what its product seal means.
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Winter is a great time for planning. Here are some tips for planning, prioritizing, and tackling your "to do" list.
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Drs. Ashlee Watts and Clair Thunes offer reasons why your vet should be involved in supplement selection.
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| i don't know |
What is the correct term for a bunch of bananas | Morphology of banana plant | News, knowledge and information on bananas
Morphology of the banana plant
Banana mat
Drawing of a banana mat showing the true stem (shown in blue) inside the pseudostem. The clump formed by the fruit-bearing parent plant, its suckers and the rhizome is called a mat.
The banana plant is a tree-like perennial herb. It is an herb because the aerial parts of the parent plant die down to the ground after the growing season. It is a perennial because one of the offshoots growing at the base of the plant, the sucker, then takes over (cultivated bananas do not produce seeds). The mat, also called stool, is the term used to designate the parent plant and its suckers, which are connected to each other through the underground rhizome. What looks like a trunk is in fact a pseudostem made from tightly packed leaf sheaths.
Wild species of bananas share the same body plant as cultivated bananas, but differ in that they also produce seeds , in addition to suckers. The variability observed in morphological traits is used to characterize banana plants [1] .
Contents
External links
Root system
The root system is the means by which the plant takes up water and nutrients from the soil.
The roots are produced by the underground structure called a rhizome [2] . The primary roots originate from the surface of the central cylinder (see below), whereas secondary and tertiary roots originate from the primary roots.
Rhizome
The rhizome is the banana plant's true stem. It is commonly referred to as a corm, and occasionally as a bulb, but the botanically correct term is rhizome [3] . Rhizomes are characterized by horizontal underground growth; production of roots from multiple nodes; and production of clonal plants [4] . Corms, on the other hand, are vertical enlarged compact stems with a tunic of thin leaves and roots arising from a single node; features that do not describe well the banana plant's underground structure.
The terminal growing point of the rhizome, the apical meristem, is a flattened dome from which the leaves and the inflorescence are formed.
Pseudostem
Main page on the banana pseudostem
The true stem is visible in the center of the pseudostem
The pseudostem is the part of the plant that looks like a trunk. This 'false stem' is formed by the tightly packed overlapping leaf sheaths . The pseudostem continues to grow in height as the leaves emerge one after the other and reaches its maximum height when the aerial true stem [5] (which is often called the floral stem because it supports the inflorescence ) emerges at the top of the plant.
Even though the pseudostem is very fleshy and consists mostly of water, it is quite sturdy and can support a bunch that weighs 50 kg or more.
Leaf
Main page on the banana leaf
The leaf is the plant's main photosynthetic organ. Each leaf emerges from the center of the pseudostem as a rolled cylinder (see cigar leaf below). The distal end of the elongating leaf sheath contracts into a petiole, that is more or less open depending on the cultivar. The petiole becomes the midrib, which divides the blade into two lamina halves. The upper surface of the leaf is called adaxial while the lower one is called abaxial.
The first rudimentary leaves produced by a growing sucker are called scale leaves. Mature leaves that consist of sheath, petiole, midrib and blade are called foliage leaves.
Lamina veins run parallel to each other in a long S shape from midrib to margin. Veins do not branch, which results in leaves tearing easily.
Cigar leaf
The cigar leaf is a recently emerged leaf still rolled as a cylinder.
The lapse of time in which a leaf unfolds varies. Under favourable climatic conditions, it takes about seven days, but it can take up to 15 to 20 days under poor conditions.
The new leaf is tightly coiled, whitish, and particularly fragile.
The extension at the tip of the leaf is called the precursory appendage. After emergence, it withers and falls off.
Sucker
Main page on the banana sucker
From left to right: water sucker and sword sucker
A sucker is a lateral shoot that develops from the rhizome and usually emerges close to the parent plant. Other names for sucker are keiki (in Hawaii) and pup.
A sucker that has just emerged through the soil surface is called a peeper. A full grown sucker bearing foliage leaves is called a maiden sucker.
Morphologically, there are two types of sucker: sword suckers (right on the photo), characterized by narrow leaves and a large rhizome, and water suckers (left on the photo), which have broad leaves and a small rhizome. Water suckers have a weak connection to the parent plant and as such will not develop into a strong plant.
The number of suckers produced varies with the type of cultivar. The sucker selected to replace the parent plant after fruiting is called the follower or ratoon.
Inflorescence
Banana plants stripped of their leaves and leaf sheaths to reveal the true stem.
The inflorescence is a complex structure that includes the flowers that will develop into fruits. It is supported by the aerial true stem, which is often called the floral stem [5] . The aerial true stem is produced by the terminal growing point on the rhizome . It grows through the pseudostem and emerges at the top of the plant soon after the last cigar leaf .
The female (pistillate) flowers appear first. In cultivated bananas, the ovary develops into a seedless fruit by parthenocarpy (without being pollinated). As it lifts, the bract (a modified leaf associated with a reproductive structure, such as a flower) exposes a cluster of female flowers that are normally arranged in two rows. These flowers will develop into a hand of fruit. The number of hands in the bunch depends on the number of female clusters in the inflorescence, and varies depending on the genotype and environmental conditions.
As the female flowers develop into fruit, the distal portion of the inflorescence elongates and produces clusters of male (staminate) flowers, each subtended by a bract. The male flowers in the male bud produce pollen that may or may not be sterile. A third type of flowers called hermaphrodite, or neutral, may be present on the stalk between the female flowers and the male bud, traditionally called the rachis, but which some scientists argue is part of the peduncle [5] . They generally do not develop into fruit and their stamens do not produce pollen.
The inflorescence emerges at the top of the plant and soon starts pointing down, with the exception of Fei bananas.
The bract lifts, or curls up at the tip, exposing the female flowers that will develop into fruit. The flowers are arranged in clusters, the future hands.
Below the female flowers, some cultivars possess hermaphrodite flowers, also called neutral flowers.
The last type of flowers to appear are the male flowers, which are also subtended by a bract.
Peduncle
In botany, the peduncle is the stalk that supports the inflorescence. Yet, in the Descriptors for bananas, the peduncle refers only to the stalk between the leaf crown and the first hand of fruit, whereas the stalk that actually supports the female and male flowers is called rachis [1] . Australian scientists argue that in keeping with the botanical definition of the term, the peduncle starts at the first visible node and ends at the meristem in the male bud [5] . For what is traditionally called peduncle, they propose transitional peduncle because it supports organs that are in transition from leaves to bracts. They propose female peduncle for the section that supports the female flowers that become fruits, and male peduncle for the section that supports the nodes of male flowers, the traditional rachis.
Bunch
The bunch is the descriptive term that includes all the fruits. The fruits are arranged into hands, the former clusters of flowers that were each subtended by a bract. By analogy, the fruits in a hand are often called fingers. The largest bunch, according to Guinness World Records, weighed in at 130 kg [6] .
Rachis
The rachis traditionally refers to the part between the male bud and the last hand of fruit, or the first one depending on the author, but Australian scientists argue that it is the continuation of the peduncle, obviating the need for the ambiguous term rachis, which in botany has also been used for vegetative structures [5] . The part below the last hand (which they call the male peduncle [5] ) can be bare or covered with persistent bracts. The scars indicate where the bracts were attached. They are called nodes.
Male bud
The male bud contains the male flowers enclosed in their bracts. It is sometimes called the bell. As the fruits mature, the rachis (or male peduncle [5] ) and male bud continue to grow. In some cultivars, the male bud ceases to grow after the fruits have set and can be more or less exhausted by the time the bunch reaches maturity. The presence or absence of the male bud is one of the traits used to distinguish cultivars.
| Hand (disambiguation) |
What is the official language of Nigeria | A bunch of bananas
A bunch of bananas
#1 ( permalink ) Tue Jun 14, 2005 12:23 pm A bunch of bananas
For the next hour it will be possible to buy just one ......... of bananas and get one more free.
(a) bunch
For the next hour it will be possible to buy just one bunch of bananas and get one more free.
Correct answer: (a) bunch
Your answer was: incorrect
For the next hour it will be possible to buy just one hand of bananas and get one more free.
_________________________
why we can not call a bunch of bananas>>
Guest
#2 ( permalink ) Tue Jun 14, 2005 14:14 pm A bunch of bananas
A bunch of bananas is the correct expression here. It is a common term that describes a cluster of bananas which you can purchase at a supermarket.
Do you know how to use the relative pronoun ?
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#3 ( permalink ) Tue Oct 05, 2010 13:04 pm A bunch of bananas
I don't understand... What is the difference between "bunch' of bananas and 'hand' of bananas? I'm thinking... The 'bunch' of bananas is like in nature, whole, and the 'hand' of bananas is like at the supermarket, in pieces - is it so?
| i don't know |
What is the nearest star to the Earth | Closest Star to the Sun - Universe Today
Universe Today
Closest Star to the Sun
Article Updated: 18 Oct , 2016
by Fraser Cain
This is a classic trick question. Ask a friend, “what is the closest star?” and then watch as they try to recall some nearby stars. Sirius maybe? Alpha something or other? Betelgeuse?
The answer, obviously, is the Sun; that massive ball of plasma located a mere 150 million km from Earth.
Let’s be more precise; what’s the closest star to the Sun?
Closest Star
You might have heard that it’s Alpha Centauri, the third brightest star in the sky, just 4.37 light-years from Earth.
But Alpha Centauri isn’t one star, it’s a system of three stars. First, there’s a binary pair, orbiting a common center of gravity every 80 years. Alpha Centauri A is just a little more massive and brighter than the Sun, and Alpha Centauri B is slightly less massive than the Sun. Then there’s a third member of this system, the faint red dwarf star, Proxima Centauri.
It’s the closest star to our Sun, located just a short 4.24 light-years away.
Proxima Centauri
Alpha Centauri is located in the Centaurus constellation, which is only visible in the Southern Hemisphere. Unfortunately, even if you can see the system, you can’t see Proxima Centauri. It’s so dim, you need a need a reasonably powerful telescope to resolve it.
Let’s get sense of scale for just how far away Proxima Centauri really is. Think about the distance from the Earth to Pluto. NASA’s New Horizons spacecraft travels at nearly 60,000 km/h, the fastest a spacecraft has ever traveled in the Solar System. It will have taken more than nine years to make this journey when it arrives in 2015. Travelling at this speed, to get to Proxima Centauri, it would take New Horizons 78,000 years.
Proxima Centauri has been the nearest star for about 32,000 years, and it will hold this record for another 33,000 years. It will make its closest approach to the Sun in about 26,700 years, getting to within 3.11 light-years of Earth. After 33,000 years from now, the nearest star will be Ross 248.
What About the Northern Hemisphere?
Bernard’s Star
For those of us in the Northern Hemisphere, the closest visible star is Barnard’s Star, another red dwarf in the constellation Ophiuchus. Unfortunately, just like Proxima Centauri, it’s too dim to see with the unaided eye.
The closest star that you can see with the naked eye in the Northern Hemisphere is Sirius, the Dog Star. Sirius, has twice the mass and is almost twice the size of the Sun, and it’s the brightest star in the sky. Located 8.6 light-years away in the constellation Canis Major – it’s very familiar as the bright star chasing Orion across the night sky in Winter.
How do Astronomers Measure the Distance to Stars?
They use a technique called parallax. Do a little experiment here. Hold one of your arms out at length and put your thumb up so that it’s beside some distant reference object. Now take turns opening and closing each eye. Notice how your thumb seems to jump back and forth as you switch eyes? That’s the parallax method.
To measure the distance to stars, you measure the angle to a star when the Earth is one side of its orbit; say in the summer. Then you wait 6 month, until the Earth has moved to the opposite side of its orbit, and then measure the angle to the star compared to some distant reference object. If the star is close, the angle will be measurable, and the distance can be calculated.
You can only really measure the distance to the nearest stars this way, since it only works to about 100 light-years.
The 20 Closest Stars
Here is a list of the 20 closest star systems and their distance in light-years. Some of these have multiple stars, but they’re part of the same system.
Alpha Centauri – 4.2
| Sun |
In heraldry what colour is azure | Learn About the Closest Stars to the Sun
By Nick Greene
Updated October 04, 2016.
Our Sun is one of several hundred million stars in the Milky Way. It lies in an arm of the galaxy called the Orion Arm, and is about 26,000 light-years from the galaxy's center. That puts it in the "suburbs" of our stellar city.
Stars aren't bunched up out here in this neck of the galactic woods as they are in the core and in the globular clusters. In those regions, stars are often much less than a light-year apart, and even closer in the densely packed clusters!
Our here in the galactic boonies, our closest stellar neighbor is still far enough away that it would take a spaceship hundreds of years to get there (unless it could travel at light-speed). So, any future star travel is going to require long journeys or warp drive before humans can successful explore far-off lands and stars in even our closest neighborhood. So, what are the stars that lie closest to the Sun? Let's explore!
| i don't know |
Who was the first player to score two hundred and fifty Premier League goals | Bootiful Game: Football infographics | 22 Players to reach 100 Premier League goals
Contact
22 Players to reach 100 Premier League goals
When scoring at home to Stoke City on the 10th of March, 2012, Didier Drogba became the 22nd member of the Premier League 100 Goals Club. By scoring 100 goals in just 220 league games, Didier has become the 9th quickest player to achieve this feat. Thanks, once again to the generosity and data of Infostrada Sports we have put together a series of infographics visualizing the scoring rates of the different players to have scored 100 goals in the Premiership – from the quickest, Alan Shearer (100 goals in 124 matches) through to the slowest, Ryan Giggs (100 goals in 534 matches).
Simply click the names above to compare the scoring rates of the various goalscorers.
Particular highlights for me include:
The start of Andy Cole’s Newcastle United career where he scored 30 goals in his first 32 matches – a rate quicker than any other member of the 100 Club.
Jermain Defoe’s five goals in a 9-1 rout of Wigan, on Sunday, 22 November 2009 (his 263rd game for Spurs). Andy Cole also scored 5 in a single game (another 9 goal massacre of Ipswich, at Old Trafford) however Defoe’s feat is even more memorable because all five goals were scored in the second half!
Paul Scholes’ 33-game drought between his 96th and 97th goals. The longest dry spell in any of the members of the 100 Club.
Ryan Giggs’ steady ascent towards 100 goals, taking an incredible 534 league games to achieve. Giggs scored his 100th league goal for United against Derby County on 8 December 2007, 15 seasons after the formation of the Premier League.
Frank Lampard’s sudden goalscoring surge! Initially Frank’s goalscoring rate of 50 goals in 279 games made Ryan Giggs look positively rapid in comparison, however a change in his willingness to take penalties and shoot from virtually any distance, resulted in a massive upturn in fortune for the rotund midfielder.
Finally, the real star of the show is Alan Shearer, and his phenomenal scoring rate throughout the early part of his Premiership career with Blackburn Rovers, where he scored 100 goals in an astonishing 124 games. Despite snapping his right anterior cruciate ligament in a match against Leeds United in December 1992, and missing half of his first season, Shearer still scored 16 goals in the 21 games in which he did feature, and followed it up with 31 goals in 34 appearances the very next year.
The complete list is as follows:
1. Alan Shearer – 100 in 124
2. Thierry Henry – 100 in 160
3. Ian Wright – 100 in 173
4. Robbie Fowler – 100 in 175
5. Les Ferdinand – 100 in 178
6. Andy Cole – 100 in 184
7. Michael Owen – 100 in 185
8. Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink – 100 in 200
9. Didier Drogba – 100 in 219
10. Darren Bent – 100 in 226
11. Wayne Rooney – 100 in 247
=12. Matthew Le Tissier – 100 in 254
=12. Dwight Yorke – 100 in 254
=12. Teddy Sherringham – 100 in 254
15. Robbie Keane – 100 in 255
16. Nicolas Anelka – 100 in 258
17. Dion Dublin – 100 in 271
18. Jermain Defoe – 100 in 303
19. Frank Lampard – 100 in 406
20. Emile Heskey – 100 in 414
21. Paul Scholes – 100 in 436
22. Ryan Giggs – 100 in 534
You can follow Infostrada Sports at http://www.twitter.com/infostradalive , and they are well worth a follow.
Without their data, sites like The Bootiful Game could not survive, so we are indebted to their willingness to help us out.
wonderful visualization, not sure Frank Lampard will appreciate being described as rotund!
admin
If Frank asks me to change it, I will!
Erik
Could you make the longest time without scoring line for player over 50 goals?
Oracolo
Brilliant informative graphic, showing just how much a legend Alan Shearer really is to the English game, in comparison to other, recent greats.
ethicalstrategy
Probably worth noting that only Lampard and Scholes are not strikers. Also, the would be interesting to know what their total goals and matches were/are.
Erik
The FL stat is great – I love the sudden upward tic when he takes over PKs, and then the leveling out
gvizzle
@ethicalstrategy better check your sources because matt le tissier wasn’t a striker either.
gvizzle
| Alan Shearer |
Who was golf's first millionaire from playing golf | Bootiful Game: Football infographics | 22 Players to reach 100 Premier League goals
Contact
22 Players to reach 100 Premier League goals
When scoring at home to Stoke City on the 10th of March, 2012, Didier Drogba became the 22nd member of the Premier League 100 Goals Club. By scoring 100 goals in just 220 league games, Didier has become the 9th quickest player to achieve this feat. Thanks, once again to the generosity and data of Infostrada Sports we have put together a series of infographics visualizing the scoring rates of the different players to have scored 100 goals in the Premiership – from the quickest, Alan Shearer (100 goals in 124 matches) through to the slowest, Ryan Giggs (100 goals in 534 matches).
Simply click the names above to compare the scoring rates of the various goalscorers.
Particular highlights for me include:
The start of Andy Cole’s Newcastle United career where he scored 30 goals in his first 32 matches – a rate quicker than any other member of the 100 Club.
Jermain Defoe’s five goals in a 9-1 rout of Wigan, on Sunday, 22 November 2009 (his 263rd game for Spurs). Andy Cole also scored 5 in a single game (another 9 goal massacre of Ipswich, at Old Trafford) however Defoe’s feat is even more memorable because all five goals were scored in the second half!
Paul Scholes’ 33-game drought between his 96th and 97th goals. The longest dry spell in any of the members of the 100 Club.
Ryan Giggs’ steady ascent towards 100 goals, taking an incredible 534 league games to achieve. Giggs scored his 100th league goal for United against Derby County on 8 December 2007, 15 seasons after the formation of the Premier League.
Frank Lampard’s sudden goalscoring surge! Initially Frank’s goalscoring rate of 50 goals in 279 games made Ryan Giggs look positively rapid in comparison, however a change in his willingness to take penalties and shoot from virtually any distance, resulted in a massive upturn in fortune for the rotund midfielder.
Finally, the real star of the show is Alan Shearer, and his phenomenal scoring rate throughout the early part of his Premiership career with Blackburn Rovers, where he scored 100 goals in an astonishing 124 games. Despite snapping his right anterior cruciate ligament in a match against Leeds United in December 1992, and missing half of his first season, Shearer still scored 16 goals in the 21 games in which he did feature, and followed it up with 31 goals in 34 appearances the very next year.
The complete list is as follows:
1. Alan Shearer – 100 in 124
2. Thierry Henry – 100 in 160
3. Ian Wright – 100 in 173
4. Robbie Fowler – 100 in 175
5. Les Ferdinand – 100 in 178
6. Andy Cole – 100 in 184
7. Michael Owen – 100 in 185
8. Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink – 100 in 200
9. Didier Drogba – 100 in 219
10. Darren Bent – 100 in 226
11. Wayne Rooney – 100 in 247
=12. Matthew Le Tissier – 100 in 254
=12. Dwight Yorke – 100 in 254
=12. Teddy Sherringham – 100 in 254
15. Robbie Keane – 100 in 255
16. Nicolas Anelka – 100 in 258
17. Dion Dublin – 100 in 271
18. Jermain Defoe – 100 in 303
19. Frank Lampard – 100 in 406
20. Emile Heskey – 100 in 414
21. Paul Scholes – 100 in 436
22. Ryan Giggs – 100 in 534
You can follow Infostrada Sports at http://www.twitter.com/infostradalive , and they are well worth a follow.
Without their data, sites like The Bootiful Game could not survive, so we are indebted to their willingness to help us out.
wonderful visualization, not sure Frank Lampard will appreciate being described as rotund!
admin
If Frank asks me to change it, I will!
Erik
Could you make the longest time without scoring line for player over 50 goals?
Oracolo
Brilliant informative graphic, showing just how much a legend Alan Shearer really is to the English game, in comparison to other, recent greats.
ethicalstrategy
Probably worth noting that only Lampard and Scholes are not strikers. Also, the would be interesting to know what their total goals and matches were/are.
Erik
The FL stat is great – I love the sudden upward tic when he takes over PKs, and then the leveling out
gvizzle
@ethicalstrategy better check your sources because matt le tissier wasn’t a striker either.
gvizzle
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Ted Dexter was a Cambridge blue at two sports, cricket was one what was the other | Ted Dexter and the chequered past of cricketers in the world of politics | Andy Bull | Sport | The Guardian
The Spin
Ted Dexter and the chequered past of cricketers in the world of politics
Amid the flurry of sporting figures weighing in on the EU referendum, a look at Lord Ted’s 1964 campaign in Cardiff South-East, where he faced James Callaghan
The former England cricket captain Ted Dexter, left, strategising during his campaign to become an MP in 1964. Photograph: PA
Wednesday 22 June 2016 05.51 EDT
Last modified on Wednesday 22 June 2016 06.25 EDT
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The ins and outs of cricket politics
So David Beckham is in . Sol Campbell is out. Rio Ferdinand is in. So is Rory Best. And Joey Barton. And Arsène Wenger. And Bobby George. But James Cracknell is out. As, of course, is old Iron Bottom himself , Sir Ian Botham, who seems to have been the only cricketer who has blessed us with his opinion. He appears to have given the matter just as much thought as he used to put into his bowling plans – “In the end we gave up on team meetings,” said Botham’s team-mate Phil Neale, “because he just wanted to bounce them all out.” Botham’s contribution to the debate has included the choice observations: “Personally, I think that England is an island” and “I think that England should be England. And I think that we should keep that.”
England’s Liam Plunkett hits last ball for six for ODI tie against Sri Lanka
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Of course Botham is a blowhard, and if you expected anything else you’ll be equally surprised to find that the scorpion stings the frog. But his is only one in an entertaining occasional series of interventions by English cricketers. While there have been many fine things done in private by players with strong political consciences – think of Botham’s mentor Tom Cartwright, who is said to have feigned an injury so he could withdraw from a tour to South Africa in 1968, or Botham’s own refusal to join the rebel tour in ‘82 – public pronouncements rarely seem to have worked out so well. Especially, it has to be said, when they’ve come from the right end of the political spectrum. Call it the Dexter effect.
Of all the many ventures of “Lord Ted”, few can have been quite so bold as his decision to run for parliament. And this is a man who apparently decided to marry his wife on first sight, served in the army during the Malayan Emergency, invested heavily in horses and greyhounds, considered switching careers from cricket to golf, piloted himself and his family 12,000 miles to Australia in a Piper Aztec, co-wrote two sports-themed murder mysteries, Testkill and Deadly Putter, penned the inspirational hymn Onward Gower’s Soldiers while he was serving as chair of selectors, concocted the international player rankings, and once launched a competition to find England’s next fast bowler by sending recruitment forms out to pubs around the country.
When Dexter was 29 he stood as the Tory candidate in Cardiff South-East at the 1964 general election. Educated at Radley and Cambridge, Dexter was conspicuously out of place among what was then a community of dockers and factory workers, perhaps only a little less so than Jacob Rees-Mogg must have been when he took his Mercedes on the campaign trail in central Fife three decades years later. Dexter, who was England captain, ruled himself out of the winter tour to South Africa on the grounds that he expected to win the election. “I’m not just a gimmick”, he said after being selected. Though the chairman of the local Conservative Association is supposed to have told him in private: “We need a candidate who is well known. You won’t win, but we need help.”
Dexter’s opponent was James Callaghan, then serving as Labour’s shadow chancellor. Callaghan had held the seat since the constituency was created in 1950. When Dexter’s candidacy was announced, John Charles had just signed to play for Cardiff City. Callaghan noted dryly: “Mr Dexter is the second sportsman to arrive in Cardiff this week. I think John Charles is likely to prove the better investment.” On the stump, Dexter is supposed to have told one audience that they should consider sending their sons to Eton, on the grounds that it didn’t only qualify children for careers in politics and merchant banking, but that he personally knew several Old Etonians who had gone on to be “racing correspondents and bookmakers”.
Another of his speeches included some odd remarks about how Labour-voting households could be identified by their “grubby lace curtains and unwashed milk bottles on the doorstep”.
Dexter’s rhetoric didn’t play well. Callaghan increased his majority from 868 to just under 8,000. So Dexter decided he was free to tour after all, and travelled to South Africa as MJK Smith’s vice-captain, where he made 344 runs in seven Test innings, at an average of 57. Sadly for political sketch writers, we’ve hardly seen a cricketer stand for office since, though Robin Marlar did run in the Newbury by-election for the Referendum party in 1993. He won 338 votes, lost his deposit, and was beaten into ninth place by Screaming Lord Sutch. Marlar did pip the recently-retired dominatrix Lindi St Clair, aka Miss Whiplash, aka Lily Lavender, who finished 11th with 170.
Since then, well, David Cameron is supposed to have once rung Darren Gough and asked him to stand in Barnsley . Gough assumed it was a prank call and hung up the phone. And there was a swirl of rumours that Andrew Strauss was going to stand when he quit playing for England. The bookies cut the odds as short as 16-1. If it ever was an option, Strauss seems to have soon thought better of it. All in all, then, and allowing for the fact you can compose an entire XI of Victorian parliamentarians who knew how to handle a bat and that Alec Douglas-Home had a first class bowling average of 30 , our politicians have tended to make better cricketers than our cricketers have politicians.
Odd thing is, the result of this referendum could have a considerable impact on English cricket, in that a vote to leave may well mean the end of the Kolpak rule, which allows citizens of countries that have signed EU Association Agreements the same freedom of work as EU citizens themselves. It might also mean the end of the Cotonou Agreement, which makes a similar thing possible for citizens from certain African and Caribbean nations. If you’re still undecided at this late stage, then, it may be worth asking yourself if you want to see that Trinidadian quick turn out for your team at the local county ground again next season. Unless you happen to be stuck in the Second XI behind that old South African all-rounder, I suppose, in which case, best side with Botham.
| Golf |
Which sport first appeared as an Olympic sport at the 1998 Winter Olympics | Dexter awarded CBE | Cricket | ESPN Cricinfo
Dexter awarded CBE
Ted Dexter
Photo © AllSport
Ted Dexter, the former England captain and Chairman of Selectors known throughout the cricket world as "Lord Ted" has been awarded the CBE for the service he has given to the game.
The recognition comes more than seven years after he completed his four-year stint as Chairman of Selectors. Dexter's departure followed the disappointing Ashes series of 1993, which saw Graham Gooch hand over the reins of the England captaincy to Michael Atherton. Dexter, now 65, is currently the Chairman of the MCC's cricket committee.
But it was in his days as a player that Dexter really caught the eye. In a Test career that began against New Zealand at Old Trafford in 1958 and ended against Australia at The Oval ten years later, he made 4,502 runs at 47.89 in the England middle order and took 66 wickets with his medium-pace bowling.
He was one of Wisden's Five Cricketers of the Year in 1961, and in his first-class career with Sussex and England he again averaged over 40 with the bat and under 30 with the ball. Dexter also led Sussex to the first two Gillette Cup titles when one-day cricket was in its infancy. He led England in the early 1960s, and until Nasser Hussain's team's famous victory in Karachi earlier this month was the last man to lead England to a series victory in Pakistan.
Practicing at Fenner's
Photo © AllSport
"Lord Ted" was born in Italy and educated at Radley College and Cambridge University. His approach to the game, and especially to batting, was an aristocratic one. But his approach differed from the languid genius that was to follow from David Gower, or the effortless timing of his contemporary, Colin Cowdrey.
Dexter hit the ball hard, striking fear into the hearts of anyone standing at cover or midwicket when he was batting. In fact Dexter had the sound technique and extensive range of the current Australian captain, Steve Waugh. Some might argue that Waugh has a more obstinate streak, but there was plenty of cussedness when Dexter produced his match-saving 173 against Australia at Old Trafford in 1964.
Dexter famously led from the front in 1963 at Lord's, when he made an unforgettable 70 (81 minutes, 73 balls) against the pace of the West Indies' Wes Hall and Charlie Griffith. It set England up for a memorable victory, although they were ultimately to lose the series.
Dexter retired early from cricket to pursue his many other interests. He spent much of his time indulging his passion for golf and, before he returned to cricket as an administrator, he also dabbled in journalism, commentary, politics, horseracing and business.
Dexter's spell England's Chairman of Selectors was far from easy. He was curiously aloof with the media and made a number of bizarre observations on why things might be going wrong. He spent much of his time at the helm alongside his former Test team-mate Mickey Stewart as England manager.
But his statistics of 21 lost Tests and only nine won out of 44 provided him with a record vastly inferior to that of his playing days.
But Dexter will live in the memory as the man who retaliated when Hall and Griffith were at their most fearsome. It says as much about that famous day at Lord's and his many other swashbuckling acts with bat in hand that he now has letters after his name.
© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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What was the name of the family in the TV series Bread | Bread (TV Series 1986–1991) - IMDb
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7 January 2017 5:00 AM, UTC
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The Liverpool-based Boswell family are experts at exploiting the system to get by in life. Despite the fact that none of the Boswells are officially employed, they manage to live a fairly ... See full summary »
Creator:
The family cannot afford the electricity bill so Joey sends Billy to the DHSS to charm the stone-faced clerk into helping but he lacks his older brother's persuasiveness. Freddie's brother Cyril, a ...
7.0
All the family is pleased when estranged father Freddie comes to visit - except Nellie, who confesses her loathing of him to the local priest. In the course of the day Jack attempts to buy ten stolen...
6.6
Joey confronts Freddie over the stolen money and learns it was to impress his girlfriend, Lilo Lil, who has now left him. Billy buys a car which is a rust bucket so he turns to busking to raise money...
6.5
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1 win & 2 nominations. See more awards »
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Jacko is a house painter who "appreciates" women, he sees the best in each one of them and they in turn, like him. Will he find true love ? Will he settle down as he gets older ?
Stars: Karl Howman, Mike Walling, Jackie Lye
A rather naive, middle-class man is admitted to a hospital ward and finds that he is sharing it with a working-class layabout and an upper-class hypochondriac. All three of them cause headaches for the hospital staff.
Stars: James Bolam, Peter Bowles, Christopher Strauli
Comic goings on in this series set in an English holiday camp called Maplins. The title comes from the camp's greeting, which the staff are meant to say with enthusiasm but all too often ... See full summary »
Stars: Paul Shane, Ruth Madoc, Jeffrey Holland
Ria, a happily married suburban housewife, reaches the age where she feels as if life is passing her by. Being taken for granted by her butterfly collecting dentist husband doesn't help. So... See full summary »
Stars: Wendy Craig, Geoffrey Palmer, Bruce Montague
The series followed the wavering relationship between two ex-lovers, Penny Warrender, a secretary for an advertising firm, and Vincent Pinner, an ex ice cream salesman turned turf ... See full summary »
Stars: Paul Nicholas, Jan Francis, Sylvia Kay
Wolfie Smith is an unemployed dreamer from Tooting London, a self proclaimed Urban Guerilla who aspires to be like his hero Che Guevara. Leading a small group called the Tooting Popular ... See full summary »
Stars: Robert Lindsay, Mike Grady, Hilda Braid
Comedy series following the lives of sisters Tracey and Sharon who are left to fend for themselves after their husbands are arrested for armed robbery.
Stars: Pauline Quirke, Linda Robson, Lesley Joseph
Audrey fforbes-Hamilton is sad when her husband dies but is shocked when she realises that she has to leave Grantleigh Manor where her family has lived forever. The new owner is Richard De ... See full summary »
Stars: Penelope Keith, Peter Bowles, Angela Thorne
Martin is a committee man. He has numerous schemes and committees organised around the neighbourhood. He is so obsessive about every detail of everything he does he is driving his long ... See full summary »
Stars: Richard Briers, Penelope Wilton, Peter Egan
Zany antics and sketches by the anarchic camp comic.
Stars: Kenny Everett, Cleo Rocos, Sheila Steafel
George and Mildred Roper are forced to leave their home in South Kensington (as the landlords in Man About the House (1973)) when they receive a compulsory purchase order from the council. ... See full summary »
Stars: Yootha Joyce, Brian Murphy, Norman Eshley
The perils of "escaping the rat race" and dropping out of society - to start a farm in Surbiton (and to drive Margo nuts).
Stars: Richard Briers, Felicity Kendal, Penelope Keith
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Storyline
The Liverpool-based Boswell family are experts at exploiting the system to get by in life. Despite the fact that none of the Boswells are officially employed, they manage to live a fairly good life thanks government handouts and various cash-in-hand jobs. Family life for the Boswells centres around their God-fearing Catholic mother, Nellie. With her husband having left her for "a tart", she relies upon her eldest son, Joey, to play the father's role to her other three sons, Jack, Adrian and Billy, and her daughter Aveline. Their ability to squeeze the DHSS dry, while the boys earn a living on the side, is legendary. But, although the family is the focus of their lives, they each have different reasons to be unhappy!
1 May 1986 (UK) See more »
Filming Locations:
Billy Boswell is the show's least popular character. See more »
Quotes
Lilo Lil : Look, we're both women. We have handbags, and ovaries. We're as devious and clever as a gifted monkey, and here we are fighting over a little man with a yellow cart.
Nellie Boswell : Is that how you see him?
Lilo Lil : No. I thought that's how you might see him.
This Bread soon went crusty and stale
7 October 2004 | by world_of_weird
(England) – See all my reviews
A sitcom from my childhood that my mother absolutely loved, as did most of my schoolfriends, but as a twelve-year-old fan of Monty Python and Fawlty Towers, I couldn't for the life of me understand what all the fuss was about. The show revolved around a supposedly penniless Liverpudlian family, all of whom had their own annoying and oft-repeated catchphrases, and to this day I can't believe how much the audience used to roar with laughter at "She is a tart!" and "All the colours of the rainbow, son". Written by Carla Lane, famous for being paid large sums of money for making nobody laugh (see also BUTTERFLIES and THE LIVER BIRDS), and featuring audience-grabbing but embarrassing cameos from the likes of Paul and Linda McCartney whilst shamelessly playing on every chirpy Scouser stereotype in the book - hey, we're all natural comedians, poets and lovable rogues, don't you know! - this series was a nightmare from start to finish and dragged on far too long. Carla Lane somewhat unrealistically blamed the show's declining popularity on "disloyal ratbag fans" rather than her own tissue-thin scripts and the atrocious, stilted performances from all concerned.
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| Boswells of Oxford |
In the Simpson’s cartoon series what is their home town called | Bread - BBC1 Sitcom - British Comedy Guide
Robin Nash and John B Hobbs
The Liverpool-based Boswell family are experts at exploiting the system to get by in life. Despite the fact that none of the Boswells are officially employed, they manage to live a fairly good life thanks government handouts and various cash-in-hand jobs.
Family life for the Boswells centres around their God-fearing Catholic mother, Nellie. With her husband having left her for "a tart", she relies upon her eldest son, Joey, to play the father's role to her other three sons, Jack, Adrian and Billy, and her daughter Aveline.
Their ability to squeeze the DHSS dry, while the boys earn a living on the side, is legendary. But, although the family is the focus of their lives, they each have different reasons to be unhappy!
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What did the Beverley Hillbillies call their swimming pool | Beverly Hillbillies Swimming Pool - Sitcoms Online Message Boards - Forums
Beverly Hillbillies Swimming Pool
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Beverly Hillbillies Swimming Pool
Beverly Hillbillies fans...what did they call the swimming pool? The cement pond? It just doesn't sound right.
Thanks!!
Join Date: Feb 15, 2001
Location: Rocking in Transylvania.
Posts: 14,991
I think it's because the swimming pools outer shell was made out of cement.
So they were very hickey when they went to the mansion and figured that the pool was a cement pond.
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***SAY NO TO DRUGS***
Join Date: Feb 25, 2002
Location: Conshohocken, pennsylvania
Posts: 12,163
that's right, and they thought the diving board was a board to sit on when you went fishing.
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the Clampetts are in a fancy Beverly Hills jewelry store.
Granny: "How much fer one o' them red diamonds?"
clerk: "Madam, those are rubies."
Granny: "OK ask her kin we buy one offa her."
clerk: " The ruby I am talking about is not a lady."
Granny: "Lissen, how she got them diamonds is her business. I'm just sayin' ask her kin we buy one from her."
Join Date: Jul 17, 2003
Location: Louisiana
I think it's because the swimming pools outer shell was made out of cement.
Precisely!
Join Date: Jul 08, 2007
Location: Tampa
Who was the first person in the cast to use the term "cement pond"?
Join Date: Feb 25, 2002
Location: Conshohocken, pennsylvania
Posts: 12,163
Jethro-he's telling Jed, Elly and Granny about a flamingo he saw in the back (which he calls "a big, pink chicken")
and when Jed asks him where, he says "over by the cee-ment pond". Jed says "the what"? and he says "Uncle Jed, there's an honest-to-goodness cee-ment pond out back! With steps at one end sos the cattle kin walk raght down into it and get a drink"! (the others also think it's a "big, pink chicken")
Join Date: Dec 26, 2006
Location: The South
Jethro also used the "Cement Pond" for a car wash. lol!
Join Date: Feb 25, 2002
Location: Conshohocken, pennsylvania
what episode was that in? I don't remember that.
Join Date: Feb 25, 2002
Location: Conshohocken, pennsylvania
Posts: 12,163
there was another episode where someone asked Jed where Elly was; and he replied "She's down by the cement pond". They said "The what"? then "Oh,, you must mean the swimming pool". Jed said "Yea, I guess you could call it that. Elly and Jethro goes swimming in it".
Join Date: Jul 08, 2007
Location: Herts UK
Used to love this show back in the 60s....
Aitch UK.
Join Date: Dec 26, 2006
Location: The South
Originally Posted by treky
what episode was that in? I don't remember that.
Sorry I don't know the episode or season. Jethro was trying to find a way to make some money and he came up with the carwash idea. He lowers the truck into the pool and then can't get it out. It was pretty funny.
Join Date: Apr 14, 2007
Posts: 2,471
At first, I thought a cement pond was a pond which contains cement instead of water. There ain't no way I would go swimming inside cement.
Join Date: Dec 10, 2006
Posts: 7,421
Does anyone know how deep the pool was? Was it just a glorified wading pool (despite the presence of a diving board)?
Join Date: Jan 02, 2008
Location: Tennessee
Posts: 72
On the show it had to be deep because they went scuba diving in it, but in reality it was only about two feet deep.
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| cee ment pond |
What was the most famous TV role of actor Jay Silverheels | TV ACRES: Real Estate > Homes & Mansions > Clampett Mansion (The Beverly Hillbillies)
Car parked by front door
Elly May descends staircase to lobby
The Drysdale Home next to the Clampetts
Throughout the series, the Clampetts traveled to a number of locations. When the Clampetts inherited a castle in England on episode No. 169 "Jed Inherits a Castle," the program scouted out the huge, 600-year-old Penshurst Castle in Tunbridge, Kent built by Sir John de Pulteney for a set location. The historical castle had been the host to King Henry VIII in the early 1500s who dined with its owner and then had him beheaded.
In 1969, the Clampetts visited the Missouri Ozarks to find Elly May a husband. starting with episode No. 225 "Back to the Hills." This time town of Branson was used as the backdrop for shooting the episodes including Silver Dollar City, (a 2,000 acre tourist development dedicated to the preservation of the arts and crafts of the Ozark Culture), the Silver Dollar City Hotel, a candle-making shop, a blacksmith shop and a woodcarver shop.
Jed, Jethro, Elly May, Duke, and Granny Clampett
Back in Hollywood, a replica of the Silver Dollar City Hotel was created on a sound stage. Since the Clampetts visit in the late 1960s, Branson, Missouri along with Silver Dollar City has become one of the Midwest's top tourist destinations.
TRIVIA NOTE: The actual mansion (a.k.a. "The Kirkeby Mansion") used for establishing exterior shots on the series was built in 1933 on a sprawling 6.5 acre tract of land located at 750 Bel Air Road in Bel Air, California by millionaire Arnold Kirkeby, a Chicago hotel magnate. The 20,000 square foot mansion featured a billiard room, marble-walled ballroom, a 150-foot waterfall and, of course, a "cee-ment pond."
The Kirkeby mansion went up on the market in the mid 1980s with an asking price of $27 million dollars. It was purchased by TV executive named Jerrold Perrenchio in 1987 for $13.7 million.
Just before THE BEVERLY HILLBILLIES, the Kirkeby mansion was used as the location for the Jerry Lewis motion picture Cinderfella (1960).
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What is the largest city in Tennessee | What is the largest city in Tennessee? | Reference.com
What is the largest city in Tennessee?
A:
Quick Answer
As of 2013, Memphis is the largest city in the state of Tennessee, with a reported population of 653,450. It is also the 20th largest city in the United States and the largest city on the Mississippi River.
Full Answer
Located in southwestern Tennessee, Memphis is situated on the eastern bank of the Mississippi River near the Chickasaw Bluff. Its location above the flood plain makes it an ideal settlement for humans. The city has an estimated 315.06 square miles of land area, which has greatly expanded since the mid-1900s. The growing population also affects the city's urban growth boundary set by the state of Tennessee.
| Memphis, Tennessee |
What is the state capital of New Jersey | List of Cities in Tennessee on Walk Score
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Cities in Tennessee
The 33 largest cities in Tennessee (the most populous cities in TN are Memphis , Nashville-Davidson , and Knoxville ) have an average Walk Score of 22. The best cities in Tennessee ranked by Walk Score are Memphis , East Ridge , and Knoxville , while the least walkable cities are Brentwood, Spring Hill, and La Vergne.
Follow the links for city maps, photos, and all neighborhoods.
The list of Tennessee cities below is sorted by Walk Score, but can also be sorted by population or alphabetically (click table's heading to sort).
City
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In which American state was oil first discovered | Oil Industry - Facts & Summary - HISTORY.com
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Many of the early explorers of America encountered petroleum deposits in some form. They noted oil slicks off the coast of California in the sixteenth century. Louis Evans located deposits along the eastern seaboard on a 1775 map of the English Middle Colonies.
Did You Know?
In 1933, Standard Oil secured the first contract to drill for oil in Saudia Arabia.
Settlers used oil as an illuminant for medicine, and as grease for wagons and tools. Rock oil distilled from shale became available as kerosene even before the Industrial Revolution began. While traveling in Austria, John Austin, a New York merchant, observed an effective, cheap oil lamp and made a model that upgraded kerosene lamps. Soon the U.S. rock oil industry boomed as whale oil increased in price owing to the growing scarcity of that mammal. Samuel Downer, Jr., an early entrepreneur, patented “Kerosene” as a trade name in 1859 and licensed its usage. As oil production and refining increased, prices collapsed, which became characteristic of the industry.
The first oil corporation, which was created to develop oil found floating on water near Titusville, Pennsylvania , was the Pennsylvania Rock Oil Company of Connecticut (later the Seneca Oil Company). George H. Bissell, a New York lawyer, and James Townsend, a New Haven businessman, became interested when Dr. Benjamin Silliman of Yale University analyzed a bottle of the oil and said it would make an excellent light. Bissell and several friends purchased land near Titusville and engaged Edwin L. Drake to locate the oil there. Drake employed William Smith, an expert salt driller, to supervise drilling operations and on August 27, 1859, they struck oil at a depth of sixty-nine feet. So far as is known, this was the first time that oil was tapped at its source, using a drill.
Titusville and other towns in the area boomed. One of those who heard about the discovery was John D. Rockefeller . Because of his entrepreneurial instincts and his genius for organizing companies, Rockefeller became a leading figure in the U.S. oil industry. In 1859, he and a partner operated a commission firm in Cleveland. They soon sold it and built a small oil refinery. Rockefeller bought out his partner and in 1866 opened an export office in New York City . The next year he, his brother William, S. V. Harkness, and Henry M. Flagler created what was to become the Standard Oil Company. Flagler is considered by many to have been nearly as important a figure in the oil business as John D. himself.
Additional discoveries near the Drake well had led to the creation of numerous firms and the Rockefeller company quickly began to buy out or combine with its competitors. As John D. phrased it, their purpose was “to unite our skill and capital.” By 1870 Standard had become the dominant oil refining firm in Pennsylvania.
Pipelines early became a major consideration in Standard’s drive to gain business and profits. Samuel Van Syckel had built a four-mile pipeline from Pithole, Pennsylvania, to the nearest railroad. When Rockefeller observed this, he began to acquire pipelines for Standard. Soon the company owned a majority of the lines, which provided cheap, efficient transportation for oil. Cleveland became a center of the refining industry principally because of its transportation systems.
When product prices declined, the ensuing panic led to the beginning of a Standard Oil alliance in 1871. Within eleven years the company became partially integrated horizontally and vertically and ranked as one of the world’s great corporations. The alliance employed an industrial chemist, Hermann Frasch II, to remove sulfur from oil found at Lima, Ohio . Sulfur made distilling kerosene very difficult, and even then it possessed a vile odor—another problem Frasch solved. Thereafter, Standard employed scientists both to improve its product and for pure research. Soon kerosene replaced other illuminants; it was more reliable, efficient, and economical than other fuels.
Eastern cities linked to the oil fields by rail and boat boomed also. The export trade from Philadelphia, New York, and Baltimore became so important that Standard and other companies located refineries in those cities. As early as 1866 the value of petroleum products exported to Europe provided a trade balance sufficient to pay the interest on U.S. bonds held abroad.
When the Civil War interrupted the regular flow of kerosene and other petroleum products to western states, pressure increased to find a better method of utilizing oil found in such states as California. But Standard exhibited little interest in the oil industry on the West Coast before 1900. In that year it purchased the Pacific Coast Oil Company and in 1906 incorporated all its western operations into Pacific Oil, now Chevron.
Edward L. Doheny located Los Angeles’s first well in 1892, and five years later there were twenty-five hundred wells and two hundred oil companies in the area. When Standard entered California in 1900, seven integrated oil companies already flourished there. The Union Oil Company was the most important of these.
Operating difficulties plus the threat of taxation on its out-of-state properties led to the creation of the Standard Oil Trust in 1882. In 1899 the trust created Standard Oil Company ( New Jersey ), which became the parent company. The trust controlled member corporations principally through stock ownership, an arrangement not unlike that of the modern-day holding company.
The tremendous growth of Standard did not occur without competition. Pennsylvania producers engineered the creation of an important competitor, the Pure Oil Company, Ltd., in 1895. This concern endured for more than a half century.
In 1901 one of the largest and most significant oil strikes in history occurred near Beaumont, Texas , on a mound called Spindletop . Drillers brought in the greatest gusher ever seen within the United States. This strike ended any possible monopoly by Standard Oil. One year after the Spindletop discovery more than fifteen hundred oil companies had been chartered. Of these, fewer than a dozen survived, principally the Gulf Oil Corporation, the Magnolia Petroleum Company, and the Texas Company. The Sun Oil Company, an Ohio- Indiana concern, also moved to the Beaumont area as did other firms. Other oil strikes followed in Oklahoma , Louisiana , Arkansas , Colorado , and Kansas. Oil production in the United States by 1909 more than equaled that of the rest of the world combined.
Many smaller companies developed outside the Northeast and the Midwest where Rockefeller and his associates operated. Oil found at Corsicana, Texas, in the 1890s attracted a remarkable Pennsylvanian, Joseph S. (“Buckskin Joe”) Cullinan, who organized several small companies. He later moved to Spindletop where he became instrumental in the organization of the Texas Company, soon a major competitor of Standard. Henri Deterding, creator of the Royal Dutch-Shell Group in Holland and Great Britain, moved into California in 1912 with his American Gasoline Company (Shell Company of California after 1914).
As Standard Oil grew in wealth and power, it encountered great hostility not only from its competitors but from a vast segment of the public. Standard fought competition by securing preferential railroad rates and rebates on its shipments. It also influenced legislatures and Congress through tactics that, though common in that era, were unethical. Nor was the company’s handling of labor any better.
In 1911 the Supreme Court declared that the Standard Trust had operated to monopolize and restrain trade, and it ordered the trust dissolved into thirty-four companies. That the trust’s share of the industry had declined from 33 to 13 percent the Court held to be of little consequence. The splitting-off of the Standard affiliates proved difficult. Some marketed, some produced, some refined, and these concerns quickly moved toward vertical integration of their businesses. But the 1911 decision ensured that though the industry might have giants, they at least competed with one another.
Increasing sales of gasoline first for automobiles and then for airplanes in the early 1900s came as oil discoveries across the United States mounted. The oil industry had a vast new market for what had been for many years a useless by-product of the distilling process. As soon as the internal combustion engines created demand, refiners sought better methods to produce and improve gasolines.
Before its entry into World War I , the United States contributed oil to the Allies, and in 1917 the oil companies cooperated with the Fuel Administration. At war’s end executives who had served with that agency created the American Petroleum Institute (1919), which in time became a major force in the economy and the business.
Although the U.S. oil industry had marketed abroad extensively before the war, it owned few foreign properties. Judging from government surveys, many producers believed that a major oil shortage would soon occur. Both Secretary of Commerce Herbert Hoover and Secretary of State Charles Evans Hughes began to pressure American companies to seek oil abroad. These firms invested in the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and South America and searched for oil everywhere while they continued to export quantities of oil from the United States.
The individual who focused attention back on the United States was Columbus Marion (“Dad”) Joiner. Joiner became convinced that some flatlands in an East Texas basinlike structure contained oil. He obtained a lease near Tyler, Texas, and on October 5, 1930, after having drilled two dry holes, struck perhaps the largest oil pool ever found in America. It lay beneath 140,000 acres and contained 5 billion barrels. H. L. Hunt, an oil entrepreneur, bought Joiner’s leases and later sold them to oil companies at a profit of $100 million, thereby adding to his already substantial fortune.
In a sense the Joiner strike came at an inopportune time; it was the onset of the Great Depression. The price of oil plummeted to ten cents a barrel in 1931, creating chaos in the industry. But some New Deal measures restored a modicum of prosperity, and then World War II stimulated the oil business enormously.
The various oil strikes focused attention on a legal situation unique to the United States. Land ownership carried with it rights to all subsoil minerals, termed the common law “right of capture.” Oil companies, like other mineral companies, negotiated with each landowner for drilling rights. This right of capture continued for years despite the efforts of such industry giants as conservation-minded Henry L. Doherty of Cities Service Oil Company, who sought to institute oil field unitization. The right of capture ensured early exhaustion of oil fields and tragic waste of a valuable energy source. Wallace E. Pratt, a geologist and longtime Jersey Standard leader, has estimated that by releasing the natural gas that often underlies petroleum pools and by using poor production techniques, oil producers have wasted at least 75 percent of the oil and natural gas found to date in the United States.
World War II made the oil industry a key American resource. Oil company research and executive leadership played major roles in the conflict. Research increased the number of products made from petroleum and natural gas, including the explosive tnt and artificial rubber. The Jersey-Dupont jointly owned product, tetraethyl lead, upgraded gasoline to improve airplane speed. Oil tankers supplied gasoline for the Allies at great risk from submarine attacks. The government rationed gasoline and controlled prices during the war. In the last analysis the war ended the delusion that American supplies of crude were unlimited, so that the industry and the securing of oil became a top priority for both foreign and domestic policy.
When the war ended, the United States faced the problem of stabilizing the peace. Over the next forty-five years numerous major crises occurred, in many of which oil played a key role. Europe underwent a coal shortage, the first energy crisis, immediately after the war. The Marshall Plan , created to solve that and other problems, was hampered by the first Iranian crisis of 1950-1954. From the 1956 Suez crisis to the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait in 1990, oil proved to be the most important consideration in America’s Middle Eastern policy. The United States sought to balance support for the new state of Israel against the pressures of the oil producers, mostly Arab, united in 1960 as the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (opec). This proved increasingly difficult as the United States became steadily more dependent on imported oil. In the United States the standard of living based on cheap oil continuously rose and the public, accustomed to this way of life, resisted all conservation measures. The United States continues to consume about two-thirds of the world’s oil production. Oil should be considered the keystone of the standard of living in the United States and to a large degree its rank as a world power.
Part of the energy problem after 1940 resulted from the depletion of domestic oil reserves during World War II—around 6 billion barrels. In the Vietnam struggle experts contend the United States supplied about 5 billion barrels of oil, although great quantities of that came from Middle Eastern properties owned by American companies. Certainly the total for both wars represents a quantity larger than either that of the great East Texas oil field or possibly that discovered on Alaska’s North Slope in 1967. After the 1960s, as domestic production declined and demand soared, the oil industry had to import vast quantities from the Middle East and Venezuela. The nation’s key energy source increasingly hinged on balancing diplomatic relations with Arab oil-producing nations while continuing its aid to Israel.
While the United States was blessed with plentiful supplies of oil its growth to the rank of a great power accelerated. In today’s world as an oil-dependent power it must find alternate sources of energy or accommodate drastic changes in its way of life and position in the world.
Paul H. Giddens, The Birth of the Oil Industry (1938); Ralph W. and Muriel E. Hidy, Pioneering in Big Business, 1882-1911 (1955); Bennett H. Wall et al., Growth in a Changing Environment: A History of Standard Oil Company (New Jersey), 1950-1972, and Exxon Corporation, 1972-1975 (1988); Daniel Yergin, The Prize: The Epic Quest for Oil, Money, and Power (1990).
Bennett H. Wall
| Pennsylvania |
Musselburgh, King Richard, Prizetaker and Early Market are varieties of which vegetable | The Oil Business in Wyoming | WyoHistory.org
The Oil Business in Wyoming
Phil Roberts
The Oil Business in Wyoming
The oil industry has been a part of the Wyoming economy since the beginning days of statehood . As far back as the early 19th century explorers in what is now Wyoming reported evidence of oil. In 1832, when fur trader Capt. B. L. E. Bonneville traveled to the Wind River Valley, he found oil springs southeast of present Lander near Dallas Dome, where the state’s first oil well would be drilled five decades later.
During the fur trade and Overland trails periods, travelers commented on “oil springs” where oil bubbled to the surface of water pools. For centuries, native people seined off the oil, using the greasy residues for war paint, decoration on hides and teepees, horse and human liniments and other medications. An oil spring near Hilliard in present Uinta County was well known when Fort Bridger was established nearby in 1842.
The first recorded oil sale in Wyoming occurred along the Oregon Trail when, in 1863, enterprising entrepreneurs sold oil as a lubricant to wagon-train travelers. The oil came from Oil Mountain Springs some 20 miles west of present-day Casper .
Nationally, oil had a similar history. Thirteen years after the world’s first oil well was drilled in Baku, Azerbaijan, on the Caspian Sea, America’s first gusher was struck. Made by “Colonel” Edwin Drake, America’s initial discovery was at Titusville, Pa., in 1859. It led to an oil rush to western Pennsylvania. Initially, even the newly “drilled” oil had only nominal use in transportation—as axle grease for wagons and coaches or lubricant for steam engines powered by wood or coal .
Early Wyoming discoveries
In 1866, John C. Fiere, an employee of Fort Bridger Sutler William A. Carter, reported to his boss that he had found oil nearby. He had experience in the Pennsylvania oil fields and offered to develop the oil spring commercially. In the following years, the spring produced 150 barrels of oil. The entire amount was sold to the Union Pacific Railroad .
In the spring of 1867, Judge C. M. White dug a hole next to the oil spring where Carter’s employees had been skimming oil from the surface of the water. White’s crew scooped oil from hand-dug trenches. He shipped modest amounts to Salt Lake City tanners until the transcontinental railroad passed nearby the following year, giving him additional markets for lubrication.
By comparison, Wyoming’s first commercial coal mines also opened in the late 1860s to fuel the Union Pacific Railroad. Coal remained vastly more important than oil to Wyoming’s economy for the rest of the century.
About the time of Drake’s Titusville discovery, meanwhile scientists found that a petroleum by-product, kerosene, could provide superior lighting to candles. The newly developed kerosene lamps gave off even better light than those that burned increasingly costly whale oil. Indeed, whales were becoming scarce and, were it not for kerosene, their extinction could have been a possibility.
In 1870, Cleveland merchant John D. Rockefeller formed a company he called Standard Oil. A purchaser of Rockefeller's kerosene, sold in one- or five-gallon blue cans, could be assured that the product contained no water or explosive gasoline that sometimes was dishonestly passed off as kerosene by other merchants. Gradually, through sound business deals as well as anticompetitive practices, Rockefeller gained near monopoly over oil in the Northeast.
When Thomas Edison invented the first practical incandescent light bulb in 1879, observers believed Rockefeller’s oil business would wither and die. But despite the seeming ruinous competition from electric lighting, Rockefeller persevered. In 1883, he and his partners expanded combined operations across several states into the Standard Oil Trust.
Well drilling begins
That same year, out west, Mike Murphy brought in Wyoming Territory’s first drilled oil well at Dallas Dome, finding oil at 300 feet in the Chugwater formation. (A dome is a geological formation that traps oil underground between impervious layers of rock, with the upper layer bent upward to form a dome.)
Markets for the unrefined petroleum were limited. Apparently, like Carter and White two decades earlier, Murphy sold most of his production to Utah tanners and to the Union Pacific to lubricate railcar axles. Electricity generation proved impractical for tiny towns and ranches, particularly in Wyoming where distances between ranches were great. Kerosene continued its dominance in rural lighting.
Soon after Murphy’s successful well, others entered the business. Cy Iba, a former gold prospector, started drilling for oil around Casper. Several others attracted investment to possible oil strikes in the Big Horn Basin at Bonanza, northeast of present Worland and in southwestern Wyoming around Hilliard and Mountain View. Iba’s first strike, “Discovery Well” north of Casper, began transforming that newly established, wool-shipping railhead into the “oil capital of the Rockies.”
In the 1890s, significant oil strikes were made in northern Natrona County . Investors, comfortable with dependable nearby supplies of crude oil, underwrote construction of Wyoming’s first refinery in 1895. Pennsylvania investors headed by Philip Shannon formed the firm at Casper and named it the Pennsylvania Refinery. They also struck oil at what became known as the Shannon Field north of Casper.
A new demand for gasoline
Kerosene and lubricating oils remained the primary petroleum-based products in demand, but that soon was about to change. In May 1898, Laramie bicycle shop owner Elmer Lovejoy ordered a one-cylinder, two-cycle marine engine. When it was delivered, Lovejoy assembled the combustion engine and mounted it and the frame on four bicycle wheels.
While American forces were winning the 14-week Spanish-American War in Cuba and the Philippines, Lovejoy’s “toy” clattered along the unpaved streets of Laramie, going five miles per hour in one forward gear and 10 mph in a second, but with no reverse. Of course, the single-seat runabout engine was fueled by gasoline, formerly a waste product dumped by refiners into nearby streams in earlier years.
Wyomingites began purchasing automobiles in 1900 and by the end of the decade
,
cars were commonplace throughout the state. Medical doctors often were the first people in towns to buy cars. In Rawlins, Dr. John Osborne brought a car to town in 1900. Two years later, Dr. W. W. Crook became the first Cheyenne resident to own a car. Dr. J. L. Wicks had Evanston ’s first car in 1906.
Several sheep ranchers were owners of early cars. In Fremont County , J. B. Okie pioneered motor vehicles at his ranch, “Big Teepee,” at Lost Cabin . John Sedgwick brought the first car to Weston County , driving his Model N Ford to and from his sheep ranch in 1905. Sheepman William Ayers owned Platte County ’s first car. Automobiles became so widespread in the following decade that the first state speed limit of 12 mph maximum in towns was imposed in 1913. In the same year, the state required for the first time that all cars be licensed.
Demand for better roads
In order to drive the rather primitive motor vehicles around the state, Wyomingites became vitally concerned with road improvements. As a consequence, counties started grading roads. “Good roads associations” formed nationwide and lobbied for better highways. The Lincoln Highway (U.S. Highway 30) became the nation’s first designated transcontinental automobile route.
In 1917, the Wyoming Legislature created the Wyoming Highway Department and named various routes as state highways. Years later, in the 1950s, Congress authorized interstate highways and, eventually, Interstate 80 followed roughly the route of the Lincoln Highway across southern Wyoming.
Wyoming refineries
During those early years, car owners purchased gasoline in gallon or two-gallon cans from general stores. The date of Wyoming’s first gasoline station is not known, but refineries produced gasoline in abundance by the late 19-teens. In 1917, five refineries were operating in the state, including small operations at Greybull and Cowley.
By 1923, Casper alone boasted five refineries—the tiny Pennsylvania Oil and Gas Company facility on South Center Street built in 1895; the Belgo-American refinery later known as the Midwest Refinery built east of Highland Cemetery in 1903; the giant Standard Oil refinery in southwest Casper, opened in March 1914 and expanded in 1922 into the largest gasoline-producing refinery in the world; the Texaco refinery, three miles east of Casper that opened in 1923; and the small White Eagle refinery opened the same year.
The early 1920s were the heyday of Wyoming oil production and refining. Numerous wells were in production in the Big Horn Basin, in the Oregon Basin , Elk Basin , Greybull, Garland and Grass Creek fields. In eastern Wyoming, the Lance Creek field near Lusk was one of the state’s largest, causing the town of Lusk to grow to an estimated population in excess of 5,000 people by the early 1920s.
Oil had been found on part of the University of Wyoming’s land grant, meanwhile, near Glenrock in 1916. Royalties from the production from the “university well” in the Big Muddy field made it possible for the institution’s administrators to stave off the bad economic conditions of the 1920s and build the Half Acre Gymnasium and the university library, now the Aven Nelson Building.
Important refineries popped up throughout the state. The Producers and Refiners Company (PARCO) built a refinery and a complete town for its employees on the Union Pacific line in Carbon County in 1923. When the firm went into bankruptcy in the early 1930s, oilman Harry Sinclair bought the town on April 12, 1934, and renamed it Sinclair.
Boom-time Casper
An active stock exchange, known as the Midwest Oil Exchange, operated in Casper, Wyoming’s “oil city.” There, on the corner of Second and Center streets, speculators could trade “penny stocks”—cheap shares worth a few cents each—offered by fledgling companies eager to attract sufficient investors so that the businesses could buy equipment and lease lands where they could “strike it rich.”
Close to the stock exchange and numerous oil company offices, a red-light district known as the Sandbar flourished in the 1920s. Well-known gambling and prostitution houses operated around the clock, punctuated by an occasional police raid or homicide.
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Which bird is associated with Guinness advertising | Who designed the Guinness Toucan?
Who designed the Guinness Toucan?
Guinness advertisement from 1935
The story of the designing of the famous Guinness toucan.
From its very first appearance in 1935, a Toucan became immediately recognisable as an advertisement for Guinness, the Dublin based brewers. For over 45 years it appeared on many types of advertising and marketing products for Guinness and it became as important a motif as the Guinness Harp.
The idea of using a toucan was born in the advertising agency of S.H.Benson in London. Staff included the talented artist John Gilroy who was newly employed as the poster artist, and among the copywriting team was Dorothy L Sayers, now famous as a writer, poet and playwright, and best known for her amateur detective stories featuring Lord Peter Wimsey. She had started at the agency in 1922 and worked there while writing books in her spare time.
This team produced some memorable posters for Guinness including several posters in the whimsical "Zoo" series. These included a zoo keeper with a Guinness, a sealion balancing drink on his nose, an ostrich with the shape of a swallowed glass halfway down its neck, a tortoise with a glass of stout on its back, and, of course, the toucan with two Guinness bottles balanced on its beak accompanied a little verse.
Here are two examples of verses which accompanied drawings of the toucan:
(Drawing: standing by two glasses 1935)
If he can say as you can
'Guinness is good for you'
How grand to be a Toucan
Just think what Toucan do.
1946
(Drawing: at the seaside 1949)
'I do like,' says the Toucan,
To be beside the blue.
With Guinness Time in view
can 'You guess what Toucan do'
Gilroy remained with the advertising agency until 1960 during which time he designed many other Guinness posters. As to how animals came to be used in an advertising campaign was recalled later by Gilroy. "The Guinness family did not want an advertising campaign that equated with beer. They thought it would be vulgar. They also wanted to stress the brew's strength and goodness. Somehow it led to animals." [1]
The toucan returned on several occasions on all types of advertising media and on memorabilia. In 1982 Guinness changed advertising agencies and it was decided that the toucan was no longer an effective advertising motif and it was dropped.
However, it still pops its head up on occasions on limited edition products. There is also a strong market for toucan collectibles on
.
| Toucan |
Which brand of tea was advertised by Cilla Black dressed as a waitress | A Study On Guinness Greatness Campaign Management Essay
A Study On Guinness Greatness Campaign Management Essay
Published:
Last Edited:
23rd March, 2015
This essay has been submitted by a student. This is not an example of the work written by our professional essay writers.
Guinness is a very prominent account that has been handled by the best advertising agencies in the advertising industry like Ogilvy & Mather, J Walter Thomson and SH Benson amongst others. They have in their different ways contributed to the production and advertising of the various campaigns for the Guinness account that have been very captivating engaging and successful in their own different ways.
‘Guinness first started advertising in 1928, using the simple slogan 'Guinness is good for you' ...'Guinness is good for you' remained the dominant theme of Guinness advertising for the next 40 years with famous artists and writers like John Gilroy, Rex Whistler, Hoffnung, Bateman and Dorothy L Sayers contributing words and pictures. The appearance of commercial TV in 1955 demanded a more sophisticated approach to advertising, which started with an animated version of the Gilroy commercials.
By 1969, Guinness advertising was a series of strikingly simple radio and TV commercials, including the talking toucan reinforcing the product's uniqueness. After the Toucan advertisements, Allen Brady and Marsh produced the 'Guinnless' campaign
which first appeared in 1983. Within three months the Guinnless campaign had achieved 87% awareness amongst all adults.'(PR NEWSWIRE EUROPE LIMITED 2009)
“Amongst the brand's advertising campaigns and well known tag lines are the artist John Gilroy's menagerie of animals, including the popular Toucan, Sea Lion and Ostrich characters, the 1930's 'GUINNESS for Strength' adverts, 'My Goodness My Guinness' (1935), Pure Genius
(1985), 'Good Things Come To Those Who Wait, 'Guinness is Good for You', 'Not Everything in Black And White Makes Sense' and 'It's Alive Inside'. As the Guinness Company expanded into new markets, hugely successful advertising campaigns also reached out to new consumers such as with the ‘Brilliant' campaign in the US and the ‘Michael Power' campaign in Africa”(Ivan,2009).
Guinness in Africa
Guinness is associated with an Africa bird called the Toucan, it is a Global brand that was set up in Ireland and has found its way into the African market and can be rated as one of the leading beer brands in Africa. However, Guinness has a long history with Africa which is only known by a few people.
‘The following timeline outlines Guinness' history in Africa:
1827: Guinness Foreign Extra Stout first sold in Africa (Sierra Leone). Foreign Extra Stout still represents the majority of Guinness sold in Africa with sales 50 percent stronger than Draught Guinness.
1962: Guinness first brewed in Africa (Nigeria). As Mark Griffith reports in "Guinness is Guinness" this means that, "In Nigeria, Guinness is Nigerian; just try telling them otherwise. For a start, it's brewed there by Nigerians, and has been for decades." And Guinness in Nigeria tastes different. Brewed with sorghum as opposed to barley, it has a bitter flavor loved by Nigerians' (The Global brands, 2008)
In 1999, Saatchi and Saatchi worldwide was faced with the responsibility to transform Guinness in Africa into a brand that “enjoys loyalty beyond reasons” from consumers in the words of Roberts, Kevin, CEO of Saatchi & Saatchi Worldwide, quoted in Gibbons. For a brand with a bitter taste that is acquired overtime, this must have proved to be a very difficult task.
The sale of Guinness in the African markets was nose diving and the goal for Saatchi & Saatchi's was to create good communication materials to advertise Guinness to the entire Africa market to help in achieving the company's target of doubling the sales of Guinness by the year 2005.
In carrying out the task, the Saatchi & Saatchi team decided to iconize the brand and by doing this they employed the services of an young male actor, a fictional character to star as “Michael Power'', a hero of short adventures who by his creativity and strong masculinity helps in rescuing himself and others from lurking dangers in any scenario he happens to find himself. These rather unusually long adverts running from three to five minutes long were aired both on television and also on the radio.
As a result of the success of this particular campaign, other adverts were produced starring Michael power in rather different scenarios. According to Obot and Akan as cited in the free encyclopedia (2009) “his catch phrase “Guinness brings out the power in you” casts the beer in the same positive light as the strong, virile, triumphant hero”.
The campaign was a success as it ran for a period of ten years; it helped in achieving the sales goal two years before time and fostered brand recognition.
Following this huge and successful campaign, Guinness needed a new communication material that will help achieve the aim of local identification in Africa, to optimise penetration and distribution especially in the urban segment and thus was to come up with a new idea. This new idea had to be bigger than the Michael Power campaign and as big as the Michael Power idea when it was launched.
Saatchi and Saatchi London, the advertising agency again was saddled with this responsibility to manage transition from the brand ambassador, brand icon, coach/endorser to a new character, hence the Guinness Greatness idea which was to reinforce commitment by gaining back affinity and popularity by leveraging on the brand image.
‘Guinness is about Greatness and our long heritage, the consistent quality of our brands and the drinking experience that our consumers share are all evidence of this impressive pedigree. ' (Guinness Annual Report & Financial Statements 2007)
According to Kevin Sugrue (2007),
'The idea is also rooted in a desire to build frequency of experience, as there is a sense that the “Drop of Greatness” is not aspired to once in a lifetime, but is the kind of inspirational behavior we all should reach for everyday. What a nice way to think of encouraging you to drink a bottle or two regularly.'
Baker Magunda, the Uganda Breweries boss as cited by Kevin Sugrue (2007) said: ‘Guinness has always been about Greatness. The new campaign is simply a natural evolution of the Michael Power campaign, which has been with us for many years. It is time to move the campaign from being about the Greatness of one man, to being about the Greatness in every man.'
The Guinness Greatness campaign was a PAN African campaign that ran in six African countries including Nigeria, Cameroon and Ghana aimed at persuading the public especially Guinness consumers to make an effort in achieving Greatness for themselves in their everyday life.
According to a press release from Guinness, as cited in Joe Dinga Pefok, 2006, "GREATNESS is a real way of life that promotes the intrinsic value of the individual...but more than a simple marketing campaign, the business is using GREATNESS as a new way of working that allows us to celebrate all that is great, inspirational and unique in every man."
PROMOTION OF ‘GREATNESS' IN NIGERIA
On the 1st of January 2007, the Guinness Greatness campaign teaser which was used to create a buzz in the country was launched with wrap around on the front pages of all National dailies in Nigeria with ‘Greatness' communication.
Radio DJ hypes and radio campaigns, promoting ‘Greatness' in every Nigerian was also another route for the campaign teaser. Web and sms drive were also used to create curiosity in the minds of the audience for the ‘Guinness Greatness' campaign. These ran for a period of 10 days before the proper launch of the Greatness campaign. The teaser was used to sensitize the public.
CAMPAIGN OBJECTIVES:
The main objective of the campaign is to maintain current brand loyalists known to Guinness as the “adorers”. To drive significant shifts in attitude and usage for Guinness across Africa in order to return the brand to sustainable growth, specifically, to grow the number of ‘adorers' and share of repertoire amongst current adorers. The campaign sets out to reassure the consumers of Guinness Extra stout that they have made the right choice in joining the Guinness bandwagon. Even though they are aware of the fact that Guinness has a bitter taste, drinking a bottle or two a day will takes them a step closer to their dream.
The advert plays on the psyche of the consumers aiming to establish the identity of the brand as the true brand leader in the alcoholic beverage category so that consumers see Guinness as a truly distinctive and great product. The campaign also aims at instilling in the minds of the consumers that Guinness is a drink for every man with the potential for greatness. Put in other words, they want consumers to accept Guinness as a brand for them.
TARGET AUDIENCE OF THE CAMPAIGN
The communication material was very much in line with the target audience as it captured every aspect of their day to day activities. The advert communicates to their consumers as if on a one on one basis.
Target focus for the campaign is predominantly male Guinness drinkers, aged 25-34 who are at a critical stage in their adulthood as they are shaping their own futures. They have great ambitions and increasing responsibilities and they are confident, modern African men, who are in tune with today's world and choose brands that demonstrate this. They like to socialise and drink beer mostly with their friends.
To understand the target consumer better we have to look at them in terms of:
ATTITUDE - They are independent and self-confident and they aspire to be successful black role models in their own country. They are Self-assured, Sociable, value friends and family.
LIFESTYLE - They are mature, in control and intelligent. They need to work hard to earn money and get on in life. They are Interested in the trappings of affluence (e.g. cars, mobile phones, etc.) and it is very Important for them to provide for extended family. These men highly value friendships and are either married, unmarried or in relationship.
NEEDS AND MOTIVATION - Primary Motivation: Confidence. They want to be admired, seen as successful, strong, confident and masculine. Getting the best out of life is of utmost importance to them and they want to be able to voice their own opinions while projecting an aura of confidence. They want to be respected by peers and elders, Comfortable with the opposite sex, and maintaining networks and connections. They are stylish and want to be seen as such, contemporary and are always in control and able to keep their cool.
CONSUMER BEHAVIOUR - They drink at Bars, Club, Parties and Home mainly during the weekend but for some, also after a hard day's work. They drink with friends and colleagues. Most drink Guinness occasionally for functional reasons (Health, Sex, and Strength)
CONNECTION MOMENTS - They drink Guinness on the way home after work, at the end of the week, networking meetings, special occasions (e.g. birthdays, job promotions, bachelor nights, etc)
RELATIONSHIP WITH THE BRAND - They see the brand as a close friend and the leader of the group. Can be a bit overpowering for some people (but they can handle it). Someone they look up to for their strong character
MEDIA HABITS - They watch television mainly for news and sports and read the papers daily to keep up to date especially the business section. They buy foreign magazines to keep abreast of trends and current affairs and claim not to be really interested or stimulated by advertising except when interesting, engaging or different. They are interested in outdoor ads especially those that related to them and their wants.
MEDIA MIX
The Guinness Greatness campaign's integrated approach required a combination of TV, Radio, Print, Web, Sms and Outdoor advertising. The campaign gulped over three hundred million naira and over 60% went into television and the rest spread over radio, print, web and outdoor.
The lead medium for the campaign was television and a 60' television commercial (which is the main focus of this analysis) was produced which is the most efficient time length to air a television commercial. Print ads where more copy led which only emphasised more on the message of the campaign which is greatness in every man. Full page materials were used for all print ads. Depending on the location, outdoor required multiple sizes, including portrait and landscape. The outdoor materials were also adapted to the different locations they were placed. Examples are copies like ”Allen Avenue, Greatness Avenue”, “Ikeja, home of Greatness” and “Lekki, Greatness in all its phases” amongst others. The radio commercials were also produced with efficient localisation options as different language and style of various locations was taken into consideration.
Mode of Execution
This analysis is going to focus on the first execution of the campaign which is the television commercial produced by Saatchi and Saatchi in South Africa and was labeled “Sky”. Making use of a combination of strategic storytelling and slice of life advertising, the commercial tells a story of how a young man achieves greatness in the pursuit of his “dream” which was later realized through his steadfastness and passion of becoming a pilot. Within a time frame of one minute, the ad passes a message which is sometimes difficult to explain and cannot ordinarily be told in such a short time. The main character of the commercial that is very much in the same group as the target audience is shown drinking a glass of Guinness in the last scene of the commercial.
The storyline captures a young single man, about 35 years of age in the line of duty and in time of leisure. It takes us through his start of the day showing us his various activities through the course of the day. In the background, a narrator who refers to “Udeme”, the main character in the commercial as “my friend” tells us about udeme's dreams of becoming a pilot.
With much Zeal and determination, Udeme realizes his dream of becoming a pilot. He is shown delivering supplies and to the rural community who are happy and excited to see and listen to him. As He soars up in the skies, we see the natural resources of the location, the brown field and ample skies which depict the localization and indigenization incorporated into the commercial to make it very African.
Very contented with his job and dedicated to what he does, Udeme is portrayed to be a friendly, likeable and down to earth man. His friends are proud of him and are happy to be associated with him. He ends the day as night falls with friends, colleagues and villagers at the local bar all enjoying a dream and several bottles of Guinness extra stout in a relaxed atmosphere while reflecting on the day's activities.
CAMPAIGN MESSAGE
The main message of the campaign is
“Greatness in every bottle” which translates to “a drop of greatness in everyman” All the communication materials that were developed conveyed this message in different ways.
For the television ads, the message was left till the end of the commercial unlike the billboard and print ads that had the message boldly written in large typefaces with the billboard message being adapted to the characteristics of different locations.
TACTICS OF CAMPAIGN
On the 1st January 2007, the campaign teaser in Nigeria started with wrap around on the front pages of all National dailies with the ‘Greatness' communication.
Radio DJ hyped the “Greatness” message applying it to several categories of Nigerian. Radio jingles were also aired on the radio stations that the target audience will be more than likely to tune to. Web and sms drive were also used to create awareness for ‘Greatness'.
This was to stimulate the consumer and to give them a feeling of anticipation as to what was coming next. The teaser ran for a period of 10 days before the proper launch of the campaign.
The Greatness campaign proper was launched on the 12th of January 2007, using Television as its lead medium with a schedule mix of news, lifestyle and hospitality programmes. The schedule incorporated prime time belts on national and regional television stations as well as other selected television stations.
‘Following the launch of the ‘Greatness' Campaign, a wide range of activities supported the communication. Some of these include a new TV commercial which has continued to receive widespread endorsements from consumers and a reality TV concept titled “Tales of Greatness” which ran weekly on network television throughout Nigeria. The programme celebrated greatness in consumers and encouraged them to highlight everyday experiences where
Greatness was demonstrated. The goal was to inspire other citizens to reach within themselves and live out their moments of greatness in line with the campaign message: “There is a drop of Greatness in every man”' (Guinness Annual Report & Financial Statements 2007)
Outdoor was also used to exhibit the Guinness brand, its logo and different ‘Greatness” messages were placed in strategic locations all over the country.
The lead medium for the campaign was television and a 60' television commercial was produced which is the most efficient time length to air a television commercial. Print ads where mostly full page ads with much focus on the copy. Depending on the location, outdoor required multiple sizes, including portrait and landscape. The outdoor materials were also adapted to the different locations they were placed. Examples are copies like Allen Avenue, Greatness Avenue, Ikeja, home of greatness and Lekki, greatness in all its phases amongst others. The radio commercials were also produced with efficient localisation options depending on the locations taken into considered.
PERSUASIVE TECHNIQUES
The Guinness Greatness campaign takes advantage of the brand heritage and brand image being a strong character and a leader in the alcoholic beverage sector in Africa. According to O'Shaughnessy (1995), ‘the purpose of promoting brand image is to associate the brand with desirable qualities and give the brand a distinctive, likeable, memorable identity. The function of brand image in the communication mix is to provide an informational anchor that conceptualizes the brand as being one which people like those in the target audience would or should prefer'
In this campaign, the brand is being associated with Greatness which every African man wants to be associated with. In this execution of the campaign, the main character goes about his job with so much passion and is happy to deliver supplies to villages and pass messages across to loved ones. People looked at him with so much respect and admiration as he went about his daily activities. Udeme can do all these great things and still have the time to drink a glass of his favorite beer which means Guinness is not just for the “alcoholics” but also for the serious minded; the Great.
The creative idea behind this is that it puts emphasis on aspirational hope and makes Udeme an aspirational character, he is “the target audience”, he helps the target self-categorize themselves, and he makes the target desire to be better than where they are by playing on their fantasy.
THE PSYCHOANALYTICAL APPROACH
‘The psychoanalytical approach to persuasion is associated with the unconscious meanings attached to products so that the advertiser can design appeals that tap the most basic motivations'. (O'Shaughnessy 1995)
As stated earlier, Guinness is all about Greatness, a way of life of the brand and its consumers. Saatchi and Saatchi's team with an insight into the psyche of the Guinness adorers successfully develops an ad that allows the target want to be in the same position as the main character of the advert. Just like every typical African man, the Guinness drinker cannot be restricted to the background, he wants to be the leader of his group, he wants to talk and he heard which is clearly displayed in this particular advert.
‘According to Harvard professor Harvey C Mansfield (2006), as cited in MarketingWeb 2008,' the receptiveness of male audiences in East and West African markets to the menaissance on a marketing front, the virtues of masculinity were the creative thrust in Guinness' “There's a drop of Greatness in every man” campaign, conceived by Saatchi and Saatchi.
For African males, it's also about strength from within and male camaraderie or actions of other males that inspire. The menaissance in Africa seems to be more rooted on intellectual masculinity, and is based on virtues of courage, perseverance, loyalty and inventiveness,' comments Graham Cruikshanks, Saatchi deputy MD as cited in MarketingWeb 2008.
MEASURE OF SUCCESS OF THE CAMPAIGN
‘Africa accounts for nearly a third of Diageo's net sales of beer globally and nearly half of total beer volume. Guinness performed strongly in Africa this year (2007). Nigeria is now the second best-selling market and the brand grew consistently throughout most of the hub. In fact, five of Guinness' top 10 markets were in Africa.
This growth was due in part to the introduction of a new advertising and marketing campaign called ‘Guinness Greatness'. The campaign was more than just advertising, it was a philosophy that touched everyone. It was about celebrating everyday moments of inspirational behavior - the drop of greatness in each of us. The campaign was introduced in Ghana, Cameroon, Kenya and Nigeria'. (Diageo Annual Review 2007)
It worked emotionally because of the humility and the naturalness of the execution. Every African man wanted to be referred to as ‘Udeme', who was the main character in the commercial. African men want to be associated with strength, courage, creativeness which the advert tapes into and is one other reason that accounts for the advert being a success especially with its male target. After watching this advert men go into bars and when placing their orders ask for an “Udeme”. As stated earlier Udeme is the name of the lead character in the advert but to the African man Udeme is a chilled bottle of stout. Friends also refer to each other as ‘udeme' and to this category of consumers; Udeme to them is a friend.
Different meanings were assimilated from the advert of which most were positive which helped in realizing the aim of the campaign.
According to Karen Attwood (2007)... ‘Diageo has "used the new medium of TV to reach them". The Guinness Greatness campaign has the catchline: "There's a drop of greatness in every man ..." Diageo says there isn't a particular awareness that Guinness is an Irish drink across the continent. Instead, the campaign taps into a growing sense of cultural pride and confidence in Africa. Across Africa, Guinness volumes increased 13 per cent over the year. In Nigeria, sales increased 18 per cent, while across East Africa sales jumped 32 per cent
In the first three months of the campaign, Guinness enjoyed leadership in share of voice with its advertisement in the media. More than 90% of adverts on television were from the beer industry with Guinness claiming close to 80% as measured by the media monitoring service. Also, the advertising and copy message recall amongst the target audience was also oh the high. People enjoyed talking about the advert, they enjoyed the idea as it was very different to what they had been exposed to for the last ten years (Michael Powers). And by the end of March 2007, Guinness Nigeria had gotten more than 500, 000 hits on their website.
CRITICIZING THE CAMPAIGN
No matter how great and popular a campaign is there must always be one or more critics to it.
According to Chude 2007, referring to the Guinness Greatness advert, ‘the script is fantastic, but the message is wobbly'
Chude is confused as to why Udeme is a great man. ‘Is it because he wanted to be a pilot? If so, what is so great about that? The answer obviously lies in ‘there is a drop of greatness in every man', but in that case, this ad didn't do that message justice because it means then that even the narrator himself is a “great man”'.
So if there is a truth in the message then Udeme should not have been singled out since every man is a ‘great man' so clearly there is conflict between the message and the execution of the advert.
‘If this ad tells me Udeme is a great man because he is a pilot then what about lawyers, Surgeons, Journalists etc, then we might as well assume that Guinness is for pilots. Or maybe he's a great man because he dreamt of being a pilot and eventually became one?
Fantastic message, but that defeats the entire effect of the ‘greatness in every man' copy. Let me not ask how comforting it is to see a pilot who obviously loves his bottle, and demonstrates that love on a daily basis, what is the more important issue is the fact that this ad contradicts its own message all the way: is Udeme a great man because he drinks beer or because he is a pilot? And what makes either of that good enough for his friend to wax so poetic about him?' Chude, 2007
CONCLUSION
The Guinness greatness campaign in all was a success in Africa as a whole. The campaign message which makes use of Metaphor which generally is usually difficult to understand was very well understood in the African market.
The audience did more than understand the message; they also keyed into it and coined their own meanings to the message of the advert, all working positively for the Initiators of the campaign.
For the African man, this advert relates to them in places where the creators of the advert least expect; to the African man, it is a clear cut case of triumph of adversity as this has always been the case with Africans.
REFERENCES
“This Guinness advertising case study shows how a campaign tapped into the idea of traditional masculine virtues” Marketing web: integrity, innovation, interaction, 11th Sep. 2008
http://www.marketingweb.co.za/marketingweb/view/marketingweb/en/page72308?oid=111314&sn=Marketingweb+detail (date assessed 10th Dec 2009)
Chude “Of Great Parties and Great Men” 24th may 2007
http://chudesblog.blogspot.com/2007/05/of-great-parties-and-great-men.html (assessed 9th Dec 2009)
“Guinness comes to those who've waited” Pr Newswire Europe Limited, 2009 http://www.prnewswire.co.uk/cgi/news/release?id=21223 (assessed 12th Dec 2009)
“Guinness in Africa” The global brand, Millward brown, 2008
http://www.theglobalbrandonline.com/brand-success/brands-grow-over-time/guinness/ (assessed 9th Dec. 2009)
Ivan,”Guinness honored with eurobest's first advertiser of the year award” Ads of the world, 27 Oct. 2009
http://resources.glos.ac.uk/shareddata/dms/9F4295CDBCD42A0399BA0A2A6E688835.pdf (assessed 9th Dec. 2009)
Joe Dinga Pefok “Campaign for Guinness GREATNESS Brand Launched” up Station Mountain club Publicity, 22nd Dec. 2006
http://www.postnewsline.com/2006/12/publicity_campa.html (assessed 6th Dec. 2009)
Kevin Sugrue “Out of Africa” brand Tao, 24th April 2007
http://brandtao.wordpress.com/2007/04/24/out-of-africa/
Karen Attwood”Guinness sales in Nigeria prove greater than in its Irish home” The Independent 31st August 2007
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/guinness-sales-in-nigeria-prove-greater-than-in-its-irish-home-463715.html (assessed 9th Dec 2009)
“Michael Power” Wikipedia - The free encyclopedia, 7 Sep. 2009
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Power_ (advert) (assessed 8th Dec.2009)
O'Shaughnessy, John “competitive marketing: a strategic approach” NY and London: Routledge, 1995
O'Shaughnessy J. and O'Shaughnessy N. “persuasion In Advertising” NY and London: Routledge, 2004.
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What is the capital of Turkey | What is the Capital of Turkey? - Capital-of.com
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Capital of Turkey
The Capital City of Turkey (officially named Republic of Turkey) is the city of Ankara. The population of Ankara in the year 2008 was 71,517,100 (12,573,836 in the metropolitan area).
Turkey is a Turkish speaking country on the coasts of the Mediterranean Sea, the Black Sea, Sea of Marmara and the Aegean Sea.
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What is the capital of Jordan | Is Capital of Turkey Istanbul or Ankara?istanbul!guide
Is capital of Turkey Istanbul or Ankara?
Many people would say Istanbul to this question but no; it is Ankara.
Istanbul was the last capital of the Ottoman Empire but when Turkey became a republic in 1923, Ankara, which had previously been just a small village, became capital.
November 12th, 2009 | Category: practical
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What is the capital of Paraguay | What is the Capital of Paraguay? - Capital-of.com
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Capital of Paraguay
The Capital City of Paraguay (officially named Republic of Paraguay) is the city of Asuncion. The population of Asuncion (officially named Nuestra Senora Santa Maria de la Asuncion) in the year 2002 was 512,112 (1,639,000 in the metropolitan area).
Paraguay is a Spanish speaking country that does not border with any sea.
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Who had a U.K. No 1 in the 80's with Prince Charming | Paraguay - Country Profile - Nations Online Project
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Destination Paraguay, a landlocked country in central South America. The Pilcomayo and the Paraguay river form parts of its eastern border with Argentina . Sections of its western and southern borders are defined by the Paraná river, the second longest river in South America (the longest is the Amazon River). The Paraguay river and the Apa river forms part of Paraguay's border with Brazil . In north and north west it is bordered by Bolivia .
Paraguay covers an area of 406,752 km², making it slightly larger than 1.5 times the size of the United Kingdom or slightly smaller than the U.S. state of California .
The country has a population of 6.8 million people ( official estimates 2014); capital and largest city is Asunciòn , largest metropolitan area is Gran Asunción a conglomerate of several smaller cities around Asunciòn.
Spoken languages are Spanish (official) and indigenous Guaraní.
Republic of Paraguay | República del Paraguay
Country Profile
Background:
In the early 16th century Europeans arrived in the area inhabited by seminomadic Guarani-speaking tribes called Cayua or Caingua, "men of the forest". In 1537 the Spaniards founded Asuncion which became the center of a Spanish colonial province. Paraguay declared its independence by overthrowing the local Spanish authorities in 1811.
In the disastrous War of the Triple Alliance fought between Paraguay and the allied countries of Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay (1865-70), Paraguay lost two-thirds of all adult males and much of its territory. It stagnated economically for the next half century. In the Chaco War of 1932-35, large, economically important areas were won from Bolivia.
The 35-year military dictatorship of Alfredo STROESSNER was overthrown in 1989, and, despite a marked increase in political infighting in recent years, relatively free and regular presidential elections have been held since then.
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In which country was Chris de Burgh born | Chris De Burgh - IMDb
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Chris De Burgh was born on October 15, 1948 in Buenos Aires, Argentina as Christopher John Davidson. He has been married to Diane since November 25, 1978. They have three children. See full bio »
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2014 Udo Jürgens - Mitten im Leben (TV Movie) (performer: "Sixty-Six")
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Psych (TV Series) (performer - 1 episode, 2012) (writer - 1 episode, 2012)
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2011 10 Years (writer: "The Lady In Red")
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2008 Baby Mama (performer: "The Lady in Red") / (writer: "The Lady in Red")
Patinando por un sueño (TV Series) (performer - 1 episode, 2007) (writer - 1 episode, 2007)
- Episode dated 16 August 2007 (2007) ... (performer: "The Lady in Red") / (writer: "The Lady in Red")
2007 The Ferryman ("Don't Pay The Ferryman")
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2007 Buat Al-Gaida (TV Series) (writer - 1 episode)
2006 That Mitchell and Webb Look (TV Series) (writer - 1 episode)
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2004 New Zealand Idol (TV Series) (writer - 1 episode)
- Wildcard Special (2004) ... (writer: "The Lady in Red")
Monkey Dust (TV Series) (performer - 1 episode) (writer - 1 episode)
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2002 Idols! (TV Series) (writer - 1 episode)
- Workshop #1 (2002) ... (writer: "The Lady in Red")
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EastEnders (TV Series) (performer - 6 episodes, 2000 - 2001) (writer - 2 episodes, 2000 - 2001)
- Episode dated 12 July 2001 (2001) ... (performer: "The Lady in Red" - uncredited) / (writer: "The Lady in Red" - uncredited)
- Episode dated 21 December 2000 (2000) ... (performer: "A Spaceman Came Travelling" - uncredited) / (writer: "A Spaceman Came Travelling" - uncredited)
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2000 American Psycho (performer: "Lady in Red") / (writer: "Lady in Red" - as Christopher John Davison)
1998 Ang maton at ang showgirl (performer: "Lady In Red") / (writer: "Lady In Red")
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Reasonable Doubts (TV Series) (performer - 1 episode, 1991) (writer - 1 episode, 1991)
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Only Fools and Horses.... (TV Series) (performer - 1 episode, 1989) (writer - 1 episode, 1989)
- Yuppy Love (1989) ... (performer: "The Lady In Red" - uncredited) / (writer: "The Lady In Red" - uncredited)
1988 Working Girl (performer: "The Lady in Red" - as Chris DeBurgh) / (writer: "The Lady in Red" - as Chris DeBurgh)
1988 Split Decisions (performer: "The Spirit of Man") / (writer: "The Spirit of Man")
1988 Arthur 2: On the Rocks (performer: "LOVE IS MY DECISION") / (writer: "LOVE IS MY DECISION")
The Adventures of Dawdle the Donkey (TV Series) (composer - 20 episodes, 1996 - 1997) (performer - 20 episodes, 1996 - 1997)
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- Episode #2.8 (1997) ... (composer: title music - as Chris de Burgh) / (performer: title music - as Chris de Burgh)
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What was the last hit for the New Seekers | Chris De Burgh Net Worth | Richest Net Worth
Chris De Burgh Net Worth
Chris De Burgh Net Worth is$45 Million
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Profession: Singer, Guitarist
Date of Birth: Oct 15, 1948
Nicknames: Chris De Burg, Chris The Burg, Chis De Burgh, Chris DeBurgh, Christopher John Davison, de Burgh, Chris
Height: 1.676 m
What is Chris De Burgh Net Worth?
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Chris de Burgh was born in Argentina and has an estimated net worth of $45 million dollars. Chris de Burgh grew up in the UK and is most widely recognized for his song, "The Lady in Red", which was released in 1986. Other hits include "Spanish Train" and "A Spaceman Came Traveling". He has released eighteen studio albums to date.
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Australian family who won battle to stay in Scotland hopeful for future
Meanwhile, eight-year-old Lachlan, who speaks Gaelic, is thriving at school. He played astronaut Tim Peake in his school nativity play, which included performing Chris de Burgh’s A Spaceman Came Travelling – in Gaelic. The family came to Scotland in ...
Posted: January 6, 2017, 1:33 am
Rosanna Davison shows off her cheeky beach body on New Years holiday
Rosanna and her family, along with her singer dad Chris De Burgh, have made Mauritius their destination of choice every New Year since she was young. The family will countdown to the New Year in the exclusive Le Saint Geran resort on the beautiful island.
Posted: December 31, 2016, 12:00 am
Life is beachy for Rosanna Davison as she shares snaps from her enviable winter break in Mauritius
The model and her husband Wes jetted to the island for their annual trip, where the couple will celebrate the New Year with her mum Diane and dad Chris de Burgh. Rosanna’s brothers Hubie and Michael also join the couple on the island, where the family is ...
Posted: December 30, 2016, 6:59 am
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Who had a U.K. No 1 in the 60's with Sugar Sugar | The Archies - Sugar, Sugar (Original 1969 Music Video) - YouTube
The Archies - Sugar, Sugar (Original 1969 Music Video)
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Uploaded on Dec 7, 2010
"Sugar, Sugar" is one of 16 animated music segments created to be shown on "The Archie Comedy Hour" on CBS-TV in 1969, and the song is included on The Archies' 2nd album, "Everything's Archie," also released in 1969. The single was released in 1969, backed with "Melody Hill," and quickly rose to the #1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100, where it remained for 4 weeks, giving The Archies their first gold record ("Jingle Jangle" was their second gold record), and becoming the #1 song for 1969 according to Billboard magazine.
While this music segment was originally created for broadcast on "The Archie Comedy Hour" in 1969, it also made it's way to the CBS-TV prime-time special "Archie's Sugar, Sugar - Jingle Jangle Show" in 1970, which was mostly a repeat of the earlier CBS-TV prime-time special "Archie And His New Pals" from 1969 with both music clips thrown in at the end. This clip was also broadcast on the Ed Sullivan Show in 1969.
At this time, this music segment is only 1 of 4 music segments from "The Archie Comedy Hour" that have been found. The other found music segments are "Jingle Jangle," "You Know I Love You," and "Get On The Line". The other 12 music segments from this show are still missing and feared forever lost. The music segments from "The Archie Show" and "Archie's Funhouse" still survive. Only the segments from "Comedy Hour" are missing.
For anyone interested, these are the "Comedy Hour" music segments that are still missing... "Melody Hill," "Bicycles, Roller Skates & You," "Hot Dog," "Inside Out - Upside Down," "Everything's Alright," "She's Putting Me Through Changes," "Whoopee Tie Ai A," "Nursery Rhyme," "Get On The Line (without the credits from "Archie & His New Pals)," "Senorita Rita," "Look Before You Leap," "Sugar And Spice," and "Archie's Party." If memory serves (it's been over 40 years), neither "Justine" nor "Who's Your Baby?" were ever made into animated segments for "Comedy Hour".
This music clip was included in the "Archie's Funhouse" DVD boxset from Genius Products. While it was not a clip broadcast on "Archie's Funhouse", the boxset included some content from "The Archie Comedy Hour" as well.
This music segment, along with the rest of the original Archies' cartoon material from Filmation, is currently owned by Classic Media, formerly Entertainment Rights.
"Archie" is owned by Archie Comic Publications, Inc.
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| The Archies |
What was the christian name of Captain Mainwaring in Dad's Army | THE ARCHIES - SUGAR SUGAR - YouTube
THE ARCHIES - SUGAR SUGAR
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Uploaded on Oct 24, 2009
Classics 60's 70's
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What is the name of the TV news company in Drop the Dead Donkey | Drop The Dead Donkey - C4 Sitcom - British Comedy Guide
Drop The Dead Donkey
Drop The Dead Donkey
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Channel 4 sitcom about a news station. 67 episodes (6 series), 1990 - 1998. Stars Jeff Rawle , Robert Duncan , Haydn Gwynne , Ingrid Lacey and others .
Drop The Dead Donkey
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Drop The Dead Donkey
Sitcom set at GlobeLink News, a TV news station which is ordered to start taking a sensationalist stance to the news by its new owner
Genre
Andy Hamilton and Guy Jenkin
Starring
Andy Hamilton and Guy Jenkin
Topical sitcom set in the production office of GlobeLink News, a television news company undergoing transformation under the hand of unscrupulous new owner Sir Royston Merchant. Having recently acquired the producer, the multi-millionaire media tycoon and business tyrant orders that the company should start taking a more sensationalist, tabloid stance in its reporting.
Yuppie Gus Hedges (who speaks in a myriad of boardroom 'buzzwords' and clichés) is in charge of the transformation. Nervous news editor George Dent is too weak to stand up to Gus so it is left to his second in command, the impressively perceptive Alex, to try and stop Gus ruining the station entirely.
Other staff included laddish womaniser Dave Charnley, ambitious moral-free field reporter Damien Day, and newsreaders Henry Davenport and Sally Smedley; him old fashioned and her a brainless bimbo.
| globelink |
What was the christian name of Arkwright’s nephew in Open All Hours | Drop The Dead Donkey shop - British Comedy Guide
Drop The Dead Donkey - The Complete Box Set
For the first time ever, all six series of the brilliant, topical TV comedy series Drop The Dead Donkey are featured in this 11 disc DVD box set. Familiarise yourself with Globelink News, primed to bring you the latest headlines...somehow. Under the ineffective management of Gus, the team bicker,...
Drop The Dead Donkey - The Complete 4th, 5th & 6th Series
This multi-award winning TV comedy show is set in the offices of 'Globelink News', a TV news company whose millionaire tycoon owner prefers a more sensationalist stance in presenting the day's events... Each episode of the show was recorded within 48 hours of transmission (often less), allowing script changes...
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What was the name that Sir Malcolm Campbell gave to his record breaking boats and cars | CAPTAIN SIR MALCOLM CAMPBELL'S BLUEBIRD LAND SPEED RECORDS
Malcolm Campbell was a shareholder in Brooklands and very active in the running of the track, designing the Campbell road racing circuit within the confines of the site, which was used from its opening on 1st may 1937 to the outbreak of war. Throughout this period he was very active in all classes of racing at Brooklands driving a 1� litre Talbot, several Bugattis and the ex-Benoist straight eight supercharged G.P. Delage which was at the height of its fame in 1928 after numerous 1927 Grand Prix victories by its sister cars. In this car he dominated the 1928 200 Mile Race on 21st July, winning by 12 mins. 12 secs. at an average speed of 78.34 m.p.h.
For American auto racing, the Depression was a bleak period of little money and few races. But followers of the sport had something else to hold their attention - the continuing quest for the world land speed record. Some great names in American racing had held the record - Barney Oldfield, Ralph DePalma, Tommy Milton, even Henry Ford . But one man, an Englishman named Malcolm Campbell, seemed to capture the imagination of the entire world. It may have been the fact that he broke the record on nine occasions between 1924 and 1935, but more likely it was his later cars, all exotic and streamlined, and all named " Bluebird ," that somehow provided both excitement and hope for the future in a world turned upside down by the economy and the long slow path toward another disastrous war .
The 27 foot long 4.75 ton Daytona Blue Bird with Rolls Royce engine
THE FUTURE
Any form of electric vehicle is better than petrol or diesel, but an electric vehicle that can refuel in a few minutes will obviously have much more customer appeal than an EV that has to wait 30 minutes or even hours to charge up.
Battery technology is improving daily. A car with the new generation of battery cartridge exchange built in and the ability to load its own cartridge, will encourage energy companies to build service forecourts.
The Blueplanet BE3 LSR Team would be pleased to advise any energy company interested in this technology and of course any vehicle manufacturer who might be considering whether or not to include a future proof system into their next generation of road cars.
REID RAILTON
Reid Antony Railton was the son of a Manchester stockbroker. Reid was born in Chorley, Alderley Edge, Cheshire and was Christened on 13 August 1895 at the local parish church. He was educated at Rugby School and Manchester University. He joined Leyland Motors in 1917 where he worked with J.G. Parry-Thomas on the Leyland Eight luxury car. He left in 1922 to set up the Arab Motor Company where he was chief designer. Only about twelve cars were built, of which two low-chassis cars survive. One is in the Isle of Man and the other one (Chassis number 6, engine number 10, registration UW 2) is now in Austria having been rebuilt and rebodied by David Barker in the early 1990s.
In 1927, on the death of his friend Parry-Thomas , Railton closed the Arab factory and moved to Brooklands working for Thomson & Taylor becoming their Technical Director with responsibility for John Cobb's 1933 Napier Railton car which took the Outer Circuit record in 1933 and Sir Malcolm Campbell's Bluebird Land Speed Record cars of 1931 to 1935. His greatest achievements were probably designing the Railton Mobil Special car with which John Cobb set the Land Speed Record at 394.7 mph (635.2 km/h) in 1947 and designing the E.R.A. racing cars built in 1933-1934 at Thompson & Taylors at Brooklands. He also tuned the Hudson chassis used on the Railton car, named after him.
As well as cars he designed high speed boats including the jet-powered Crusader in which John Cobb was killed in 1952 while travelling in excess of 200 mph (322 km/h) attempting to break the Water Speed Record .
In 1939 he moved to California to work for the Hall-Scott Motor Company. He died in Berkeley, California, in 1977 at the age of 82.
CAMPBELL-NAPIER-RAILTON BLUE BIRD
After Henry Segrave's Golden Arrow , clearly a more powerful engine was required for Blue Bird, with a chassis and transmission to handle it. A supercharged Napier Lion VIID was used, with over three times the power of the previous Blue Bird and a large premium over Golden Arrow's un-supercharged 900 hp (670 kW) Lion VIIA. This was not the first use of supercharging for Land Speed Record cars, but was the first combining supercharging with the large displacement aero engines that had previously been relied upon for their gross output. Golden Arrow's innovative vertical aerodynamic stabilising fin was also used, a first for Campbell.
Campbell's nemesis, Segrave, was killed in an attempt on the water speed record while Campbell was scouting for new record courses in South Africa. On his return, Campbell set off for Daytona with the new Blue Bird, concerned at American challenges to the record. Segrave had, after all, at least been British. On 5 February 1931 he pushed the record to 246 mph (396 km/h), to great popular acclaim. On his return he learned he was to be knighted as Sir Malcolm Campbell. A year later he returned and pushed through to 251 mph (404 km/h). This record stood for another year, until he himself broke it with his next car, the next Rolls-Royce-engined 1933 Blue Bird .
A Hudson-Railton saloon (1937) and Sir Malcolm's Bentley at a museum in Cumbria
CAMPBELL-RAILTON BLUE BIRD (ROLLS ROYCE)
His previous Campbell-Napier-Railton Blue Bird of 1931 was rebuilt significantly. The overall layout and the simple twin deep chassis rails remained, but little else. The bodywork remained similar, with the narrow body, the tombstone radiator grille and the semi-spatted wheels, but the mechanics were new. Most significantly, a larger, heavier and considerably more powerful Rolls-Royce R V12 engine replaced the old Napier Lion, again with supercharger. This required two prominent "knuckles" atop the bodywork, to cover the V12 engine's camboxes.
1933
Blue Bird's first run was back at Daytona, setting a record of 272 miles per hour (438 km/h) on 22 February 1933. Campbell now had a car with all the power that he could want, but no way to use all of it. Wheelspin was a problem, losing perhaps 50 miles per hour (80 km/h) from the top speed. Drag from the air needed to be reduced and grip on the sand increased.
1935
Visually the car was quite different. The bodywork was now rectangular in cross section and spanned the full width over the wheels . Although actually higher, this increased width gave the impression of a much lower and sleeker car, accentuated by the long stabilising tailfin and the purposeful raised ridges over the engine camboxes. This Blue Bird was clearly a design of the Modernist '30s, not the brute heroism of the '20s.
Mechanically the changes to the car had focussed on improving the traction, rather than increasing the already generous power. Double wheels and tyres were fitted to the rear axle, to improve grip. The final drive was also split into separate drives to each side. This reduced the load on each drive, allowed the driver position to be lowered, but required the wheelbase to be shortened asymmetrically on one side by 1�"(37 mm). Airbrakes were fitted, actuated by a large air cylinder. For extra streamlining the radiator air intake could be closed by a movable flap, for a brief period during the record itself.
Blue Bird made its first record runs back on Daytona Beach in early 1935. On 7 March 1935 Campbell improved his record to 276.82 mph (445.5 kph), but the unevenness of the sand caused a loss of grip and he knew the car was capable of more.
The faster car needed a bigger and smoother arena, and this led to the Bonneville Salt Flats of Utah . This time the young Donald Campbell accompanied his father. On 3 September 1935, the 300 mph barrier fell by a bare mile-per-hour, crowning Sir Malcolm Campbell's record-breaking career.
THE MALCOLM CAMPBELL HERITAGE TRUST (MCHT)
You can see from the scans of what appears to be a 'Declaration of Trust' dated the 16th of October 2001, that the original Trustees of the MCHT were:
1. Peter John Hulme, New Barn, Tokens Farm, Loxwood, West Sussex.
2. Malcolm Brian Hulme, 17 Norman Avenue, Twickenham, Middlesex.
3. Donald Charles Wales , 11 Weston Avenue, Addlestone, Surrey, KT15 1UW.
4. Georgina Campbell , Birkby Grange Farm, Carr Lane, Thorner, Leeds, LS14 3HG.
5. Jean Dorothy Wales, Orchard Lodge, Oakhurst Lane, Loxwood, West Sussex.
For more information of this Trust, click on the document extract above.
| Bluebird |
What is the name given to a seagoing vessel with two banks of oars | SirMalcolmCampbell photos on Flickr | Flickr
99+
Coniston Water in Cumbria, England is the third largest lake in the #EnglishLakeDistrict. It is five miles (8 km) long, half a mile (800 m) wide, has a maximum depth of 184 feet (56 m), and covers an area of 1.89 square miles (4.9 km2). The lake has an elevation of 143 feet (44 m) above sea level. It drains to the sea via the #RiverCrake.
The lake was formerly known as "Thurston Water", a name derived from the Old Norse personal name 'Thursteinn' + Old English 'waeter'. This name was used as an alternative to #ConistonWater until the late 18th century.
In the 20th century Coniston Water was the scene of many attempts to break the world water speed record. On August 19, 1939 #SirMalcolmCampbell set the record at 141.74 miles per hour (228.108 km/h) in Bluebird K4. Between 1956 and 1959 Sir Malcolm's son Donald Campbell set four successive records on the lake in Bluebird K7, a hydroplane.
Bluebird of 1938 seen in Saint Tropez on 28th July 2010.
The last of the three yachts owned by Sir Malcolm Campbell, holder of the world land and water speed records before the war, was Blue Bird II. His previous two boats, also called Blue Bird, - as were his record breaking cars and power-boats - were the 29-tonner, now called CHICO and the 16-tonner Bluebird of Chelsea, both on this website. All three, as it happened, went to Dunkirk in 1940.
Built by the Goole Shipbuilding and Repairing Company, and designed by G.L. Watsons, the Scottish Naval Architects, it was to be an ocean-going yacht, capable of crossing the Atlantic to fulfill his dream to go treasure hunting in the Cocos Islands in the Pacific, - Robert Louis Stevenson's Treasure Islands. But, only a year after he took delivery of his splendid yacht, with its five cabins, its dining saloon panelled in English oak and walnut-panelled smoking room, war broke out and Blue Bird, was requisitioned. Although her participation at Dunkirk is recorded in A.D. Divine's book, no more details survive. A Royal Navy telegraphist, has left an interesting first-hand account of some of her crew and her activities. At that time, she was engaged in the H.M. Customs Examination Service with a complement of two RNR officers and 16 crew.
It was spring 1941 and Blue Bird's Examination Station was west of the Bar Light Vessel, observing the approaches to the Mersey Main Channel off Liverpool. They spent three days at a time at sea, during which the Examination Officer, assisted by the deck crew, checked on all traffic into the port of Liverpool. There were frequent air raids on Liverpool docks and the Birkenhead shipyards. As soon as the alert was sounded, Blue Bird would cast off from the river pontoon and take up station in mid-stream to look out for enemy mines dropped from the air, and for ships approaching by sea. Once she narrowly missed being blown up by a bomb which, had it not failed to explode, would have blown them sky-high.
In September 1941 Blue Bird was posted to Londonderry, N. Ireland to patrol the coast of Ulster and Eire to intercept 'neutral' cargo vessels and to identify coasters in the channel approaches. This left a fair time for fishing. Bob McKenzie, the coxswain, was a trawlerman in peacetime and many of the lower ranks had been fishermen too. They soon rigged up an improvised trawl, a longline with l00 hooks at a time and hand lines to catch mackerel - all of which provided useful income, or currency for barter with the good people of Eire, when they passed in and out of Lough Foyle. A break in their routine was provided by their periodic visits to Belfast Lough for 'de-gaussing' - a process for making the ship less susceptible to magnetic mines. After the war, Blue Bird was de-commissioned, but by then Sir Malcolm Campbell was too ill to realise his dream of going treasure hunting in her. In 1948 he died and five years later, Blue Bird was sold to Jean Louis Renault, the French car maker, who owned her for 25 years, changed her name to Janick and added crew's quarters on the foredeck. She cruised extensively in the Mediterranean and was eventually sold to Mr. E. Colberg, who kept her at Long Beach, California.
This is where Bob Harvey-George and his wife Sheila heard she was for sale. They succeeded in buying her and sailed back to Cornwall, where they arrived in June 1986 after a five-week voyage, proving her seaworthiness whilst avoiding the first hurricane of the year in the Pacific. Since then, the ship has completed a major process of restoration. She has gone back to her old name: Blue Bird, and closer to her original design. Large areas of her deck have been covered with teak planking recovered from a ship which sank in the Bristol Channel in 1917. Her rigging, panelling and paintwork have all been restored and modern technology and comforts have been introduced discreetly without spoiling the charm of a more leisurely and elegant age.
In 1995 Bluebird was bought by a Dutch Deep-sea Captain who took her to Holland. There, he and his wife Susan brought Bluebird back to immaculate condition working seven days a week for four years. In the condition she is now she will survive well into the 21st century!
Bluebird is now registered as a passenger yacht and is the pride of the Port of Rotterdam. Each summer she cruises the Baltic waters and the South Coast of England.
Bluebird of Chelsea, formerly Bluebird, is a motor yacht originally built for Sir Malcolm Campbell.
Ownership by Sir Malcolm Campbell
She was built in 1931 by Thornycrofts of Southampton, as a twin petrol-engined wooden carvel-built motor yacht.
Campbell sold her after three years, as his motor-racing experience made him wary of the fire risks of petrol engines aboard. He was also highly superstitious and believed a gypsy warning that, "his death would come from the water". In hindsight, this may have applied more to his son Donald.
Dunkirk and WW2
She had three further owners before being requisitioned by the Admiralty at the outbreak of World War II. Soon she was on her way with the flotilla of Little Ships to Dunkirk. Not without two false starts though, first due to engine trouble and then over-crowding. Her return from Dunkirk was even more fraught: after first refilling the fuel tanks with water, then fouling her screws on debris, she returned under tow.
Her later wartime service was spent in Scotland performing transport work for the RASC, then later on the South coast around Weymouth and Gosport.
Her history after this is sketchy, although she was renamed Blue Finch and found herself on the Atlantic coast of the South of France.
Survival today
In 1984 the Chelsea art dealer Martin Summers discovered her in France and decided to restore her. Some initial work in France made her apparently fit for a single-engined Channel crossing, but once again another engine failure meant that she returned from France under tow.
H & T Marine (Hiscock and Titterington) of Poole performed an extensive restoration, to the very highest quality. After re-launch in 1986 she now lies alongside Cadogan Pier in Chelsea. Her condition today continues in this fine tradition.
Donald Campbell died on 4th January, 1967 attempting to break the Water Speed Record on Coniston Water in "Bluebird".
Donald and his father, Sir Malcolm Campbell, had set (between them) eleven speed records on water and ten on land.
The wreckage of Campbell's craft was recovered by the Bluebird Project between October 2000 and May 2001. His body was finally located just over two months later and recovered from the lake on 28 May 2001, still wearing his blue nylon overalls.
Campbell was buried in Coniston Cemetery on 12 September 2001 after his coffin was carried down the lake, and through the measured kilometre, on a launch, one last time. The funeral was overshadowed in the media due to coverage of the 9/11 attacks in the United States.
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What is the flowing hair on the lower legs of a Clydesdale draught horse called | How to Groom a Clydesdale's Legs | Animals - mom.me
How to Groom a Clydesdale's Legs
The white feathers on a Clydesdale's legs will not stay white without regular grooming.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images News/Getty Images
The long white feathers on a Clydesdale's legs are one of the most easily recognizable features of this specific draft breed. Keeping the feathers clean and attractive can pose a bit of a grooming challenge, especially since they can be prone to skin conditions. Maintaining your Clydesdale's legs is an essential part of caring for him properly.
Brushing The Feathers
The feathering on your Clydesdale's legs can pick up all kinds of debris when your horse is being ridden or even just playing in the pasture. Dirt, sand, mud, rocks, thorns, briars and just about anything else that can get tangled in hair will get tangled in his hair. All of this stuff can quickly become uncomfortable for your horse, especially if any of it gets right next to his skin or traps moisture. Brushing out your Clydesdale's legs every day with a grooming brush will significantly reduce the tangling problem and help keep skin problems from developing. Make sure you can run your fingers through the feathers and nothing is stuck in the hairs.
Washing The Feathers
Even if your horse's legs are not covered in mud, white hair tends to turn yellowish brown fairly quickly when a horse is out in the pasture. Wash your Clydesdale's legs with a gentle whitening shampoo to keep the feathers clean and minimize staining. Brush the legs so that they are relatively clean and free of debris before you wash them. Be careful not to wash the legs too often because too much washing can dry out the skin and damage the feathers.
Environmental Maintenance
You can make grooming your Clydesdale's legs easier by paying attention to the condition of your pastures and stalls. A Clydesdale in a muddy, wet pasture is a recipe for a real mess. Try to keep your horse turned out in clean, dry areas where there is minimal debris that will get tangled in the feathers. Keep his stall clean and make sure the shavings are in good, dry condition.
Skin Conditions
Clydesdales are prone to skin conditions such as chronic progressive lymphedema. Horses with CPL are at higher risk of infection and may have swollen legs, sores and lesions on their skin as well as thick skin folds and swollen nodules. Failing to maintain your Clydesdale's legs may prevent you from noticing the early symptoms of skin conditions or make them more difficult for your veterinarian to treat. If you are unwilling or unable to maintain your horse's feathers properly on a daily basis, then you may want to have the horse professionally clipped or shaved to remove the feathers.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images News/Getty Images
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| Feather |
What is Britain’s busiest and biggest container port | Cocoa Lounge - African American Forum & Message Board - Budweiser Clysdale (horse) sold at auction to the Slaughter House!
posted on 1.30.2016 at 02:29 PM
Budweiser Clysdale (horse) sold at auction to the Slaughter House!
A horse who was once one of the famous Budweiser Clydesdales was sold at a slaughter auction - but unlike so many unfortunate horses who share the same fate, a kind rescuer stepped in to save his life. News of the Horse reported yesterday that Connecticut Draft Horse Rescue (CDHR) recently rescued a former Budweiser Clydesdale who had been placed for sale at the infamous New Holland auction.
The horse, was dubbed "Duke" by his rescuers, was in very poor condition when he was found. According to Connecticut Draft Horse Rescue's Facebook page, Duke was "so thin and neglected...missing patches of body hair, raw sores on swollen legs - we knew he needed us..."
Country 92.5 posted on Monday: "Duke was once admired by millions as one of the Budweiser Clydesdales, a true equine star at Busch Gardens, destined for great things. It seemed his future was secure, with a contract and a microchip to keep him safe for life...however, things didn't turn out the way they were supposed to, and Duke was days from a horrible, unthinkable end."
After news of Duke's rescue broke on social media, Duke's prior handler, Laurie Bouthiller-Gendron, recognized him. According to Bouthiller-Gendron, she handled Duke in 2006 at Busch Gardens in Williamsburg - and at that time, Duke was in excellent health, receiving loving care and the attention and adoration of thousands of fans. But a lot has happened between 2006 and now - much of which will never be known.
CDHR contacted Budweiser's Clydesdale manager, who confirmed the horse's identity with his microchip and explained that Duke had been privately sold in 2009. Budweiser had been careful in choosing what they thought was a good home for Duke, and his sale had included a right of first refusal clause, meaning that the horse would have to be offered to Budweiser before the new owner sold the horse to someone else. Instead, the new owner chose not to honor that contract, and it's not known where Duke went between 2009 and today. When the 18-year-old horse arrived at the New Holland auction, however, he looked nothing like he did during his Budweiser glory days: he had been abused and neglected; he was emaciated, injured, and dejected.
After Duke was rescued, CDHR posted a youcaring page to help him. The page stated: "The costs to rehabilitate this horse are unknown at this point, but know that initial transport, quarantine, and medical evaluation will be at least another $1000. We hope you will support our mission to help Duke recover and eventually find his forever home. Welcome to CDHR, Duke - your troubles are over now." To make a donation towards Duke's care, visit this page.
A horse who was being on the auction block - potentially for slaughter - only days earlier suddenly had even more support. After hearing of their former star's plight, Budweiser made a donation to CDHR in honor of Duke. CDHR has made it clear that no blame is to be placed on Budweiser, which tried to find a good retirement home for Duke. The organization hopes that Budweiser, as the "world renowned face of the Clydesdale breed, along with the organization that promotes breeding and registers them, [will] consider partnering to create and promote a charitable fund for their breed..."
Duke continues to recover from untold abuse and neglect, but this gentle giant is only looking forward. Only one week has passed since Duke was first rescued, but his red, open sores are scabbing up; his reddened skin has started to fade to pink, and he appears to be feeling more comfortable.
Animal advocates hope that Duke's story can help other horses, as well. CDHR posted on its Facebook page today: "We hope to bring attention to the fact that there are horses who fall victim to neglect from all kinds of backgrounds - even horses like Duke who previously led the pampered life of an equine celebrity can fall into the wrong hands and end up at risk for shipping to slaughter. We hope that the attention that this situation is receiving results in some positive changes
Mood: One Happy Camper
posted on 1.30.2016 at 03:26 PM
I don't know if any of you have ever seen a Clydesdale, but it is the one of the most magnificent animals God created. I saw my first when I was about 8 years old at a Bud Billikin Parade in Chicago (the 2nd largest parade in the U.S. after well-publicized Macy's Thanksgiving day parade - but of course you didn't know that since the black run, operated, and with 99% black participation receives only local recognition & minimal publicity
). I watched the Budweiser Wagon pulled by the 4 gorgeously "feathered" (long flowing hair on their lower legs and forelocks) white-stocking, high-stepping bay horses, the tallest breed of horse in the world (6 feet at the shoulders!) and looking more imposing than any creature should.... with total awe. Even today, if one came down the street, I'd look at it with the SAME awe. They are that beautiful, imposing and powerfully muscled.
Budweiser has a farm where the horses are stabled. They used to leave it open to the public to roam about at will. They now have 'no trespassing' signs and the stables guarded. Why? Some years ago, the stable hands came in and found several of the magnificent animals dead in their stalls, their thick muscular throats cut in a wanton slaughter of beauty. I nearly cried thinking of those draught horses pulling that Bud wagon when I was a child.
Now we have some cretin first abusing a Clydesdale and starving it to a shadow of itself, then auctioning him off to a slaughter house.... and I find myself nearly crying again. First, because he spit on beauty, but also because the Clydesdale, an animal bred for farmwork (hence its designation as a draught horse) in a world of mechanization, is only a couple horses shy of being vulnerable to extinction.
Desperate attention-seeking ghouls who know not the meaning of the word 'honor' LOVE unmoderated MBs
Choose your hypnotist well.....
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What is the trade of a British Army soldier with a white horseshoe on his upper arm | Trade & Profiency badges of WW1 & WW2 Page 2
SP Special Proficiency.
T Technician
Notes: "With so many tradesmen groups appearing it was decided to distinguish many by pay grading and thus groups A and B were introduced, the badges having the old English letters between laurel sprays to indicate the group.
There were for a time trade groups with C and D markings.
The C within the laurel to indicate cook.
Other unusual trades include experimental assistants, gunnery, who wear the badge of a theodolite with the EG with a laurel wreath."
from "Badges and Insignia of the British Armed Services."
Machine gunners: "The development of automatic weapons also brought fresh badges. In 1917 the first class marksman for the Lewis gun and the Hotchkiss gun wore the initials LG and HG respectively over laurel sprays. In 1921 LG became the initials for the light machine gunner. The initials MG, which had indicated the heavy machine gun branch, changed by 1944 to indicate the medium machine gun marksman. The machine gunners also had variations to mark their skill-at-arms and their competition badges included the grades for skill in shooting which were marked by crossed rifles. A star over the MG in a wreath was worn by the best man in each MG squadron or support company."
Artillerymen - special duties: "Qualification badges in skill-at-arms for artillery include many with letter and laurel sprays or wreath. The L worn on the upper arm of layers is well known, having been worn early in the century. The H for height-taker became an anti-aircraft skill in 1939. The cursive R for range-taker first class of artillery and infantry goes back to 1914. The O in a wreath marked the qualified observer from 1915 up to 1921. The plotter of the Royal Artillery (including WRAC personnel) as well as the predictor members of the anti-aircraft artillery took the cursive P over laurel sprays about 1939. The first-class gunner in the Royal Tank Corps wore the G in the wreath and the introduction of anti-tank guns brought a new badge for the gun-layer (not in the artillery) of a Roman AT over the laurel sprays."
Special proficiency: "There are many other badges many of which have now disappeared. There was the SP for special proficiency worn from 1939 to 1950, the FS for field security police. There is the propeller for members of the old RASC fleet and two versions of a diver's helmet, one with SW for shallow water divers."
Tradesmen: "When tradesmen in the army were being recognized, their trade was that as already indicated by their skill-at-arms or proficiency badges. As they were frequently assumed for the trades it is difficult to say which wearer is which unless precise dating or circumstances can be quoted. Some of the oldest badges date before 1864. There is the horse shoe of the farrier which was worn on his headdress in the 18th century but much later as an arm badge. As a trade badge the farrier-sergeant wore the shoe over his three chevrons. The bit was the sign of the saddler and collar-maker (not in cavalry regiments but artillery, etc.). The wheel of the wheeler and carpenter could also be worn by as high a rank as wheeler-major, and in modern times by the pattern maker, the shipwright, carriage, and wagon repairer as well as wood turner and machinist. The crossed pincers and hammer of the fitter or smith continue un use for a variety of trades like armourer, blacksmith, boilermaker, electrical fitter, engine fitter, and many other fitters, grinder, metal machinist, and many other trades. This badge can be worn with rank markings."
| Farrier |
What is the correct name for moonstone | DRAGOON GUARDS & DRAGOONS RANK BADGES
HEAVY CAVALRY UNIFORMS, ARMS & EQUIPMENT - DRAGOON GUARDS & DRAGOONS
BADGES WORN BY WARRANT OFFICERS & OTHER RANKS
BADGES OF RANK
For the better part of the nineteenth century, the rank badges for NCOs in the British Army consisted of chevrons (usually from one to four) worn on the sleeve above or below the elbow with points up or down. The chevrons were often augmented by crowns and other special badges according to rank and corps. By the late eighteen-seventies the system appeared to be out of control with little regularity as to who wore what kind of badge along with where or how it was worn. In 1881 it was decided that the whole matter should be overhauled. The creation of Warrant Rank assisted in the simplification. As in most armies and the British in particular there was a difference between rank and appointment and when the system was changed originally only Conductors of Supplies and Conductors of Stores received the designation. Later in the year the rank was to include Regimental Sergeant-Majors, Master-Gunners (RA) and Bandmasters. Next were Staff-Sergeants which for cavalry included Quartermaster-Sergeants and Troop Sergeant-Majors, then Sergeants, Corporals and Privates (which included Lance-Corporals) and finally Boys. The appointments within these ranks included Farriers, Saddlers, Riding Instructors (roughriders) and other specialist trades.
The actual badges related to ranks did not appear until 1882. All rank badges were henceforth to be on the right sleeve only. For Regimental Sergeant-Majors it was a crown worn below the elbow and above the cuff decoration. For Regimental Quartermasters, it was a four bar chevron points up, also below the elbow. Above the chevrons there was an eight-pointed star. Quartermaster Farrier, Saddler and Riding Instructor badges were worn above the four bar chevrons instead of the star. Troop Sergeant–Majors (Later Squadron-Sergeant Majors) wore a three bar chevron points down with a crown above while Sergeants, Corporals and Lance-Corporals wore three, two and a single chevron points down respectively. The chevrons for all scarlet coated regiments were gold lace (Bias & stand pattern) on a scarlet backing. The 6th Dragoon Guards gold chevrons were on a blue backing. All crowns were in proper colours.
There was one anomaly in that there is photographic evidence (taken at York in 1883) that the 2nd Dragoon Guards wore a crown above their chevrons for all ranks from 1881-1891. Since this included sergeants the TSM is shown with four chevrons with crown above as worn before 1881. Also, it appears that lance-corporals of the Bays wore two chevrons instead of one, a practice that continued until 1961. The 1881 regulations also made changes to the ranks of Trumpet-Majors and Drum-Majors which will be discussed in the section on Musicians.
BADGES OF TRADE & SKILL-AT-ARMS
The oldest trade badge which was worn by many armies is the crossed axes of the pioneer or sapper which appeared on the arms of these robust gentlemen as early as the Seven Years War.
In the British cavalry the Farrier’s badge, at first worn on the caps was being worn on the arms of some regiments in the 1830s. Badges for proficiency and skill-at-arms first appeared after the Crimean War to promote efficiency with the weaponry and equipment that the army was using. The badge of crossed muskets was the first, authorized by Royal Warrant in 1856 and originally intended as a prize badge. By 1881 these badges, like rank badges were worn somewhat indiscriminately and regulations for their wear was addressed.
For the period 1881-1902 trade, proficiency and skill-at-arms badges worn by cavalry were as follows:
SKILL AT ARMS & PROFICIENCY
Crossed Rifles: Authorized in 1856. In 1881 was to be worn in yellow worsted by every qualified marksman under the rank of sergeant on the left sleeve below the elbow. By Sergeants and above it was worn above the chevrons on the right sleeve. It was worn in gold wire by the best shot in the troop (later squadron) and when worn with a crown above, it was the best shot in the regiment or depot. Sergeants wore the crowned badge on the lower left sleeve. Sergeants of the best shooting troop/squadron/depot wore the crowned gold badge on their right sleeve below the elbow. The crossed muskets were changed to more modernized rifles with magazines sometime after 1890 presumably after the introduction of the Lee-Metford.
Crossed Swords: Authorized 1881. Worn in the same manner as the crossed rifles and for the same reason (swordsmanship) except there does not appear to have been an award for the sergeant of the best squadron. There are some examples of a “Mameluke” style sword (without guard) being worn by some cavalry regiments but not Dragoon Guards or Dragoons.
Crossed Lances: Authorized 1881: Not worn by Dragoon Guards and Dragoons until after 1895 (when front ranks were ordered to be armed with lances) and in the same manner.
Crossed Signal Flags: Authorized 1881: A proficiency badge to be worn by all qualified signallers on the lower left sleeve and by instructors above chevrons on the right sleeve. Although it was also presented a Prize Badge in 1887, it was never worn with a crown above except for instructors who were also T/SSMs.
TRADE
Horseshoe: No official Authorization date. Worn by all trained Farriers and Shoe Smiths on the right upper arm and above chevrons if applicable ad on the lower arm above chevrons for the QM Farrier SM. It appears to have been in gold wire whatever the rank.
Bit: No official Authorization date. Worn by all trained Collar Makers and Saddlers in the same manner as the horseshoe.
Spur: Authorized 1865: Worn neck upwards by Riding Instructors and Rough Riders (horse breakers) in the same manner as the horseshoe. There have always been two different versions of the badge (shown in the illustration) and they are worn indiscriminately, often within the same unit!
GOOD CONDUCT
Good conduct badges were awarded in the form of chevrons, points upwards, worn by all ranks below corporal in worsted on the lower left sleeve above the cuff decoration and below trade and prize badges. The Chevrons were yellow for all regiments except the 2nd Dragoon Guards where they were white. They were conferred as follows:
2 Years Service: One Chevron
6 Years Service: Two Chevrons
12 Years Service: Three Chevrons
18 Years Service: Four Chevrons
23 Years Service: Five Chevrons
28 Years Service: Six Chevrons
UNIFORMS
REGIMENTAL ARM BADGES FOR NCOs
If the Imperial German Army had authorized an arm badge for NCOs of cavalry regiments, it would have been of a very distinct design, issued within three months, and would have been in wear within weeks. However, this is of course the British Army and nothing is straightforward about the issuance, design and wear of these badges either before or after this period.
The first evidence of a regimental badge in wear is in a Denis Dighton illustration during the Peninsula War showing a corporal of the 10th Hussars with a Prince of Wales’s plume above his two chevrons. In the eighteen thirties some regiments, especially Hussars wore crowns above their chevrons and, after 1837 they were more often of the Albert variety. The Household Cavalry wore and still wear crowns above their chevrons in orders other than full dress. The first heavy cavalry regiment to wear a badge was the Royal Dragoons with the Royal Crest in 1831. The 3rd Dragoon Guards had the Prince of Wales’s plumes sometime before 1860 when it was approved, soon followed by the Inniskillings with the Castle.
Regimental arm badges are generally worn above the chevrons on the right arm and below the Crowns as well as those worn by Regimental Sergeant-Majors. They are listed below with details of authorization and use.
1st Dragoon Guards: When the Emperor Franz Joseph of Austria-Hungary awarded the regiment the use of his Royal Arms as a regimental badge in 1896 an embroidered version of it seems to have been worn by NCOs in stable dress. A silver version was authorized in 1898 to be worn on full dress by ranks above Lance-Sergeant. Warrant officers did not wear the badge before 1902.
2nd Dragoon Guards: No arm badge was worn by this regiment until 1910
3rd Dragoon Guards: The Prince of Wales’s Feathers. First approved in 1860 as an embroidered badge until 1867 when a silver version was authorized. The embroidered badge was only worn on the stable jacket and frock afterwards. The badge was worn by all NCOs above the chevrons and below crowns. Lance-corporals and trumpeters wore a smaller version of the badge.
4th Dragoon Guards: This regiment wore the Star of the Order of St. Patrick in silver as an arm badge since 1868 but it was not approved till 1887. It was worn by sergeants and above including W/Os.
5th Dragoon Guards: The White Horse of Hanover in silver was worn by NCOs above corporal after the commanding officer, R. Baden-Powell supposedly got official permission. There was apparently no written authorization before 1902. The badge was always worn on the chevrons. Bandmasters did not wear this badge.
6th Dragoon Guards: No arm badge was worn by this regiment until 1920
7th Dragoon Guards: The arms and motto of the Earl of Ligonier
for which permission was granted in 1898. It was first worn in 1899 (although sealed patterns had not been issued) by all ranks above Lance-Sergeant.
1st Royal Dragoons: The Embroidered Royal Crest. Worn since 1831 and approved in 1867. It was worn by all NCOs on all orders of dress. A silver version was authorized in 1898 although it could have been worn earlier. It had a black felt backing.
2nd Dragoons: The Waterloo Eagle in silver. Authorized in 1891 but worn since 1886. Worn above chevrons for NCOs and below for W/Os. Not worn by ranks below sergeant.
6th Inniskilling Dragoons: The Castle of Inniskilling in silver. First authorized in 1867 it was worn above the chevrons and below crowns by ranks above corporal. (This was changed in 1910). The badge may have been worn on the chevrons between 1884 and 1891 as evidenced by a photograph of the band during this period.
There is much more to the story of these arm badges and for those interested in such things I refer them to the excellent publication "Cavalry Warrant Officers and Non-Commissioned Officers Arm Badges" by David Linaker and Gordon Dine published by the Military Historical Society in 1997.
COLLAR BADGES
British cavalry officers had been authorized to wear collar badges since 1898 and photos show that they had been worn, especially on frocks and other undress items well before that. They were introduced for other ranks the same year but many don’t appear to have been worn much till 1900 and after. Because most of the army was involved in the South African war, many soldiers returned to find they had not yet been issued or that only depot troops wore them. Collar badges for the other ranks followed the pattern of the officers only in brass and white metal and those illustrated below show how pairs were worn when animals or flags were involved.
BADGES IN WEAR
The illustration below shows how the various badges were worn on the tunic. Note that, as has been mentioned before, this shows these badges in wear in about 1900, the end of the Victorian period. It is certain that not all regiments would have yet been issued collar badges and in some cases NCO arm badges by this time.
From Left to Right:
Top – 1 DG SGT Signalling Instructor, 2 DG Lance-Corporal Saddler, 3 DG Musketry Instructor, 4 DG RQMS, 5DG SSM Swordsmanship Prize & Best Musketry Sqn, 6DG Farrier, 7DG Sgt Roughrider.
Bottom – 1D RSM, 2D Farrier QMS, 6D SSM Riding Instructor, / 2D Best Shot in Rgt, 6D Marksman 2 yrs GC, 5 DG Signaller 6 Yrs GC, 3DG Sword & Lance Proficient, 2 DG Marksman 2 yrs GC
| i don't know |
What firth does Inverness overlook | A walk round Inverness | simonvarwell.co.uk
A walk round Inverness
Simon Varwell / Friday 1 February 2013
Inverness boasts a lovely circular walk of a couple of hours or so that takes in the River Ness, the Ness Islands, the shores of the Beauly Firth, and the Caledonian Canal.
Only it doesn’t really boast it. It’s not well-known or advertised as a single circular walk, but it is admittedly easy to put together by using many other obvious routes and walks, including the Merkinch Nature Reserve , the Great Glen Way and the recently-branded Great Glen Canoe Trail .
It is admittedly one of the offerings on the excellent website Walk Highlands , but you’ll see no official signs, branding or marketing for it in town or online, and certainly nothing that demonstrates it as a great way to see Inverness and its surrounding area.
I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve walked it, but doing a couple of weekends ago was a real novelty because, despite it being January, it was a surprisingly mild day.
If you start in the city centre (anywhere near the railway station sign on the map on the right), the idea is to walk in an anti-clockwise route around what looks on the map to be a large landmass in Inverness. It is shaped by three bodies of water – the River Ness (on its right), the Beauly Firth (at the top) and the Caledonian Canal (on its left).
The map on the right shows the walk in its entirety (albeit unmarked – anyone know how to do that?) but you can zoom in within this page to see more detail or see it in a new window in a larger map .
I decided to write this post about the walk, and illustrate it with (or link to) photos from along the way – including both ones I took the other weekend and one I’ve taken on previous walks.
The route
If you head from the city centre over the Waterloo Bridge (the city’s northernmost road bridge), you then go under the rail bridge and hug the west bank of the River Ness, heading north out to the mouth of the river.
You pass one or two run-down buildings and some lingering remains of Inverness’s industrial past as you skirt the edges of the districts of Merkinch and South Kessock. If you look across the river, you’ll see the to the harbour, marina and Kessock Bridge in the background (left).
After a quick detour through a gate on your right to Carnac Point, you can press on to the old slipway and ferry ticket office , now abandoned after the creation of the Kessock Bridge. Before that was constructed in the 1980s, journeys to the northern Highlands required you to either take the ferry or drive west all the way round the Beauly Firth.
You have great views from here westwards down the Beauly Firth (with the mountains of the northwest, including the lumbering giant that is Ben Wyvis, clearly visible on a good day), north to the Black Isle, or eastwards past the Kessock Bridge to the Inverness Firth and Moray Firth beyond.
The views westward continue if you follow signs for the Merkinch Nature Reserve (right), following the edge of the Beauly Firth by way of a narrow path. If you’re into birdwatching (which I completely am not), I am sure this is a pretty good spot.
Once you (carefully) cross the railway line, you arrive near the top of the Caledonian Canal, and you can follow this right out to the house at the very top of the canal where boats enter the firth.
To continue the circular path, though, cross the canal and then the railway line again, and you find yourself at Clachnaharry, a once-separate village now virtually subsumed into the sprawl of Inverness.
The tightly-knit old houses in Clachnaharry retain the area’s distinct character and attraction, however, as does the wonderful Clachnaharry Inn. You reach the inn by a third crossing of the railway line (this time via the metal bridge – below) and walking round the block on to the main road.
The Clachnaharry Inn is one of my favourite spots in Inverness, boasting good food, a good range of drinks and one of the city’s very few pleasant beer gardens. If you head through the back you find yourself on a patio which sits adjacent to the railway line and where you can overlook Clachnaharry and the Beauly Firth beyond it, and see the occasional train rush past almost close enough to touch.
Once refreshed, exit the pub, turn left, and follow the main road until you can get back to the canal side. Now your task is simple – follow the Caledonian Canal southwards.
However, you should stick to the right hand (west) side of the canal in the first instance, at least if you want to visit Inverness’s curious Titanic Museum (below). Entirely homemade and completely free to visitors (though donations are welcome), it’s a surreal but impressive sight in amongst its residential surroundings.
Very soon you’ll cross the main road again (though without a pedestrian crossing you might be waiting a while for a gap in the traffic). The Muirton locks are now in front of you, one of the handful of staircases that boats must negotiate when sailing the canal’s length. Both sides are attractive, but if you go on the right hand side you’ll pass through a boat works and see lots of parked yachts close up.
The next road you meet, at the swing bridge, will be the A82, while on your left is the vast and fascinating Tomnahurich Cemetery .
Here, at the swing bridge, you have a choice.
If you continue to follow the canal, you’ll ultimately come out the best part of an hour later at Dochgarroch Locks , some distance to the south of the city. This is the point where the canal and river finally meet, and further upstream from there lies Loch Dochfour and then Loch Ness. You can now cross over the lock and come back along the other side the canal.
However, a more direct alternative from the swing bridge is to veer away to the left of the canal as you cross the A82, and to follow signs for the Floral Hall and Inverness Leisure Centre (and if you’re not interested in availing yourselves of their attractions, they’re still a good opportunity for a toilet stop).
Once at the Floral Hall, and by taking yet another diversion, you can head right following signs for Whin Park (below, a mecca for children with a massive play park, miniature railway to ride on, and boating pond).
Head left from the Floral Hall, though, and you’ll find yourself behind the leisure centre and facing the wide open space that is Bught Park. Follow the road with Bught Park on your left, and you’ll then arrive at the southern entrance to the Ness Islands, one of the absolute gems of Inverness.
A chain of islands along the river linked by bridges, The Ness Islands form part of the final stretch of the Great Glen Way (watch out for the markers) that finishes in town outside Inverness Castle.
The islands (right) are a serene and relaxing place, and you can feel a long way away from the city as you amble along the tree-lined paths. After the first inter-island bridge, stick to the right and watch out for the Loch Ness Monster. No, really.
Once out of the islands and back on “the mainland”, you’re just a short walk north along the river from the city centre, passing nice views across the water of Eden Court Theatre and Inverness Cathedral . You’ll then approach the castle , and you’re back in town again.
What do you think?
For people wanting to explore Inverness fully and get a good sense of its surroundings, this is probably a great way to do it on foot in one single loop. It might be less than two hours as a direct walk, but with all the tangents and things to stop and see, not least perhaps a leisurely lunch at Clachnaharry, you could easily stretch it out over a whole day.
Perhaps you’ve stumbled across this post by googling walks in Inverness. And if you know Inverness perhaps you’ll agree that this joined up walk should be a bit better known and clearly signposted as a lovely circular that lets you see the city at its natural best. Maybe, even, you’ve done the whole walk.
Either way, let me know your thoughts by way of a comment below.
| Moray Firth |
What year saw the death of Billy the Kid | About Inverness Loch Ness - the social travel summit
About Inverness Loch Ness
About Inverness Loch Ness
Inverness Loch Ness offer one unique destination blending the vibrancy and warmth of the thriving Capital city of the Highlands and the great outdoors and area of discovery on and around Loch Ness.
Outside of Inverness options include historical Castle venues, Cawdor Castle, Urquhart Castle and Dunrobin Castle and residential castles Achnagairn and Aldourie and several wonderful hotels such as Culloden House and Loch Ness Country House.
A range of other venues including distilleries, academic venues, military venues, museums, golf clubs, exhibition centres and stadia can satisfy all tastes and budget levels.
Image by: VisitBritain/Guy Richardson
With short connecting flights from London, Manchester and Birmingham alongside codeshare arrangements with BA via Heathrow and KLM via Amsterdam to their worldwide networks, Aer Lingus via Dublin to USA and Canada, Etihad via Manchester to the Middle East and Cathy Pacific via Manchester to Asia and an airport just 15 minutes from the city centre, getting here could not be easier. There are also good rail links to Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, London and the rest of the UK.
Inverness – Capital of the Highlands
No visit to the Highlands of Scotland would be complete without a stay in Inverness, aptly called the capital of the Highlands. Inverness is a Gaelic word meaning “mouth of the River Ness”, which flows out of Loch Ness into the Moray Firth.
Inverness is a city with a rich variety of places to visit and things to do both in and around the city. The city boasts a host of historic buildings, notably in the Old Town and from the Victorian Market to the new award-winning Eastgate centre.
Inverness Castle and St Andrew’s Cathedral overlook the River Ness and one of the most beautiful riverside settings in Britain. From the castle along the river and through the Ness Islands you can watch anglers casting long lines to leaping Atlantic salmon.
Image by: VisitBritain
Host to many events and festivals , explore the art, history and heritage of the Highlands at Inverness Museum & Art Gallery or relax in the tropical gardens at Inverness Floral Hall – or why not take an open-topped bus ride round the city or a Cruise down the Caledonian Canal to world famous Loch Ness .
Loch Ness
Over 20 miles long, a mile wide and 700 feet at its deepest, Loch Ness is the largest lake in Scotland by volume. The surrounding area is filled with historic attractions, natural wonders, cosy places to stay, and superb eateries. The Loch Ness Monster is just one of the many myths and legends to be discovered in this particularly beautiful part of Scotland.
Image by: VisitBritain/Guy Richardson
Loch Ness is full of surprises! You can sit back and enjoy the landscape, explore the history of the area, visit the charming towns and villages like Fort Augustus, Foyers, Cannich, and Drumnadrochit, or just relax and enjoy the great outdoors. Take a leisurely walk along the shore or a bigger challenge like the South Loch Ness Trail or the 70 mile long Great Glen Way which traverses some of Scotland’s finest scenery, it is all here just waiting to be discovered.
Things to do – http://www.visitinvernesslochness.com/things-to-do/
There’s so much more to see and do in Scotland. Why not extend your stay after the conference to explore a different part of Scotland? See Extend Your Stay in Scotland for great ideas!
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In which children's book did Humpty Dumpty first appear | Origins of Humpty Dumpty and the Fall of Colchester
Humpty Dumpty and the Fall of Colchester
Humpty Dumpty and the Fall of Colchester - origins
How did the story come about?
Humpty Dumpty as described in Lewis Caroll's book
Nobody knows exactly who or what Humpty Dumpty was. The rhyme was first printed in 1810 and became famous through Lewis Caroll's book, 'Alice Through the Looking Glass', where Humpty Dumpty is shown as a round egg. However, it is a very old rhyme and goes back much earlier than this.
Humpty Dumpty was a common "nickname", used in 15th century England, to describe large people. This had led to many ideas as to who, or what, the Humpty Dumpty in the nursery rhyme really was. The idea that 'Humpty Dumpty' was a powerful cannon, used during the English Civil War (1642-49), is one of the ideas taken most seriously.
Cannons, at this time, were very heavy and moving them, even the smallest, took many men.
Is any of the story based on fact?
The damaged tower of St Mary's by the Wall church
At the time of the civil war in 1648, Colchester was a town with a castle and several churches and was protected by the city wall.
During the siege of Colchester, the 15th century tower of the church known as 'St Mary's by the Wall' was indeed much damaged. This happened because, on June 15th 1648, the church was strengthened against attack, by putting a cannon on the roof. As in the story, a gunner known as 'One-Eyed Jack Thompson' fired the cannon. He caused a lot of damage to Lord Fairfax's attacking troops.
Thompson's success made many of the Roundheads fire onto the church roof and, sometime during the 14th or 15th of July, Thompson and his gun came tumbling down. The damaged cannon could not be raised again.
This was one of a number of setbacks and, on August 28th 1648, the Royalists lay down their weapons, opened the gates of Colchester and surrendered to the Parliamentarians.
Are there any other explanations for the rhyme's origin?
Cannon and battle
This is just one of the explanations for the origins of Humpty Dumpty, but there is no proof that these events are the origin of the nursery rhyme character, as claimed by local folklore. There are other ideas. One says that "Humpty Dumpty" referred to Charles I himself - the Humpty Dumpty of England. He was toppled by the Puritan majority in Parliament (the great fall). The King's army (Cavaliers) could not give his power back and Charles I was executed. Another idea says the rhyme refers to King Richard III and his defeat at the Battle of Bosworth. Yet another says that Humpy Dumpty was based on the sudden catastrophic fall of Cardinal Wolsey from Henry VIII era. The Cardinal became ill on the way to his trial and died before he got to London. He was Henry's most trusted friend for a long time, until Anne Boleyn came along and turned Henry against him. No one expected him to be toppled so quickly.
However, whether these legends are true or not, the idea of Humpty Dumpty as a large cannon makes a great story.
| Through the Looking-Glass |
Who steals the sausages in Punch and Judy | First Edition of Humpty Dumpty - AbeBooks
First Edition of Humpty Dumpty
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Item Description: Dover Publications Inc., United States, 2013. Paperback. Book Condition: New. First Edition, First. 274 x 204 mm. Language: English . Brand New Book. Thirty full-page, ready-to-color illustrations depict nursery rhyme characters that have long been childhood favorites. Youngsters will meet Little Boy Blue; Humpty-Dumpty; Peter, the pumpkin eater; Mary and her little lamb; and a host of other familiar figures. Rhymes appear below each drawing. Free Teacher sManual available. Grades: 1 2. Boost: Seriously Fun Learning! Keeping children entertained and engaged is the key to learning, and the Boost series offers a wide range of fun-filled coloring and activity books that help teach a variety of basic skills. Each title is targeted to a specific grade range and carefully aligned with the Common Core State Standards, which are listed at the bottom of each page. Bookseller Inventory # AAS9780486494142
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Item Description: Dover Publications Inc., United States, 2013. Paperback. Book Condition: New. First Edition, First. 274 x 204 mm. Language: English . Brand New Book. Thirty full-page, ready-to-color illustrations depict nursery rhyme characters that have long been childhood favorites. Youngsters will meet Little Boy Blue; Humpty-Dumpty; Peter, the pumpkin eater; Mary and her little lamb; and a host of other familiar figures. Rhymes appear below each drawing. Free Teacher sManual available. Grades: 1 2. Boost: Seriously Fun Learning! Keeping children entertained and engaged is the key to learning, and the Boost series offers a wide range of fun-filled coloring and activity books that help teach a variety of basic skills. Each title is targeted to a specific grade range and carefully aligned with the Common Core State Standards, which are listed at the bottom of each page. Bookseller Inventory # AAS9780486494142
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Lewis Carroll (Author), Harold Bloom (ed.)
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Item Description: Viva Books Private Limited, 2007. Paperback. Book Condition: New. First edition. Alice?s Adventures in Wonderland began as a tale told by Reverend Charles Lutwidge Dodgson to three young girlsl (Lorina, Alice, and Edith Liddell) as the group took a rowing expedition up the Thames River. Enthralled by the story, Alice Liddell asked Dodgson to write the story down for her, and he eventually did. In 1865, three years after their initial boat trip, Dodgson published Alice?s Adventures in the Wonderland under the pen name Lewis Carroll. Like its sequel, Through the Looking-Glass, Alice is a story filled with imagery, symbolism, and unforgettable characters. As the critics in this volume attest, Alice?s Adventures in Wonderland had sparked the imagination of countless children and adults alike, and has served as an influence to storyteller the world over. Alice herself is Carroll?s most remarkable creation and is certainly the most memorable seven-year-old girl in all literature. Carroll desires her to remain seven forever, though he cannot control her dynamism or her will to live. But as an artist, Carroll triumphed over the obsessions of Dodgson the man. Wonderland and the Looking-Glass world have immolated time. The two slender volumes of Alice by Lewis Carroll hold a special place in world literatue. The number of critical appreciations of them alone bears witness to this. VIVA MODERN CRITICAL INTERPRETATIONS presents the best current criticism on the most widely read and studied poems, novels and dramas of the Western world, from Oedipus Rex and the Iliad to such modern and contemporary works as William Faulkner?s The Sound and the Fury and Don Delillo?s White Noise. Contents: Introduction ? A Note on Humpty Dumpty ? Escape into the Garden ? Alice in Wonderland: the Child as Swain ? The Balance of Brillig ? Through the Looking-glass ? From "The Character of Dodgson as Revealed in the Writings of Carroll" ? Poetry ? Love and Death in Carroll?s Alices ? Toward a Definition of Alice?s Genre: The Folktale and Fairy-Tale Connections ? The Unreal Alice ? Alice?s Identity ? Introducing Alice ? Afterthought ? Chronology ? Contributors Printed Pages: 264. Bookseller Inventory # 5442
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Item Description: HarperCollins, 1993. Book Condition: Used. This Book is in Good Condition. Clean Copy With Light Amount of Wear. 100% Guaranteed. Summary: When Through the Looking Glass was published in 1871, readers were as delighted with that book as they were with Lewis Carroll's first masterpiece, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. In the topsy-turvy world that lies beyond the looking-glass, Alice meets such fantastical characters as Tweedledum and Tweedledee, Humpty Dumpty, and the Jabberwock.For over 120 years John Tenniel's superb illustrations have been the perfect complement to Lewis Carroll's timeless story. This is the first edition of Looking-glass to reproduce Tenniel's exquisite drawings from engravings taken directly from the original woodblocks. Here, Tenniel's fine line work is far crisper, delicate shadings are reproduced with more subtlety, and details never seen before are now visible.The pictures for the first edition of Looking-glass were created by transferring the artist's drawings to woodblocks. These original blocks served as masters from which metal plates were made for printing. Unfortunately, these plates deteriorated from the repeated pressure applied during the printing process, and over time, many of the fine lines in Tenniel's pictures simply vanished.The original woodblocks disappeared and were believed lost; then, in 1985 they were discovered in a London bank vault. Now, for the first time, engravings from these woodblocks have been used to produce a deluxe gift edition. At last, readers can see the Looking-glass that Carroll and Tenniel had originally intended. Bookseller Inventory # ABE_book_usedgood_0688120490
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Item Description: A Rand McNally Book., Chicago., 1958. Hard cover. Leaf, Anne Sellers (Illustrated by). (illustrator). Color illustrated paper over boards. 21 p. Color illustrations. Peach covers w/ peak-capped Mother Goose, 2 children, goose on cover. Classic rhymes: Old Mother Goose; See-Saw; Daffodils; Georgy Porgy; A B C; Old King Cole; Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary; Little Jack Horner; The Mulberry Bush; Little Pussy; Cock-A-Doodle-Do! ; Little B-Peep; Little Tom Tucker; Billy, Billy; The First of May; Humpty Dumpty; Tip-Top Elf Book List on back cover. Very good. No dust jacket as issued. Signed by previous owner. Scuffed covers; "Jimmy" in child's hand penciled on title page. Spine end wear. Age-toning to pages. Otherwise tight & clean. First edition. #8647. 7-70 printed on back inside cover page. Bookseller Inventory # Alibris.0006821
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Item Description: Viva Books Private Limited, 2007. Paperback. Book Condition: New. First edition. Alice�s Adventures in Wonderland began as a tale told by Reverend Charles Lutwidge Dodgson to three young girlsl (Lorina, Alice, and Edith Liddell) as the group took a rowing expedition up the Thames River. Enthralled by the story, Alice Liddell asked Dodgson to write the story down for her, and he eventually did. In 1865, three years after their initial boat trip, Dodgson published Alice�s Adventures in the Wonderland under the pen name Lewis Carroll. Like its sequel, Through the Looking-Glass, Alice is a story filled with imagery, symbolism, and unforgettable characters. As the critics in this volume attest, Alice�s Adventures in Wonderland had sparked the imagination of countless children and adults alike, and has served as an influence to storyteller the world over. Alice herself is Carroll�s most remarkable creation and is certainly the most memorable seven-year-old girl in all literature. Carroll desires her to remain seven forever, though he cannot control her dynamism or her will to live. But as an artist, Carroll triumphed over the obsessions of Dodgson the man. Wonderland and the Looking-Glass world have immolated time. The two slender volumes of Alice by Lewis Carroll hold a special place in world literatue. The number of critical appreciations of them alone bears witness to this. VIVA MODERN CRITICAL INTERPRETATIONS presents the best current criticism on the most widely read and studied poems, novels and dramas of the Western world, from Oedipus Rex and the Iliad to such modern and contemporary works as William Faulkner�s The Sound and the Fury and Don Delillo�s White Noise. Contents: Introduction � A Note on Humpty Dumpty � Escape into the Garden � Alice in Wonderland: the Child as Swain � The Balance of Brillig � Through the Looking-glass � From "The Character of Dodgson as Revealed in the Writings of Carroll" � Poetry � Love and Death in Carroll�s Alices � Toward a Definition of Alice�s Genre: The Folktale and Fairy-Tale Connections � The Unreal Alice � Alice�s Identity � Introducing Alice � Afterthought � Chronology � Contributors Printed Pages: 264. Bookseller Inventory # 5442
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Item Description: Gallery Books/ W.H. Smith Publishers, Inc., 1990. Hardcover. Book Condition: Used: Very Good. No Jacket. First Edition. 8 1/4 X 8 1/4. FIRST EDITION, 1990, Gallery Books, W.H. Smith Publishers, Inc. Classic stories illustrated by Berta & Elmer Hader, winners of the prestigious Caldecott Award. First published in 1922. Used. VERY GOOD CONDITION/ NO DUST JACKET. Has not been written in. Not at ex-library copy. Berta and Elmer Hader illustrated dozens of children's books including the Caldecott-winning, The Big Snow. This series of classic story books is sure to delight young children. Other titles in this series: Hansel and Gretel, Wee Willie Winkie, The story of the three bears, the little red hen, A visit from Saint Nicholas, The ugly duckling. SCARCE/HARD TO FIND. NO. Bookseller Inventory # 004138
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Item Description: Hyperion Books, 2004. Hardcover. Book Condition: Fine. Dust Jacket Condition: Fine. First Edition. 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall. Near-new condition. Stated First Edition. Price inside dustcover: $23.95. NO remainder marks or price clippings. Tight spine, bright pages. NO writing, marks or tears. 295 pages. - George Carlin's legendary irreverence and iconoclasm are on full display in When Will Jesus Bring the Pork Chops? as he vainly scours the American landscape for signs of intelligence in his third national bestseller. Ranging from his absurdist side (Message from a Cockroach; TV News: The Death of Humpty Dumpty; Tips for Serial Killers) to his unerring ear for American speech (Politician Talk; Societal Clichés; Euphemisms: 13 sections) to his unsparing views on America and its values (War, God, Stuff Like That; Zero Tolerance; Tired of the Handi-crap), Carlin delivers everything that his fans expect, and then adds a few surprises. Carlin on the battle of the sexes: Here's all you have to know about men and women: Women are crazy, men are stupid. And the main reason women are crazy is that men are stupid. George Carlin, author of three bestsellers, has released 18 comedy albums; appeared in 11 feature films; written and performed 12 HBO comedy specials; and received four Grammy awards, six Cable Ace awards, and been nominated for four Emmys. In 2000, he was honored for Lifetime Achievement by the American Comedy Awards. He lives in Nevada and keeps an eye on things. Bookseller Inventory # 045082
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In the Thomas The Tank Engine stories what or who is Bertie | Bertie | Thomas the Tank Engine Wikia | Fandom powered by Wikia
Bertie is a red bus who works near Thomas' Branch Line . He is owned by the Sodor Roadway Bus Services .
Contents
Bio in the Railway Series
Tank Engine Thomas Again
After Thomas became stuck in a snowdrift, Bertie came to rescue Thomas' passengers. He later raced Thomas after claiming he was the faster of the two, but lost after having to stop at a traffic light.
Edward the Blue Engine
Bertie tried to catch up with Edward while carrying Thomas' passengers.
More About Thomas the Tank Engine
Bertie teased Thomas about being slow, but had to eat his words after breaking down.
Thomas and Victoria
Bertie was mentioned as being sick and unable to help Toby and Henrietta with carrying the quarry workers.
Thomas and his Friends
Bertie was mentioned to have helped pick up visitors who wanted to see the bust of the Thin Clergyman unveiled after the partial collapse of Henry's Tunnel .
Bio in the television series
Bertie is continuously alluding to his race with Thomas and how he could win next time. He actually raced Thomas again in the seventh season episode, Three Cheers for Thomas , but only won because Thomas was sidetracked with collecting the sport medals.
Bertie and Thomas have seemed to continue this tradition of racing. However, in the seventeenth season, he was re-routed giving him an advantage. Thomas is still able to beat him occasionally.
In the nineteenth season, he teased Thomas by telling him about what was on the other side of a mountain on his branch line. Thomas was cross by Bertie's teasing and became determined to find out what was there.
In Sodor's Legend of the Lost Treasure , while he and Thomas are racing, Thomas nearly collides with Toby, and he nearly collides with Oliver the Excavator . He was then seen on the road by the Harwick Branch Line . Sheep were in his way, but Bertie just smiled.
Persona
Bertie is friendly and ready to help anyone in need. However, he can be quite cocky and boastful about himself, especially to Thomas, always joking around and teasing him about their races. He can sometimes be quite grumpy, as whenever he breaks down or gets stuck, he grumbles about it. He is always, however, easy-going and cheerful to everyone he sees.
Basis
Bertie is based on an AEC Regal "T Class" London Country Area bus.
Livery
Bertie is painted in the common red livery of buses in the United Kingdom, mostly famously used by London Transport. His number plate, CRD54, refers to the fact that it was first seen in Edward the Blue Engine , published in 1954, and illustrated by C. Reginald Dalby .
Appearances
Bertie could possibly be owned by Sodor Roadway Bus Services .
Bertie is the only talking non-rail vehicle to appear in every season of the television series.
Bertie's French name was Bertrand in the Classic Series .
His driver's door had always been painted on in black.
Bertie would often have two drivers, as seen in Edward, Trevor and the Really Useful Party.
Bertie went through several aesthetic changes in the television series:
Season 2
His driver's door handle disappeared.
Parts of Season 2 & 3:
Some of Bertie's facemasks have rounded edges on his radiator instead of being slanted.
Season 3:
Bertie now has eyebrows on every face mask.
His face mask mouths are now painted in.
Season 7:
Bertie's eyes now move with a motor.
Season 8:
Bertie now has Caroline 's horn sound.
Season 11:
Bertie's radiator is permanently slanted on the corners with all facemasks.
Season 13:
| Bus (disambiguation) |
In what year did Argentina invade the Falklands | Just How Do 'Thomas & Friends' Drive Sodor's Economy? : NPR
Just How Do 'Thomas & Friends' Drive Sodor's Economy?
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Just How Do 'Thomas & Friends' Drive Sodor's Economy?
Just How Do 'Thomas & Friends' Drive Sodor's Economy?
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Thomas' creator, Reverend Wilbert Awdry, inspects a setup for the Thomas TV series in 1981. Britt Allcroft, who created the show, is at right. HIT Entertaiment hide caption
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HIT Entertaiment
Thomas' creator, Reverend Wilbert Awdry, inspects a setup for the Thomas TV series in 1981. Britt Allcroft, who created the show, is at right.
HIT Entertaiment
Is Sir Topham Hatt a robber baron or a paternalistic CEO? Are Thomas the Tank Engine and his friends part of a union? How does anyone make money on the Island of Sodor?
Turns out, these are some of the serious issues that have perplexed more than one grown-up forced to read or watch Thomas & Friends for the umpteenth time with their kids. On the 70th anniversary of the Railway Series, the books by Reverend Wilbert Awdry that spawned the shiny engines, we explore this elaborate train of thought.
Sir Topham Hatt: benevolent CEO or robber baron? HIT Entertainment hide caption
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Sir Topham Hatt: benevolent CEO or robber baron?
HIT Entertainment
If you haven't had the pleasure of reading or watching Thomas, here's the gist: The colorful trains have human faces and human names like Percy, James, Gordon and Thomas. They have a range of personalities, from "bossy boilers" to chug-chug cheerful. Regardless of their temperament, all of the engines want to please their boss, Sir Topham Hatt, or The Fat Controller, as he's also called. Hatt is all human. He likes iced buns and really "useful engines," and loathes "confusion and delay."
I first became interested in Sodor's economy when I overheard my husband tell my son, then five years old, that Sir Topham Hatt was "the embodiment of corporate malfeasance." My husband now admits the spontaneous remark was a "total exaggeration." Still, Sir Topham Hatt's authority is perplexing.
Duncan Weldon, an economics correspondent for the BBC, has a new baby and a toddler at home. "I became over-interested in Thomas the Tank Engine, probably as a result of sleep deprivation," says Weldon. He recently sparked a Twitter conversation with his analysis of Sodor:
There are elements of a stakeholder model at work. Whilst there is little evidence of a works' council, the interests of the staff do seem to be taken into account at times. Suppliers are clearly valued and there is a certain long termism at work. Profit, in the short term at least, is very much a secondary consideration. Maybe the Rhine flows through Sodor? But this theory is too neat.
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In Tuscaloosa, Ala., law professor Paul Horwitz grappled with similar Sodorian issues back in 2008, watching Thomas on TV with his two-year-old daughter while he was at home recovering from surgery. "It's possible the reason it was fascinating was the morphine," admits Horwitz.
Like Weldon, Horwitz shared his views in a blog post , called "The Law and Economics of Thomas the Tank Engine."
What is the lesson of Thomas the Tank Engine? It strikes me as being a pro-market show, but a genuine, Hayekian coordination-of-information free-market type of capitalism, with maybe a dose of TR-ish trustbusting spirit. Simultaneously, surely it is also a critique of the kinds of market imperfections that arise in a more oligarchical, monopoly-permitting market. Think about Sir Topham Hatt for a bit. He is a caricature of a robber baron, but he's not simply an unrestrained successful capitalist in an open and competitive market, a Gates or Carnegie. Rather, he runs everything on the island of Sodor: the railroads, the towns, all other means of transportation, etc. He's not villainous, exactly; but his tentacles extend over the entire economy of the show. On Sodor, Hatt truly controls all the means of production.
"That was definitely the medicine talking," says Horwitz, reflecting on what prompted him to spend so much time and thought on the economics of Thomas. But Horwitz still questions Sir Topham Hatt's ethics. "When the trains aren't serving to move his raw material from one end of the island to the other, then they're showing up to help him with a surprise party or to get him a new hat or something of the sort," notes Horwitz.
Full Steam Ahead: Thomas The Tank Engine Turns 65
Something else economists have pointed out: A lack of competition on the Island of Sodor. "There is Bertie the Bus," says Weldon, "although Bertie the Bus doesn't appear to be a direct competitor. At times, in fact, it's unclear what Bertie the Bus is doing." Despite the fatigue from caring for two small children, Weldon's been paying attention. So has Horwitz, who says Hatt seems to have his fingers in every aspect of Sodor's business and politics. "It's not clear how much of Sodor he really runs, but you'd want the whole thing broken up for purposes of competition, I think," says Horwitz.
There is yet another theory about how money flows on Sodor from Britt Allcroft, creator of Thomas & Friends, the long-running TV show. "I do have the skinny on this, you know," says Allcroft. "Sodor Railways is a cooperative. It is owned by the passengers and the railway staff and — very importantly — all the engines." Sir Topham Hatt, Allcroft posits, is an official appointed by the cooperative. "He has a contract that's renewed on performance," and that's why he can be so gruff. "He needs to keep his job," she says.
With Sodor's somewhat scrappy labor force, Sir Topham Hatt's job is not easy. The engines are constantly getting into trouble. They, literally, lose track of their goals, grumble about the newer diesel engines, or clatter too fast around the bend. Despite the mishaps in every book and TV episode, economists have also noted, nobody ever gets fired. "I think you could be the most mediocre, cheerful train in the world and probably have a shot at lifetime employment with Sir Topham Hatt," says law professor Horwitz.
"If you're libertarian, you can write about Sodor as a libertarian paradise. And if you hate big industry you can say 'Down with the capitalist Sir Topham Hatt,' and if you just want an economy that's a little more personal in scale, then you can talk about that aspect of the show."
Paul Horwitz
The late Reverend Awdry, who wrote the original Railway Series, didn't say much about the economy on his fictional Island of Sodor. But gainful employment did seem to be on his mind. "My engines, they may be punished but they're not scrapped," Awdry told the BBC in 1995. "They have to express sorrow and intention of amendment and then they're brought back into the family, so to speak," he explained.
Awdry might be tickled to learn that his stories — and the TV shows they inspired — have sparked some rather sophisticated discussion among adults. Horwitz says, after writing his blog, he discovered a cottage industry of varying economic views about Thomas. "If you're libertarian, you can write about Sodor as a libertarian paradise. And if you hate big industry you can say 'Down with the capitalist Sir Topham Hatt,' and if you just want an economy that's a little more personal in scale, then you can talk about that aspect of the show," concludes Horwitz.
Duncan Weldon's article picked up plenty of steam. It was linked to by The Financial Times and Bloomberg and it lit up his Twitter feed. Weldon says that after analyzing other, more serious economic issues for several years, "Nothing I've ever written has gotten so positive a response as one and a half thousand words on the economics of Thomas the Tank Engine."
As Sir Topham Hatt might say, "You are a really useful engine."
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What was the name given to the followers of Garibaldi in the Italian Wars of Independence | SparkNotes: Europe (1848-1871): Italian Unification (1848-1870)
Italian Unification (1848-1870)
Italian Unification (1848-1870), page 2
page 1 of 2
Summary
The movement to unite Italy into one cultural and political entity was known as the Risorgimento (literally, "resurgence"). Giuseppe Mazzini and his leading pupil, Giuseppe Garibaldi, failed in their attempt to create an Italy united by democracy. Garibaldi, supported by his legion of Red Shirts-- mostly young Italian democrats who used the 1848 revolutions as a opportunity for democratic uprising--failed in the face of the resurgence of conservative power in Europe. However, it was the aristocratic politician named Camillo di Cavour who finally, using the tools of realpolitik, united Italy under the crown of Sardinia.
"Realpolitik" is the notion that politics must be conducted in terms of the realistic assessment of power and the self-interest of individual nation-states (and the pursuit of those interests by any means, often ruthless and violent ones) and Cavour used it superbly. In 1855, as prime minister of Sardinia, he involved the kingdom on the British and French side of the Crimean War, using the peace conference to give international publicity to the cause of Italian unification. In 1858, he formed an alliance with France, one that included a pledge of military support if necessary, against Austria, Italy's major obstacle to unification. After a planned provocation of Vienna, Austria declared war against Sardinia in 1859 and was easily defeated by the French army. The peace, signed in November 1959 in Zurich, Switzerland, joined Lombardy, a formerly Austrian province, with Sardinia. In return, France received Savoy and Nice from Italy--a small price to pay for paving the way to unification.
Inspired by Cavour's success against Austria, revolutionary assemblies in the central Italian provinces of Tuscany, Parma, Modena, and Romagna voted in favor of unification with Sardinia in the summer of 1859. In the spring of 1860, Garibaldi came out of his self-imposed exile to lead a latter day Red Shirt army, known as the Thousand, in southern Italy. By the end of the year, Garibaldi had liberated Sicily and Naples, which together made up the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies. Cavour, however, worried that Garibaldi, a democrat, was replacing Sardinia, a constitutional monarchy, as the unifier of Italy. To put an end to Garibaldi's offensive, Cavour ordered Sardinian troops into the Papal States and the Kingdom of Naples. After securing important victories in these regions, Cavour organized plebiscites, or popular votes, to annex Naples to Sardinia. Garibaldi, outmaneuvered by the experienced realist Cavour, yielded his territories to Cavour in the name of Italian unification. In 1861, Italy was declared a united nation-state under the Sardinian king Victor Immanuel II.
Reapolitik continued to work for the new Italian nation. When Prussia defeated Austria in a war in 1866, Italy struck a deal with Berlin, forcing Vienna to turn over Venetia. In addition, when France lost a war to Prussia in 1870, Victor Immanuel II took over Rome when French troops left. The entire boot of Italy was united under one crown.
Commentary
Why did Cavour succeed and Garibaldi fail? Was it really only a matter of speed? If Garibaldi had started his crusade earlier and had time to conquer the Papal State before Cavour sent his troops to do so, would Cavour have been forced to give up his territory in the name of a united Italy? Doubtful. But is speed really the only issue? That, too, is doubtful. It seems that of the two, Cavour alone understood the relationship between national and international events, and was thus able to manipulate foreign policy for his own ends. Garibaldi, a democrat, a warrior, and an anti-Catholic, was without question on the road to conflict with the monarchies of Europe. Cavour, with the added credibility of representing a monarch, blended perfectly with the political situation in Europe at the time.
Cavour was a realist who practice realistic politics. He allied with France when necessary and with France's key enemy, Prussia, was necessary. By keeping the goal in mind, Cavour used international power to achieve his domestic goals. Garibaldi was forced to use his own grassroots strength, empowered by young Italian democrats interested in an idealistic future for their nation. In that manner, it is quite doubtful that Garibaldi would have ever been able to gain the upper hand in Italy, relative to Cavour.
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Which Vietnam village was the scene of an horrific massacre in 1968 | Giuseppe Garibaldi, Italy's Revolutionary Hero
Italy's Revolutionary Hero
By Robert McNamara
Updated March 31, 2016.
Giuseppe Garibaldi was born in Nice on July 4, 1807. His father was a fisherman and also piloted trading vessels along the Mediterranean coast.
When Garibaldi was a child, Nice, which had been ruled by Napoleonic France, came under the control of the Italian kingdom of Piedmont Sardinia. It's likely that Garibaldi's great desire to unite Italy was rooted in his childhood experience of essentially seeing the nationality of his hometown being changed.
Resisting his mother's wish that he join the priesthood, Garibaldi went to sea at the age of 15.
From Sea Captain to Rebel and Fugitive
Garibaldi was certified as a sea captain by the age of 25, and in the early 1830s he became involved in the "Young Italy" movement led by Giuseppe Mazzini. The party was devoted to the liberation and unification of Italy, large parts of which were then ruled by Austria or the Papacy.
A plot to overthrow the Piedmontese government failed, and Garibaldi, who was involved, was forced to flee.
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The government sentenced him to death in absentia. Unable to return to Italy, he sailed to South America.
Guerrilla Fighter and Rebel in South America
For more than a dozen years Garibaldi lived in exile, making a living at first as a sailor and a trader. He was drawn to rebel movements in South America, and fought in Brazil and Uruguay.
Garibaldi led forces that were victorious over the Uruguayan dictator, and he was credited with ensuring the liberation of Uruguay.
Exhibiting a keen sense of the dramatic, Garibaldi adopted the red shirts worn by South American gauchos as a personal trademark. In later years his billowing red shirts would be a prominent part of his public image .
Return to Italy
While Garibaldi was in South America he stayed in touch with his revolutionary colleague Mazzini, who was living in exile in London. Mazzini continually promoted Garibaldi, seeing him as a rallying point for Italian nationalists.
As revolutions broke out in Europe in 1848, Garibaldi returned from South America. He landed in Nice, along with his "Italian Legion," which consisted of about 60 loyal fighters.
As war and rebellions broke roiled Italy, Garibaldi commanded troops in Milan before having to flee to Switzerland.
Hailed as an Italian Military Hero
Garibaldi intended to go to Sicily, to join a rebellion there, but was drawn into a conflict at Rome. In 1849 Garibaldi, taking the side of a newly formed revolutionary government, led Italian forces battling French troops who were loyal to the Pope. After addressing the Roman assembly following a brutal battle, while still carrying a bloody sword, Garibaldi was encouraged to flee the city.
Garibaldi's South American born wife, Anita, who had fought alongside him, died during the perilous retreat from Rome. Garibaldi himself escaped to Tuscany, and eventually to Nice.
Exiled to Staten Island
The authorities in Nice forced him back into exile, and he crossed the Atlantic yet again. For a time he lived quietly in Staten Island, a borough of New York City , as a guest of Italian-American inventor Antonio Meucci.
In the early 1850s Garibaldi also returned to seafaring, at on point serving as captain of a ship that sailed to the Pacific and back.
Military Hero Returns to Italy
In the mid-1850s Garibaldi visited Mazzini in London, and was eventually allowed to return to Italy. He was able to obtain funds to buy an estate on a small island off the coast of Sardinia, and devoted himself to farming.
Never far from his mind, of course, was political movement to unify Italy. This movement was popularly known as the risorgimento, literally "the resurrection" in Italian.
The "Thousand Red Shirts"
Political upheaval again led Garibaldi into battle. In May 1860 he landed in Sicily with his followers, who came to be known as the "Thousand Red Shirts." Garibaldi defeated the Neapolitan troops, essentially conquering the island, and then crossed the Straits of Messina to the Italian mainland.
After matching northward, Garibaldi reached Naples and made a triumphant entry into the undefended city on September 7, 1860. He declared himself dictator. Seeking a peaceful unification of Italy, Garibaldi turned over his southern conquests to the Piedmontese king, and returned to his island farm.
Garibaldi Unifies Italy
The eventual unification of Italy took more than a decade. Garibaldi made several attempts to seize Rome in the 1860s , and was captured three times and sent back to his farm. In the Franco-Prussian War, Garibaldi, out of sympathy for the newly formed French Republic, briefly fought against the Prussians.
As a result of the Franco-Prussian War, the Italian government took control of Rome, and Italy was essentially united. Garibaldi was eventually voted a pension by the Italian government, and he was considered a national hero until his death on June 2, 1882.
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What was the soldier called in a cavalry division who only carried light weapons | French Cavalry : Uniforms : Organization : Weapons : Cavalerie fran�aise
during and after the battle,"
- Emperor Napoleon
The force of impact generated by cavalry, provided it was engaged at the proper moment, was out of all proportion to its numbers. Had this not been the case, after all, governments would not have spent so much money on maintaining mounted troops, which represented a heavy cost to the national treasury. A single cavalry regiment consumed 4 metric tons of fodder every day.
"Cavalry is useful before, during and after the battle," wrote Napoleon, and he stressed the need for audacity in its employment and careful training to achieve true discipline. He was also insistent that careful categorization according to role was of great importance... It was some time before the French cavalry reached its full potential, as it had suffered the loss of many officers during the Revolutionary period, but by 1807 it was reaching its prime. The great charges led by Murat at Eylau and Grouchy at Friedland played vital parts in the outcome of these battles." (Chandler - "Dictionary of the Napoleonic Wars" pp 85-86)
"Under Napoleon, the French cavalry were, in contrast to the infantry, far more renowned for their action in masses than for their duty as light troops. They were deemed irresistible, and even Napier admits their superiority over the English cavalry of that day. Wellington, to a certain degree, did the same. And strange to say, this irresistible cavalry consisted of such inferior horsemen ... no soldiers are so careless of their horses as the French." ("The Armies of Europe" in Putnam's Monthly, No. XXXII, published in 1855)
Albert-Jean-Michel de Rocca writes: "The various troops that composed our army, especially the cavalry and infantry, differed extremely in manners and habits. The infantrymen, having only to think of themselves and their muskets, were selfish, great talkers, and great sleepers. ... They were apt to dispute with their officers, and sometimes they were even insolent to them ... They forgot all their hardships the moment they heard the sound of the enemy's first gun.
The hussars and chasseurs were generally accused of being plunderers and prodigal, loving drink and fancying every thing fair while in presence of the enemy. Accustomed, one may almost say, to sleep with an open eye, to have an ear always awake to the sound of the trumpet, to reconnoitre far in advance during a march, to trace the ambuscades of the enemy ... they could not fail to have acquired superior intelligence and habits of independence. Nevertheless, they were always silent and submissive in presence of their officers, for fear of being dismounted. Forever smoking, to pass away his life, the light cavalryman, under his large cloak, braved in every country the rigour of the seasons. The rider and his horse, accustomed to live together, contracted a character of resemblance."
- Napoleon
Theoretical strength of regiment was between 800 and 1.200 men. During campaign the numbers decreased. For example during crossing of the Rhine River (September 1805) eight cuirassier regiments had 484 men per regiment on average. In December at Austerlitz it decreased to 317 men per regiment. (It gives 35 % losses within 4 months. For comparison losses in twenty five regiments of dragoons were 40 % {counted without the foot dragoons}, in seven regiments of hussars 25 % and in nine chasseurs were approx. 32 %.)
Most often regiment had 3 or 4 squadrons. For example at Austerlitz 44 cavalry regiments had 153 squadrons, on average 3.5 squadron per regiment. During the 1812-1813 campaigns there were several regiments 6 or 8 squadrons each. Below is structure of regiment four-squadron strong.
Originally there were 4 Eagles per cavalry regiment of 4 squadrons. In 1806 Napoleon ordered that regiments of chasseurs and hussars deposit all Eagles, dragoons deposit 3 and keep only one in the field and the cuirassiers retain 3 Eagles per regiment. Some regiments of hussars and chasseurs refused to give up their Eagles and in 1809 (and even in 1812 and 1813) they carried 1 in the field. In 1812 generally no squadron fanions were carried in the field, instead were used the small company fanions.
Napoleon said that "squadron will be to the cavalry what the battalion is for infantry." The squadron always consisted of 2 companies, each commanded by a captain. The senior of the captains commanded the squadron. The cavalry strength in battle was expressed in the number of squadrons instead of regiments or divisions.
The strength of cavalry squadron in the field varied between 85 and 250 men. In the begiining of campaign the squadrons were stronger.
In 1809 at Wagram the French had 209 squadrons with an average of 139 men per squadron.
On August 15th 1813, the French army stationed in Germany had the following numbers of cavalrymen:
12.818 chasseurs were in 67 squadrons (9.1 officers and 182 other ranks in squadron)
7.203 hussars in 38 squadrons (8.5 officer and 181 other ranks in squadron)
3.546 lancers in 20 squadrons (10.75 officer and 166 other ranks in squadron)
7.019 dragoons in 45 squadrons (8.33 officer and 148 other ranks in squadron)
5.789 cuirassiers in 40 squadrons (8.6 officer and 136 other ranks in squadron)
Each squadron had 2 companies. In 1805-1807 the wartime company had:
Cuirassiers:
. . . . . . . . . 3 Officers: Captain and 2 Lieutenants (Captain was allowed 3 horses, lieutenant 2 mounts)
. . . . . . . . . 1 Marechal-des-logis Chef (Sergeant-major)
. . . . . . . . . 2 Marechal des logis (Sergeants)
. . . . . . . . . 1 Fourrier
. . . . . . . . . 58 dragoons, chasseurs, lancers or hussars, or 42 cuirassiers
The farriers and fouriers would usually have been kept in the rear.
The 1st Company in every regiment (except cuirassiers and carabiniers) was named Elite Company. Only brave, strong and seasoned men were accepted, and they rode on black horses. Sometimes the elite company was detached from regiment and served as an escort to a marshal. If there was several regiments the marshal took only 15 men from every elite company. Sometimes this was not enough and instead the elite companies were used entire regiments of cavalry. For example in 1812 marshal Berthier and his headquarters were guarded by 28th Chasseur Regiment and Saxon light cavalry. The colonels of cuirassier regiments decided to form elite companies but were reminded that they are elite. They received higher pay, were stronger and taller than other troopers, wore red plumes and epaulettes and had flaming grenade insygnia on coat-tails and saddlecloth.
Sappers were part of the Elite Company. They opened roads, improved campsites and guarded the regimental Eagle. Only hussar and dragoon regiments had sappers (1 sergeant, 1 corporal and 8 privates).
even captured a redoubt, a feat never repeated by any other cavalry.
In the cavalry served more nobles than in any other branch of the army. Majority of the aristocratic officers left France during Revolution and the overall quality of French cavalry had fallen badly. It was Napoleon who made it as an effective force which would have parity with any enemy.
- General Jomini; "When I speak of excellent French cavalry, I refer to its impetous bravery, and not to its perfection; for it does not compare with the Russian or German cavalry either in horsemanship, organization, or in care of the animals."
General Welligton - "I considered our (British) cavalry so inferior to the French from the want of order, that although I considered one squadron a match for two French, I didn't like to see four British opposed to four French: and as the numbers increased and order, of course, became more necessary I was the more unwilling to risk our men without having a superiority in numbers."
In 1812 at Maguilla (Maquilla) took place combat between the French and British cavalry. General Hill detached Penne Villemur's cavalry on the right flank, and General Slade with the [British] 3rd Dragoon Guards and the Royals on the left flank. French General Lallemand came forward with only two dragoon regiments, whereupon Hill, hoping to cut this small force off, placed Slade's British cavalry in a wood with directions to await further orders. Slade forgot his orders and drove the French dragoons beyond the defile of Maquilla. General Slade rode in the foremost ranks and the supports joined tumultuously in the pursuit. But in the plain beyond stood calm Lallemand with small reserve.
He immediately broke the mass of British cavalry, killed and wounded 48 and "pursued the rest for 6 miles, recovered all his own prisoners, and took more than a hundred, inluding two officers, from his adversary" (Napier - "History of the War in the Peninsula 1807-1814" Vol III, p 444)
- Archduke Charles comander-in-chief of the Austrian army - "The French cavalry was, on the whole, poorly mounted and poorly equipped; its men were awkward horsemen. Yet it outclassed its opponents simply because, when order rang out and trumpets clarioned 'Charge !' it put in its spurs and charged all out, charged home !"
- Officer Chlapowski: "The enemy [Hungarian hussars] had charged us 3 or 4 times during this engagement. Some of them would break into our ranks, many passed right through and circled back to regain their lines, and after charge they ended in complete disorganization. The French, on the other hand, although they also lost formation after a charge, kept together far more and every time were quicker to regain order. ... although the Hungarians drove home their attacks with determination, they were harder to reform into some sort of order. The French, on the other hand, knew that their own horses lacked the Austrians' speed and endurance, and would launch their attacks from closer range and so retained formation right to the end of the charge, and regained it more quickly afterwards."
Before the campaigns in 1805 and in 1812 the cavalrymen were intensively trained, supplied with splendid uniforms and horses and armed to teeth. They were enthusiastic and ready to fight. The officers and NCOs were battle hardened veterans. In 1805 the French had established a morale ascendancy over their opponents.
In 1806 and 1807 "The cavalry was excellent and well mounted, though, in the latter respect, they fell short of many Russian cavalry regiments." (Petre - "Napoleon's Campaign in Poland, 1806-1807" pp 27-28)
Much of the revolutionary ardour that had fired the French troops of the 1790s and early 1800s had been quenched by 1808. Napoleon himself sensed a lack of enthusiiasm for the forthcoming campaigns. In 1808-09, for the new war with Austria tens of thousands of new recruits joined the field armies. The influx of conscprits diluted the old ideals of austerity, self-respect and duty. After 1809 drunkenness and indiscipline increased, especially in the cavalry. They were hastily trained. "After 1808 fewer French soldiers received extensive training." (Elting - "Swords Around a Throne" p 534)
Sergeant-Major Thirion described the cuirassiers of 1812 participating in the Invasion of Russia: "Never had more beautiful cavalry been seen ! Never had the regiments (of cuirassiers) reached such high effectives." One of the conscripts wrote: "Oh Father !, this is some army ! Our old soldiers say they never saw anything like it." However the cavalry regiments left on the secondary theaters of war (Italy, Spain, and elsewhere) were of lower quality.
At Borodino the French cavalry captured a redoubt, a feat never repeated by any other cavalry. Colonel Griois watched the cavalry attack: "It would be difficult to convey our feelings as watched this brilliant feat of arms, perhaps without equal in the military annals of nations ... cavalry which we saw leaping over ditches and scrambling up ramparts under a hail of canister shot, and a roar of joy resounded on all sides as they became masters of the redoubt." Meerheimb wrote: "Inside the redoubt, horsemen and foot soldiers, gripped by a frenzy of slaughter, were butchering each other without any semblance of order..."
Murat's Reserve Cavalry numbered 42,000 at Niemen and 18,000 at Smolensk. Before the army reached Moscow it lost half of its strength. After Napoleon left Moscow the situation changed from bad to worse. The debris of the Grand Army which in June 1812 had crossed the Niemen River was now chased back by Cossacks and armed peasants. The Russians captured thousands of POWs. The cavalry was so reduced that it became necessary to form all the officers who were still mounted into four companies of 150 men each. Generals acted as captains; and colonels as corporals. This Sacred Squadron, commanded by General Grouchy, and under the orders of the King of Naples, kept the closest watch over the Emperor.
Many regiments ceased to exist. For example the 5th Regiment of Cuirassiers had 958 men present for duty on June 15th, 1812. On Feb 1st 1813 had only 19 ! The French cavalry never recovered from the massive loss of horses. Nine out of ten cavalrymen who survived walked much of the way home; most of those who rode did so on tiny, but tough, Russian and Polish ponies, their boots scuffing the ground. Napoleon wrote: "I have no army any more! For many days I have been marching in the midst of a mob of disbanded, disorganized men, who wander all over the countryside in search of food." It is estimated that 175.000 excellent horses of cavalry and artillery were lost in Russia ! The Russians reported burning the corpses of 123,382 horses as they cleaned up their countryside of the debris of war. So heavy were the horse losses that one of Napoleon's most serious handicaps in the 1813 campaign was his inability to reconstitute his once-powerful cavalry.
The rebuilding of the cavalry in 1813 was more dificult than infantry and artilery. Shortages of trained cavalrymen, officers, NCOs and war horses were critical. Promotions were rapidly handed out and temporary squadrons were formed. In the beginning of April 1813 General Bourcier gathered 10.000 battle-hardened veterans from 60 regiments spread across the countryside. The cavalry centers were in the cities of Magdeburg and Metz. Horses were coming from northern Germany. During Armistice was more time to train the young troops and many regiments showed improvements in their maneuvers. But they never reached the level of pre-1812.
"Perhaps the worst part of the [French] army of 1813 was its cavalry. In the first part of the war, up to Lutzen, it numbered by 15,000 mostly old soldiers ... It was opposed to a far more numerous cavalry of generally excellent quality, against which it was almost impotent. Later, it was greatly increased in numbers, but the recruits were of very inferior quality and training. On the other hand, the [French] artillery was very good and numerous." (Petre - "Napoleon at War" p 110)
There were too many young soldiers, hastily trained, and hardly 10-20 % of the officers were classed as capable. Retired officers had been recalled, many old NCOs had been promoted lieutenants. Nearly 80 % of the new cavalrymen had never ridden a horse. In Hamburg the young cuirassiers having been ordered to leave on reconnaissance and after few minutes all were dismounted, with their horses running free in the streets.
The Germans laughed openly.
The situation in French cavalry in 1814 was very difficult. Every soldier who could stick on the back of a horse was mounted - some on nags resembling the "four horses of the Apocalypse."
In 1815 (Waterloo Campaign) the French cavalry was impoverished and had considerably scaled back the strength of cavalry regiments. By contrast England had always good horses and the financial means to obtain more of them wherever they might be found. The Russians too had no problems with horses.
as Napoleon purchased huge amounts of horses for his cavalry.
The northern part of France called Normandy was one of the world biggest horse-breeding areas (Studs of Le Pin and St. Lo). Napoleon valued these mounts highly and during reviews often asked colonels how many horses from Normandy they have in their regiments. In 1810 the horse grenadiers of the Guard rode on black horses, 14 1/2 - 15 hands tall, between 4 and 4 1/2 years old and bought in the city of Caen (Normandy) for 680 francs apiece. The German horse breeders from Hananover and Holstein and traders made fortunes as Napoleon purchased huge amounts of horses for his heavy cavalry. The Prussian large mounts were also accepted.
The highest quality horses for light cavalry came from Hungary, southern Russia and Poland. These countries dominated light horse breeding in Europe in XVIII_XIX Century. For light cavalry Napoleon purchased horses from almost every province of France but especially from Ardennes, Taubes and Auvergne. In 1806 many Prussian (Mecklenburgian), Syrian and Turkish horses were purchased.
After victorious war in 1806 Napoleon dismounted the Prussian cavalry, and in 1805 and 1809 dismounted the Austrian cavalry. Thousands of horses were also taken from Saxony, Hannover and Spain. Many horses were purchased or simply taken from Polish farms. After the disaster in Russia in 1812, several Polish cavalry regiments were still in good shape. Especially the Lithuanian uhlans. Napoleon stripped these regiments of all their horses in an effort to remount the cavalry of Imperial Guard. (Nafziger - "Lutzen and Bautzen" p 9)
John Elting wrote about the horsecare in French cavalry: "Too many French were careless horsemasters, turning their animals loose at night into fields of green grain or clover without supervision. Thousands overate and died of the colic. Germans and Poles were more careful."
Britten-Austin described the situation in 1812: "Without a drop of water to drink and only an occassional nibble of wayside grasses, they arrive at the first bivouc utterly spent, collapse, and have to be shot by their riders, who, adding horsemeat to a soup of uncut rye, promptly go down with diarrhea, an affliction not conducive to brilliant exploits on horseback." (Britten-Austin - "1812 The March on Moscow" p 125)
Graf Henkel von Donnersmark writes after the battle of Leipzig: "The captured [French] horse was big but in poor condition, so I exchanged it with a Russian officer for a strong Cossack horse; now I owned 3 such Don mounts. They are excellent for use on campaigns where there are lots of hardships, but they do have some beauty defects."
According to order issued on October 28th 1802 the horses for French cuirassiers and dragoons were to be between 15 1/4 and 15 1/2 hands tall (154.3m-158.3 m). After war in 1805 the minimum height for horses were relaxed, even for the cuirassiers. But when Prussian and Austrian horses were captured and new territories annexed the requirements were heightened. In 1812 the height of horses was as follow:
- cuirassiers and carabiniers - . . . . 155 cm - 160 cm
- dragoons and artillery - . . . . . . . . .153 cm - 155 cm
- chasseurs and hussars - . . . . . . . . 149 cm - 153 cm
- lighthorse-lancers - . . . . . . . . . . . . .146 cm - 150 cm
- Polish uhlans - . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .142 cm - 153 cm
- Polish Krakusi - . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137 cm - 142 cm (nicknamed by Napoleon "my Pygmy Cavalry")
During every campaign there was always a shortage of good cavalry horses. In 1805 between Ulm and Austerlitz the French lacked so many horses that the Emperor sent officers to buy horses "of whatever breed" and color for the cavalrymen.
- The Arabian mounts were not as fast as European warmbloods but they were sure-footed. They were famous for elegance, toughness and almost legendary endurance. Arabian horses were very popular among officers and generals. Napoleon usually rode on Arabian: the snow-white "Euphrates" at Wagram, the dapple-gray "Taurus" in Russia (1812), at Leipzig (1813) and in France (1814), and "Marengo" at Waterloo. Napoleon encouraged the use of Arabians at the French national studs. Almost all European countries mixed their native mounts (coldbloods) with Arabians and getting new breeds (warmbloods). In 1800s the biggest studs of Arabians were founded in Hungary and Poland.
- The Andalusian horse was called "the royal horse of Europe". Many war-leaders rode on the Spanish horses. This is friendly, docile, strongly build, brave (used for bull fighting) and of catlike agility.
- The French horse Comtois of Burgundy was used by the army of King Louis XIV and by Napoleon. Characteristics: hardiness, endurance, good nature and easy to train.
- The French horse Auxois of Burgundy was a powerful one. This mount was a quiet and good natured, used also by artillery.
- The French horse Ardennais was a very popular horse in French cavalry.
- The French horse Percheron was a powerful mount used by heavy cavalry. By XVII Century it attained wide spread popularity. In early XIX Century the French goverment established a stud at le Pin for the development of army mounts. The horse was docile, energetic and of big size.
- The French horse Boulonnais of Flanders enjoyed a great popularity in every European heavy cavalry and among horse dealers. Napoleon purchased thousands of these horses for his cuirassiers.
- The German horse of Frederiksborg enjoyed numerous exports which seriously depleted the stock.
- The Hannoverian horse was used by light artillery and heavy and line cavalry. It was probably the most successful warmblood in Europe. The Hannoverian breeding industry has existed for 400 years. Even today this horse excel in equestrian disciplines of jumping and driving.
- The Holsteiner horse was developed in northern Germany. Their reputation was such that only in 1797 approx. 100.000 horses were exported ! This horse has a good character, is fast and strong. Napoleon purchased very many Holsteiners. The famous Saxon heavy cavalry and guard rode on Holsteiners.
During peacetime the regiments of light and line cavalry had color of horses according to squadron :
I Squadron: 1st 'elite' company rode on blacks, 5th company on browns nad blacks
II Squadron: 2nd company rode on bays, 6th company on bays
III Squadron: 3rd company on chestnuts, 7th company on chestnuts
IV Squadron: 4th and 8th company on grays and whites
However already in 1805 only some colonels insisted on keeping up these peacetime practicies. The heavy cavalry rode on black horses. (Prussian king Frederick the Great insisted that the black horses should go to the cuirassiers. He considered the black of the coat as a sign of quality.)
Black - - - - - Brown - - - - - Liver
Dark Bay - - - - - Light Bay - - - - - Dun
Dark Chestnut - - Chestnut - - - - - Palomino
he needed them like he needed food."
The French cavalry was commanded by Marshal Joachim Murat. His father was farmer-inkeeper, his mother a pious woman set on making a priest of him. Murat was tall, athletic with a handsome face framed by dark curls. He was "woman-crazy; Napoleon complained that he needed them like he needed food." (Elting - "Swords Around a Throne" p 144)
From his first thundering charges on the plains of Italy to his last grand charge at Leipzig, no commander more epitomized the dash and ambition of the French cavalry than Murat. He was the embodiement of the cavalryman. Murat habitually led in the very forefront of the charge, and his presence elicited courage and devotion from his troops. His flamboyant and colorful outfit, his bravery, and his fun-loving nature was all that many daring European cavalry leaders aspired to be. His love of war and glory made him the very incarnation of cavalryman.
In combat Murat was supreme. Britten-Austin writes: "Riding out in front of a line of red and white pennons which stretches from the Dwina's swamp on the right to the island of forest in the centre, he intends to harangue the Polish lancer division - but finds himself in a most awkward, not to say comical position. The Poles need no exhortion. With tremendous elan, like several thousand pig-stickers, they charge, driving the King of Naples like a wild boar before them. And Murat, unable to see or command, has no option but to 'lead' them ... Only thanks to his Herculean physique and the prowess of his gilded scimitar does he survive in the ensuing scrum." (Britten-Austin - "1812 The March on Moscow" p 134)
In 1807 at Heilsberg Murat charged with a headlong rashness but his horse was struck by canister. Horse and rider were knocked over together like a stand of muskets. Murat - now without one boot, it was stuck in the strirup of killed horse - quickly mounted another horse.
In 1815 Murat's Neapolitan troops were defeated by the Austrians. He eventually arranged a surrender and fled to France. Napoleon was furious and refused to see Murat. The Emperor rejected his offer to command the French cavalry during the Waterloo Campaign.
Murat fled to Corsica after Napoleon's fall. During an attempt to regain Naples through an insurrection in Calabria, he was arrested by the forces of his rival, Ferdinand IV of Naples. Murat was told to move towards the place destined for his execution, an officer gave him a handkerchief to blind himself, but he refused it. Murat arrived at the destined spot, turning immediately his face to the soldiers, and placing his hand upon his breast, he gave the word �Fire.� The soldiers fired 12 shots at his breast, which killed him instantaneously, and 3 in the head after he fell. Murat was buried in a pit where they throw the most despicable felons.
- Napoleon: "He [Murat] loved, I may rather say, adored me. ... With me, he was my right arm. Order Murat to attack and destroy four or five thousand men in such ir such a direction, it was done in a flash. But left to himself he was an imbecile, without judgement."
- Officer of 16th Chasseurs: "personally very brave, but has few military talents. He knows well how to use cavalry in front of the enemy, but is ignorant of the art of preserving it."
- Von Roos: "Herculean in strength, excessively gallant, admirably cool in the midst of danger, his daring, his elegant costume inspired an extraordinary veneration among the Cossacks."
- Victor Dupuy, France: "[The Cossacks had] almost magical respect for him.... I was riding ahead with three troopers when I saw Murat at the far end of a little wood ... He was alone. In front of him ... some 40 mounted Cossacks were gazing at him, leaning on their lances."
- David Chandler, UK: "Murat was one of the most colorful figures of his time. His military talents on the battlefield, at the head of the cavalry, were considerable, but his rash initiatives robbed him of any chance of earning repute as a strategist... he had many enemies among the marshalate but was greatly admired by the rank and file for his dash and undoubted charisma.... He became the model for many another beau sabreur of the 19th century."
- John Elting, USA: " ... cheerful courage, a frank and unpretentious comradeship with colonel and private alike. That he had no military education bothered him not at all; he boasted that he made his plans only in the presence of the enemy. (Napoleon complained that Murat tried to make war without maps.) As a combat leader Murat was unequaled, storming ahead of his howling troopers, riding whip in hand, white plumes streaming high. Tactics, except the simplest, he scorned: Put in your spurs and ride at, over, and through anything that gets in your way !"
~
The carabiniers were raised in 1691
by Louis XIV (The Sun King), with the men
drafted from the better troopers of line regiments.
Horse Carabiniers [Carabiniers-�-Cheval]
In 1792 the French Ministry of War ordered that the carabiniers
must always be chosen from seasoned and reliable soldiers.
To increase their numbers Emperor Napoleon
strengthened them with young and robust recruits.
The carabiniers were raised in 1691 by Louis XIV (The Sun King), with the men drafted from the better troopers of other line regiments. Rene Chartrand writes: "Commissions in the carabiniers could not be purchased, but were granted by the king to deserving and talented officers of modest means. ... In principle, carabiniers were to fight on foot when required, which they occasionally did, notably when they dismounted, stormed and captured the gates of Prague in 1741 .
The carabiniers were renowned for their superior horsemanship. From 1763 other line regiments were required to send few men to be instructed by the carabiniers and this led to the establisshment of the cavalry school at Saumur in 1768. The war record of the carabines was distinguished. They served in every campaign, displaying great bravery in victories such as Fontenoy or in defeats like Minden. One of the more spectacula feats by a carabinier occurred at the battle of Lawfeld, on 1 July 1747, when troopers Haube and Ibere captured the British cavalry's commanding general, Lord Ligonier. " (ext.link)
During the Napoleonic Wars there were only two regiments of horse carabiniers, the 1st and 2nd. (They briefly became 'Horse Grenadiers'). In 1792 the French Ministry of War ordered that the carabiniers must always be chosen from seasoned and reliable soldiers. They were armed with long, straight sabers and pistols.
In 1801 the strongest and tallest men and horses from the dissolved 19th, 20th, 21st and 22nd R�giment d'Cavalerie were assigned to the horse carabiniers. Despite the flow of soldiers into their ranks in 1803 the two regiments were only 2 squadrons each. Napoleon strengthened them with young and robust recruits and brought their strength to 3 and 4 squadrons.
In Austerlitz (1805) the 1st and 2nd Carabiniers forught with the Russian dragoons and hussars with great result. In 1809 with the temporary absence of the Guard Cavalry, the 1st Carabiniers formed Napoleon's escort. The 1st and 2nd Carabiniers fought with Austrian cuirassiers at Alt-Eglofsheim .
In 1809 the carabiniers suffered badly in the hands of Austrian uhlans and Napoleon ordered to give them armor. Chlapowski, among others, described this combat: "The cuirassier division arrived, with the brigade of carabiniers at its head. ... Soon an uhlan regiment in six squadrons trotted up to within 200 paces of the carabiniers and launched a charge at full tilt. It reached their line but could not break it, as the second regiment of carabiniers was right behind the first, and behind it the rest of the cuirassier division. I saw a great many carabiniers with lance wounds, but a dozen or so uhlans had also fallen." (Chlapowski - "Memoirs of a Polish Lancer" p 60)
The tall bearskin was abandoned, and their new helmet was made of yellow copper, with iron chinstrap scales and a headband with the letter 'N' in front. The crest had a scarlet comb instead of the cuirassiers black horsehair. The cuirasses were almost identical in design to those worn by the cuirassiers, although they were covered with a sheet of brass (for officers red copper).
The visual effect was astounding !
Oficially the horse carabiniers wore white coats (jackets) but according to Rousellot (in 'Sabretache' 1987) only their officers wore white coats, the privates wore light blue ones. Faber du Faur also depicted the horse carabiniers in blue coats instead of white. According to some sources (for example Coppen) the carabiniers wore blue at Waterloo. Others claim that they also wore blue during the campaign in Russia (1812) and white only in the battle of Borodino.
In 1812 at Borodino the carabiniers repeatedly clashed with the Russian cuirassiers, hussars and dragoons. They fought with gusto until the end of battle when they were defeated by Russian Chevaliers and Horse Guard and then were charged - by mistake - by French cuirassiers. During the winter retreat from Russia they suffered horrible losses.
The campaign in Russia, and especially the reareat during winter, broke the backbone of the carabiniers and they never were the same. In 1813 in the Battle of Leipzig they panicked before Hungarian hussars. Rilliet from the 1st Cuirassiers witnessed the encounter. The 1st Carabiniers were in front and general Sebastiani was to the right of the regiment: all at once a mass of enemy cavalry, mainly Hungarian hussars, rode furiously down on the carabiniers. 'Bravo!' cried the general, laughing and waving the riding crop which was the only weapon that he designed to use.
'This will be charming; hussars charging the horse carabiniers.' But when the Hungarians were 100 paces away, the 1st Carabiniers turned about and fled leaving behind their brave general ! They hastily rode back on to the 2nd Carabiniers and both regiments hooved away. It was such a disgrace that when after battle a group of carabiniers entered a farm seeking quarters, the cuirassiers from the 5th Regiment teased them: "If you want hospitality, try the Hungarian hussars !" :=)
The Saxon cavalry also had young soldiers in their ranks but performed wonders at Leipzig. Marshal Macdonald describes another combat with the carabiniers: "My cavalry came up at the right time and performed very well but the Horse Carabiniers did very badly. I saw with my own eyes, ten sabre-lengths away, how one enemy squadron overthrew them."
In 1814 there was not much glory for the carabiniers neither, on one or two occasions they stampeded before the Cossacks and Russian cavalry.
In 1815 some of the carabiniers deserted to Wellington before the campaign began. There were enough carabiniers (and other cavalrymen) deserters, that Wellington formed a troop called "Bourbon Cavalry Corps." At Waterloo, a sergeant of 2nd Carabiniers and a thorough monarchist, deserted to the British just shortly before Napoleon's Guard attacked. He let the enemy know when and where the Guard will attack. (As claimed by British Sergeant Cotton) Captain Duthulit also stated that "this infamous criminal" was from the horse carabiniers, but he was an officer. Another carabinier deserted to the Netherland troops under Chasse. Other sources claim that it a cuirassier.
The remaining carabiniers however fought very well at Waterloo.
Horses and Weapons
Until the disastrous campaign in Russia in 1812 the carabiniers rode on big black horses. In 1813-1815 they were more flexible and rode on blacks, browns and dark bays. All the horses were of high quality, one of the best in Empire.
In 1805 the carabiniers received dragoon muskets. In 1810 their long straight sabers were replaced with slightly curved sabers (a la Montmorency). In 1812 the dragoon muskets were replaced with shorter cavalry carbines.
Colonels 1804-1815
The armored French cuirassiers were the descendants
of the medieval knights, who could turn a battle
with their sheer weight and brute force.
In 1809 arriving at Ratisbon, the 2nd Cuirassiers took part
in a fight with the Austrian Merveldt Uhlan Regiment first
and then against the Hohenzollern and Ferdinand Cuirassier
Regiments. Charged three times, the Austrians were routed,
the 2nd Cuirassiers took 200 prisoners fortified in a village.
Cuirassiers [Cuirasiers]
"One of French cuirassier regiments developed a unique test
for newly assigned officers. You were given 3 horses,
3 bottles of champagne, and 3 'willing girls' and 3 hours
to kill the champagne, cover the girls and ride a 20-mile course.
(Of course you could draw up your own schedule of events" :-)).
- Colonel John Elting, US Army
Napoleon formed cuirassiers as follow: the first twelve r�giments d'Cavalerie received the strongest and tallest men and horses. Napoleon gave them armor and they were considered as elite troops. They were numbered 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th Cuirassiers.
The 13th Cuirassiers was formed in 1809 from the 1st Provisional Heavy Cavalry Regiment.
The 14th Cuirassiers was formed in 1810 from the 2nd Dutch Cuirassiers. During the Invasion of Russia in 1812 this regiment had only 2 squadrons, other squadrons were formed in Holland and became available in 1813. In May 1812 they wore the white old (Dutch) uniforms and the new dark blue (French). Regiment was disbanded in 1814.
The 15th Cuirassiers was organized in 1814 in Hamburg from the elements drawn from the 2nd, 3rd, 4th Cuirassiers, officers were taken from many other regiments and all of them were mixed with big number of recruits. When the officers finally were able to mount one squadron the populace witnessed the warriors sprawled on the ground while their horses galloped away along the streets. They were disbanded in 1814.
While other types of cavalry had their important roles to play, it was the cuirassiers, the descendants of the medieval knights, who could turn a battle with their sheer weight and brute force. They looked dangerous everytime they ventured forward and the generals never employed them frivolously.
Some British officers thought that the cuirassiers were "Bonaparte's Bodyguard." But for the Russians, Austrians and Prussians Napoleon's heavy cavalry was a familiar opponent. The cuirassiers also fought with the famous Hungarian hussars. Chlapowski writes: "... regiment of [French] cuirassiers which after one charge got into a melee with some Hungarian hussars. I was surprised to see when the Hungarians retreated that far more of their bodies were lying dead than French" (Chlapowski, - p. 63)
The French cuirassiers were victorious in Austerlitz (1805), Jena (1806), Eylau (1807), Friedland (1807), Aspern-Essling (1809), Alt-Eglofsheim (1809) , Wagram (1809) , Borodino (1812) , Berezina, Dresden (1813) and Leipzig (1813).
In the battle of Berezina in 1812, battalions of Russian 18th Infantry Division stood in the wood. (There were two small meadows, open patches, in the wood, in which the infantry was posted.) The Russians were formed in columns and did not expect cavalry attack because of the forest cover. General Doumerc struck the Russians with the 4th, 7th, and 14th Cuirassier Regiment (totalling 450 men). The cuirassiers passed through the brush and woods, reformed, and fallen on the enemy. They sabered 500-750 men and took 2,000 prisoners.
In 1812 at Borodino, the French and Saxon cuirassiers captured the Great Redoubt defended by Russian infantry and artillery (see picture). Chlapowski of Old Guard Lancers writes: "The redoubt had been so ruined by cannon fire that the Emperor rightly jidged cavalry capable of taking it. So we watched the beautiful sight of our cuirassier charge." General Caulaincourt, with his eyes aflame with the ardor of battle, rode to the front of the cuirassiers and shouted: "Follow me, weep not for him [Montbrun], but come and avenge his death."
In reply to Murat's order to enter that redoubt right through the Russian line, he said, "You shall soon see me there, dead or alive." The trumpets sounded the charge, and putting himself at the head of this iron-clad cavalry, he dashed forward. The cavalrymen pressed on with sabers drawn. Wathier's 2nd Cuirassier Division arrived at the redoubt first, and as they were about to enter its rear they were greeted by a heavy volley from the infantry inside. General Caulaincourt was killed. The Raievski Redoubt was captured by cavalry, a feat never repeated ! Heinrich von Brandt writes: "I saw General Auguste de Caulaincourt, mortally wounded, being carried away in a white cuirassier cloak, stained deep red by his blood. There, in the redoubt, the bodies of infantrymen were scattered amongst French, Saxon, Westphalian and Polish cuirassiers uniformed in blue and in white. ... This was a crucial moment in the battle and the firing abated a little as if both sides wondered what to do next."
In 1815 at Quatre Bras, French cuirassiers, Private Henry and NCO Gauthire captured King's Color of the II Btn. of 69th Foot [GdD Kellermann wrote in his report (now in S.H.A.T. C15 5) to Ney after the charge: "We took the Color of the 69th which was captured by the cuirassiers Valgayer and Mourassin" (added with pencil by another hand: "Albisson and Henry ?").] American historian John Elting writes: "The 69th at once ordered its regimental tailors to make up a new flag, and denied any loss. Unfortunately, Napoleon had already announced the capture." (Elting - "Swords Around a Throne" p 352)
Elting: "Amazingly, at Waterloo the French had lost only 2 eagles, and those early in the battle to English cavalry." By contrast, they had taken either 4 or 6 colors - the number naturally is much disputed - from Wellington's army."
The captured colors were brought to and deposited in the farm of Le Caillou, farmhouse Napoleon had been using for his headquarters. Unfortunately during the retreat after battle the trophies were left there.
Names of the French cavalrymen who captured Allies Colors:
- one Color was seized by Marechal de Logis Gauthier (Gautier) of 10th Cuirassiers
- one by Fourier Palau of the 9th Cuirassiers
- one by unknown cuirassier of the 8th Cuirassiers. He captured the Color of the British 69th Foot Regiment. (Kellermann to Davout, 24 June 1815, Arch.Serv.Hist.)
- one by Capitaine Klein de Kleinenberg from the Chasseurs of the Guard. He captured one Color of the KGL. (Lefebvre-Desnouettes to Drouot, 23 June 1815, Arch. Serv.Hist.)
General Delort mentions an English Color captured by an NCO of the 9th Cuirassier Regiment. Delort particpated in these charges and his account is in Houssaye�s �1815 Waterloo� and in the Nouvelle Revue Retrospective. (published in 1897)
In 1815 at Waterloo Gen. Dornberg decided to attack a single cuirassier regiment with two of his own, British 23rd Light Dragoons and 1st KGL Light Dragoons (Germans). Dornberg's men outnumbered the French by 2 to 1. The two frontal squadrons of the French regiment were attacked on both flanks and routed. Dornberg's entire cavalry dashed after the fleeing enemy. But the French colonel, unlike his adversary, was holding two other squadrons in reserve, and these counterattacked and smashed the enemy. The British and Germans were remounting the slope in great disorder when another cuirassier regiment appeared and blocked their way. The French drew their sabers and awaited the enemy unmoving. "At the moment of impact, the light dragoons realized that their curved sabers were no match for the cuirassiers long swords, nor could they penetrate the French cuirasses. Seeing that his men were losing heart, Dornberg tried to lead some of them against the enemy flank. (Barbero - "The Battle" p 192)
General Dornberg writes: "At this point I was pierced through the left side into the lung. Blood started coming out of my mouth, making it difficult for me to speak. I was forced to go to the rear, and I can say nothing more about the action."
In the Battle of Ligny in 1815, the commander of the Prussian army almost died under the hooves of the cuirassiers horses. General Bl�cher's horse (it had been a present from the Prince Regent of England) was hit and fell to the ground trapping the commander underneath it. His adjutant's horse was hit too.
According to Peter Hofschroer "Two more charges of French cavalry passed over the pair before help could arrive."
Although magnificent warriors the cuirassiers were not super humans, and sometimes failures and defeats happened. In most of such cases the enemy heavily outnumbered the cuirassiers. Or the cuirassiers had to deal with enemy's artillery, cavalry and infantry formed in squares - all in the same time.
Probably the only combat they ever lost while being numerically superior was at Heilsberg. In 1807 near Heilsberg the French dragoons and cuirassiers were badly mauled by Russian and Prussian cavalry. De Gonneville of the 6th Cuirassiers writes: "At this moment the grand duke of Berg (Murat) came up to us; he came from our right rear, followed by his staff, passed at a gallop across our front, bending forwards on his horse's neck, and as he passed at full speed by General Espagne, he flung at him one word alone which I heard, "Charge !" In the front was GdB Fouler's brigade (7th and 8th Cuirassiers). Murat throws himself into the thick of the fighting, heedless of all danger. On the fields by Langwiese - 1 km southwest from Lawden - developed a cavalry battle bewteen Uvarov's cavalry and d'Espagne's cuirassiers and Latour-Mauborg's dragoons. It was a bloody fight and costly for the French. Wounded were GdD d'Espagne, GdB Fouler, and colonels of 4th, 6th and 7th Cuirassiers. Col. Fulgent of the 4th Curassiers received a serious head wound from a sabre from which he eventually died. Also wounded were Col. Davenay and Col. Offenstein of the 6th and 7th Cuirassiers respectively. The only regimental commander to escape unscathed that day was Merlin of the 8th Cuirassiers, but one of the squadron flags of 8th was captured. Among the dragoons were wounded colonels of 4th, 14th and 26th Dragoons. Colonel Chipault of the 4th Cuirassiers had received 56 sabre cuts ! Murat's 6.000-9,000 cavalrymen were thrown back by 3,000-4,500 Russians and Prussians. By day's end, each cavalryman sabre will be dripping with blood.
In 1809 at Aspern-Essling approx. 2,500 French heavy cavalry (4th, 6th, 7th, and 8th Cuirassiers) led by Espagne attacked the Austrian center defended by strong artillery and numerous light cavalry (uhlans, hussars and chevauxlegeres). The French heavies received canister and then encountered four cavalry regiments deployed in a very long line. The Austrians instead of countercharging remained stationary. Their impressive stance communicated great resolve, and the French wavered. Then, two Austrian cuirassier regiments crashed into French flank and sent them reeling backward. Major Berret received two lance wounds from Schwarzenberg Uhlans. General Durosnel was wounded and taken prisoner.
The second attack made by Espagne's cuirassiers took place 1-2 hours later. This time they took three Austrian cavalry regiments in the flank. The Albert Cuirassiers, Ferdinand Cuirassiers and Knesevich Dragoons were routed. The Hungarian insurection cavalry stood in second line. They were irregulars and fled before the iron-clads reached them. Fresh Austrian cavalry advanced against the cuirassiers and the artillery and infantry opened fire. Espagne was struck in the face with canister and fell dead. General Fouler was wounded and taken prisoner by the Austrians. Three of his four colonels died in this battle.
In Borodino the French cuirassiers were unable to break Russian infantry formed in squares. Only the elite Saxon Garde du Corps managed to break one, weak square. "... Colonel Hrapovitsky [of Russian Guard Infantry] ordered [infantry] columns to form squares against the French cavalry. The cuirassiers made a vigorous attack but quickly paid a heavy price for their audacity. All squares, acting with firmness, opened fire and delivered battalion volleys ... The armour proved to be a weak defence against our fire and added no courage to them. The cavalrymen quickly showed us their backs and fled in disorder." (- Col. Alexander Kutuzov to Gen. Lavrov, report after Borodino)
In Waterloo (1815), the British, German and Dutch-Belgian infantry squares were repeatedly attacked by the cuirassiers. The British claimed that not a single square was broken. British researcher Siborne wrote that one square had a side "completely blown away and dwindled into a mere clump." The French sources however disagree with the British. For example Brigadier (then private) Pilloy of the French cuirasiers wrote that he charged three times against a British square finally riding "over and through it". (E. Tattet - �Lettres du brigadier Pilloy ...� in Carnet de la Sabretache, Vol 15th)
General Delort of the cuirassiers writes that: "several squares were broken."
Wellington's defensive line was overwhelmed by the French cavalry, his generals were forced to seek protection inside the squares, from where it became impossible to exercise command and control of own troops. The numerous British-German-Dutch cavalry counterattacked but made little impression on the French. Few weeks after the battle frustrated Wellington wrote to Lord Beresford that the French cuirassiers were moving among the squares as though they were their own. One battle was enough for the British to learn a healthy respect for the iron-clad warriors. Soldier Morris was so awestruck by the sheer size of the men and the horses, by their shining armor, that he thought "we could not have the slightest chance with them."
In 1813, on the last day of the battle of Leipzig , group of desperate cuirassiers charged into the city packed with Allied infantry. Swedish officer Wossido writes: "... part of the open space was strewn with abandoned wagons and that the Prussian and Swedish riflemen were in disorder. As a result we could hardly move forward and soon had to halt. Suddenly there came a shout from the gate: Cavalry ! For a moment we were so squashed by the troops withdrawing that we could scarcely keep on our feet. French cuirassiers rushed out of the gate and attacked us. There must have been 40 or 50 of them. They were fired upon from all sides and these reckless horsemen, who made this desperate charge, were in an instant laid down besides their horses." Graf von Hochberg of Baden described the same moment: "A squadron of French cuirassiers and a detachment of Polish lancers ... managed - for a short time - to take the gate from the enemy."
Horses and Weapons
The cuirassiers rode on big and strong horses.
When it came to hardware they were riding arsenals.
On photo: French cuirassier sabre from Military Heritage >
When it came to hardware the cuirassiers were riding arsenals: body armor, helmets, pistols and long straigh sabers. When in 1812 they received carbines they made considerable effort to avoid carrying them. However, according to regimental inspections only 20 % had pistols. Rousselot moted that most contemporary illustrations shows the cuirassiers without cartridge box and carbine belt. He wrote that inspections reports conducted in 1805 showed that the 3rd, 4th, 7th and 8th Cuirassier Regiment lacked cartridge boxes and belts. The troopers caried few rounds of ammunition in their pockets. Inspections in 1807 again showed lacks of the same items in 4th, 6th, 7th and 8th Cuirassier Regiment. They kept ammunition in their pockets.
The body armor was expensive. In 1815 there was not enough time to make the armor and at Waterloo the entire 11th R�giment was without it. It was also very uncomfortable to wear in summer. In 1809 many young cuirassiers discarded their armor.
The cuirassiers rode possibly on blacks, browns and dark bays.
General Nansouty.
He was considered cautious, reliable
and level headed commander.
The most known cuirassier commanders were Generals Nansouty and d'Hautpoul. Etienne-Marie-Antoine Champion de Nansouty (1768-1815) came from aristocracy, went with the Revolution but did not put himself forward. Nansouty was a man of tradition, education and exactitude. "His men were always carefully trained and cared for. Yet there was no elan in his character, no readiness for an unexpected, all-out blow to save a desperate day. His disposition was mordant ... " ( John Elting, - p 162)
"He was considered cautious ... or even reluctant to bring his squadrons to battle, but that was mainly on those occasions that Murat was in overall command, who Nansouty considered to be somewhat over zealous and headstrong ... Although he was considered a good, level headed, reliable and tactically sound commander he lacked the flare and initiative of a LaSalle or Montbrun." (Terry Senior, napoleon-series.org)
In Jena (1806) Nansouty commanded 1st Cuirassier Division made of 1st and 2nd Carabiniers, 2nd and 9th Cuirassiers. In Eylau (1807) Nansouty's 1st Cuirassier Division had only 9th and 11th Cuirassiers. In Wagram (1809) Nansouty's 1st Cuirassier Division had 1st and 2nd Carabiniers, 2nd, 3rd, 9th and 12th Cuirassiers. In 1812 during the Invasion of Russia and in the battle of Borodino, Nansouty commanded the I Cavalry Corps (6 cuirassier, 1 chasseur, 2 hussar, and 2 lancer regiments. He also had one German and two Polish regiments).
General Hautpoul
He was a giant of a man, a fiery commander
eager to charge at any time.
Jean-Joseph-Ange D'Hautpoul (1754-1807) was a giant of a man, with enormous body strength. He was a self-confident and very proud individual. In contrast to Nansouty, d'Hautpoul was a fiery commander eager to charge at any time. In 1794 at Aldenhoven Hautpoul crushed enemy cavalry twice as numerous and was promoted to the rank of general.
In Jena (1806) Hautpoul commanded 2nd Cuirassier Division (1st, 5th and 10th Cuirassiers). In Eylau (1807) Hautpoul's 2nd Cuirassier Division was made of 1st, 5th and 10th Cuirassiers. The giant man led his cavalry against Russian infantry and artillery. Hautpoul was struck by a Russian cannonball, which dented his armor and shattered his hip. He was taken wrapped in his bloodstained cloak to the nearby village where he died the following day.
Colonels 1804-1815.
Cuirassier's uniform displayed
the markings of elite status.
Cuirassier's helmet was made of steel with brass comb, a black horse mane (for trumpeters red or white mane), a black cow-hide turban, black visor edged with brass, a tall red plume on the left side, and brass chin scales. The cuirass had front and back plates made of steel. It had leather straps with brass scales, the cuirass lining was edged with white in all regiments. The coat was dark blue with collar, facings, and cuffs in regimental color.
The tall black boots were considered necessary to protect the legs when the files of cavalry were pressed together. During the Napoleonic Wars there were two types of the tall boots. Boots with soft legs were worn during a long march but for parade they were replaced with boots with stiff legs. The hard boots looked great but they were not comfortable.
For the Grand Parade Uniform (Tenue de Grande Parade) was helmet with red plume, cuirass, coat, sabre, tall boots, and white culottes de peau. For the Campaign Uniform (Tenue de Campaign) was helmet with red plume (pompon was also popular), cuirass, coat, sabre, tall boots, and buff surculottes. For the Exercise Uniform (Tenue d�Ecurie) instead of the helmet and plume was worn a comfortbale bonnet de police. No cuirass.
The were also petit tenue, stable dress, walking-out dress, and a dress worn in barracks and billets.
The French cuirassiers of the Napoleonic wars wore dark blue coat, a flaming grenade on coat-tails and saddlecloth, red epaulettes and plume attached to their headwear. Inspections conducted in cuirassier regiments showed lack of epaulettes on big scale.
The cuirassiers also wore campaign heavy cloth breeches called surculottes. They were also called "over-breeches" as many soldiers wore them over the white breeches (or over the bucksins) for field service, march, battle etc. The over-breeches were buttoned down the sides and tucked into boots. These were made of wool or linen and were off-white, brown, brown-grey, light grey or dark grey.
Before campaign every cuirassier received white sheepskin to the regulation shabraque (cloth covering the saddle) and grey overalls called pantalons a cheval. The overalls were worn with or without the breeches underneath. Some overalls had cloth covered buttons down the outer seams while other had red laces instead of buttons. The first time the overalls were mentioned in official order was in the year of 1812 although they were used already in the 1790s. The decree of 1812 described the overalls as made of grey linen with cloth covered buttons. Due to its weight and numerous buttons this type of overalls was replaced by lighter overalls, often reinforced on the inside of the legs and around the bottoms with black leather. These lighter overalls might be grey, blue, red or green but during 1812-1815 the grey with orange or red stripe and without buttons were more common.
According to Decree isuued on April 7th 1807 : "From March 1st to December 1st the cuirassiers have to wear a mustache but must be clean shaven for the remaining 3 months." This regulation was until new one was issued on March 3rd 1809.
Cuirassier regiments.
"Opinions will be always divided as to those
amphibious animals called dragoons."
- General Jomini
During the decades before Napoleonic Wars only the dragoons were trained in infantry and cavalry duties. General Jomini wrote: "Opinions will be always divided as to those amphibious animals called dragoons. It is certainly an advantage to have several battalions of mounted infantry, who can anticipate an enemy at a defile, or scour a wood; but to make cavalry out of foot soldiers is very difficult. ... It has been said that the greatest inconvenience resulting from the use of dragoons consists in the fact of being obliged at one moment to make them believe infantry squares cannot resist their charges, and the next moment that a foot soldier is superior to any horseman... But it cannot be denied, however, that great advantages might result to the general who could rapidly move up 10,000 infantrymen on horseback to a decisive point ..."
During the Napoleonic Wars however all cavalrymen were trained in some infantry duties. They were universal soldiers capable of fighting from horse and on foot. The dragoons however were trained in infantry duties more than other cavalrymen and for this reason their horsemanship "was wobbly" and their swordsmanship was not of the highest order. They were teased especially by the hussars who considered themselves as the master swordsmen and horsemen.
Furthermore, dragoons horses were not as big and strong (and expensive) as cuirassiers' mounts, and their uniforms were not as colorful (and expensive) as hussars' outfits. It attracted less volunteers and thus in their ranks served more conscripts.
In 1799-1800 France had 20 dragoon regiments.
Napoleon formed five new dragoon regiments (22nd, 23rd, 24th, 25th, 26th) from the disbanded regiments d'cavalerie.
The 22nd Dragons was formed from the 13th and 20th l'Cavalerie,
the 23rd R�giment from 14th and 20th,
the 24th R�giment from 15th, 21st and 22nd,
the 25th R�giment from 16th and 21st,
the 26th from 17th and 21st,
and the 27th R�giment was from the 18th and 22nd l'Cavalerie.
The 21st R�giment was formed in 1800 from Piedmontese dragoons.
The 29th R�giment was formed in 1803 from Piedmontese hussars.
In 1804 Napoleon had 30 dragoon regiments.
In 1811 the 1st, 3rd, 8th, 9th, 10th and 20th R�giment were converted into lancers.
In 1815 there were only 15 dragoon regiments.
Napoleon could mount only part of his dragoons. That fact, combined with Napoleon's modern ideas of combining fire power and mobility, led him to the conclusion that units of foot dragoons should be formed. For his planned cross-Channel invasion of England, he organized two divisions of dismounted dragoons. They were put into infantry-style shoes, gaiters and packs. They also received drums to supplement their trumpets.
Colonel Elting writes: "The assignement was sensible, but troopers caught up in the shuffle remembered that veteran dragoons, who hadn't walked farther in years than the distance from their barracks to the nearest bar, ended up in the dismounted units, while their mounts were assigned to raw recruits. The results were rough on everybody: hospitals filled up with spavined veterans, recruits got saddle sores.
Also, J.A. Oyon wrote gleefully, matters turned ugly when mounted and dismounted elements of several regiments bivouaced together. The limping veterans crowded over to check on their old horses and found them neglected, sore-backed, and lame. Blood flowed freely, if only from rookies' noses."
In the first phase of Napoleonic Wars they served on the primary theater of war, in Central Europe, before being sent to Spain and Italy. The dragoons distinguished themselves in several battles.
In November 1805 the dragoon brigade under Sebastiani took 2,000 prisoners at Pohrlitz.
In 1806 and 1807 large numbers of the green-clad dragoons participated in the Jena and Friedland Campaigns. They distinguished themselves in several actions against the Prussians and Russians. According to Eduard L�wenstern in 1807 at Golymin the Russian Soumy Hussars was attacked by French 4th and 7th Dragoons and was overthrown. The fleeing hussars run toward the Ingermanland Dragoons but these dragoons didn�t let them pass without jeering.
In 1814 at Nangis the French dragoons, veterans from Spain attacked Pahlen�s cavalry. The Russian center was broken and the Chuguiev Uhlans, Soumy and Olviopol Hussars and some Cossacks fled. Even General Witgenstein and his chief of staff had to run for life. The hot pursuit only slackened near Maison-Rouge.
In 1807 near Friedland the dragoons defeated Russian uhlans. Below is a description of this combat by Kornet F. V. Bulgarin of [Russian] Duke Constantine Uhlans. One squadron of uhlans under Shcheglov stood by 2 light guns that fired at French foot skirmishers. This little cannonade went for a while before a column of enemy cavalry went out of the wood. The front of this column was not too wide but its depth was unknown to the uhlans. According to Bulgarin two squadrons of uhlans and one squadron of Lifeguard Cossacks advanced against the enemy. They moved in column by platoons (each squadron had 4 platoons) with intervals on the distance of platoon, passed through a village, formed by squadrons and then rushed forward with loud battle cry. Shcheglov rode in the front with outstretched saber.
The column of French dragoons halted and stood motionless like a stonewall [kak kamennaia stiena] waiting for the enemy. The dragoons from the second rank grabbed their muskets and began firing while these in the first rank drew sabers and waited. The charging uhlans first slowed down and then halted. The French sounded massive �En avant ! Vive l�Empereur!� and advanced forward en masse. The uhlans and Cossacks gave way before the sheer weight of the column. Their retreat was covered by flankers who opened fire on the pursuing dragoons. The column made a half turn to the right and tried to cut off the way of retreat for the uhlans and Cossacks.
The Russians dashed rightward but here unforseen misfortune blocked their path, it was a robust wattling. The Cossacks jumped off their mounts and tried to remove this obstacle, while the rear ranks of the uhlans frantically fought with the head of the French column. The French officers fired their pistols at point blank, while some dragoons used their muskets and long swords. Bulgarin's horse was hit by two bullets to the head and fell down like an oak. Bulgarin barely escaped on foot.
After 1807 majority of the dragoons served on secondary theaters of wars, Spain and Italy. Many of the regiments in Spain lacked uniforms, horses and equipment. For example in Spain they were dressed in the brown cloth of the Capucines found in convents and churches. They also had difficulty in obtaining eppaulettes for their elite companies and chin straps. For lack of sufficient number of regulation sabers the old Toledo-swords with three edges were used. But the dragoons were efficient troops. They fought a grim and deadly war of ambush and retaliation against the hostile Spaniards. They guarded communication lines and escorted convoys.
In Spain the British cavalry inflicted several notable defeats on the dragoons. The British cavalrymen were superior swordsmen to the dragoons, and had better horses.
If not the best horsemen and swordsmen many dragoons were brave men. British author Costello writes: "One of their videttes, after being posted facing English dragoon, of the 14th or 16th [Light Dragoon Regiment] displayed an instance of individual gallantry, in which the French, to do them justice, were seldom wanting.
Waving his long straight sword, the Frenchman rode within 60 yards of our dragoon, and challenged him to single combat. We immediately expected to see our cavalry man engage his opponent, sword in hand. Instead of this, however, he unslung his carbine and fired at the Frenchman, who not a whit dismayed, shouted out so that every one could hear him, Venez avec la sabre: je suis pret pour Napoleon et la belle France. Having vainly endeavoured to induce the Englishman to a personal conflict, and after having endured two or three shots from his carbine, the Frenchman rode proudly back to his ground, cheered even by our own men. We were much amused by his gallantry, while we hissed our own dragoon ... " (Costello "The Peninsular and Waterloo Campaigns" pp 66-67)
One of the dragoons' greatest successes in Spain came in 1812. The second in command of the British army, Lord Paget, as Henry William Paget was then styled, was captured by the French dragoons.
Napier writes: "In one of these charges General Paget was carried off from the midst of his own men, and it might have been Wellington's fortune, for he also was continually riding between the columns and without escort." (Napier - "History of the War in the Peninsula 1807-1814" Vol IV, p 152)
[In 1815 at Waterloo, Henry William Paget, commanded allied cavalry and led the charge, which checked and in part routed D'Erlon's infantry corps.]
In 1815 during the Waterloo Campaign there were only 15 dragoon regiments and these fought to the very end of the war. On 1 July (approx. half month after Waterloo) several dragoons regiments marched toward Villacoublay. This force was screened by a small vangaurd. The vanguard met two Prussian squadrons and was thrown back in the first clash. Behind it, however, the 5th and the 13th Dragoons deployed out of the wood. Two Prussian regiments arrived, the (3rd) Brandenburg Hussars and (5th) Pomeranian Hussars The dragoons were driven back and fled to the village.
Meanwhile, General Exelmans had found another way into the village for his following regiments and the 20e Dragoons with an unlimbered battery appeared in the flank of the Prussian hussars before they had reformed. The hussars had to retreat, but quickly rallied and counter-charged the French, forcing them again to the village. With another regiment just joining the French, the hussars retired to Versailles. The French pursuit was so vigorous that the rearguard, the Brandenbourg Hussars, had to make several charges to force Exelmans to break off. The dragoons reached Versailles from several directions and the Prussians were caught in a trap. The commander of the Prussians, von Sohr, was severely wounded and taken prisoner. Only few escaped. Major von Klinkowstroem, commander of the Brandenburg Hussars, wrote: "In the hopeless bloody battle that followed many of us fell."
After rallying the survivors Major von Wins went to report the defeat to Blucher, who was colonel-in-chief of the (5th) Hussars. Nostitz described the scene: "... Major von Wins unexpectedly rode up and stopped. The major dismounted ... came up to me, saying in a very excited voice, 'What you see here is all that is left of the two hussar regiments. Everyone else is either dead or taken prisoner.' I was very surprised. ... Major von Wins ... demanded to be taken to the Prince (Blucher). I tried to stop him, telling him his reception would be highly unpleasant. However, that did not help and I had to announce him. The Prince heard the report in growing anger and then cried out in rage, 'Lord ! If what you are saying is true, then I wish the devil had fetched you too !"
One of the worst defeats the dragoons have ever suffered, occured in Eastern Prussia, at Burkersdorf. On February 14th 1807, the 5th, 8th, 9th, 12th, 16th and 21st Dragons (total of 18 squadrons) led by GdD Milhaud were at Burkersdorf, a village between Eylau and K�nigsberg. These regiments formed the 3rd Dragoon Division that was retreating after a reconnaisance in force. (In 1815 at Waterloo, Milhaud led eight weak cuirassier regiments against the British, German and Netherland infantry, artillery and cavalry).
An inferior force of 400 Soumy Hussars and 350 Cossacks followed Milhaud for some time. According to L�wenstern the first encounter took place in the morning and the French appeared to be eager to fight. But he exagerrate somehow that after the first �hoorah!� the dragoons fled. Actually two hussar squadrons and 200 Cossacks attacked the frontal six squadrons but were pushed back. Then four hussar squadrons came out of village and struck with great impetuosity the French flank.
Milhaud ordered the nearest dragoon brigade to face the attackers but it failed to do so on time. Instead the brigade was broken and fled. Whereupon the two other brigades, seeing the rout, turned about and hooved away. The dragoons could not be rallied until they had gone three miles to the rear.
Milhaud was infuriated at their perforance and ashamed at the swift defeat. General Milhaud attempted to commit suicide by attacking the Russians while being accompanied by only four dragoons. Yermolov mentions that two of the exhausted French squadrons fled across a frozen lake. The Soumy Hussars and the Cossacks caught up with them and took as prisoners. Sir Robert Wilson writes that the French dragoons lost 400 killed and 288 captured as prisoners. Bennigsen gives the French casualties at 400 and one standard (guidon?). L�wenstern wrote that the hussars didn�t allow the French to gather, chased them to Ludwigsdorf (Ludwigswalde ?) and captured 300 prisoners. He explains that Colonel Ushakov send for two squadrons who were 2 miles away from Burkersdorf but these forces came too late to participate in the battle. (L�wenstern - �Mit Graf Pahlens Reiterei gegen Napoleon� Berlin 1910, Ernst Siegfried Mittler und Sohn, page 18.)
Shikanov gives 180 prisoners and squadron standard/guidon of the 8e Dragons. (Shikanov V.H. - �Pervaia Polskaia Kampania 1806-1807� page 178)
L�wenstern also described how the village quickly became a market place where captured watches, weapons, uniforms, tobacco, pistols and horses were offered for sale.
Despite being defeated by the British cavalry in Spain, mercilessly harassed by the Cossacks in Eastern Prussia and Russia, and despite being teased all the time by the French hussars, the dragoons served well. And they were loyal to the Emperor. In 1814, shortly after Napoleon's first abdication, the Russian and Prussian armies were drawn up on both sides of the road leading to Paris. They presented arms to the French. General Bordesoulle met the 30th Dragoon Regiment and ordered them to draw sabers and render the honors. The colonel of the 30th Dragoons was in very bad mood. He replied: "If my dragoons draw sabers it will be to charge !"
Horses and Weapons.
Many dragoons were mounted on foreign horses.
When the dragoons expected to go into action
they drew sabers and muskets slung on their backs.
Napoleon had problems to find the right horses for his dragoons. In 1805 approximately 6.000 of them were without mounts and were organized into 4 foot dragoon regiments. Their duty was to guard the artillery reserves and the baggage trains. After the 1805-campaign Napoleon mounted the foot dragoons on captured Austrian horses. Then after the 1806-campaign Napoleon mounted the rest of the "walkers" on captured Prussian and Saxon horses.
The hardships of war in Spain, plus poor horsecare killed thousands of dragoons' mounts. For example in May 1811 the 3rd Dragons had only 139 horses left out of 563 ! The situation was so desperate that in 1812 was issued an order that all officers in infantry regiments have to give their horses to the dragoons.
The dragoons were armed with straight sabers and muskets. Their muskets were longer and had longer range of fire than light cavalry's carbines. While a light cavalryman's eqipment included a carbine sling as a means of keeping his weapon readily available for use, the greater length of musket issued to dragoons made a sling impractical. Thus the stock of the musket was seated in a boot attached to the saddle, and irs barrel restrained by a strap attached to the pommel.
When the dragoons expected to go into action they drew sabers and muskets slung on their backs. In 1813 at Dresden the Austrian infantry kept falling back, with their muskets useless during rain. The French dragoons followed them, loaded their firearms under their capes and fired into the enemy ranks. Two companies of infantry surrendered to the dragoons.
In 1814 the dragoons gave away their long muskets for the infantry.
Sappers
In February 1808 Napoleon gave each dragoon regiment 8 sappers.
They wore red eppaulettes and bearskins but with no front plate.
Emmanuel marquis Grouchy (1766-1847)
"A thin-skinned man, reluctant to assume responsibility
yet conscientious in discharging it. ...
He was far superior to Murat in tactical skill,
administrative ability, and common sense."
One of the most known dragoons was Emmanuel Grouchy. John Elting writes: " [he] was of the ancient chivalry of France, his family acknowledged aristocracy from at least the 14th Century. ... From the first it was clear that he was 'a horseman by nature and cavalry soldier by instinct.' Better, he knew how to handle forces of all arms and took good care of his men. When he was suspeneded in 1793 because he was an aristocrat, his troopers came close to mutiny. ... Grouchy's correspondence shows a thin-skinned man, reluctant to assume responsibility yet conscientious in discharging it. Actually he was abler than he realized. He failed to show the necessary initiative during Waterloo but, left isolated after that battle, managed a masterful retreat. As a cavalryman, he was far superior to Murat in tactical skill, administrative ability, and common sense. Clean-handed and very courageous ..."
In 1806 and at Jena, Grouchy led 2nd Dragoon Division (10th, 11th, 13th and 22nd Dragoons). In 1809 at Wagram, he led Dragoon Division [Brigade ?] (7th, 30th Dragoons, and la Reine Dragoons) against the Austrians. When Blankenstein Hussars routed Jacquinot's cavalry Grouchy's dragoons, in turn, routed the hussars. Hohenzollern Cuirassiers and O'Reilly Chevauxlegeres came and then forced back the dragoons. But it was Grouchy who had the last reserve and he drove off the Austrian horse. In 1812 in Borodino, Emmanuel Grouchy commanded the III Cavalry Corps (4 dragoon, 3 chasseur, and 1 hussar regiment. He also had three German regiments).
Uniforms
but was a not very fancy.
The dragoons wore green coats, white breeches and tall black boots.
The distinctive headgear of the dragoons was their brass, neo-Grecian style, helmet with its black horsehair. Troopers had a brown fur turban around it, officers an imitation leopard skin. The dragoons wore insygnia of elite troops, but only a flaming grenade on coat-tails and saddlecloth.
Uniforms of French dragoon regiments.
No.
At Waterloo Sir Ponsonby together with his adjutant, Mjr Reignolds
made a dash to own line, and a French lancer began pursuing them.
While they were crossing a plowed field, Ponsonby's horse got stuck
in the mud and in an instant, the lancer was upon him.
Ponsonby threw his saber away and surrendered.
Reignolds came to his aid, but the lancer compelled both of them
to dismount under the threat of his lance. At that moment, a group
of Scots Grays happened to pass a short distance away, saw the three
and galloped shouting in their direction with the idea of liberating
Sir Ponsonby. "In a flash, the Frenchman killed the general and his
major with 2 blows of his lance then charged the oncoming dragoons
striking down 3 in less than a minute. The others abandoned the combat
completely incapable of holding their own ..."
A. Barbero - "The Battle"
"The Polish lancer, as well as the French lancer distinguished himself
by his elegant appearance; but the looks of this last were softer
and the colors of his origin moderated,
in respect to the military roughness of the first figure."
- St. Hilaire
Picture: officer of 1st Lancer Regiment in parade uniform
in 1812-1814. Picture by S.Letin.
St.Hilaire writes: "The Polish lancer, as well as the French lancer distinguished himself by his elegant appearance; but the looks of this last were softer and the colors of his origin moderated, in respect to the military roughness of the first figure. As brave as the Polish lancer, the French lancer had a lively mood; he was more sober especially in his way of living, while the intemperance of Polish had become proverbial in the army."
The Poles were acknowledged to be the finest lancers in Europe and Russia, Prussia and Austria recruited their uhlan units from among the Polish subjects. It was followed by an imitative creation of lancer regiments all across Western Europe (France, Germany and even the British got around to it after Napoleonic wars).
Before the Russian campaign Napoleon wanted to oppose the Cossacks who were nimble, tough warriors.
The 1st, 3rd, 8th, 9th, 10th and 29th Dragoons were converted to 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th Lancers. The Vistula Uhlans and the Old Guard Lancers sent their troopers as instructors to the newly formed French units. Colonel of the Vistula Uhlans, Jan Konopka, became Chief Inspector of Training for the newly formed French lancer regiments.
Once trained by the Poles the regiments received tough lot of French officers "such as Perquit... who didn't recognize any danger." (Elting - "Swords Around a Throne")
The 7th and 8th Lancers were formed from Poles, by conversion of the 1st and 2nd Vistula Uhlans. They wore their traditional Polish style uniforms (no helmets). The 9th Regiment was considered also Polish but actually it was made of Germans and small number of Poles and Frenchmen. This regiment was formed by conversion of the 30th Chasseurs. "The 9th Regiment was raised in 1811 in Hamburg and initially had green uniforms with chamois facings. In 1813 the basic uniform colour turned to dark blue as for the 7e and 8r regiments, but with its own facings in chamois." (- Dr. E. M. Theewen)
Only few lancers served in 1812 in Russia. There was however much more to do for them in 1813 in Saxony and in 1814 in France. The French lancers fought with success at Dresden and Leipzig .
In 1815 at Quatre Bras the lancers created havoc among the Netherlands and British troops. Peter Hofschroer writes: "... squares of British infantry held off the French cavalry at first, but the square of the 42nd was broken and the 44th was thrown into disorder, the colour of the 44th being fought over. ... The Prince of Orange was caught in the rout, but was saved by the speed of his mount... [Wellington] with his steed also helping to extract him from similarly precarious position." (- Hofschroer "1815: The Waterloo Campaign")
Sergeant Anton of the 42nd Highland recorded the attack of the lancers: "Marshal Ney ... observed our wild unguarded zeal, and ordered a regiment of lancers to bear down upon us. We saw their approach at a distance, as they issued from a wood, and took them for Brunswickers coming to cut up the flying [French] infantry ... a German [KGL] orderly dragoon galloped up, exclaiming 'Franchee ! Franchee !' and, wheeling about, galloped off. We instantly formed a rallying square; no time for particularity: every man's musket was loaded, and our enemies approached at full charge; the feet of their horses seemed to tear up the ground. ... our brave Colonel [Sir Robert Macara] fell at this time, pierced through the chin until the point reached his brain. Captain Menzies fell covered with wounds. ... The grenadiers [of 42nd Highland], whom he commanded, pressed round to save or avenge him, but fell beneath the enemies lances." The official report of the Hanoverian brigade described the action that soon followed: "... Verden Battalion was not able to fall back quickly enough and was largely ridden down or taken prisoner."
In 1815 at Genappe, Colonel Surd of 2e Lanciers, was badly wounded by the British cavalry. His arm was amputated by surgeon Larrey. But Surd insisted on maintaining command of his regiment and in fact led his men all day long against the Prussians at Plancenoit.
In the memoirs of Waterloo, the French lancers, galloping at will over the battlefield, sending saber-armed cavalry fleeing before them, and calmly stopping to finish off the wounded without even having to dismount, appear as an image of horror. Wyndham of the Scots Grays saw the lancers pursuing British dragoons who had lost their mounts and were trying to save themselves on foot. He noted the ruthlessness of the lancers' pursuit and watched them cut their victims down. Some British cavalrymen on foot slipped in the mud and tried to ward off the lance blows with their hands but without much success.
In the Battle of Waterloo, Sir Ponsonby together with his adjutant, Major Reignolds made a dash to own line, and a French lancer quickly began pursuing them. While they were crossing a plowed field, Ponsonby's horse got stuck in the mud in an instant, the lancer was upon him. Ponsonby threw his saber away and surrendered. Reignolds came to his aid, but the lancer compelled both of them to dismount under the threat of his lance. At that moment, a small group of Scots Grays happened to pass a short distance away, saw the three, and galloped shouting in their direction with the idea of liberating Sir Ponsonby. "In a flash, the Frenchman killed the general and his brigade major with 2 blows of his lance, then boldly charged the oncoming dragoons striking down 3 in less than a minute. The others abandoned the combat, completely incapable of holding their own against the enemy's deadly weapon." (Barbero - "The Battle" p 163)
Weapons.
Giving lances to poorly trained men
didn't make them good lancers.
They were rather 'men with sticks' than lancers.
Mastery with lance required training and strong hand. "It took a lot of extra training to produce a competent lancer. A British training manual produced some years after Waterloo stated that he had to master 55 different exercises with his lance - 22 against cavalry, 18 against infantry, with 15 general ones thrown in for good measure." (Adkin - "The Waterloo Companion" p 247)
Giving lances to poorly trained men didn't make them good lancers, they were 'men with sticks' not lancers. Lancer was a formidable opponent. Before World War I Mr. Wilkinson "have watched and recorded hundreds of competitions between men equally experts in the use of their weapons but lance won by the every large majority of them."
In 1813 the 125-men strong company of French lancers (regiment had 4-8 companies) was armed as follow:
in 1st rank
The dragoons and the chasseurs were
the most numerous French cavalry.
Napoleon's escort was made of chasseurs.
Horse Chasseurs [Chasseurs-�-Cheval]
They thought being equal to hussars,
the hussars however thought otherwise.
The dragoons and the chasseurs were the most numerous French cavalry. The horse chasseurs [chasseurs-a-cheval] were light cavalry and were often brigaded with the hussars. The most famous was the Infernal Brigade (9th Hussars, 7th and 20th Chasseurs) commanded by General Colbert. Two other brigades worth mention are Col. Soult's Brigade (8th Hussars, 16th and Chasseurs) and Gen. Pajol's Brigade (5th and 7th Hussars, 3rd Chasseurs).
The chasseurs-�-cheval thought being equal to hussars, the hussars however thought otherwise. Frequent quarrels arose between the two on the most triffling pretext.
Some of the chasseurs were reckless bravados - in 1809 an officer of 20th Chasseurs dismounted so that he could go a little toward the enemy in order to relieve nature. When he was standing with his legs apart and facing the Austrians, a cannonball hit him killing on the spot.
"Among the bravest chasseurs in the regiment was reckoned a corporal of the Elite Company who, when he was only a trumpeter, and barely at the age of 15, made captive with his own hand a gigantic dragoon of [Austrian] Latour regiment." ( Parquin - "Napoleon's Victories")
Many chasseurs kept their hair braided like the hussars and were proud of their mustaches. Charles Parquin of 20th Chasseurs was not so lucky in this aspect, he wrote: "to my grief, my moustache had refused to grow despite constant encouragement with the razor." ;=)
In 1798 the Directorate had 22 regiments of chasseurs before Napoleon increased their numbers. In 1804 there were 24 regiments, and in 1811 as many as 31 regiments. Only in 1815 were 15 regiments.
In no other branch of cavalry served so many foreigners, six regiments of chasseurs were formed of foreigners:
16th - Belgians.
19th - Swiss, later of Italians.
26th - formed in 1802 of Italians.
27th - formed in 1808 of Belgians and Germans.
28th - formed in 1808 of Italians.
30th - formed in Feb 1811 of Germans,
(in June this unit became 9th Lancers)
There were several reasons why the Emperor formed so many regiments of chasseurs. Their uniforms were cheaper than hussars' outfits and their horses were cheaper than cuirassiers' mounts. The chasseurs were also capable of dismounted action, like the dragoons.
Some regiments were trained for several months (at least in 1805) to handle the cannons. Although they "we never had the opportunity of using the talent which we acquired" (- Charles Parquin of 20th Chasseurs.)
Chasseurs were probably the most universal type of French cavalry. Napoleon's escort was formed of seasoned veterans selected from all the chasseur regiments.
The chasseurs were also capable of charging in a pitched battle.
In 1805 at Austerlitz 5th and 26th Chasseurs captured Allies flag.
In 1809 at Wagram, Colbert's 'Infernal Brigade' (9th Hussars, 7th and 20th Chasseurs) rushed against Austrian infantry. The 7th Chasseurs was greeted with musket volley and fell back. Colbert was seriously wounded. The 20th Chasseurs moved against the square that had just repulsed the 7th. Despite having emptied their muskets the infantrymen were standing firm. The chasseurs however attacked and broke the square. Other square was broken by the 9th Hussars. Now Oudinot advanced against Wagram and took it.
On June 14th 1812 part of the Russian Yamburg Dragoons covered the distance of 105 verst from the village of Zbegi, through Shaty, Zheimy to Vepry, all without sleep and feeding the horses. Two young Russian officers led two squadrons of the Yambourg Dragoons as they ran into a body of French chasseurs and accepted the battle. Most of the Russians were either killed, wounded, or taken prisoners. (Krestovski - �Istoriya 14-go Ulanskago Yamburskago Eya Imperatorskago Vysochestva Velikoi Knyazhny Marii Aleksandrovny Polka� St. Petersburg 1873, pages 180-182)
The chasseurs however were best suited to reconnaissance duties and small warfare. On 8th February 1814 a half squadron of 31st Chasseur captured 150 Austrian infantry near Massimbona. Another squadron captured 300 infantry between Marengo and Roverbella. Even the scouts of the regiment did something to be proud of, they captured an Austrian baggage column, which was moving into Villafranca with its escort. (Nafziger and Gioannini - "The Defense of the Napoleonic Kingdom of Northern Italy, 1813-1814" pp 160-162)
There were also few failures in this type of warfare. De Rocca writes: "Not far from the village of Mia Casas, the Spaniards had placed several squadrons of their best cavalry in ambush, this chosen cavalry fell unawares upon the chasseurs of our advanced guard, who were marching without order ... Our horsemen were overpowered by numbers ... and, in less than 10 minutes, our enemies completely destroyed upwards of 150 of the bravest of our 10th Regiment. ... We arrived too late; we saw nothing but the cloud of dust at a distance, which the retiring Spaniards left behind them. The colonel of the 10th was endeavouring to rally his chasseurs, and tearing his hair at the sight of the wounded strewed here and there over a pretty considerable space of ground."
The chasseurs had problems especially with the Cossacks in 1812. "Each morning it's the light cavalry, joined by Murat in person, that opens the march, the hussar and chasseur regiments ... Day after day the Russian rearguard carries out the same maneuvre. By pretending to make a stand, it lures Murat into mounting a full scale attack - and then melts away into forests. Towards midday the heat becomes intolerable; and the chasseurs and hussars 'seeing the Russians dismount, unbridle their horses and give them something to eat. Yet General St. Germaine kept us standing in battle array, bridle on arm, at our horses' heads. (Britten-Austin - "1812 The March on Moscow" p 124)
In the Battle of Ostrovno the 16th Chasseurs withheld its volley until the Cossacks were 30 paces away. Despite the fire the enemy closed with the chasseurs and drove them back. Only the intervention of Murat�s cavalry allowed the chasseurs to take refuge behind the 53rd Ligne and in the ravive. The Russians attempted to go after the chasseurs but the steady musketry from the 53rd Ligne repulsed them several times.
Uniforms and Weapons.
Picture: French light cavalry sabre and scabbard (1802). Photo from Military Heritage >
In early campaigns the chasseurs-a-cheval were armed with two types of sabers: a la husarde and a la chasseur. Both weapons were replaced by light cavalry saber Pattern XI. It was a good weapon, with a slightly curved blade.
Picture: French cavalry carbine from Military Heritage >
The chasseurs were armed also with carbines and bayonets. The bayonets were disliked by cavalrymen, they were used for digging up the potatoes and then threw away.
The chasseurs wore shakos, green coats, green breeches and short boots. The elite companies wore colpacks instead of shakos. In 1812 was ordered to replace the colpacks with shakos with red bands and shevrons.
Chasseurs' legwears:
- the green tight breeches were also called parade trousers or culotte hongroise
- the overalls made of rough, unbleached cloth were called stable trousers or pantalons d'ecurie.
- the color or gray trousers with leather reiforcement were called campaign trousers or charivari. There were several types of the campaign trousers. See below:
LEFT: during campaign and in battle the Guard chasseurs wore dark green trousers, strengthened with black leather on the inside and around the bottoms. The trousers were closed on the outside by 18 buttons sewn on scarlet bands.
RIGHT: in 1808 new trousers were introduced. They were without the closures and buttons on outside of each seam. Instead each seam was covered by 2 orange stripes (golden for officers). In 1811 the leather reinforcements were replaced by an layer of green cloth.
In 1812 after the campaign in Russia the grey overalls became more popular than ever. Many were made of so-called 'Marengo-grey' cloth with black leather reinforcements and 2 crimson stripes along each outside seam. The grey overalls were cheaper and more practical as the chasseurs were light cavalry and participated in numerous marches and counter-marches, scoutings, often in bad weather. In my opinion it was the most practical legwear for light cavalry. It was used in 1813 and 1814 ( Dresden , Leipzig , Craonne, La Rothiere , Arcis sur Aube, Paris ).
Before the Waterloo Campaign however the old-style , side-buttoned green overalls have been resurrected. These items came from regiment's depot stores. The side-buttoned overalls had proved to be more trouble than they were worth but the light cavalry liked them. White or grey overalls were good enough for heavy cavalry but not for the flamboyant hussars and chasseurs.
General Montbrun.
"Very tall, scarred, and soldierly,
with an eye that compelled obedience ..."
- John Elting
One of the most known chasseurs was Montbrun. Louis-Pierre Montbrun (1770-1812) joined the cavalry in 1789 in the age of 19. According to Terry J. Senior of napoleon-series.org "This soldier was a superb equestrian, with a brilliant sword arm, and a terrific combat record. He possessed an exceptional talent for controlling large formations of mixed cavalry. Rated ahead of LaSalle on the basis that he was less headstrong and more calculating than the legendary hussar commander."
Elting writes: "Montbrun was a worthy comrade. Very tall, scarred, and soldierly, with an eye that compelled obedience, active and tireless, he had risen from private to colonel of the 1st Chasseurs-a-Cheval. Davout got him promoted to general of brigade. He was at once prudent and reckless, careful of the lives of his men yet a driving, aggressive leader. In August 1812 he was suffering an attack of gout when the Russians attempted a counteroffnsive; unable to pull on his boots, he rode to the rescue in his stocking feet. A month later at Borodino a chance cannon shot killed him."
In 1809 at Raab "Montbrun led 1st Chasseurs-a-Cheval in a spirited charge that routed the few remaining Austrian cavalry defending the Austrian left flank." (Arnold - "Napoleon Conquers Austria") At Wagram, Montbrun commanded Cavalry Division (1st, 2nd, 11th and 12th Chasseurs, 5th and 7th Hussars). In 1812 during the Invasion of Russia and in the battle of Borodino, he led the II Cavalry Corps (4 chasseur, 4 cuirassier, 2 carabinier and 1 lancer regiment. He also had two German and one Polish regiments).
Colonels 1804-1815
The hussars had the cleanest bodies and the filthiest minds.
There was a saying: "The hussars were loved by every wife
and hated by every husband".
Hussars
For the hussars "The wolrd was divided by them into two parts,
the happy zone, in which the vine grows, and the detestable zone,
which is without it." - Albert-Jean-Michel de Rocca, 2e Hussars
The hussar-mania contaminated France after sweeping over Europe. The dash of attire and behaviour of Hungarian hussars displayed on the battlefields in the service of Austria certainly made the best impression, and in due time the French army started changing her cavalry regiments into hussars, in dress and in title. Lynn writes: "The last type of horsemen to join the ranks of the French cavalry were hussars, a form of mounted unit composed of Hungarian light cavalry who forged their methods of combat fighting against the Turks. Hussars were true light cavalry, used best for raiding and scouting. ... The first genuine French hussar regiment was raised in 1692 from Imperial deserters, and by 1710, the French counted 3 regiments of these often outlandish cavalry, regarded by some more as thieves on horseback than as true cavalrymen." (Lynn - "Giant of the Grand Siecle" p 492)
In 1798 the Directorate had twelve hussar regiments.
In 1803 the 11th and 12th Hussars became 29th and 30th Dragoons.
In 1804 were ten hussar regiments numbered 1st-10th.
In 1810 the 11th Hussars was reraised from Dutch 2nd Hussars.
In February 1813 the 12th Hussars was reraised from the 9th Bis Hussars
(which was made of detached squadrons).
Between Jan and Dec 1813 existed 13th Hussars.
This unit fought well and suffered heavily.
It was disbanded and its remnants were put into
new 14th Hussars formed in Northern Italy in 1813.
Majority of them were Italians. The 13th Hussars was reraised
in January 1814 from Hussars of Jerome Bonaparte.
In 1815 (Waterloo Campaign) however there were only seven hussar regiments.
Photo: Hussar of Lasalle's "Hellish Brigade." Reenactor group 7eme Hussards.
Hussars' overbearing arrogance, their military pride, the fastidiously sensitive brutality of their honor, had an intensity hard to realize today. The hussars considered themselves as better horsemen and swordsmen than everybody else. They liked to sing songs that insulted dragoons and considered themselves distinctly more dashing than chasseurs.
In combat the hussars rode yelling most unearthly, cursing and brandishing their weapons. They had their own code - that of reckless curage that bordered on a death wish. The hussars were the eyes, ears and � egos of the army.
With their look suitably piratical their hair plaited and queued they were one heck of mean buggers. Some regiments were composed of fellows who had a natural longing for a fight.
The mutually supporting camaraderie of the hussars was important factor of their esprit de corps. Tactically they were used as scouts and screen for other troops and due to their combativeness were also used in pitched battles. It was not a rare sight to see a hussar in a forefront of a hack-and-slash melee, gripping his reins with his teeth, a pistol in one hand and saber in the other.
Guindey was quartermaster of the blue-clad 10th Hussars. He became fomous for killing Prussian Prince Louis Ferdinand at Saalfeld. As a prominent leader of the Prussian court war-party, his death was grievously felt. King of Prussia told his generals afterward: "You said that the French cavalry was worthless, look what their light cavalry has done to us! Imagine what their cuirassiers will do!" Guindey was awarded and transfered to the Horse Gerenadiers of the Imperial Guard.
In 1805 at Austerlitz the 2nd Hussars captured Allies flag. The 2nd Hussars was a famous unit. Raised in 1734 by Count Esterhazy, this regiment took the name Chamborant from its colonel. "The color of its uniform, a most distinctive chestnut-brown with sky-blue facings and breeches, was reputedly suggested by Marie Antoinnette who remarked upon the color of the habit of a passing monk when Chamborant asked what color she would suggest for the uniform of his regiment." (Philip Haythornthwaite)
The 1st Hussars was not worse than the 2nd Hussars. In 1806 before the battle of Jena the Guard cavalry had not yet arrived in time and the 1st had acted as the Emperor's body guard.
In 1809, with an escort of hussars - Napoleon had given the 7th Hussars this honor - Empress Marie-Louise traveled to France to meet her husband. Everything about the journey was heavy with ceremony and when they arrived in Paris the artillery (and Paris journals :-) made a terrific noise.
The 5th and 7th Hussars formed Lasalle's legendary Hellish Brigade with Colonels Francois-Xavier Schwarz and Ferdinand-Daniel Marx as regimental commanders. In 1806 After the victorious battles of Jena and Auerst�dt, Lasalle participated in the pursuit of the Prussians. His two regiments, total of 600-900 men, bluffed the great Prussian fortress of Stettin with 180 guns and a garrison of 5,000 men. into surrender !
(Overjoyed Napoleon made comment: � Si votre cavalerie l�g�re prend ainsi des villes fortes, il faudra que je licencie mon g�nie et que je fasse fondre mes grosses pi�ces. � )
Although adventure and war were the breath of their nostrils they were also boasters, as no troops are invincible. The hussars had their own share of defeats. In 1807 at Golymin General Lasalle led "Hellish Brigade" against Russian artillery (battery of 12-15 guns). The hussars charged with vigor but then were abruptly seized with panic. The two regiments turned about and, in an indescribable disorder officers and men mixed, stampeded back to the rear. "Of the whole brigade only the elite company of the 7e Hussars, placed immediately behind the generals, remained firmly at their posts." (Dupont - "La panique de Golymin" Cavaliers d'�pop�e.)
Lasalle was furious. He rode after them, halted and brought them back. Lasalle kept them within a short range from the Russian guns as punishment for their earlier behavior. Now nobody dared to leave his post.
One of the most known cowards was squadron leader of the 5th Hussars "whose colonel had even undertaken in General Montbrun's presence to issue him with a certificate of officerly cowardice any day he asked for it. Several times he'd let his men charge without accompanying them. At Inkovo [Russia] he'd even slid from his horse and surrendered !" (Britten-Austin - "1812 The March on Moscow" p 381)
Picture: two French hussars and a girl. Picture by S.Letin.
The hussars had the cleanest bodies and the filthiest minds. There was a saying: "The hussars were loved by every wife and hated by every husband". The women loved their colorful, elegant uniforms.
.
Antoine Charles Louis, comte de Lasalle (1775 � 1809)
Lasalle was utterly brave, loving danger, laughing at his own hardships,
frequently charging with a long pipe instead of a saber in his hand.
Only Murat was more popular among the French cavalry.
The most famous hussar commander was General Antoine-Charles Lasalle, "the man for high adventure and reckless deeds.
In 1806 after the Battle of Jena, with only 900 hussars at his back and no weapon heavier than their popgun carbines, he bluffed the great fortress of Stettin, with 200 guns and a garrison of 5,000 men, into surrender.
... He had no enemies and rode with open heart and open hand. Utterly brave, loving danger, laughing at his own hardships, frequently charging with a long pipe instead of a saber in his hand, he had too much heart and too little head to handle masses of cavalry, and so got himself uselessly killed at the end of day at Wagram ...
His trick of the trade was to charge at the trot, holding his men solidly in hand to meet an enemy exhausted from galloping." (Elting, - p 163)
Lasalle wore striking uniform, admired by all hussars. It was an ultimate showoff. His horse was one of the best in the French Empire. Only Murat was more popular among the French cavalry.
In 1806-7 Lasalle commanded the Hellish Brigade (5th and 7th Hussars). In 1807 he led II Cavalry Corps (the I Cavalry Corps was under Murat). In 1809 and at Wagram Lasalle commanded Cavalry Division (8th Hussars, 13th, 16th and 24th Chasseurs).
Colonels 1804-1815
sky blue
sky blue
From left to right: 2nd, 4th, 7th, and 9th Hussar Regiment in 1807-1812. Pictures by Andre Jouineau.
2nd Hussar Regiment: 4 battle honors, 45 combats
4th Hussar Regiment: 5 battle honors,
7th Hussar Regiment: 5 battle honors, 51 combats, part of Lasalle's 'Hellish Brigade'
9th Hussar Regiment: 4 battle honors,
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Best Cavalry Regiments.
Picture: Hussar. "Napoleon's Cavalry Recreated in Color Photographs" by Maughan
The light cavalry enjoyed reputation for bravery and an uninhibited joie-de-vivre when not. There were many excellent regiments of light cavalry, including the 1st Husards, 2nd Husards, 5th Chasseurs-a-Cheval or any of the lancer regiments.
NCO Guindey of 10th Hussars killed Prince Louis Ferdinand of Prussia. NCO Pawlikowski of Vistula Uhlans captured Prince Liechtenstein.
The heavy cavalry was not worse. In 1809 arriving at Ratisbon, the 2nd Cuirassiers took part in a fight with the Austrian Merveldt Uhlan Regiment first and then against the Hohenzollern and Ferdinand Cuirassier Regiments. Charged three times, the Austrians were routed, the 2nd Cuirassiers took 200 prisoners fortified in a village.
In Spain the French dragoons and chasseurs had their hands full with the Spanish guerillas and the British cavalry. Costello of British 95th Rifles writes: "... a loud cheering to the right attracted our attention, and we perceived our 1st Dragoons charge a French cavalry regiment. As this was the first charge of cavalry most of us had ever seen, were were all naturally much interested on the occassion. The French skirmishers who were also extended against us seemed to partiicipate in the same feeling as both parties suspended firing while the affair of dragoons was going on. The English and the French cavalry met in the most gallant manner, and with the greatest show of resolution. The first shock, when they came in collision, seemed terrific, and many men and horses fell on both sides. They had ridden through and past each other, and now they wheeled round again. This was followed by a second charge, accompanied by some very pretty- sabre-practice, by which many saddles were emptied, and English and French chargers were soon galloping about the field without riders. These immediately occupied the attention of the French skirmishers and ourselves, and we were soon engaged in pursuing them, the men of each nation endeavouring to secure the chargers of the opposite one as legal spoil. While engaged in this chase we frequently became intermixed, when much laughter was indulged in by both parties at the different accidents that occured in our pursuit." (Costello - "The Peninsular and Waterloo Campaigns" p 67)
Lancers.
6e Regiment de Chevaulegers-Lanciers
4 Battle Honors: 1812 - La Moskowa, 1813 - Hanau, 1814 - Champaubert, 1815 - Fleurus
16 Battles: 1812 - Krasnoe, Smolensk, Valoutina, La Moskowa, Wiasma, Beresina, 1813 - Jauer, Leipzig, Hanau, 1814 - Champaubert, Montmirail, Vauchamps, Arcis-sur-Aube, Saint-Dizier, 1815 - Fleurus, Waterloo
Note: This regiment was formed in 1811, from the 29e Regiment de Dragons
1er Regiment de Vistule Lanciers (In 1811 the "Vistula Uhlans" were renamed to 7e Lanciers)
0 Battle Honors: it was not French unit so no battle honors. The French 20e Dragoons were awarded with battle honor for Albuera, but not the Vistula Uhlans who took at this battle 5-6 British colors, destroyed British infantry brigade, and captured hundreds of prisoners.
44 Battles: 1798 - Sessa, 1800 - Hohenlinden, 1806 - Naples, Gaete, 1807 - Strigau, Dantzi, Saltzbrun, 1808 - Tudela, Mallen, Alagon, Saragosse, Almaraz, 1809 - Guadalajara, Jevenes, Ciudad-Real, Santa-Cruz, Alenbillas, Talavera, Almonacid, Santa Maria de Nieva, Ocana, 1810 - Sierra Morena, Baza, Arquillos, Orgas, Tortosa, Almanzor and Lorca, 1811 - Cor, Albuera, Olivenza, Baza, Berlanga, 1813 - Magdebourg, Naumbourg, Bautzen, Dresden, Pirna, Leipzig, Hanau, 1814 - Montereau, Neuilly-Saint-Front, Chalons, Chartres
Note: The uhlans defeated Prussians at Strigau, Austrians at Hohenlinden, at Mallen and Tudela trounced the Spaniards, at Albuera and Talavera routed the British, in 1813 it was turn for the Russians. No other light cavalry regiment participated in so many combats, in so different terrain and climate, took so many Colors and prisoners and fought even after Napoleon;s abdication. NCO Pawlikowski of Vistula Uhlans captured Prince Liechtenstein. During the Siege of Saragossa they climbed down from their saddles and stormed the entrenched enemy camp. The 1st Vistula Uhlans were nicknamed "The Picadors of the Hell."
8e Regiment de Chevaulegers-Lanciers
4 Battle Honors: 1812 - Polotzk, 1813 - Bautzen, Dresden, 1814 - Champaubert
9 Battles: 1812 - Jakubowo, Polotsk, La Beresina, 1813 - Lutzen, Bautzen, Kulm, Dresden, Leipzig, 1814 - Champaubert
Note: This brave regiment existed only 2.5 years. It was formed in May 1811, from the 2e Regiment de Vistula Lanciers which had been formed in France (not in Poland). In January 1814 this regiment was disbanded.
Colonels: Baron Lubienski, general in 1814
Hussars.
2e Regiment de Hussards
4 Battle Honors: 1798 - Honschoote, 1805 - Austerlitz, 1807 - Friedland, 1809 - Medellin
45 Battles: 1792 - Grisvelle, Verton, La Croix-aux-Bois, Grand-Pre, Montcheutin, Valmy, Jemmapes, 1793 - La Roche, Hondschoote, Landrecies, Wissembourg, Edelsheim, 1794 - Marolles, Fleures, Mons, Anderhoven, 1795 - Capture of Dutch Fleet at Texel (ext.link), Schwalbach, Kreutznach, 1796 - Burg Eberach, 1797 - Passage of the Rhine at Neuwied 1799 - Mannheim, Engen, Hirchberg, 1800 - Dillerich, Bopfingen, Kelheim, Germersheim, 1803 - Nienberg, 1805 - Austerlitz, 1806 - Halle, Crewitz, Mohrungen, 1807 - Osterode, Friedland, 1809 - Medllin, Alcabon, 1810 - Ronda, Sierra de Cazala, 1811 - La Gerboa, Los Santos Albuhera, 1812 - Somanis, 1813 - Leipzig, 1814 - Montereau, 1815 - Belfort
4e Regiment de Hussards
5 Battle Honors: 1794 - Fleurus, 1800 - Hohenlinden, 1805 - Austerlitz, 1807 - Friedland, 1813 - Sagonte
36 Battles: 1792 - Valmy, La Croix-aux-Bois, 1793 - Maestricht, Aldenhoven, Tirlemont, Hondschoote, Wattingnies, 1794 - Fleures, 1795: Langenheim, 1796 - Blockade of Mayence, 1797 - Passage of the Rhine Neuwied, 1799 - Altiken, Winterthur, Zurich, 1800 - Neubourg, Ampfingen, Hohenlinden, 1805 - Austerlitz, 1806: Jena, Lubeck, 1807 - Liebstadt , Mohrungen, 1809 - Alcanitz, Belchite, 1811 - Stella, Chiclana, Sagonte, 1813 - Yecla, Col d'Ordal, 1813 - Gross Beeren, Leipzig, 1814 - Lons-le-Saulnier, Saint Georges, Lyon, 1815 - Ligny, Waterloo
5e Regiment de Hussards
5 Battle Honors: 1792 - Jemmapes, 1806 - Jena, 1809 - Eckmuhl, 1812 - Borodino, 1813 - Hanau
32 Battles: 1792 - Valmy, Jemmapes (as 6th Hussar Regiment), 1793 - Wattignies, 1794 - Blockade of Nimegue, 1795 - Capture of Dutch Fleet at Texel (ext.link), 1797 - Neuwied, 1799 - Ostrach, Stockach, 1800 - Mosskirch, Biberach, Kirchberg, Hohenlinden, 1805 - Austerlitz, 1806 - Crewitz, Stettin, Golymin, 1807 - Waltersdorf, Eylau, Heilsberg, Konigsberg, 1809 - Eckmuhl, Wagram, 1812 - Borodino, Winkono, Berezina, 1813 - Bautzen, Leipzig, Hanau, 1814 - Arcis-sur-Aube, 1815 - Ligny, Waterloo, Versailles
Note: This regiment was part of the legendary 'Hellish Brigade' under General Lasalle.
Colonels and chef-de-brigade: 1793 - Ruin, 1794 - Scholtenius, 1794 - Schwartz, 1806 - Dery, 1809 - Meuziau, 1813 - Fournier, 1814 - Liegeard
7e Regiment de Hussards
5 Battle Honors: 1806 - Jena, 1807 - Heilsberg, 1812 - Borodino, 1813 - Hanau, 1814 - Vauchamps
51 Battles: 1793 - Pirmasens, 1794 - Treves, Grevenmachen, Siege of Mayence, 1795 - Mannheim, 1796 - Bopfingen, Neubourg, Villingen, Siege of Kehl, Lichtenau, 1798 - Soleure, Berne, Coure, Einsieden, 1800 - Engen, Nesselwangen, Feldkirch, Salzbourg, 1805 - Mariazell, Affleng, Austerlitz, 1806 - Gera, Zehbenick, Prentzlow, Stettin, Lubeck, Czenstowo ?, Golymin, 1807 - Eylau, Heilsberg, Konigsberg, 1809 - Peising, Ratisbone, Raab, Wagram, Znaim, 1812 - Vilna, Smolensk, Ostrowno, Borodino, 1813 - Borna, Altenbourg, Leipzig, Hanau, 1814 - Vauchamps, Montereau, Reims, Laon, Paris 1815 - Fleurus, Waterloo
Note: This regiment was part of the legendary 'Hellish Brigade' under General Lasalle. In 1806 member of this regiment captured Color of Prussian Queen's Dragoon Regiment.
Colonels and chef-de-brigade: 1792 - Lamothe, 1792 - Boyer, 1794 - Marisy, 1803 - Rapp, 1803 - Marx, 1806 - Colbert, 1809 - Custine, 1810 - Eulner, 1814 - Marbot
Chasseurs.
5e Regiment de Chasseurs-�-Cheval
4 Battle Honors: 1799 - Zurich, 1800 - Hohenlinden, 1805 - Austerlitz, 1807 - Friedland
86 Battles: 1792 - Valmy , 1793 - Pellemberg, Bliebech, Corblech, Dunkerque, Propinghen, Honschoote, Furnes, 1794 - Lannoy, Tournai, Mont-Cassel, Tourcoing, Pont-�-Chin, Zonnebech, Hooglede, Oudenarde, Gand, Alost, Breda, Boxtel, Passage of the Meuse, Nimegue, 1795 - Driel, Nieuw-Schanz, 1796 - Camp de Mulheim, Cologne, 1797 - Mayennce, 1798 - Ostende, Herenthals, Breda, 1799 - Ettlingen, Zurzach, Andelfigen, Zurich, Bussingen-Bergan, 1800 - Engen, Moeskirch, Biberach, Ochsenbrunn, Abach, Werth, 1805 - Munich, Wasserbourg, Haag, Austerlitz, 1806 - Schleiz, Furstenberg, Waren, Crewitz, Lubeck, 1807 - Morhungen, Lobau, Krentzberg, and Friedland, 1808 - Pont d'Alcolea, Baylen, Burgos, Somosierra (?), Pont d'Almaras, 1809 - Medellin, Torrigos, Talevera, 1810 - Cadiz, 1812 - Bornos, 1813 - Alembra, El-Coral, Caracuel, Olmeda, Hilesca, Burgos, Vittoria, 1813 - Juterbock, Dennewitz, Mockern, La Partha, Leipzig, Hanau, 1814 - Orthez and Toulouse, 1814 - Remagen, La Chaussee, Mormant, Troyes, Bar-sur-Aube, Sommepuis, Saint- Dizier
Colonels and chef-de-brigade: 1791 - Chevalier de Lameth , 1792 - Monard, 1793 - Richardot, 1793 - De la Noue, 1793 - Poichet dit Prudent, 1800 - Corbineau, 1806 - Bonnemains, 1811 - Baillot, 1814 - Duchastel
22e Regiment de Chasseurs-�-Cheval
5 Battle Honors: 1805 - Ulm, Austerlitz, 1806 - Jena, 1807 - Eylau, Friedland
39 Battles: 1805 - Enns, Botzen, Wischau, Ulm, Austerlitz, 1806 - Jena, Waren, Lubeck, 1807 - Hoff, Eylau, Guttstadt, Heilsburg, Friedland, 1808 - Medina-del-Rio-Seco, Niou, Burgos, 1809 - Hoya, Benavente, Pont-Vedra, Salamanque, 1810 - Astagora, 1811 - Sabugal, 1812 - Arapiles, Pancorbo, Torquemada, Burgos, 1813 - Vittoria, Gross-Beeren, Luchenwald, Wittenburg, Juterbock, Bautzen, Monasterio (Spain), Leipzig, 1814 - Montereau, Orthez, Saint-Dizier, Joigny, Toulouse
Colonels and chef-de-brigade: 1800 - Latour-Maubourg, 1805 - Bordessoule, 1807 - Pieton-Premale, 1808 - Michel dit Defosses
Dragoons.
20e Regiment de Dragons
4 Battle Honors: 1798 - Les Pyramides, 1806 - Jena, 1807 - Friedland, 1811 - Albuhera
54 Battles: 1793 - Siege of Quesnoy, 1794 - Landrecies, Quesnoy, Valenciennes, Aldenhoven, 1796 - Mondovi, Lodi, Castiglone, 1797 - La Favorite, Saint-Georges, Due-Castelli, Castelluchio, Mantoue, 1798 - Alexandrie, Chebreiss, les Pyramides, 1799 - El-Arich, Gaza, Jaffa, Saint-Jean-d'Acre, Mont-Tabor, Aboukir, 1800 - Heliopolis, 1805 - Wertingen, Memmingen, Neresheim, Ulm, Austerlitz, 1806 - Jena and Pultusk, 1807 - Eylau, Heilsberg, Friedland, 1808 - Andujar and Tudela, 1809 - Ucles, Ciudad-Real, Almonacid, Ocana, Salamanca, Pampelune, Tamames, 1811 - Albuera, 1813 - Leipzig, Dresden, and Hanau, 1814 - S.Dizier, Brienne, La Rothiere, Mormont, Monterau, Troyes, 1815 - Ligny, Waterloo
Colonels and chef-de-brigade: 1793 - Gontran , 1797 - Boussart, 1800 - Reynaud, 1807 - Corbineau, 1811 - Desargus, 1815 -Briqueville
Cuirassiers and carabiniers
1er Regiment de Cuirassiers
4 Battle Honors: 1792 - Jemmapes, 1805 - Austerlitz, 1807 - Eyau, 1812 - Borodino
49 Battles: 1792: Jemmapes, Anderlecht, Tirelemont, 1793: Maestricht, La Roer, Nerwinden, Maubeuge, 1794: Mouscron, Pont-a-Chin, Rousselar, Maline, 1796: Rivoli, Tagliament, 1799: Le Trebbia, La Secchia, Novi, Genola, 1800: Mozambano, 1801: San-Massiano, Verone, 1805: Wertingen, Ulm, Hollabrunn, Raussnitz, Austerlitz, 1806: Jena, Lubeck, 1807: Hoff, Eylau, 1809: Eckmuhl, Ratisbonne, Essling, Wagram, Hollabrunn, Znaim, 1812: La Moskowa, Winkowo, 1813: Katzbach, Leipzig, Hanau, Hambourg, 1814: La Chausee, Vauchamps, Bar-sur-Aube, Sezanne, Valcourt, 1815: Ligny, Genappe, Waterloo
Note: In 1791 the regiment was named the 1er Regiment de Cavalerie, in 1801 became the 1er Regiment de Cavalerie-Cuirassiers, and in 1803 became the 1er Regiment de Cuirassiers.
Colonels and chef-de-brigade: 1791 - de Clermont-Tonnerre, 1792 - Deschamps de la Varenne, 1793 - Doncourt, 1793 - Maillard, 1795 - Severac, 1797 - Juignet, 1798 - Margaron, 1803 - Guiton, 1805 - de Berckheim, 1809 - Clerc, 1814 - de la Mothe Guery, 1815 - Ordener
1er Regiment de Carabiniers-�-Cheval
0 Battle Honors:
42 Battles: 1792 - Valmy, 1793 - Arlon, Bliecastel, Climbach, Wissembourg, 1794 - Tourcoing, Tournay, 1795 - Frankenthal, Mannheim, Biberach, 1800 - Engen, Moeskirch, Augsbourg, Blenheim, Passage of the Danube, Hochstett, Neresheim, Hohenlinden, 1805 - Nurembourg, Austerlitz, 1806 - Prentzlow, Lubeck, 1807 - Ostrolenka, Guttstadt, Friedland, 1809 - Eckmuhl, Ratisbonne, Essling, and Wagram, 1812 - Borodino, Winkowo, Wiazma, 1813 - Dresden, Leipzig, and Hanau, 1814 - Montmirail, La Guillotiere, Troyes, Craonne, Laon, Reims, 1815 - Waterloo
Colonels and chef-de-brigade: 1791 - Valence, 1791 - Meillonas, 1792 - Berruyer, 1792 - Antoine, 1792 - Baget, 1793 - Jaucourt-Latour, 1795 - Girard, 1799 - Cochois, 1805 - Prince Borghese, 1807 - Laroche, 1813 - De Bailliencourt, 1815 - Roge
2e Regiment de Carabiniers-�-Cheval
0 Battle Honors:
42 Battles: 1792 - Valmy, 1793 - Arlon, Bliecastel, Climbach, Wissembourg, 1794 - Tourcoing, Tournay, 1795 - Frankenthal, Mannheim, Biberach, 1800 - Engen, Moeskirch, Augsbourg, Blenheim, Passage of the Danube, Hochstett, Neresheim, Hohenlinden, 1805 - Nurembourg, Austerlitz, 1806 - Prentzlow, Lubeck, 1807 - Ostrolenka, Guttstadt, Friedland, 1809 - Eckmuhl, Ratisbonne, Essling, and Wagram, 1812 - Borodino, Winkowo, Wiazma, 1813 - Dresden, Leipzig, and Hanau, 1814 - Montmirail, La Guillotiere, Troyes, Craonne, Laon, Reims, 1815 - Waterloo
Battle Honors
| Hussar |
How old was Elvis Presley when he died | French Cavalry : Uniforms : Organization : Weapons : Cavalerie fran�aise
during and after the battle,"
- Emperor Napoleon
The force of impact generated by cavalry, provided it was engaged at the proper moment, was out of all proportion to its numbers. Had this not been the case, after all, governments would not have spent so much money on maintaining mounted troops, which represented a heavy cost to the national treasury. A single cavalry regiment consumed 4 metric tons of fodder every day.
"Cavalry is useful before, during and after the battle," wrote Napoleon, and he stressed the need for audacity in its employment and careful training to achieve true discipline. He was also insistent that careful categorization according to role was of great importance... It was some time before the French cavalry reached its full potential, as it had suffered the loss of many officers during the Revolutionary period, but by 1807 it was reaching its prime. The great charges led by Murat at Eylau and Grouchy at Friedland played vital parts in the outcome of these battles." (Chandler - "Dictionary of the Napoleonic Wars" pp 85-86)
"Under Napoleon, the French cavalry were, in contrast to the infantry, far more renowned for their action in masses than for their duty as light troops. They were deemed irresistible, and even Napier admits their superiority over the English cavalry of that day. Wellington, to a certain degree, did the same. And strange to say, this irresistible cavalry consisted of such inferior horsemen ... no soldiers are so careless of their horses as the French." ("The Armies of Europe" in Putnam's Monthly, No. XXXII, published in 1855)
Albert-Jean-Michel de Rocca writes: "The various troops that composed our army, especially the cavalry and infantry, differed extremely in manners and habits. The infantrymen, having only to think of themselves and their muskets, were selfish, great talkers, and great sleepers. ... They were apt to dispute with their officers, and sometimes they were even insolent to them ... They forgot all their hardships the moment they heard the sound of the enemy's first gun.
The hussars and chasseurs were generally accused of being plunderers and prodigal, loving drink and fancying every thing fair while in presence of the enemy. Accustomed, one may almost say, to sleep with an open eye, to have an ear always awake to the sound of the trumpet, to reconnoitre far in advance during a march, to trace the ambuscades of the enemy ... they could not fail to have acquired superior intelligence and habits of independence. Nevertheless, they were always silent and submissive in presence of their officers, for fear of being dismounted. Forever smoking, to pass away his life, the light cavalryman, under his large cloak, braved in every country the rigour of the seasons. The rider and his horse, accustomed to live together, contracted a character of resemblance."
- Napoleon
Theoretical strength of regiment was between 800 and 1.200 men. During campaign the numbers decreased. For example during crossing of the Rhine River (September 1805) eight cuirassier regiments had 484 men per regiment on average. In December at Austerlitz it decreased to 317 men per regiment. (It gives 35 % losses within 4 months. For comparison losses in twenty five regiments of dragoons were 40 % {counted without the foot dragoons}, in seven regiments of hussars 25 % and in nine chasseurs were approx. 32 %.)
Most often regiment had 3 or 4 squadrons. For example at Austerlitz 44 cavalry regiments had 153 squadrons, on average 3.5 squadron per regiment. During the 1812-1813 campaigns there were several regiments 6 or 8 squadrons each. Below is structure of regiment four-squadron strong.
Originally there were 4 Eagles per cavalry regiment of 4 squadrons. In 1806 Napoleon ordered that regiments of chasseurs and hussars deposit all Eagles, dragoons deposit 3 and keep only one in the field and the cuirassiers retain 3 Eagles per regiment. Some regiments of hussars and chasseurs refused to give up their Eagles and in 1809 (and even in 1812 and 1813) they carried 1 in the field. In 1812 generally no squadron fanions were carried in the field, instead were used the small company fanions.
Napoleon said that "squadron will be to the cavalry what the battalion is for infantry." The squadron always consisted of 2 companies, each commanded by a captain. The senior of the captains commanded the squadron. The cavalry strength in battle was expressed in the number of squadrons instead of regiments or divisions.
The strength of cavalry squadron in the field varied between 85 and 250 men. In the begiining of campaign the squadrons were stronger.
In 1809 at Wagram the French had 209 squadrons with an average of 139 men per squadron.
On August 15th 1813, the French army stationed in Germany had the following numbers of cavalrymen:
12.818 chasseurs were in 67 squadrons (9.1 officers and 182 other ranks in squadron)
7.203 hussars in 38 squadrons (8.5 officer and 181 other ranks in squadron)
3.546 lancers in 20 squadrons (10.75 officer and 166 other ranks in squadron)
7.019 dragoons in 45 squadrons (8.33 officer and 148 other ranks in squadron)
5.789 cuirassiers in 40 squadrons (8.6 officer and 136 other ranks in squadron)
Each squadron had 2 companies. In 1805-1807 the wartime company had:
Cuirassiers:
. . . . . . . . . 3 Officers: Captain and 2 Lieutenants (Captain was allowed 3 horses, lieutenant 2 mounts)
. . . . . . . . . 1 Marechal-des-logis Chef (Sergeant-major)
. . . . . . . . . 2 Marechal des logis (Sergeants)
. . . . . . . . . 1 Fourrier
. . . . . . . . . 58 dragoons, chasseurs, lancers or hussars, or 42 cuirassiers
The farriers and fouriers would usually have been kept in the rear.
The 1st Company in every regiment (except cuirassiers and carabiniers) was named Elite Company. Only brave, strong and seasoned men were accepted, and they rode on black horses. Sometimes the elite company was detached from regiment and served as an escort to a marshal. If there was several regiments the marshal took only 15 men from every elite company. Sometimes this was not enough and instead the elite companies were used entire regiments of cavalry. For example in 1812 marshal Berthier and his headquarters were guarded by 28th Chasseur Regiment and Saxon light cavalry. The colonels of cuirassier regiments decided to form elite companies but were reminded that they are elite. They received higher pay, were stronger and taller than other troopers, wore red plumes and epaulettes and had flaming grenade insygnia on coat-tails and saddlecloth.
Sappers were part of the Elite Company. They opened roads, improved campsites and guarded the regimental Eagle. Only hussar and dragoon regiments had sappers (1 sergeant, 1 corporal and 8 privates).
even captured a redoubt, a feat never repeated by any other cavalry.
In the cavalry served more nobles than in any other branch of the army. Majority of the aristocratic officers left France during Revolution and the overall quality of French cavalry had fallen badly. It was Napoleon who made it as an effective force which would have parity with any enemy.
- General Jomini; "When I speak of excellent French cavalry, I refer to its impetous bravery, and not to its perfection; for it does not compare with the Russian or German cavalry either in horsemanship, organization, or in care of the animals."
General Welligton - "I considered our (British) cavalry so inferior to the French from the want of order, that although I considered one squadron a match for two French, I didn't like to see four British opposed to four French: and as the numbers increased and order, of course, became more necessary I was the more unwilling to risk our men without having a superiority in numbers."
In 1812 at Maguilla (Maquilla) took place combat between the French and British cavalry. General Hill detached Penne Villemur's cavalry on the right flank, and General Slade with the [British] 3rd Dragoon Guards and the Royals on the left flank. French General Lallemand came forward with only two dragoon regiments, whereupon Hill, hoping to cut this small force off, placed Slade's British cavalry in a wood with directions to await further orders. Slade forgot his orders and drove the French dragoons beyond the defile of Maquilla. General Slade rode in the foremost ranks and the supports joined tumultuously in the pursuit. But in the plain beyond stood calm Lallemand with small reserve.
He immediately broke the mass of British cavalry, killed and wounded 48 and "pursued the rest for 6 miles, recovered all his own prisoners, and took more than a hundred, inluding two officers, from his adversary" (Napier - "History of the War in the Peninsula 1807-1814" Vol III, p 444)
- Archduke Charles comander-in-chief of the Austrian army - "The French cavalry was, on the whole, poorly mounted and poorly equipped; its men were awkward horsemen. Yet it outclassed its opponents simply because, when order rang out and trumpets clarioned 'Charge !' it put in its spurs and charged all out, charged home !"
- Officer Chlapowski: "The enemy [Hungarian hussars] had charged us 3 or 4 times during this engagement. Some of them would break into our ranks, many passed right through and circled back to regain their lines, and after charge they ended in complete disorganization. The French, on the other hand, although they also lost formation after a charge, kept together far more and every time were quicker to regain order. ... although the Hungarians drove home their attacks with determination, they were harder to reform into some sort of order. The French, on the other hand, knew that their own horses lacked the Austrians' speed and endurance, and would launch their attacks from closer range and so retained formation right to the end of the charge, and regained it more quickly afterwards."
Before the campaigns in 1805 and in 1812 the cavalrymen were intensively trained, supplied with splendid uniforms and horses and armed to teeth. They were enthusiastic and ready to fight. The officers and NCOs were battle hardened veterans. In 1805 the French had established a morale ascendancy over their opponents.
In 1806 and 1807 "The cavalry was excellent and well mounted, though, in the latter respect, they fell short of many Russian cavalry regiments." (Petre - "Napoleon's Campaign in Poland, 1806-1807" pp 27-28)
Much of the revolutionary ardour that had fired the French troops of the 1790s and early 1800s had been quenched by 1808. Napoleon himself sensed a lack of enthusiiasm for the forthcoming campaigns. In 1808-09, for the new war with Austria tens of thousands of new recruits joined the field armies. The influx of conscprits diluted the old ideals of austerity, self-respect and duty. After 1809 drunkenness and indiscipline increased, especially in the cavalry. They were hastily trained. "After 1808 fewer French soldiers received extensive training." (Elting - "Swords Around a Throne" p 534)
Sergeant-Major Thirion described the cuirassiers of 1812 participating in the Invasion of Russia: "Never had more beautiful cavalry been seen ! Never had the regiments (of cuirassiers) reached such high effectives." One of the conscripts wrote: "Oh Father !, this is some army ! Our old soldiers say they never saw anything like it." However the cavalry regiments left on the secondary theaters of war (Italy, Spain, and elsewhere) were of lower quality.
At Borodino the French cavalry captured a redoubt, a feat never repeated by any other cavalry. Colonel Griois watched the cavalry attack: "It would be difficult to convey our feelings as watched this brilliant feat of arms, perhaps without equal in the military annals of nations ... cavalry which we saw leaping over ditches and scrambling up ramparts under a hail of canister shot, and a roar of joy resounded on all sides as they became masters of the redoubt." Meerheimb wrote: "Inside the redoubt, horsemen and foot soldiers, gripped by a frenzy of slaughter, were butchering each other without any semblance of order..."
Murat's Reserve Cavalry numbered 42,000 at Niemen and 18,000 at Smolensk. Before the army reached Moscow it lost half of its strength. After Napoleon left Moscow the situation changed from bad to worse. The debris of the Grand Army which in June 1812 had crossed the Niemen River was now chased back by Cossacks and armed peasants. The Russians captured thousands of POWs. The cavalry was so reduced that it became necessary to form all the officers who were still mounted into four companies of 150 men each. Generals acted as captains; and colonels as corporals. This Sacred Squadron, commanded by General Grouchy, and under the orders of the King of Naples, kept the closest watch over the Emperor.
Many regiments ceased to exist. For example the 5th Regiment of Cuirassiers had 958 men present for duty on June 15th, 1812. On Feb 1st 1813 had only 19 ! The French cavalry never recovered from the massive loss of horses. Nine out of ten cavalrymen who survived walked much of the way home; most of those who rode did so on tiny, but tough, Russian and Polish ponies, their boots scuffing the ground. Napoleon wrote: "I have no army any more! For many days I have been marching in the midst of a mob of disbanded, disorganized men, who wander all over the countryside in search of food." It is estimated that 175.000 excellent horses of cavalry and artillery were lost in Russia ! The Russians reported burning the corpses of 123,382 horses as they cleaned up their countryside of the debris of war. So heavy were the horse losses that one of Napoleon's most serious handicaps in the 1813 campaign was his inability to reconstitute his once-powerful cavalry.
The rebuilding of the cavalry in 1813 was more dificult than infantry and artilery. Shortages of trained cavalrymen, officers, NCOs and war horses were critical. Promotions were rapidly handed out and temporary squadrons were formed. In the beginning of April 1813 General Bourcier gathered 10.000 battle-hardened veterans from 60 regiments spread across the countryside. The cavalry centers were in the cities of Magdeburg and Metz. Horses were coming from northern Germany. During Armistice was more time to train the young troops and many regiments showed improvements in their maneuvers. But they never reached the level of pre-1812.
"Perhaps the worst part of the [French] army of 1813 was its cavalry. In the first part of the war, up to Lutzen, it numbered by 15,000 mostly old soldiers ... It was opposed to a far more numerous cavalry of generally excellent quality, against which it was almost impotent. Later, it was greatly increased in numbers, but the recruits were of very inferior quality and training. On the other hand, the [French] artillery was very good and numerous." (Petre - "Napoleon at War" p 110)
There were too many young soldiers, hastily trained, and hardly 10-20 % of the officers were classed as capable. Retired officers had been recalled, many old NCOs had been promoted lieutenants. Nearly 80 % of the new cavalrymen had never ridden a horse. In Hamburg the young cuirassiers having been ordered to leave on reconnaissance and after few minutes all were dismounted, with their horses running free in the streets.
The Germans laughed openly.
The situation in French cavalry in 1814 was very difficult. Every soldier who could stick on the back of a horse was mounted - some on nags resembling the "four horses of the Apocalypse."
In 1815 (Waterloo Campaign) the French cavalry was impoverished and had considerably scaled back the strength of cavalry regiments. By contrast England had always good horses and the financial means to obtain more of them wherever they might be found. The Russians too had no problems with horses.
as Napoleon purchased huge amounts of horses for his cavalry.
The northern part of France called Normandy was one of the world biggest horse-breeding areas (Studs of Le Pin and St. Lo). Napoleon valued these mounts highly and during reviews often asked colonels how many horses from Normandy they have in their regiments. In 1810 the horse grenadiers of the Guard rode on black horses, 14 1/2 - 15 hands tall, between 4 and 4 1/2 years old and bought in the city of Caen (Normandy) for 680 francs apiece. The German horse breeders from Hananover and Holstein and traders made fortunes as Napoleon purchased huge amounts of horses for his heavy cavalry. The Prussian large mounts were also accepted.
The highest quality horses for light cavalry came from Hungary, southern Russia and Poland. These countries dominated light horse breeding in Europe in XVIII_XIX Century. For light cavalry Napoleon purchased horses from almost every province of France but especially from Ardennes, Taubes and Auvergne. In 1806 many Prussian (Mecklenburgian), Syrian and Turkish horses were purchased.
After victorious war in 1806 Napoleon dismounted the Prussian cavalry, and in 1805 and 1809 dismounted the Austrian cavalry. Thousands of horses were also taken from Saxony, Hannover and Spain. Many horses were purchased or simply taken from Polish farms. After the disaster in Russia in 1812, several Polish cavalry regiments were still in good shape. Especially the Lithuanian uhlans. Napoleon stripped these regiments of all their horses in an effort to remount the cavalry of Imperial Guard. (Nafziger - "Lutzen and Bautzen" p 9)
John Elting wrote about the horsecare in French cavalry: "Too many French were careless horsemasters, turning their animals loose at night into fields of green grain or clover without supervision. Thousands overate and died of the colic. Germans and Poles were more careful."
Britten-Austin described the situation in 1812: "Without a drop of water to drink and only an occassional nibble of wayside grasses, they arrive at the first bivouc utterly spent, collapse, and have to be shot by their riders, who, adding horsemeat to a soup of uncut rye, promptly go down with diarrhea, an affliction not conducive to brilliant exploits on horseback." (Britten-Austin - "1812 The March on Moscow" p 125)
Graf Henkel von Donnersmark writes after the battle of Leipzig: "The captured [French] horse was big but in poor condition, so I exchanged it with a Russian officer for a strong Cossack horse; now I owned 3 such Don mounts. They are excellent for use on campaigns where there are lots of hardships, but they do have some beauty defects."
According to order issued on October 28th 1802 the horses for French cuirassiers and dragoons were to be between 15 1/4 and 15 1/2 hands tall (154.3m-158.3 m). After war in 1805 the minimum height for horses were relaxed, even for the cuirassiers. But when Prussian and Austrian horses were captured and new territories annexed the requirements were heightened. In 1812 the height of horses was as follow:
- cuirassiers and carabiniers - . . . . 155 cm - 160 cm
- dragoons and artillery - . . . . . . . . .153 cm - 155 cm
- chasseurs and hussars - . . . . . . . . 149 cm - 153 cm
- lighthorse-lancers - . . . . . . . . . . . . .146 cm - 150 cm
- Polish uhlans - . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .142 cm - 153 cm
- Polish Krakusi - . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137 cm - 142 cm (nicknamed by Napoleon "my Pygmy Cavalry")
During every campaign there was always a shortage of good cavalry horses. In 1805 between Ulm and Austerlitz the French lacked so many horses that the Emperor sent officers to buy horses "of whatever breed" and color for the cavalrymen.
- The Arabian mounts were not as fast as European warmbloods but they were sure-footed. They were famous for elegance, toughness and almost legendary endurance. Arabian horses were very popular among officers and generals. Napoleon usually rode on Arabian: the snow-white "Euphrates" at Wagram, the dapple-gray "Taurus" in Russia (1812), at Leipzig (1813) and in France (1814), and "Marengo" at Waterloo. Napoleon encouraged the use of Arabians at the French national studs. Almost all European countries mixed their native mounts (coldbloods) with Arabians and getting new breeds (warmbloods). In 1800s the biggest studs of Arabians were founded in Hungary and Poland.
- The Andalusian horse was called "the royal horse of Europe". Many war-leaders rode on the Spanish horses. This is friendly, docile, strongly build, brave (used for bull fighting) and of catlike agility.
- The French horse Comtois of Burgundy was used by the army of King Louis XIV and by Napoleon. Characteristics: hardiness, endurance, good nature and easy to train.
- The French horse Auxois of Burgundy was a powerful one. This mount was a quiet and good natured, used also by artillery.
- The French horse Ardennais was a very popular horse in French cavalry.
- The French horse Percheron was a powerful mount used by heavy cavalry. By XVII Century it attained wide spread popularity. In early XIX Century the French goverment established a stud at le Pin for the development of army mounts. The horse was docile, energetic and of big size.
- The French horse Boulonnais of Flanders enjoyed a great popularity in every European heavy cavalry and among horse dealers. Napoleon purchased thousands of these horses for his cuirassiers.
- The German horse of Frederiksborg enjoyed numerous exports which seriously depleted the stock.
- The Hannoverian horse was used by light artillery and heavy and line cavalry. It was probably the most successful warmblood in Europe. The Hannoverian breeding industry has existed for 400 years. Even today this horse excel in equestrian disciplines of jumping and driving.
- The Holsteiner horse was developed in northern Germany. Their reputation was such that only in 1797 approx. 100.000 horses were exported ! This horse has a good character, is fast and strong. Napoleon purchased very many Holsteiners. The famous Saxon heavy cavalry and guard rode on Holsteiners.
During peacetime the regiments of light and line cavalry had color of horses according to squadron :
I Squadron: 1st 'elite' company rode on blacks, 5th company on browns nad blacks
II Squadron: 2nd company rode on bays, 6th company on bays
III Squadron: 3rd company on chestnuts, 7th company on chestnuts
IV Squadron: 4th and 8th company on grays and whites
However already in 1805 only some colonels insisted on keeping up these peacetime practicies. The heavy cavalry rode on black horses. (Prussian king Frederick the Great insisted that the black horses should go to the cuirassiers. He considered the black of the coat as a sign of quality.)
Black - - - - - Brown - - - - - Liver
Dark Bay - - - - - Light Bay - - - - - Dun
Dark Chestnut - - Chestnut - - - - - Palomino
he needed them like he needed food."
The French cavalry was commanded by Marshal Joachim Murat. His father was farmer-inkeeper, his mother a pious woman set on making a priest of him. Murat was tall, athletic with a handsome face framed by dark curls. He was "woman-crazy; Napoleon complained that he needed them like he needed food." (Elting - "Swords Around a Throne" p 144)
From his first thundering charges on the plains of Italy to his last grand charge at Leipzig, no commander more epitomized the dash and ambition of the French cavalry than Murat. He was the embodiement of the cavalryman. Murat habitually led in the very forefront of the charge, and his presence elicited courage and devotion from his troops. His flamboyant and colorful outfit, his bravery, and his fun-loving nature was all that many daring European cavalry leaders aspired to be. His love of war and glory made him the very incarnation of cavalryman.
In combat Murat was supreme. Britten-Austin writes: "Riding out in front of a line of red and white pennons which stretches from the Dwina's swamp on the right to the island of forest in the centre, he intends to harangue the Polish lancer division - but finds himself in a most awkward, not to say comical position. The Poles need no exhortion. With tremendous elan, like several thousand pig-stickers, they charge, driving the King of Naples like a wild boar before them. And Murat, unable to see or command, has no option but to 'lead' them ... Only thanks to his Herculean physique and the prowess of his gilded scimitar does he survive in the ensuing scrum." (Britten-Austin - "1812 The March on Moscow" p 134)
In 1807 at Heilsberg Murat charged with a headlong rashness but his horse was struck by canister. Horse and rider were knocked over together like a stand of muskets. Murat - now without one boot, it was stuck in the strirup of killed horse - quickly mounted another horse.
In 1815 Murat's Neapolitan troops were defeated by the Austrians. He eventually arranged a surrender and fled to France. Napoleon was furious and refused to see Murat. The Emperor rejected his offer to command the French cavalry during the Waterloo Campaign.
Murat fled to Corsica after Napoleon's fall. During an attempt to regain Naples through an insurrection in Calabria, he was arrested by the forces of his rival, Ferdinand IV of Naples. Murat was told to move towards the place destined for his execution, an officer gave him a handkerchief to blind himself, but he refused it. Murat arrived at the destined spot, turning immediately his face to the soldiers, and placing his hand upon his breast, he gave the word �Fire.� The soldiers fired 12 shots at his breast, which killed him instantaneously, and 3 in the head after he fell. Murat was buried in a pit where they throw the most despicable felons.
- Napoleon: "He [Murat] loved, I may rather say, adored me. ... With me, he was my right arm. Order Murat to attack and destroy four or five thousand men in such ir such a direction, it was done in a flash. But left to himself he was an imbecile, without judgement."
- Officer of 16th Chasseurs: "personally very brave, but has few military talents. He knows well how to use cavalry in front of the enemy, but is ignorant of the art of preserving it."
- Von Roos: "Herculean in strength, excessively gallant, admirably cool in the midst of danger, his daring, his elegant costume inspired an extraordinary veneration among the Cossacks."
- Victor Dupuy, France: "[The Cossacks had] almost magical respect for him.... I was riding ahead with three troopers when I saw Murat at the far end of a little wood ... He was alone. In front of him ... some 40 mounted Cossacks were gazing at him, leaning on their lances."
- David Chandler, UK: "Murat was one of the most colorful figures of his time. His military talents on the battlefield, at the head of the cavalry, were considerable, but his rash initiatives robbed him of any chance of earning repute as a strategist... he had many enemies among the marshalate but was greatly admired by the rank and file for his dash and undoubted charisma.... He became the model for many another beau sabreur of the 19th century."
- John Elting, USA: " ... cheerful courage, a frank and unpretentious comradeship with colonel and private alike. That he had no military education bothered him not at all; he boasted that he made his plans only in the presence of the enemy. (Napoleon complained that Murat tried to make war without maps.) As a combat leader Murat was unequaled, storming ahead of his howling troopers, riding whip in hand, white plumes streaming high. Tactics, except the simplest, he scorned: Put in your spurs and ride at, over, and through anything that gets in your way !"
~
The carabiniers were raised in 1691
by Louis XIV (The Sun King), with the men
drafted from the better troopers of line regiments.
Horse Carabiniers [Carabiniers-�-Cheval]
In 1792 the French Ministry of War ordered that the carabiniers
must always be chosen from seasoned and reliable soldiers.
To increase their numbers Emperor Napoleon
strengthened them with young and robust recruits.
The carabiniers were raised in 1691 by Louis XIV (The Sun King), with the men drafted from the better troopers of other line regiments. Rene Chartrand writes: "Commissions in the carabiniers could not be purchased, but were granted by the king to deserving and talented officers of modest means. ... In principle, carabiniers were to fight on foot when required, which they occasionally did, notably when they dismounted, stormed and captured the gates of Prague in 1741 .
The carabiniers were renowned for their superior horsemanship. From 1763 other line regiments were required to send few men to be instructed by the carabiniers and this led to the establisshment of the cavalry school at Saumur in 1768. The war record of the carabines was distinguished. They served in every campaign, displaying great bravery in victories such as Fontenoy or in defeats like Minden. One of the more spectacula feats by a carabinier occurred at the battle of Lawfeld, on 1 July 1747, when troopers Haube and Ibere captured the British cavalry's commanding general, Lord Ligonier. " (ext.link)
During the Napoleonic Wars there were only two regiments of horse carabiniers, the 1st and 2nd. (They briefly became 'Horse Grenadiers'). In 1792 the French Ministry of War ordered that the carabiniers must always be chosen from seasoned and reliable soldiers. They were armed with long, straight sabers and pistols.
In 1801 the strongest and tallest men and horses from the dissolved 19th, 20th, 21st and 22nd R�giment d'Cavalerie were assigned to the horse carabiniers. Despite the flow of soldiers into their ranks in 1803 the two regiments were only 2 squadrons each. Napoleon strengthened them with young and robust recruits and brought their strength to 3 and 4 squadrons.
In Austerlitz (1805) the 1st and 2nd Carabiniers forught with the Russian dragoons and hussars with great result. In 1809 with the temporary absence of the Guard Cavalry, the 1st Carabiniers formed Napoleon's escort. The 1st and 2nd Carabiniers fought with Austrian cuirassiers at Alt-Eglofsheim .
In 1809 the carabiniers suffered badly in the hands of Austrian uhlans and Napoleon ordered to give them armor. Chlapowski, among others, described this combat: "The cuirassier division arrived, with the brigade of carabiniers at its head. ... Soon an uhlan regiment in six squadrons trotted up to within 200 paces of the carabiniers and launched a charge at full tilt. It reached their line but could not break it, as the second regiment of carabiniers was right behind the first, and behind it the rest of the cuirassier division. I saw a great many carabiniers with lance wounds, but a dozen or so uhlans had also fallen." (Chlapowski - "Memoirs of a Polish Lancer" p 60)
The tall bearskin was abandoned, and their new helmet was made of yellow copper, with iron chinstrap scales and a headband with the letter 'N' in front. The crest had a scarlet comb instead of the cuirassiers black horsehair. The cuirasses were almost identical in design to those worn by the cuirassiers, although they were covered with a sheet of brass (for officers red copper).
The visual effect was astounding !
Oficially the horse carabiniers wore white coats (jackets) but according to Rousellot (in 'Sabretache' 1987) only their officers wore white coats, the privates wore light blue ones. Faber du Faur also depicted the horse carabiniers in blue coats instead of white. According to some sources (for example Coppen) the carabiniers wore blue at Waterloo. Others claim that they also wore blue during the campaign in Russia (1812) and white only in the battle of Borodino.
In 1812 at Borodino the carabiniers repeatedly clashed with the Russian cuirassiers, hussars and dragoons. They fought with gusto until the end of battle when they were defeated by Russian Chevaliers and Horse Guard and then were charged - by mistake - by French cuirassiers. During the winter retreat from Russia they suffered horrible losses.
The campaign in Russia, and especially the reareat during winter, broke the backbone of the carabiniers and they never were the same. In 1813 in the Battle of Leipzig they panicked before Hungarian hussars. Rilliet from the 1st Cuirassiers witnessed the encounter. The 1st Carabiniers were in front and general Sebastiani was to the right of the regiment: all at once a mass of enemy cavalry, mainly Hungarian hussars, rode furiously down on the carabiniers. 'Bravo!' cried the general, laughing and waving the riding crop which was the only weapon that he designed to use.
'This will be charming; hussars charging the horse carabiniers.' But when the Hungarians were 100 paces away, the 1st Carabiniers turned about and fled leaving behind their brave general ! They hastily rode back on to the 2nd Carabiniers and both regiments hooved away. It was such a disgrace that when after battle a group of carabiniers entered a farm seeking quarters, the cuirassiers from the 5th Regiment teased them: "If you want hospitality, try the Hungarian hussars !" :=)
The Saxon cavalry also had young soldiers in their ranks but performed wonders at Leipzig. Marshal Macdonald describes another combat with the carabiniers: "My cavalry came up at the right time and performed very well but the Horse Carabiniers did very badly. I saw with my own eyes, ten sabre-lengths away, how one enemy squadron overthrew them."
In 1814 there was not much glory for the carabiniers neither, on one or two occasions they stampeded before the Cossacks and Russian cavalry.
In 1815 some of the carabiniers deserted to Wellington before the campaign began. There were enough carabiniers (and other cavalrymen) deserters, that Wellington formed a troop called "Bourbon Cavalry Corps." At Waterloo, a sergeant of 2nd Carabiniers and a thorough monarchist, deserted to the British just shortly before Napoleon's Guard attacked. He let the enemy know when and where the Guard will attack. (As claimed by British Sergeant Cotton) Captain Duthulit also stated that "this infamous criminal" was from the horse carabiniers, but he was an officer. Another carabinier deserted to the Netherland troops under Chasse. Other sources claim that it a cuirassier.
The remaining carabiniers however fought very well at Waterloo.
Horses and Weapons
Until the disastrous campaign in Russia in 1812 the carabiniers rode on big black horses. In 1813-1815 they were more flexible and rode on blacks, browns and dark bays. All the horses were of high quality, one of the best in Empire.
In 1805 the carabiniers received dragoon muskets. In 1810 their long straight sabers were replaced with slightly curved sabers (a la Montmorency). In 1812 the dragoon muskets were replaced with shorter cavalry carbines.
Colonels 1804-1815
The armored French cuirassiers were the descendants
of the medieval knights, who could turn a battle
with their sheer weight and brute force.
In 1809 arriving at Ratisbon, the 2nd Cuirassiers took part
in a fight with the Austrian Merveldt Uhlan Regiment first
and then against the Hohenzollern and Ferdinand Cuirassier
Regiments. Charged three times, the Austrians were routed,
the 2nd Cuirassiers took 200 prisoners fortified in a village.
Cuirassiers [Cuirasiers]
"One of French cuirassier regiments developed a unique test
for newly assigned officers. You were given 3 horses,
3 bottles of champagne, and 3 'willing girls' and 3 hours
to kill the champagne, cover the girls and ride a 20-mile course.
(Of course you could draw up your own schedule of events" :-)).
- Colonel John Elting, US Army
Napoleon formed cuirassiers as follow: the first twelve r�giments d'Cavalerie received the strongest and tallest men and horses. Napoleon gave them armor and they were considered as elite troops. They were numbered 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th Cuirassiers.
The 13th Cuirassiers was formed in 1809 from the 1st Provisional Heavy Cavalry Regiment.
The 14th Cuirassiers was formed in 1810 from the 2nd Dutch Cuirassiers. During the Invasion of Russia in 1812 this regiment had only 2 squadrons, other squadrons were formed in Holland and became available in 1813. In May 1812 they wore the white old (Dutch) uniforms and the new dark blue (French). Regiment was disbanded in 1814.
The 15th Cuirassiers was organized in 1814 in Hamburg from the elements drawn from the 2nd, 3rd, 4th Cuirassiers, officers were taken from many other regiments and all of them were mixed with big number of recruits. When the officers finally were able to mount one squadron the populace witnessed the warriors sprawled on the ground while their horses galloped away along the streets. They were disbanded in 1814.
While other types of cavalry had their important roles to play, it was the cuirassiers, the descendants of the medieval knights, who could turn a battle with their sheer weight and brute force. They looked dangerous everytime they ventured forward and the generals never employed them frivolously.
Some British officers thought that the cuirassiers were "Bonaparte's Bodyguard." But for the Russians, Austrians and Prussians Napoleon's heavy cavalry was a familiar opponent. The cuirassiers also fought with the famous Hungarian hussars. Chlapowski writes: "... regiment of [French] cuirassiers which after one charge got into a melee with some Hungarian hussars. I was surprised to see when the Hungarians retreated that far more of their bodies were lying dead than French" (Chlapowski, - p. 63)
The French cuirassiers were victorious in Austerlitz (1805), Jena (1806), Eylau (1807), Friedland (1807), Aspern-Essling (1809), Alt-Eglofsheim (1809) , Wagram (1809) , Borodino (1812) , Berezina, Dresden (1813) and Leipzig (1813).
In the battle of Berezina in 1812, battalions of Russian 18th Infantry Division stood in the wood. (There were two small meadows, open patches, in the wood, in which the infantry was posted.) The Russians were formed in columns and did not expect cavalry attack because of the forest cover. General Doumerc struck the Russians with the 4th, 7th, and 14th Cuirassier Regiment (totalling 450 men). The cuirassiers passed through the brush and woods, reformed, and fallen on the enemy. They sabered 500-750 men and took 2,000 prisoners.
In 1812 at Borodino, the French and Saxon cuirassiers captured the Great Redoubt defended by Russian infantry and artillery (see picture). Chlapowski of Old Guard Lancers writes: "The redoubt had been so ruined by cannon fire that the Emperor rightly jidged cavalry capable of taking it. So we watched the beautiful sight of our cuirassier charge." General Caulaincourt, with his eyes aflame with the ardor of battle, rode to the front of the cuirassiers and shouted: "Follow me, weep not for him [Montbrun], but come and avenge his death."
In reply to Murat's order to enter that redoubt right through the Russian line, he said, "You shall soon see me there, dead or alive." The trumpets sounded the charge, and putting himself at the head of this iron-clad cavalry, he dashed forward. The cavalrymen pressed on with sabers drawn. Wathier's 2nd Cuirassier Division arrived at the redoubt first, and as they were about to enter its rear they were greeted by a heavy volley from the infantry inside. General Caulaincourt was killed. The Raievski Redoubt was captured by cavalry, a feat never repeated ! Heinrich von Brandt writes: "I saw General Auguste de Caulaincourt, mortally wounded, being carried away in a white cuirassier cloak, stained deep red by his blood. There, in the redoubt, the bodies of infantrymen were scattered amongst French, Saxon, Westphalian and Polish cuirassiers uniformed in blue and in white. ... This was a crucial moment in the battle and the firing abated a little as if both sides wondered what to do next."
In 1815 at Quatre Bras, French cuirassiers, Private Henry and NCO Gauthire captured King's Color of the II Btn. of 69th Foot [GdD Kellermann wrote in his report (now in S.H.A.T. C15 5) to Ney after the charge: "We took the Color of the 69th which was captured by the cuirassiers Valgayer and Mourassin" (added with pencil by another hand: "Albisson and Henry ?").] American historian John Elting writes: "The 69th at once ordered its regimental tailors to make up a new flag, and denied any loss. Unfortunately, Napoleon had already announced the capture." (Elting - "Swords Around a Throne" p 352)
Elting: "Amazingly, at Waterloo the French had lost only 2 eagles, and those early in the battle to English cavalry." By contrast, they had taken either 4 or 6 colors - the number naturally is much disputed - from Wellington's army."
The captured colors were brought to and deposited in the farm of Le Caillou, farmhouse Napoleon had been using for his headquarters. Unfortunately during the retreat after battle the trophies were left there.
Names of the French cavalrymen who captured Allies Colors:
- one Color was seized by Marechal de Logis Gauthier (Gautier) of 10th Cuirassiers
- one by Fourier Palau of the 9th Cuirassiers
- one by unknown cuirassier of the 8th Cuirassiers. He captured the Color of the British 69th Foot Regiment. (Kellermann to Davout, 24 June 1815, Arch.Serv.Hist.)
- one by Capitaine Klein de Kleinenberg from the Chasseurs of the Guard. He captured one Color of the KGL. (Lefebvre-Desnouettes to Drouot, 23 June 1815, Arch. Serv.Hist.)
General Delort mentions an English Color captured by an NCO of the 9th Cuirassier Regiment. Delort particpated in these charges and his account is in Houssaye�s �1815 Waterloo� and in the Nouvelle Revue Retrospective. (published in 1897)
In 1815 at Waterloo Gen. Dornberg decided to attack a single cuirassier regiment with two of his own, British 23rd Light Dragoons and 1st KGL Light Dragoons (Germans). Dornberg's men outnumbered the French by 2 to 1. The two frontal squadrons of the French regiment were attacked on both flanks and routed. Dornberg's entire cavalry dashed after the fleeing enemy. But the French colonel, unlike his adversary, was holding two other squadrons in reserve, and these counterattacked and smashed the enemy. The British and Germans were remounting the slope in great disorder when another cuirassier regiment appeared and blocked their way. The French drew their sabers and awaited the enemy unmoving. "At the moment of impact, the light dragoons realized that their curved sabers were no match for the cuirassiers long swords, nor could they penetrate the French cuirasses. Seeing that his men were losing heart, Dornberg tried to lead some of them against the enemy flank. (Barbero - "The Battle" p 192)
General Dornberg writes: "At this point I was pierced through the left side into the lung. Blood started coming out of my mouth, making it difficult for me to speak. I was forced to go to the rear, and I can say nothing more about the action."
In the Battle of Ligny in 1815, the commander of the Prussian army almost died under the hooves of the cuirassiers horses. General Bl�cher's horse (it had been a present from the Prince Regent of England) was hit and fell to the ground trapping the commander underneath it. His adjutant's horse was hit too.
According to Peter Hofschroer "Two more charges of French cavalry passed over the pair before help could arrive."
Although magnificent warriors the cuirassiers were not super humans, and sometimes failures and defeats happened. In most of such cases the enemy heavily outnumbered the cuirassiers. Or the cuirassiers had to deal with enemy's artillery, cavalry and infantry formed in squares - all in the same time.
Probably the only combat they ever lost while being numerically superior was at Heilsberg. In 1807 near Heilsberg the French dragoons and cuirassiers were badly mauled by Russian and Prussian cavalry. De Gonneville of the 6th Cuirassiers writes: "At this moment the grand duke of Berg (Murat) came up to us; he came from our right rear, followed by his staff, passed at a gallop across our front, bending forwards on his horse's neck, and as he passed at full speed by General Espagne, he flung at him one word alone which I heard, "Charge !" In the front was GdB Fouler's brigade (7th and 8th Cuirassiers). Murat throws himself into the thick of the fighting, heedless of all danger. On the fields by Langwiese - 1 km southwest from Lawden - developed a cavalry battle bewteen Uvarov's cavalry and d'Espagne's cuirassiers and Latour-Mauborg's dragoons. It was a bloody fight and costly for the French. Wounded were GdD d'Espagne, GdB Fouler, and colonels of 4th, 6th and 7th Cuirassiers. Col. Fulgent of the 4th Curassiers received a serious head wound from a sabre from which he eventually died. Also wounded were Col. Davenay and Col. Offenstein of the 6th and 7th Cuirassiers respectively. The only regimental commander to escape unscathed that day was Merlin of the 8th Cuirassiers, but one of the squadron flags of 8th was captured. Among the dragoons were wounded colonels of 4th, 14th and 26th Dragoons. Colonel Chipault of the 4th Cuirassiers had received 56 sabre cuts ! Murat's 6.000-9,000 cavalrymen were thrown back by 3,000-4,500 Russians and Prussians. By day's end, each cavalryman sabre will be dripping with blood.
In 1809 at Aspern-Essling approx. 2,500 French heavy cavalry (4th, 6th, 7th, and 8th Cuirassiers) led by Espagne attacked the Austrian center defended by strong artillery and numerous light cavalry (uhlans, hussars and chevauxlegeres). The French heavies received canister and then encountered four cavalry regiments deployed in a very long line. The Austrians instead of countercharging remained stationary. Their impressive stance communicated great resolve, and the French wavered. Then, two Austrian cuirassier regiments crashed into French flank and sent them reeling backward. Major Berret received two lance wounds from Schwarzenberg Uhlans. General Durosnel was wounded and taken prisoner.
The second attack made by Espagne's cuirassiers took place 1-2 hours later. This time they took three Austrian cavalry regiments in the flank. The Albert Cuirassiers, Ferdinand Cuirassiers and Knesevich Dragoons were routed. The Hungarian insurection cavalry stood in second line. They were irregulars and fled before the iron-clads reached them. Fresh Austrian cavalry advanced against the cuirassiers and the artillery and infantry opened fire. Espagne was struck in the face with canister and fell dead. General Fouler was wounded and taken prisoner by the Austrians. Three of his four colonels died in this battle.
In Borodino the French cuirassiers were unable to break Russian infantry formed in squares. Only the elite Saxon Garde du Corps managed to break one, weak square. "... Colonel Hrapovitsky [of Russian Guard Infantry] ordered [infantry] columns to form squares against the French cavalry. The cuirassiers made a vigorous attack but quickly paid a heavy price for their audacity. All squares, acting with firmness, opened fire and delivered battalion volleys ... The armour proved to be a weak defence against our fire and added no courage to them. The cavalrymen quickly showed us their backs and fled in disorder." (- Col. Alexander Kutuzov to Gen. Lavrov, report after Borodino)
In Waterloo (1815), the British, German and Dutch-Belgian infantry squares were repeatedly attacked by the cuirassiers. The British claimed that not a single square was broken. British researcher Siborne wrote that one square had a side "completely blown away and dwindled into a mere clump." The French sources however disagree with the British. For example Brigadier (then private) Pilloy of the French cuirasiers wrote that he charged three times against a British square finally riding "over and through it". (E. Tattet - �Lettres du brigadier Pilloy ...� in Carnet de la Sabretache, Vol 15th)
General Delort of the cuirassiers writes that: "several squares were broken."
Wellington's defensive line was overwhelmed by the French cavalry, his generals were forced to seek protection inside the squares, from where it became impossible to exercise command and control of own troops. The numerous British-German-Dutch cavalry counterattacked but made little impression on the French. Few weeks after the battle frustrated Wellington wrote to Lord Beresford that the French cuirassiers were moving among the squares as though they were their own. One battle was enough for the British to learn a healthy respect for the iron-clad warriors. Soldier Morris was so awestruck by the sheer size of the men and the horses, by their shining armor, that he thought "we could not have the slightest chance with them."
In 1813, on the last day of the battle of Leipzig , group of desperate cuirassiers charged into the city packed with Allied infantry. Swedish officer Wossido writes: "... part of the open space was strewn with abandoned wagons and that the Prussian and Swedish riflemen were in disorder. As a result we could hardly move forward and soon had to halt. Suddenly there came a shout from the gate: Cavalry ! For a moment we were so squashed by the troops withdrawing that we could scarcely keep on our feet. French cuirassiers rushed out of the gate and attacked us. There must have been 40 or 50 of them. They were fired upon from all sides and these reckless horsemen, who made this desperate charge, were in an instant laid down besides their horses." Graf von Hochberg of Baden described the same moment: "A squadron of French cuirassiers and a detachment of Polish lancers ... managed - for a short time - to take the gate from the enemy."
Horses and Weapons
The cuirassiers rode on big and strong horses.
When it came to hardware they were riding arsenals.
On photo: French cuirassier sabre from Military Heritage >
When it came to hardware the cuirassiers were riding arsenals: body armor, helmets, pistols and long straigh sabers. When in 1812 they received carbines they made considerable effort to avoid carrying them. However, according to regimental inspections only 20 % had pistols. Rousselot moted that most contemporary illustrations shows the cuirassiers without cartridge box and carbine belt. He wrote that inspections reports conducted in 1805 showed that the 3rd, 4th, 7th and 8th Cuirassier Regiment lacked cartridge boxes and belts. The troopers caried few rounds of ammunition in their pockets. Inspections in 1807 again showed lacks of the same items in 4th, 6th, 7th and 8th Cuirassier Regiment. They kept ammunition in their pockets.
The body armor was expensive. In 1815 there was not enough time to make the armor and at Waterloo the entire 11th R�giment was without it. It was also very uncomfortable to wear in summer. In 1809 many young cuirassiers discarded their armor.
The cuirassiers rode possibly on blacks, browns and dark bays.
General Nansouty.
He was considered cautious, reliable
and level headed commander.
The most known cuirassier commanders were Generals Nansouty and d'Hautpoul. Etienne-Marie-Antoine Champion de Nansouty (1768-1815) came from aristocracy, went with the Revolution but did not put himself forward. Nansouty was a man of tradition, education and exactitude. "His men were always carefully trained and cared for. Yet there was no elan in his character, no readiness for an unexpected, all-out blow to save a desperate day. His disposition was mordant ... " ( John Elting, - p 162)
"He was considered cautious ... or even reluctant to bring his squadrons to battle, but that was mainly on those occasions that Murat was in overall command, who Nansouty considered to be somewhat over zealous and headstrong ... Although he was considered a good, level headed, reliable and tactically sound commander he lacked the flare and initiative of a LaSalle or Montbrun." (Terry Senior, napoleon-series.org)
In Jena (1806) Nansouty commanded 1st Cuirassier Division made of 1st and 2nd Carabiniers, 2nd and 9th Cuirassiers. In Eylau (1807) Nansouty's 1st Cuirassier Division had only 9th and 11th Cuirassiers. In Wagram (1809) Nansouty's 1st Cuirassier Division had 1st and 2nd Carabiniers, 2nd, 3rd, 9th and 12th Cuirassiers. In 1812 during the Invasion of Russia and in the battle of Borodino, Nansouty commanded the I Cavalry Corps (6 cuirassier, 1 chasseur, 2 hussar, and 2 lancer regiments. He also had one German and two Polish regiments).
General Hautpoul
He was a giant of a man, a fiery commander
eager to charge at any time.
Jean-Joseph-Ange D'Hautpoul (1754-1807) was a giant of a man, with enormous body strength. He was a self-confident and very proud individual. In contrast to Nansouty, d'Hautpoul was a fiery commander eager to charge at any time. In 1794 at Aldenhoven Hautpoul crushed enemy cavalry twice as numerous and was promoted to the rank of general.
In Jena (1806) Hautpoul commanded 2nd Cuirassier Division (1st, 5th and 10th Cuirassiers). In Eylau (1807) Hautpoul's 2nd Cuirassier Division was made of 1st, 5th and 10th Cuirassiers. The giant man led his cavalry against Russian infantry and artillery. Hautpoul was struck by a Russian cannonball, which dented his armor and shattered his hip. He was taken wrapped in his bloodstained cloak to the nearby village where he died the following day.
Colonels 1804-1815.
Cuirassier's uniform displayed
the markings of elite status.
Cuirassier's helmet was made of steel with brass comb, a black horse mane (for trumpeters red or white mane), a black cow-hide turban, black visor edged with brass, a tall red plume on the left side, and brass chin scales. The cuirass had front and back plates made of steel. It had leather straps with brass scales, the cuirass lining was edged with white in all regiments. The coat was dark blue with collar, facings, and cuffs in regimental color.
The tall black boots were considered necessary to protect the legs when the files of cavalry were pressed together. During the Napoleonic Wars there were two types of the tall boots. Boots with soft legs were worn during a long march but for parade they were replaced with boots with stiff legs. The hard boots looked great but they were not comfortable.
For the Grand Parade Uniform (Tenue de Grande Parade) was helmet with red plume, cuirass, coat, sabre, tall boots, and white culottes de peau. For the Campaign Uniform (Tenue de Campaign) was helmet with red plume (pompon was also popular), cuirass, coat, sabre, tall boots, and buff surculottes. For the Exercise Uniform (Tenue d�Ecurie) instead of the helmet and plume was worn a comfortbale bonnet de police. No cuirass.
The were also petit tenue, stable dress, walking-out dress, and a dress worn in barracks and billets.
The French cuirassiers of the Napoleonic wars wore dark blue coat, a flaming grenade on coat-tails and saddlecloth, red epaulettes and plume attached to their headwear. Inspections conducted in cuirassier regiments showed lack of epaulettes on big scale.
The cuirassiers also wore campaign heavy cloth breeches called surculottes. They were also called "over-breeches" as many soldiers wore them over the white breeches (or over the bucksins) for field service, march, battle etc. The over-breeches were buttoned down the sides and tucked into boots. These were made of wool or linen and were off-white, brown, brown-grey, light grey or dark grey.
Before campaign every cuirassier received white sheepskin to the regulation shabraque (cloth covering the saddle) and grey overalls called pantalons a cheval. The overalls were worn with or without the breeches underneath. Some overalls had cloth covered buttons down the outer seams while other had red laces instead of buttons. The first time the overalls were mentioned in official order was in the year of 1812 although they were used already in the 1790s. The decree of 1812 described the overalls as made of grey linen with cloth covered buttons. Due to its weight and numerous buttons this type of overalls was replaced by lighter overalls, often reinforced on the inside of the legs and around the bottoms with black leather. These lighter overalls might be grey, blue, red or green but during 1812-1815 the grey with orange or red stripe and without buttons were more common.
According to Decree isuued on April 7th 1807 : "From March 1st to December 1st the cuirassiers have to wear a mustache but must be clean shaven for the remaining 3 months." This regulation was until new one was issued on March 3rd 1809.
Cuirassier regiments.
"Opinions will be always divided as to those
amphibious animals called dragoons."
- General Jomini
During the decades before Napoleonic Wars only the dragoons were trained in infantry and cavalry duties. General Jomini wrote: "Opinions will be always divided as to those amphibious animals called dragoons. It is certainly an advantage to have several battalions of mounted infantry, who can anticipate an enemy at a defile, or scour a wood; but to make cavalry out of foot soldiers is very difficult. ... It has been said that the greatest inconvenience resulting from the use of dragoons consists in the fact of being obliged at one moment to make them believe infantry squares cannot resist their charges, and the next moment that a foot soldier is superior to any horseman... But it cannot be denied, however, that great advantages might result to the general who could rapidly move up 10,000 infantrymen on horseback to a decisive point ..."
During the Napoleonic Wars however all cavalrymen were trained in some infantry duties. They were universal soldiers capable of fighting from horse and on foot. The dragoons however were trained in infantry duties more than other cavalrymen and for this reason their horsemanship "was wobbly" and their swordsmanship was not of the highest order. They were teased especially by the hussars who considered themselves as the master swordsmen and horsemen.
Furthermore, dragoons horses were not as big and strong (and expensive) as cuirassiers' mounts, and their uniforms were not as colorful (and expensive) as hussars' outfits. It attracted less volunteers and thus in their ranks served more conscripts.
In 1799-1800 France had 20 dragoon regiments.
Napoleon formed five new dragoon regiments (22nd, 23rd, 24th, 25th, 26th) from the disbanded regiments d'cavalerie.
The 22nd Dragons was formed from the 13th and 20th l'Cavalerie,
the 23rd R�giment from 14th and 20th,
the 24th R�giment from 15th, 21st and 22nd,
the 25th R�giment from 16th and 21st,
the 26th from 17th and 21st,
and the 27th R�giment was from the 18th and 22nd l'Cavalerie.
The 21st R�giment was formed in 1800 from Piedmontese dragoons.
The 29th R�giment was formed in 1803 from Piedmontese hussars.
In 1804 Napoleon had 30 dragoon regiments.
In 1811 the 1st, 3rd, 8th, 9th, 10th and 20th R�giment were converted into lancers.
In 1815 there were only 15 dragoon regiments.
Napoleon could mount only part of his dragoons. That fact, combined with Napoleon's modern ideas of combining fire power and mobility, led him to the conclusion that units of foot dragoons should be formed. For his planned cross-Channel invasion of England, he organized two divisions of dismounted dragoons. They were put into infantry-style shoes, gaiters and packs. They also received drums to supplement their trumpets.
Colonel Elting writes: "The assignement was sensible, but troopers caught up in the shuffle remembered that veteran dragoons, who hadn't walked farther in years than the distance from their barracks to the nearest bar, ended up in the dismounted units, while their mounts were assigned to raw recruits. The results were rough on everybody: hospitals filled up with spavined veterans, recruits got saddle sores.
Also, J.A. Oyon wrote gleefully, matters turned ugly when mounted and dismounted elements of several regiments bivouaced together. The limping veterans crowded over to check on their old horses and found them neglected, sore-backed, and lame. Blood flowed freely, if only from rookies' noses."
In the first phase of Napoleonic Wars they served on the primary theater of war, in Central Europe, before being sent to Spain and Italy. The dragoons distinguished themselves in several battles.
In November 1805 the dragoon brigade under Sebastiani took 2,000 prisoners at Pohrlitz.
In 1806 and 1807 large numbers of the green-clad dragoons participated in the Jena and Friedland Campaigns. They distinguished themselves in several actions against the Prussians and Russians. According to Eduard L�wenstern in 1807 at Golymin the Russian Soumy Hussars was attacked by French 4th and 7th Dragoons and was overthrown. The fleeing hussars run toward the Ingermanland Dragoons but these dragoons didn�t let them pass without jeering.
In 1814 at Nangis the French dragoons, veterans from Spain attacked Pahlen�s cavalry. The Russian center was broken and the Chuguiev Uhlans, Soumy and Olviopol Hussars and some Cossacks fled. Even General Witgenstein and his chief of staff had to run for life. The hot pursuit only slackened near Maison-Rouge.
In 1807 near Friedland the dragoons defeated Russian uhlans. Below is a description of this combat by Kornet F. V. Bulgarin of [Russian] Duke Constantine Uhlans. One squadron of uhlans under Shcheglov stood by 2 light guns that fired at French foot skirmishers. This little cannonade went for a while before a column of enemy cavalry went out of the wood. The front of this column was not too wide but its depth was unknown to the uhlans. According to Bulgarin two squadrons of uhlans and one squadron of Lifeguard Cossacks advanced against the enemy. They moved in column by platoons (each squadron had 4 platoons) with intervals on the distance of platoon, passed through a village, formed by squadrons and then rushed forward with loud battle cry. Shcheglov rode in the front with outstretched saber.
The column of French dragoons halted and stood motionless like a stonewall [kak kamennaia stiena] waiting for the enemy. The dragoons from the second rank grabbed their muskets and began firing while these in the first rank drew sabers and waited. The charging uhlans first slowed down and then halted. The French sounded massive �En avant ! Vive l�Empereur!� and advanced forward en masse. The uhlans and Cossacks gave way before the sheer weight of the column. Their retreat was covered by flankers who opened fire on the pursuing dragoons. The column made a half turn to the right and tried to cut off the way of retreat for the uhlans and Cossacks.
The Russians dashed rightward but here unforseen misfortune blocked their path, it was a robust wattling. The Cossacks jumped off their mounts and tried to remove this obstacle, while the rear ranks of the uhlans frantically fought with the head of the French column. The French officers fired their pistols at point blank, while some dragoons used their muskets and long swords. Bulgarin's horse was hit by two bullets to the head and fell down like an oak. Bulgarin barely escaped on foot.
After 1807 majority of the dragoons served on secondary theaters of wars, Spain and Italy. Many of the regiments in Spain lacked uniforms, horses and equipment. For example in Spain they were dressed in the brown cloth of the Capucines found in convents and churches. They also had difficulty in obtaining eppaulettes for their elite companies and chin straps. For lack of sufficient number of regulation sabers the old Toledo-swords with three edges were used. But the dragoons were efficient troops. They fought a grim and deadly war of ambush and retaliation against the hostile Spaniards. They guarded communication lines and escorted convoys.
In Spain the British cavalry inflicted several notable defeats on the dragoons. The British cavalrymen were superior swordsmen to the dragoons, and had better horses.
If not the best horsemen and swordsmen many dragoons were brave men. British author Costello writes: "One of their videttes, after being posted facing English dragoon, of the 14th or 16th [Light Dragoon Regiment] displayed an instance of individual gallantry, in which the French, to do them justice, were seldom wanting.
Waving his long straight sword, the Frenchman rode within 60 yards of our dragoon, and challenged him to single combat. We immediately expected to see our cavalry man engage his opponent, sword in hand. Instead of this, however, he unslung his carbine and fired at the Frenchman, who not a whit dismayed, shouted out so that every one could hear him, Venez avec la sabre: je suis pret pour Napoleon et la belle France. Having vainly endeavoured to induce the Englishman to a personal conflict, and after having endured two or three shots from his carbine, the Frenchman rode proudly back to his ground, cheered even by our own men. We were much amused by his gallantry, while we hissed our own dragoon ... " (Costello "The Peninsular and Waterloo Campaigns" pp 66-67)
One of the dragoons' greatest successes in Spain came in 1812. The second in command of the British army, Lord Paget, as Henry William Paget was then styled, was captured by the French dragoons.
Napier writes: "In one of these charges General Paget was carried off from the midst of his own men, and it might have been Wellington's fortune, for he also was continually riding between the columns and without escort." (Napier - "History of the War in the Peninsula 1807-1814" Vol IV, p 152)
[In 1815 at Waterloo, Henry William Paget, commanded allied cavalry and led the charge, which checked and in part routed D'Erlon's infantry corps.]
In 1815 during the Waterloo Campaign there were only 15 dragoon regiments and these fought to the very end of the war. On 1 July (approx. half month after Waterloo) several dragoons regiments marched toward Villacoublay. This force was screened by a small vangaurd. The vanguard met two Prussian squadrons and was thrown back in the first clash. Behind it, however, the 5th and the 13th Dragoons deployed out of the wood. Two Prussian regiments arrived, the (3rd) Brandenburg Hussars and (5th) Pomeranian Hussars The dragoons were driven back and fled to the village.
Meanwhile, General Exelmans had found another way into the village for his following regiments and the 20e Dragoons with an unlimbered battery appeared in the flank of the Prussian hussars before they had reformed. The hussars had to retreat, but quickly rallied and counter-charged the French, forcing them again to the village. With another regiment just joining the French, the hussars retired to Versailles. The French pursuit was so vigorous that the rearguard, the Brandenbourg Hussars, had to make several charges to force Exelmans to break off. The dragoons reached Versailles from several directions and the Prussians were caught in a trap. The commander of the Prussians, von Sohr, was severely wounded and taken prisoner. Only few escaped. Major von Klinkowstroem, commander of the Brandenburg Hussars, wrote: "In the hopeless bloody battle that followed many of us fell."
After rallying the survivors Major von Wins went to report the defeat to Blucher, who was colonel-in-chief of the (5th) Hussars. Nostitz described the scene: "... Major von Wins unexpectedly rode up and stopped. The major dismounted ... came up to me, saying in a very excited voice, 'What you see here is all that is left of the two hussar regiments. Everyone else is either dead or taken prisoner.' I was very surprised. ... Major von Wins ... demanded to be taken to the Prince (Blucher). I tried to stop him, telling him his reception would be highly unpleasant. However, that did not help and I had to announce him. The Prince heard the report in growing anger and then cried out in rage, 'Lord ! If what you are saying is true, then I wish the devil had fetched you too !"
One of the worst defeats the dragoons have ever suffered, occured in Eastern Prussia, at Burkersdorf. On February 14th 1807, the 5th, 8th, 9th, 12th, 16th and 21st Dragons (total of 18 squadrons) led by GdD Milhaud were at Burkersdorf, a village between Eylau and K�nigsberg. These regiments formed the 3rd Dragoon Division that was retreating after a reconnaisance in force. (In 1815 at Waterloo, Milhaud led eight weak cuirassier regiments against the British, German and Netherland infantry, artillery and cavalry).
An inferior force of 400 Soumy Hussars and 350 Cossacks followed Milhaud for some time. According to L�wenstern the first encounter took place in the morning and the French appeared to be eager to fight. But he exagerrate somehow that after the first �hoorah!� the dragoons fled. Actually two hussar squadrons and 200 Cossacks attacked the frontal six squadrons but were pushed back. Then four hussar squadrons came out of village and struck with great impetuosity the French flank.
Milhaud ordered the nearest dragoon brigade to face the attackers but it failed to do so on time. Instead the brigade was broken and fled. Whereupon the two other brigades, seeing the rout, turned about and hooved away. The dragoons could not be rallied until they had gone three miles to the rear.
Milhaud was infuriated at their perforance and ashamed at the swift defeat. General Milhaud attempted to commit suicide by attacking the Russians while being accompanied by only four dragoons. Yermolov mentions that two of the exhausted French squadrons fled across a frozen lake. The Soumy Hussars and the Cossacks caught up with them and took as prisoners. Sir Robert Wilson writes that the French dragoons lost 400 killed and 288 captured as prisoners. Bennigsen gives the French casualties at 400 and one standard (guidon?). L�wenstern wrote that the hussars didn�t allow the French to gather, chased them to Ludwigsdorf (Ludwigswalde ?) and captured 300 prisoners. He explains that Colonel Ushakov send for two squadrons who were 2 miles away from Burkersdorf but these forces came too late to participate in the battle. (L�wenstern - �Mit Graf Pahlens Reiterei gegen Napoleon� Berlin 1910, Ernst Siegfried Mittler und Sohn, page 18.)
Shikanov gives 180 prisoners and squadron standard/guidon of the 8e Dragons. (Shikanov V.H. - �Pervaia Polskaia Kampania 1806-1807� page 178)
L�wenstern also described how the village quickly became a market place where captured watches, weapons, uniforms, tobacco, pistols and horses were offered for sale.
Despite being defeated by the British cavalry in Spain, mercilessly harassed by the Cossacks in Eastern Prussia and Russia, and despite being teased all the time by the French hussars, the dragoons served well. And they were loyal to the Emperor. In 1814, shortly after Napoleon's first abdication, the Russian and Prussian armies were drawn up on both sides of the road leading to Paris. They presented arms to the French. General Bordesoulle met the 30th Dragoon Regiment and ordered them to draw sabers and render the honors. The colonel of the 30th Dragoons was in very bad mood. He replied: "If my dragoons draw sabers it will be to charge !"
Horses and Weapons.
Many dragoons were mounted on foreign horses.
When the dragoons expected to go into action
they drew sabers and muskets slung on their backs.
Napoleon had problems to find the right horses for his dragoons. In 1805 approximately 6.000 of them were without mounts and were organized into 4 foot dragoon regiments. Their duty was to guard the artillery reserves and the baggage trains. After the 1805-campaign Napoleon mounted the foot dragoons on captured Austrian horses. Then after the 1806-campaign Napoleon mounted the rest of the "walkers" on captured Prussian and Saxon horses.
The hardships of war in Spain, plus poor horsecare killed thousands of dragoons' mounts. For example in May 1811 the 3rd Dragons had only 139 horses left out of 563 ! The situation was so desperate that in 1812 was issued an order that all officers in infantry regiments have to give their horses to the dragoons.
The dragoons were armed with straight sabers and muskets. Their muskets were longer and had longer range of fire than light cavalry's carbines. While a light cavalryman's eqipment included a carbine sling as a means of keeping his weapon readily available for use, the greater length of musket issued to dragoons made a sling impractical. Thus the stock of the musket was seated in a boot attached to the saddle, and irs barrel restrained by a strap attached to the pommel.
When the dragoons expected to go into action they drew sabers and muskets slung on their backs. In 1813 at Dresden the Austrian infantry kept falling back, with their muskets useless during rain. The French dragoons followed them, loaded their firearms under their capes and fired into the enemy ranks. Two companies of infantry surrendered to the dragoons.
In 1814 the dragoons gave away their long muskets for the infantry.
Sappers
In February 1808 Napoleon gave each dragoon regiment 8 sappers.
They wore red eppaulettes and bearskins but with no front plate.
Emmanuel marquis Grouchy (1766-1847)
"A thin-skinned man, reluctant to assume responsibility
yet conscientious in discharging it. ...
He was far superior to Murat in tactical skill,
administrative ability, and common sense."
One of the most known dragoons was Emmanuel Grouchy. John Elting writes: " [he] was of the ancient chivalry of France, his family acknowledged aristocracy from at least the 14th Century. ... From the first it was clear that he was 'a horseman by nature and cavalry soldier by instinct.' Better, he knew how to handle forces of all arms and took good care of his men. When he was suspeneded in 1793 because he was an aristocrat, his troopers came close to mutiny. ... Grouchy's correspondence shows a thin-skinned man, reluctant to assume responsibility yet conscientious in discharging it. Actually he was abler than he realized. He failed to show the necessary initiative during Waterloo but, left isolated after that battle, managed a masterful retreat. As a cavalryman, he was far superior to Murat in tactical skill, administrative ability, and common sense. Clean-handed and very courageous ..."
In 1806 and at Jena, Grouchy led 2nd Dragoon Division (10th, 11th, 13th and 22nd Dragoons). In 1809 at Wagram, he led Dragoon Division [Brigade ?] (7th, 30th Dragoons, and la Reine Dragoons) against the Austrians. When Blankenstein Hussars routed Jacquinot's cavalry Grouchy's dragoons, in turn, routed the hussars. Hohenzollern Cuirassiers and O'Reilly Chevauxlegeres came and then forced back the dragoons. But it was Grouchy who had the last reserve and he drove off the Austrian horse. In 1812 in Borodino, Emmanuel Grouchy commanded the III Cavalry Corps (4 dragoon, 3 chasseur, and 1 hussar regiment. He also had three German regiments).
Uniforms
but was a not very fancy.
The dragoons wore green coats, white breeches and tall black boots.
The distinctive headgear of the dragoons was their brass, neo-Grecian style, helmet with its black horsehair. Troopers had a brown fur turban around it, officers an imitation leopard skin. The dragoons wore insygnia of elite troops, but only a flaming grenade on coat-tails and saddlecloth.
Uniforms of French dragoon regiments.
No.
At Waterloo Sir Ponsonby together with his adjutant, Mjr Reignolds
made a dash to own line, and a French lancer began pursuing them.
While they were crossing a plowed field, Ponsonby's horse got stuck
in the mud and in an instant, the lancer was upon him.
Ponsonby threw his saber away and surrendered.
Reignolds came to his aid, but the lancer compelled both of them
to dismount under the threat of his lance. At that moment, a group
of Scots Grays happened to pass a short distance away, saw the three
and galloped shouting in their direction with the idea of liberating
Sir Ponsonby. "In a flash, the Frenchman killed the general and his
major with 2 blows of his lance then charged the oncoming dragoons
striking down 3 in less than a minute. The others abandoned the combat
completely incapable of holding their own ..."
A. Barbero - "The Battle"
"The Polish lancer, as well as the French lancer distinguished himself
by his elegant appearance; but the looks of this last were softer
and the colors of his origin moderated,
in respect to the military roughness of the first figure."
- St. Hilaire
Picture: officer of 1st Lancer Regiment in parade uniform
in 1812-1814. Picture by S.Letin.
St.Hilaire writes: "The Polish lancer, as well as the French lancer distinguished himself by his elegant appearance; but the looks of this last were softer and the colors of his origin moderated, in respect to the military roughness of the first figure. As brave as the Polish lancer, the French lancer had a lively mood; he was more sober especially in his way of living, while the intemperance of Polish had become proverbial in the army."
The Poles were acknowledged to be the finest lancers in Europe and Russia, Prussia and Austria recruited their uhlan units from among the Polish subjects. It was followed by an imitative creation of lancer regiments all across Western Europe (France, Germany and even the British got around to it after Napoleonic wars).
Before the Russian campaign Napoleon wanted to oppose the Cossacks who were nimble, tough warriors.
The 1st, 3rd, 8th, 9th, 10th and 29th Dragoons were converted to 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th Lancers. The Vistula Uhlans and the Old Guard Lancers sent their troopers as instructors to the newly formed French units. Colonel of the Vistula Uhlans, Jan Konopka, became Chief Inspector of Training for the newly formed French lancer regiments.
Once trained by the Poles the regiments received tough lot of French officers "such as Perquit... who didn't recognize any danger." (Elting - "Swords Around a Throne")
The 7th and 8th Lancers were formed from Poles, by conversion of the 1st and 2nd Vistula Uhlans. They wore their traditional Polish style uniforms (no helmets). The 9th Regiment was considered also Polish but actually it was made of Germans and small number of Poles and Frenchmen. This regiment was formed by conversion of the 30th Chasseurs. "The 9th Regiment was raised in 1811 in Hamburg and initially had green uniforms with chamois facings. In 1813 the basic uniform colour turned to dark blue as for the 7e and 8r regiments, but with its own facings in chamois." (- Dr. E. M. Theewen)
Only few lancers served in 1812 in Russia. There was however much more to do for them in 1813 in Saxony and in 1814 in France. The French lancers fought with success at Dresden and Leipzig .
In 1815 at Quatre Bras the lancers created havoc among the Netherlands and British troops. Peter Hofschroer writes: "... squares of British infantry held off the French cavalry at first, but the square of the 42nd was broken and the 44th was thrown into disorder, the colour of the 44th being fought over. ... The Prince of Orange was caught in the rout, but was saved by the speed of his mount... [Wellington] with his steed also helping to extract him from similarly precarious position." (- Hofschroer "1815: The Waterloo Campaign")
Sergeant Anton of the 42nd Highland recorded the attack of the lancers: "Marshal Ney ... observed our wild unguarded zeal, and ordered a regiment of lancers to bear down upon us. We saw their approach at a distance, as they issued from a wood, and took them for Brunswickers coming to cut up the flying [French] infantry ... a German [KGL] orderly dragoon galloped up, exclaiming 'Franchee ! Franchee !' and, wheeling about, galloped off. We instantly formed a rallying square; no time for particularity: every man's musket was loaded, and our enemies approached at full charge; the feet of their horses seemed to tear up the ground. ... our brave Colonel [Sir Robert Macara] fell at this time, pierced through the chin until the point reached his brain. Captain Menzies fell covered with wounds. ... The grenadiers [of 42nd Highland], whom he commanded, pressed round to save or avenge him, but fell beneath the enemies lances." The official report of the Hanoverian brigade described the action that soon followed: "... Verden Battalion was not able to fall back quickly enough and was largely ridden down or taken prisoner."
In 1815 at Genappe, Colonel Surd of 2e Lanciers, was badly wounded by the British cavalry. His arm was amputated by surgeon Larrey. But Surd insisted on maintaining command of his regiment and in fact led his men all day long against the Prussians at Plancenoit.
In the memoirs of Waterloo, the French lancers, galloping at will over the battlefield, sending saber-armed cavalry fleeing before them, and calmly stopping to finish off the wounded without even having to dismount, appear as an image of horror. Wyndham of the Scots Grays saw the lancers pursuing British dragoons who had lost their mounts and were trying to save themselves on foot. He noted the ruthlessness of the lancers' pursuit and watched them cut their victims down. Some British cavalrymen on foot slipped in the mud and tried to ward off the lance blows with their hands but without much success.
In the Battle of Waterloo, Sir Ponsonby together with his adjutant, Major Reignolds made a dash to own line, and a French lancer quickly began pursuing them. While they were crossing a plowed field, Ponsonby's horse got stuck in the mud in an instant, the lancer was upon him. Ponsonby threw his saber away and surrendered. Reignolds came to his aid, but the lancer compelled both of them to dismount under the threat of his lance. At that moment, a small group of Scots Grays happened to pass a short distance away, saw the three, and galloped shouting in their direction with the idea of liberating Sir Ponsonby. "In a flash, the Frenchman killed the general and his brigade major with 2 blows of his lance, then boldly charged the oncoming dragoons striking down 3 in less than a minute. The others abandoned the combat, completely incapable of holding their own against the enemy's deadly weapon." (Barbero - "The Battle" p 163)
Weapons.
Giving lances to poorly trained men
didn't make them good lancers.
They were rather 'men with sticks' than lancers.
Mastery with lance required training and strong hand. "It took a lot of extra training to produce a competent lancer. A British training manual produced some years after Waterloo stated that he had to master 55 different exercises with his lance - 22 against cavalry, 18 against infantry, with 15 general ones thrown in for good measure." (Adkin - "The Waterloo Companion" p 247)
Giving lances to poorly trained men didn't make them good lancers, they were 'men with sticks' not lancers. Lancer was a formidable opponent. Before World War I Mr. Wilkinson "have watched and recorded hundreds of competitions between men equally experts in the use of their weapons but lance won by the every large majority of them."
In 1813 the 125-men strong company of French lancers (regiment had 4-8 companies) was armed as follow:
in 1st rank
The dragoons and the chasseurs were
the most numerous French cavalry.
Napoleon's escort was made of chasseurs.
Horse Chasseurs [Chasseurs-�-Cheval]
They thought being equal to hussars,
the hussars however thought otherwise.
The dragoons and the chasseurs were the most numerous French cavalry. The horse chasseurs [chasseurs-a-cheval] were light cavalry and were often brigaded with the hussars. The most famous was the Infernal Brigade (9th Hussars, 7th and 20th Chasseurs) commanded by General Colbert. Two other brigades worth mention are Col. Soult's Brigade (8th Hussars, 16th and Chasseurs) and Gen. Pajol's Brigade (5th and 7th Hussars, 3rd Chasseurs).
The chasseurs-�-cheval thought being equal to hussars, the hussars however thought otherwise. Frequent quarrels arose between the two on the most triffling pretext.
Some of the chasseurs were reckless bravados - in 1809 an officer of 20th Chasseurs dismounted so that he could go a little toward the enemy in order to relieve nature. When he was standing with his legs apart and facing the Austrians, a cannonball hit him killing on the spot.
"Among the bravest chasseurs in the regiment was reckoned a corporal of the Elite Company who, when he was only a trumpeter, and barely at the age of 15, made captive with his own hand a gigantic dragoon of [Austrian] Latour regiment." ( Parquin - "Napoleon's Victories")
Many chasseurs kept their hair braided like the hussars and were proud of their mustaches. Charles Parquin of 20th Chasseurs was not so lucky in this aspect, he wrote: "to my grief, my moustache had refused to grow despite constant encouragement with the razor." ;=)
In 1798 the Directorate had 22 regiments of chasseurs before Napoleon increased their numbers. In 1804 there were 24 regiments, and in 1811 as many as 31 regiments. Only in 1815 were 15 regiments.
In no other branch of cavalry served so many foreigners, six regiments of chasseurs were formed of foreigners:
16th - Belgians.
19th - Swiss, later of Italians.
26th - formed in 1802 of Italians.
27th - formed in 1808 of Belgians and Germans.
28th - formed in 1808 of Italians.
30th - formed in Feb 1811 of Germans,
(in June this unit became 9th Lancers)
There were several reasons why the Emperor formed so many regiments of chasseurs. Their uniforms were cheaper than hussars' outfits and their horses were cheaper than cuirassiers' mounts. The chasseurs were also capable of dismounted action, like the dragoons.
Some regiments were trained for several months (at least in 1805) to handle the cannons. Although they "we never had the opportunity of using the talent which we acquired" (- Charles Parquin of 20th Chasseurs.)
Chasseurs were probably the most universal type of French cavalry. Napoleon's escort was formed of seasoned veterans selected from all the chasseur regiments.
The chasseurs were also capable of charging in a pitched battle.
In 1805 at Austerlitz 5th and 26th Chasseurs captured Allies flag.
In 1809 at Wagram, Colbert's 'Infernal Brigade' (9th Hussars, 7th and 20th Chasseurs) rushed against Austrian infantry. The 7th Chasseurs was greeted with musket volley and fell back. Colbert was seriously wounded. The 20th Chasseurs moved against the square that had just repulsed the 7th. Despite having emptied their muskets the infantrymen were standing firm. The chasseurs however attacked and broke the square. Other square was broken by the 9th Hussars. Now Oudinot advanced against Wagram and took it.
On June 14th 1812 part of the Russian Yamburg Dragoons covered the distance of 105 verst from the village of Zbegi, through Shaty, Zheimy to Vepry, all without sleep and feeding the horses. Two young Russian officers led two squadrons of the Yambourg Dragoons as they ran into a body of French chasseurs and accepted the battle. Most of the Russians were either killed, wounded, or taken prisoners. (Krestovski - �Istoriya 14-go Ulanskago Yamburskago Eya Imperatorskago Vysochestva Velikoi Knyazhny Marii Aleksandrovny Polka� St. Petersburg 1873, pages 180-182)
The chasseurs however were best suited to reconnaissance duties and small warfare. On 8th February 1814 a half squadron of 31st Chasseur captured 150 Austrian infantry near Massimbona. Another squadron captured 300 infantry between Marengo and Roverbella. Even the scouts of the regiment did something to be proud of, they captured an Austrian baggage column, which was moving into Villafranca with its escort. (Nafziger and Gioannini - "The Defense of the Napoleonic Kingdom of Northern Italy, 1813-1814" pp 160-162)
There were also few failures in this type of warfare. De Rocca writes: "Not far from the village of Mia Casas, the Spaniards had placed several squadrons of their best cavalry in ambush, this chosen cavalry fell unawares upon the chasseurs of our advanced guard, who were marching without order ... Our horsemen were overpowered by numbers ... and, in less than 10 minutes, our enemies completely destroyed upwards of 150 of the bravest of our 10th Regiment. ... We arrived too late; we saw nothing but the cloud of dust at a distance, which the retiring Spaniards left behind them. The colonel of the 10th was endeavouring to rally his chasseurs, and tearing his hair at the sight of the wounded strewed here and there over a pretty considerable space of ground."
The chasseurs had problems especially with the Cossacks in 1812. "Each morning it's the light cavalry, joined by Murat in person, that opens the march, the hussar and chasseur regiments ... Day after day the Russian rearguard carries out the same maneuvre. By pretending to make a stand, it lures Murat into mounting a full scale attack - and then melts away into forests. Towards midday the heat becomes intolerable; and the chasseurs and hussars 'seeing the Russians dismount, unbridle their horses and give them something to eat. Yet General St. Germaine kept us standing in battle array, bridle on arm, at our horses' heads. (Britten-Austin - "1812 The March on Moscow" p 124)
In the Battle of Ostrovno the 16th Chasseurs withheld its volley until the Cossacks were 30 paces away. Despite the fire the enemy closed with the chasseurs and drove them back. Only the intervention of Murat�s cavalry allowed the chasseurs to take refuge behind the 53rd Ligne and in the ravive. The Russians attempted to go after the chasseurs but the steady musketry from the 53rd Ligne repulsed them several times.
Uniforms and Weapons.
Picture: French light cavalry sabre and scabbard (1802). Photo from Military Heritage >
In early campaigns the chasseurs-a-cheval were armed with two types of sabers: a la husarde and a la chasseur. Both weapons were replaced by light cavalry saber Pattern XI. It was a good weapon, with a slightly curved blade.
Picture: French cavalry carbine from Military Heritage >
The chasseurs were armed also with carbines and bayonets. The bayonets were disliked by cavalrymen, they were used for digging up the potatoes and then threw away.
The chasseurs wore shakos, green coats, green breeches and short boots. The elite companies wore colpacks instead of shakos. In 1812 was ordered to replace the colpacks with shakos with red bands and shevrons.
Chasseurs' legwears:
- the green tight breeches were also called parade trousers or culotte hongroise
- the overalls made of rough, unbleached cloth were called stable trousers or pantalons d'ecurie.
- the color or gray trousers with leather reiforcement were called campaign trousers or charivari. There were several types of the campaign trousers. See below:
LEFT: during campaign and in battle the Guard chasseurs wore dark green trousers, strengthened with black leather on the inside and around the bottoms. The trousers were closed on the outside by 18 buttons sewn on scarlet bands.
RIGHT: in 1808 new trousers were introduced. They were without the closures and buttons on outside of each seam. Instead each seam was covered by 2 orange stripes (golden for officers). In 1811 the leather reinforcements were replaced by an layer of green cloth.
In 1812 after the campaign in Russia the grey overalls became more popular than ever. Many were made of so-called 'Marengo-grey' cloth with black leather reinforcements and 2 crimson stripes along each outside seam. The grey overalls were cheaper and more practical as the chasseurs were light cavalry and participated in numerous marches and counter-marches, scoutings, often in bad weather. In my opinion it was the most practical legwear for light cavalry. It was used in 1813 and 1814 ( Dresden , Leipzig , Craonne, La Rothiere , Arcis sur Aube, Paris ).
Before the Waterloo Campaign however the old-style , side-buttoned green overalls have been resurrected. These items came from regiment's depot stores. The side-buttoned overalls had proved to be more trouble than they were worth but the light cavalry liked them. White or grey overalls were good enough for heavy cavalry but not for the flamboyant hussars and chasseurs.
General Montbrun.
"Very tall, scarred, and soldierly,
with an eye that compelled obedience ..."
- John Elting
One of the most known chasseurs was Montbrun. Louis-Pierre Montbrun (1770-1812) joined the cavalry in 1789 in the age of 19. According to Terry J. Senior of napoleon-series.org "This soldier was a superb equestrian, with a brilliant sword arm, and a terrific combat record. He possessed an exceptional talent for controlling large formations of mixed cavalry. Rated ahead of LaSalle on the basis that he was less headstrong and more calculating than the legendary hussar commander."
Elting writes: "Montbrun was a worthy comrade. Very tall, scarred, and soldierly, with an eye that compelled obedience, active and tireless, he had risen from private to colonel of the 1st Chasseurs-a-Cheval. Davout got him promoted to general of brigade. He was at once prudent and reckless, careful of the lives of his men yet a driving, aggressive leader. In August 1812 he was suffering an attack of gout when the Russians attempted a counteroffnsive; unable to pull on his boots, he rode to the rescue in his stocking feet. A month later at Borodino a chance cannon shot killed him."
In 1809 at Raab "Montbrun led 1st Chasseurs-a-Cheval in a spirited charge that routed the few remaining Austrian cavalry defending the Austrian left flank." (Arnold - "Napoleon Conquers Austria") At Wagram, Montbrun commanded Cavalry Division (1st, 2nd, 11th and 12th Chasseurs, 5th and 7th Hussars). In 1812 during the Invasion of Russia and in the battle of Borodino, he led the II Cavalry Corps (4 chasseur, 4 cuirassier, 2 carabinier and 1 lancer regiment. He also had two German and one Polish regiments).
Colonels 1804-1815
The hussars had the cleanest bodies and the filthiest minds.
There was a saying: "The hussars were loved by every wife
and hated by every husband".
Hussars
For the hussars "The wolrd was divided by them into two parts,
the happy zone, in which the vine grows, and the detestable zone,
which is without it." - Albert-Jean-Michel de Rocca, 2e Hussars
The hussar-mania contaminated France after sweeping over Europe. The dash of attire and behaviour of Hungarian hussars displayed on the battlefields in the service of Austria certainly made the best impression, and in due time the French army started changing her cavalry regiments into hussars, in dress and in title. Lynn writes: "The last type of horsemen to join the ranks of the French cavalry were hussars, a form of mounted unit composed of Hungarian light cavalry who forged their methods of combat fighting against the Turks. Hussars were true light cavalry, used best for raiding and scouting. ... The first genuine French hussar regiment was raised in 1692 from Imperial deserters, and by 1710, the French counted 3 regiments of these often outlandish cavalry, regarded by some more as thieves on horseback than as true cavalrymen." (Lynn - "Giant of the Grand Siecle" p 492)
In 1798 the Directorate had twelve hussar regiments.
In 1803 the 11th and 12th Hussars became 29th and 30th Dragoons.
In 1804 were ten hussar regiments numbered 1st-10th.
In 1810 the 11th Hussars was reraised from Dutch 2nd Hussars.
In February 1813 the 12th Hussars was reraised from the 9th Bis Hussars
(which was made of detached squadrons).
Between Jan and Dec 1813 existed 13th Hussars.
This unit fought well and suffered heavily.
It was disbanded and its remnants were put into
new 14th Hussars formed in Northern Italy in 1813.
Majority of them were Italians. The 13th Hussars was reraised
in January 1814 from Hussars of Jerome Bonaparte.
In 1815 (Waterloo Campaign) however there were only seven hussar regiments.
Photo: Hussar of Lasalle's "Hellish Brigade." Reenactor group 7eme Hussards.
Hussars' overbearing arrogance, their military pride, the fastidiously sensitive brutality of their honor, had an intensity hard to realize today. The hussars considered themselves as better horsemen and swordsmen than everybody else. They liked to sing songs that insulted dragoons and considered themselves distinctly more dashing than chasseurs.
In combat the hussars rode yelling most unearthly, cursing and brandishing their weapons. They had their own code - that of reckless curage that bordered on a death wish. The hussars were the eyes, ears and � egos of the army.
With their look suitably piratical their hair plaited and queued they were one heck of mean buggers. Some regiments were composed of fellows who had a natural longing for a fight.
The mutually supporting camaraderie of the hussars was important factor of their esprit de corps. Tactically they were used as scouts and screen for other troops and due to their combativeness were also used in pitched battles. It was not a rare sight to see a hussar in a forefront of a hack-and-slash melee, gripping his reins with his teeth, a pistol in one hand and saber in the other.
Guindey was quartermaster of the blue-clad 10th Hussars. He became fomous for killing Prussian Prince Louis Ferdinand at Saalfeld. As a prominent leader of the Prussian court war-party, his death was grievously felt. King of Prussia told his generals afterward: "You said that the French cavalry was worthless, look what their light cavalry has done to us! Imagine what their cuirassiers will do!" Guindey was awarded and transfered to the Horse Gerenadiers of the Imperial Guard.
In 1805 at Austerlitz the 2nd Hussars captured Allies flag. The 2nd Hussars was a famous unit. Raised in 1734 by Count Esterhazy, this regiment took the name Chamborant from its colonel. "The color of its uniform, a most distinctive chestnut-brown with sky-blue facings and breeches, was reputedly suggested by Marie Antoinnette who remarked upon the color of the habit of a passing monk when Chamborant asked what color she would suggest for the uniform of his regiment." (Philip Haythornthwaite)
The 1st Hussars was not worse than the 2nd Hussars. In 1806 before the battle of Jena the Guard cavalry had not yet arrived in time and the 1st had acted as the Emperor's body guard.
In 1809, with an escort of hussars - Napoleon had given the 7th Hussars this honor - Empress Marie-Louise traveled to France to meet her husband. Everything about the journey was heavy with ceremony and when they arrived in Paris the artillery (and Paris journals :-) made a terrific noise.
The 5th and 7th Hussars formed Lasalle's legendary Hellish Brigade with Colonels Francois-Xavier Schwarz and Ferdinand-Daniel Marx as regimental commanders. In 1806 After the victorious battles of Jena and Auerst�dt, Lasalle participated in the pursuit of the Prussians. His two regiments, total of 600-900 men, bluffed the great Prussian fortress of Stettin with 180 guns and a garrison of 5,000 men. into surrender !
(Overjoyed Napoleon made comment: � Si votre cavalerie l�g�re prend ainsi des villes fortes, il faudra que je licencie mon g�nie et que je fasse fondre mes grosses pi�ces. � )
Although adventure and war were the breath of their nostrils they were also boasters, as no troops are invincible. The hussars had their own share of defeats. In 1807 at Golymin General Lasalle led "Hellish Brigade" against Russian artillery (battery of 12-15 guns). The hussars charged with vigor but then were abruptly seized with panic. The two regiments turned about and, in an indescribable disorder officers and men mixed, stampeded back to the rear. "Of the whole brigade only the elite company of the 7e Hussars, placed immediately behind the generals, remained firmly at their posts." (Dupont - "La panique de Golymin" Cavaliers d'�pop�e.)
Lasalle was furious. He rode after them, halted and brought them back. Lasalle kept them within a short range from the Russian guns as punishment for their earlier behavior. Now nobody dared to leave his post.
One of the most known cowards was squadron leader of the 5th Hussars "whose colonel had even undertaken in General Montbrun's presence to issue him with a certificate of officerly cowardice any day he asked for it. Several times he'd let his men charge without accompanying them. At Inkovo [Russia] he'd even slid from his horse and surrendered !" (Britten-Austin - "1812 The March on Moscow" p 381)
Picture: two French hussars and a girl. Picture by S.Letin.
The hussars had the cleanest bodies and the filthiest minds. There was a saying: "The hussars were loved by every wife and hated by every husband". The women loved their colorful, elegant uniforms.
.
Antoine Charles Louis, comte de Lasalle (1775 � 1809)
Lasalle was utterly brave, loving danger, laughing at his own hardships,
frequently charging with a long pipe instead of a saber in his hand.
Only Murat was more popular among the French cavalry.
The most famous hussar commander was General Antoine-Charles Lasalle, "the man for high adventure and reckless deeds.
In 1806 after the Battle of Jena, with only 900 hussars at his back and no weapon heavier than their popgun carbines, he bluffed the great fortress of Stettin, with 200 guns and a garrison of 5,000 men, into surrender.
... He had no enemies and rode with open heart and open hand. Utterly brave, loving danger, laughing at his own hardships, frequently charging with a long pipe instead of a saber in his hand, he had too much heart and too little head to handle masses of cavalry, and so got himself uselessly killed at the end of day at Wagram ...
His trick of the trade was to charge at the trot, holding his men solidly in hand to meet an enemy exhausted from galloping." (Elting, - p 163)
Lasalle wore striking uniform, admired by all hussars. It was an ultimate showoff. His horse was one of the best in the French Empire. Only Murat was more popular among the French cavalry.
In 1806-7 Lasalle commanded the Hellish Brigade (5th and 7th Hussars). In 1807 he led II Cavalry Corps (the I Cavalry Corps was under Murat). In 1809 and at Wagram Lasalle commanded Cavalry Division (8th Hussars, 13th, 16th and 24th Chasseurs).
Colonels 1804-1815
sky blue
sky blue
From left to right: 2nd, 4th, 7th, and 9th Hussar Regiment in 1807-1812. Pictures by Andre Jouineau.
2nd Hussar Regiment: 4 battle honors, 45 combats
4th Hussar Regiment: 5 battle honors,
7th Hussar Regiment: 5 battle honors, 51 combats, part of Lasalle's 'Hellish Brigade'
9th Hussar Regiment: 4 battle honors,
~
Best Cavalry Regiments.
Picture: Hussar. "Napoleon's Cavalry Recreated in Color Photographs" by Maughan
The light cavalry enjoyed reputation for bravery and an uninhibited joie-de-vivre when not. There were many excellent regiments of light cavalry, including the 1st Husards, 2nd Husards, 5th Chasseurs-a-Cheval or any of the lancer regiments.
NCO Guindey of 10th Hussars killed Prince Louis Ferdinand of Prussia. NCO Pawlikowski of Vistula Uhlans captured Prince Liechtenstein.
The heavy cavalry was not worse. In 1809 arriving at Ratisbon, the 2nd Cuirassiers took part in a fight with the Austrian Merveldt Uhlan Regiment first and then against the Hohenzollern and Ferdinand Cuirassier Regiments. Charged three times, the Austrians were routed, the 2nd Cuirassiers took 200 prisoners fortified in a village.
In Spain the French dragoons and chasseurs had their hands full with the Spanish guerillas and the British cavalry. Costello of British 95th Rifles writes: "... a loud cheering to the right attracted our attention, and we perceived our 1st Dragoons charge a French cavalry regiment. As this was the first charge of cavalry most of us had ever seen, were were all naturally much interested on the occassion. The French skirmishers who were also extended against us seemed to partiicipate in the same feeling as both parties suspended firing while the affair of dragoons was going on. The English and the French cavalry met in the most gallant manner, and with the greatest show of resolution. The first shock, when they came in collision, seemed terrific, and many men and horses fell on both sides. They had ridden through and past each other, and now they wheeled round again. This was followed by a second charge, accompanied by some very pretty- sabre-practice, by which many saddles were emptied, and English and French chargers were soon galloping about the field without riders. These immediately occupied the attention of the French skirmishers and ourselves, and we were soon engaged in pursuing them, the men of each nation endeavouring to secure the chargers of the opposite one as legal spoil. While engaged in this chase we frequently became intermixed, when much laughter was indulged in by both parties at the different accidents that occured in our pursuit." (Costello - "The Peninsular and Waterloo Campaigns" p 67)
Lancers.
6e Regiment de Chevaulegers-Lanciers
4 Battle Honors: 1812 - La Moskowa, 1813 - Hanau, 1814 - Champaubert, 1815 - Fleurus
16 Battles: 1812 - Krasnoe, Smolensk, Valoutina, La Moskowa, Wiasma, Beresina, 1813 - Jauer, Leipzig, Hanau, 1814 - Champaubert, Montmirail, Vauchamps, Arcis-sur-Aube, Saint-Dizier, 1815 - Fleurus, Waterloo
Note: This regiment was formed in 1811, from the 29e Regiment de Dragons
1er Regiment de Vistule Lanciers (In 1811 the "Vistula Uhlans" were renamed to 7e Lanciers)
0 Battle Honors: it was not French unit so no battle honors. The French 20e Dragoons were awarded with battle honor for Albuera, but not the Vistula Uhlans who took at this battle 5-6 British colors, destroyed British infantry brigade, and captured hundreds of prisoners.
44 Battles: 1798 - Sessa, 1800 - Hohenlinden, 1806 - Naples, Gaete, 1807 - Strigau, Dantzi, Saltzbrun, 1808 - Tudela, Mallen, Alagon, Saragosse, Almaraz, 1809 - Guadalajara, Jevenes, Ciudad-Real, Santa-Cruz, Alenbillas, Talavera, Almonacid, Santa Maria de Nieva, Ocana, 1810 - Sierra Morena, Baza, Arquillos, Orgas, Tortosa, Almanzor and Lorca, 1811 - Cor, Albuera, Olivenza, Baza, Berlanga, 1813 - Magdebourg, Naumbourg, Bautzen, Dresden, Pirna, Leipzig, Hanau, 1814 - Montereau, Neuilly-Saint-Front, Chalons, Chartres
Note: The uhlans defeated Prussians at Strigau, Austrians at Hohenlinden, at Mallen and Tudela trounced the Spaniards, at Albuera and Talavera routed the British, in 1813 it was turn for the Russians. No other light cavalry regiment participated in so many combats, in so different terrain and climate, took so many Colors and prisoners and fought even after Napoleon;s abdication. NCO Pawlikowski of Vistula Uhlans captured Prince Liechtenstein. During the Siege of Saragossa they climbed down from their saddles and stormed the entrenched enemy camp. The 1st Vistula Uhlans were nicknamed "The Picadors of the Hell."
8e Regiment de Chevaulegers-Lanciers
4 Battle Honors: 1812 - Polotzk, 1813 - Bautzen, Dresden, 1814 - Champaubert
9 Battles: 1812 - Jakubowo, Polotsk, La Beresina, 1813 - Lutzen, Bautzen, Kulm, Dresden, Leipzig, 1814 - Champaubert
Note: This brave regiment existed only 2.5 years. It was formed in May 1811, from the 2e Regiment de Vistula Lanciers which had been formed in France (not in Poland). In January 1814 this regiment was disbanded.
Colonels: Baron Lubienski, general in 1814
Hussars.
2e Regiment de Hussards
4 Battle Honors: 1798 - Honschoote, 1805 - Austerlitz, 1807 - Friedland, 1809 - Medellin
45 Battles: 1792 - Grisvelle, Verton, La Croix-aux-Bois, Grand-Pre, Montcheutin, Valmy, Jemmapes, 1793 - La Roche, Hondschoote, Landrecies, Wissembourg, Edelsheim, 1794 - Marolles, Fleures, Mons, Anderhoven, 1795 - Capture of Dutch Fleet at Texel (ext.link), Schwalbach, Kreutznach, 1796 - Burg Eberach, 1797 - Passage of the Rhine at Neuwied 1799 - Mannheim, Engen, Hirchberg, 1800 - Dillerich, Bopfingen, Kelheim, Germersheim, 1803 - Nienberg, 1805 - Austerlitz, 1806 - Halle, Crewitz, Mohrungen, 1807 - Osterode, Friedland, 1809 - Medllin, Alcabon, 1810 - Ronda, Sierra de Cazala, 1811 - La Gerboa, Los Santos Albuhera, 1812 - Somanis, 1813 - Leipzig, 1814 - Montereau, 1815 - Belfort
4e Regiment de Hussards
5 Battle Honors: 1794 - Fleurus, 1800 - Hohenlinden, 1805 - Austerlitz, 1807 - Friedland, 1813 - Sagonte
36 Battles: 1792 - Valmy, La Croix-aux-Bois, 1793 - Maestricht, Aldenhoven, Tirlemont, Hondschoote, Wattingnies, 1794 - Fleures, 1795: Langenheim, 1796 - Blockade of Mayence, 1797 - Passage of the Rhine Neuwied, 1799 - Altiken, Winterthur, Zurich, 1800 - Neubourg, Ampfingen, Hohenlinden, 1805 - Austerlitz, 1806: Jena, Lubeck, 1807 - Liebstadt , Mohrungen, 1809 - Alcanitz, Belchite, 1811 - Stella, Chiclana, Sagonte, 1813 - Yecla, Col d'Ordal, 1813 - Gross Beeren, Leipzig, 1814 - Lons-le-Saulnier, Saint Georges, Lyon, 1815 - Ligny, Waterloo
5e Regiment de Hussards
5 Battle Honors: 1792 - Jemmapes, 1806 - Jena, 1809 - Eckmuhl, 1812 - Borodino, 1813 - Hanau
32 Battles: 1792 - Valmy, Jemmapes (as 6th Hussar Regiment), 1793 - Wattignies, 1794 - Blockade of Nimegue, 1795 - Capture of Dutch Fleet at Texel (ext.link), 1797 - Neuwied, 1799 - Ostrach, Stockach, 1800 - Mosskirch, Biberach, Kirchberg, Hohenlinden, 1805 - Austerlitz, 1806 - Crewitz, Stettin, Golymin, 1807 - Waltersdorf, Eylau, Heilsberg, Konigsberg, 1809 - Eckmuhl, Wagram, 1812 - Borodino, Winkono, Berezina, 1813 - Bautzen, Leipzig, Hanau, 1814 - Arcis-sur-Aube, 1815 - Ligny, Waterloo, Versailles
Note: This regiment was part of the legendary 'Hellish Brigade' under General Lasalle.
Colonels and chef-de-brigade: 1793 - Ruin, 1794 - Scholtenius, 1794 - Schwartz, 1806 - Dery, 1809 - Meuziau, 1813 - Fournier, 1814 - Liegeard
7e Regiment de Hussards
5 Battle Honors: 1806 - Jena, 1807 - Heilsberg, 1812 - Borodino, 1813 - Hanau, 1814 - Vauchamps
51 Battles: 1793 - Pirmasens, 1794 - Treves, Grevenmachen, Siege of Mayence, 1795 - Mannheim, 1796 - Bopfingen, Neubourg, Villingen, Siege of Kehl, Lichtenau, 1798 - Soleure, Berne, Coure, Einsieden, 1800 - Engen, Nesselwangen, Feldkirch, Salzbourg, 1805 - Mariazell, Affleng, Austerlitz, 1806 - Gera, Zehbenick, Prentzlow, Stettin, Lubeck, Czenstowo ?, Golymin, 1807 - Eylau, Heilsberg, Konigsberg, 1809 - Peising, Ratisbone, Raab, Wagram, Znaim, 1812 - Vilna, Smolensk, Ostrowno, Borodino, 1813 - Borna, Altenbourg, Leipzig, Hanau, 1814 - Vauchamps, Montereau, Reims, Laon, Paris 1815 - Fleurus, Waterloo
Note: This regiment was part of the legendary 'Hellish Brigade' under General Lasalle. In 1806 member of this regiment captured Color of Prussian Queen's Dragoon Regiment.
Colonels and chef-de-brigade: 1792 - Lamothe, 1792 - Boyer, 1794 - Marisy, 1803 - Rapp, 1803 - Marx, 1806 - Colbert, 1809 - Custine, 1810 - Eulner, 1814 - Marbot
Chasseurs.
5e Regiment de Chasseurs-�-Cheval
4 Battle Honors: 1799 - Zurich, 1800 - Hohenlinden, 1805 - Austerlitz, 1807 - Friedland
86 Battles: 1792 - Valmy , 1793 - Pellemberg, Bliebech, Corblech, Dunkerque, Propinghen, Honschoote, Furnes, 1794 - Lannoy, Tournai, Mont-Cassel, Tourcoing, Pont-�-Chin, Zonnebech, Hooglede, Oudenarde, Gand, Alost, Breda, Boxtel, Passage of the Meuse, Nimegue, 1795 - Driel, Nieuw-Schanz, 1796 - Camp de Mulheim, Cologne, 1797 - Mayennce, 1798 - Ostende, Herenthals, Breda, 1799 - Ettlingen, Zurzach, Andelfigen, Zurich, Bussingen-Bergan, 1800 - Engen, Moeskirch, Biberach, Ochsenbrunn, Abach, Werth, 1805 - Munich, Wasserbourg, Haag, Austerlitz, 1806 - Schleiz, Furstenberg, Waren, Crewitz, Lubeck, 1807 - Morhungen, Lobau, Krentzberg, and Friedland, 1808 - Pont d'Alcolea, Baylen, Burgos, Somosierra (?), Pont d'Almaras, 1809 - Medellin, Torrigos, Talevera, 1810 - Cadiz, 1812 - Bornos, 1813 - Alembra, El-Coral, Caracuel, Olmeda, Hilesca, Burgos, Vittoria, 1813 - Juterbock, Dennewitz, Mockern, La Partha, Leipzig, Hanau, 1814 - Orthez and Toulouse, 1814 - Remagen, La Chaussee, Mormant, Troyes, Bar-sur-Aube, Sommepuis, Saint- Dizier
Colonels and chef-de-brigade: 1791 - Chevalier de Lameth , 1792 - Monard, 1793 - Richardot, 1793 - De la Noue, 1793 - Poichet dit Prudent, 1800 - Corbineau, 1806 - Bonnemains, 1811 - Baillot, 1814 - Duchastel
22e Regiment de Chasseurs-�-Cheval
5 Battle Honors: 1805 - Ulm, Austerlitz, 1806 - Jena, 1807 - Eylau, Friedland
39 Battles: 1805 - Enns, Botzen, Wischau, Ulm, Austerlitz, 1806 - Jena, Waren, Lubeck, 1807 - Hoff, Eylau, Guttstadt, Heilsburg, Friedland, 1808 - Medina-del-Rio-Seco, Niou, Burgos, 1809 - Hoya, Benavente, Pont-Vedra, Salamanque, 1810 - Astagora, 1811 - Sabugal, 1812 - Arapiles, Pancorbo, Torquemada, Burgos, 1813 - Vittoria, Gross-Beeren, Luchenwald, Wittenburg, Juterbock, Bautzen, Monasterio (Spain), Leipzig, 1814 - Montereau, Orthez, Saint-Dizier, Joigny, Toulouse
Colonels and chef-de-brigade: 1800 - Latour-Maubourg, 1805 - Bordessoule, 1807 - Pieton-Premale, 1808 - Michel dit Defosses
Dragoons.
20e Regiment de Dragons
4 Battle Honors: 1798 - Les Pyramides, 1806 - Jena, 1807 - Friedland, 1811 - Albuhera
54 Battles: 1793 - Siege of Quesnoy, 1794 - Landrecies, Quesnoy, Valenciennes, Aldenhoven, 1796 - Mondovi, Lodi, Castiglone, 1797 - La Favorite, Saint-Georges, Due-Castelli, Castelluchio, Mantoue, 1798 - Alexandrie, Chebreiss, les Pyramides, 1799 - El-Arich, Gaza, Jaffa, Saint-Jean-d'Acre, Mont-Tabor, Aboukir, 1800 - Heliopolis, 1805 - Wertingen, Memmingen, Neresheim, Ulm, Austerlitz, 1806 - Jena and Pultusk, 1807 - Eylau, Heilsberg, Friedland, 1808 - Andujar and Tudela, 1809 - Ucles, Ciudad-Real, Almonacid, Ocana, Salamanca, Pampelune, Tamames, 1811 - Albuera, 1813 - Leipzig, Dresden, and Hanau, 1814 - S.Dizier, Brienne, La Rothiere, Mormont, Monterau, Troyes, 1815 - Ligny, Waterloo
Colonels and chef-de-brigade: 1793 - Gontran , 1797 - Boussart, 1800 - Reynaud, 1807 - Corbineau, 1811 - Desargus, 1815 -Briqueville
Cuirassiers and carabiniers
1er Regiment de Cuirassiers
4 Battle Honors: 1792 - Jemmapes, 1805 - Austerlitz, 1807 - Eyau, 1812 - Borodino
49 Battles: 1792: Jemmapes, Anderlecht, Tirelemont, 1793: Maestricht, La Roer, Nerwinden, Maubeuge, 1794: Mouscron, Pont-a-Chin, Rousselar, Maline, 1796: Rivoli, Tagliament, 1799: Le Trebbia, La Secchia, Novi, Genola, 1800: Mozambano, 1801: San-Massiano, Verone, 1805: Wertingen, Ulm, Hollabrunn, Raussnitz, Austerlitz, 1806: Jena, Lubeck, 1807: Hoff, Eylau, 1809: Eckmuhl, Ratisbonne, Essling, Wagram, Hollabrunn, Znaim, 1812: La Moskowa, Winkowo, 1813: Katzbach, Leipzig, Hanau, Hambourg, 1814: La Chausee, Vauchamps, Bar-sur-Aube, Sezanne, Valcourt, 1815: Ligny, Genappe, Waterloo
Note: In 1791 the regiment was named the 1er Regiment de Cavalerie, in 1801 became the 1er Regiment de Cavalerie-Cuirassiers, and in 1803 became the 1er Regiment de Cuirassiers.
Colonels and chef-de-brigade: 1791 - de Clermont-Tonnerre, 1792 - Deschamps de la Varenne, 1793 - Doncourt, 1793 - Maillard, 1795 - Severac, 1797 - Juignet, 1798 - Margaron, 1803 - Guiton, 1805 - de Berckheim, 1809 - Clerc, 1814 - de la Mothe Guery, 1815 - Ordener
1er Regiment de Carabiniers-�-Cheval
0 Battle Honors:
42 Battles: 1792 - Valmy, 1793 - Arlon, Bliecastel, Climbach, Wissembourg, 1794 - Tourcoing, Tournay, 1795 - Frankenthal, Mannheim, Biberach, 1800 - Engen, Moeskirch, Augsbourg, Blenheim, Passage of the Danube, Hochstett, Neresheim, Hohenlinden, 1805 - Nurembourg, Austerlitz, 1806 - Prentzlow, Lubeck, 1807 - Ostrolenka, Guttstadt, Friedland, 1809 - Eckmuhl, Ratisbonne, Essling, and Wagram, 1812 - Borodino, Winkowo, Wiazma, 1813 - Dresden, Leipzig, and Hanau, 1814 - Montmirail, La Guillotiere, Troyes, Craonne, Laon, Reims, 1815 - Waterloo
Colonels and chef-de-brigade: 1791 - Valence, 1791 - Meillonas, 1792 - Berruyer, 1792 - Antoine, 1792 - Baget, 1793 - Jaucourt-Latour, 1795 - Girard, 1799 - Cochois, 1805 - Prince Borghese, 1807 - Laroche, 1813 - De Bailliencourt, 1815 - Roge
2e Regiment de Carabiniers-�-Cheval
0 Battle Honors:
42 Battles: 1792 - Valmy, 1793 - Arlon, Bliecastel, Climbach, Wissembourg, 1794 - Tourcoing, Tournay, 1795 - Frankenthal, Mannheim, Biberach, 1800 - Engen, Moeskirch, Augsbourg, Blenheim, Passage of the Danube, Hochstett, Neresheim, Hohenlinden, 1805 - Nurembourg, Austerlitz, 1806 - Prentzlow, Lubeck, 1807 - Ostrolenka, Guttstadt, Friedland, 1809 - Eckmuhl, Ratisbonne, Essling, and Wagram, 1812 - Borodino, Winkowo, Wiazma, 1813 - Dresden, Leipzig, and Hanau, 1814 - Montmirail, La Guillotiere, Troyes, Craonne, Laon, Reims, 1815 - Waterloo
Battle Honors
| i don't know |
Which Elvis Presley hit record contains spoken lines from Shakespeare | Elvis Presley: Original Version Recordings of Songs He Sang
(Now And Then There's) A Fool Such As I recorded by Elvis on Tuesday, 10 June 1958; Studio
Written by: Trader
Originally recorded by Hank Snow in 1952
Hear Elvis's version on: Elvis' Gold Records Volume 2; The Complete 50's Masters 4; ELV1S 30 #1 Hits
Hank Snow was born Clarence Eugene Snow on 9 May 1914 in Liverpool, Nova Scotia, and suffered a childhood of poverty and abuse. He ran away from home at age 12 and worked at various jobs before following his idol, Jimmy Rodgers into the music business, and eventually earning himself a record deal with RCA Canada in 1936. Snow's heyday was between 1950 and 1965, but he continued performing regularly until the mid-1990s. He became a US citizen in 1956. Hank Snow died in December 1999. See also "I'm Movin' On."
Note that the track released on "ELV1S 30 #1 Hits" is not the original single release!
(That's What You Get) For Lovin' Me recorded by Elvis on Monday, 15 March 1971; Studio
Written by: Lightfoot
Originally recorded by Gordon Lightfoot in 1964
Hear Elvis's version on: Walk A Mile In My Shoes—The Essential 70's Masters Disc 3
Gordon Lightfoot recorded his own version shortly before Peter, Paul and Mary's hit version of 1964, but his recording was not released until 1966. Gordon Lightfoot was born on 17 November 1938 in Orillia, Ontario (Canada). He made several recordings in 1960 as a member of the Two Tones.
(See also "Early Morning Rain.")
(There'll Be) Peace In The Valley (For Me) recorded by Elvis on Sunday, 13 January 1957; Studio
Written by: Dorsey
Originally recorded by Flying Clouds Of Detroit in 1946
Hear Elvis's version on: Elvis' Christmas Album; The Complete Million Dollar Session; The Complete 50's Masters 2
Thomas A. Dorsey became known as "the father of gospel music," after having written more than 400 gospels. However, he had a much more secular start in the music business (for example, he recorded "Tight Like That" with Tampa Red in 1928!). Some sources credit him with inventing the term "gospel music." Dorsey wrote this number in 1937, basing it on the earlier spiritual, "We Shall Walk Through The Valley In Peace," with Mahalia Jackson in mind. However, Jackson did not record the number and, indeed, it remained unrecorded until May 1946 when the Flying Clouds Of Detroit picked it up and recorded it as part of their only recording session for Haven. Their original was released the following year on Haven 510. Tiny Powell's Paramount Singers recorded it in 1949, but it was not until 1951 and Red Foley's million-selling version that the song became widely popular. Elvis also recorded Dorsey's "Take My Hand, Precious Lord." Elvis's version of "Peace In The Valley," however, owes more to Red Foley's 1951 version. Elvis included this number in his performance on the third Ed Sullivan show in which he starred, in January 1957.
(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher recorded by Elvis on Tuesday, 20 August 1974; One-liner
Written by: Davis; Miner; Jackson; Smith
Originally recorded by Jackie Wilson in 1967
Hear Elvis's version on: From Sunset to Las Vegas
When introducing Jackie Wilson to the audience at the Las Vegas midnight show on 20 August 1974, Elvis performed just one line of Wilson's famous song, "Higher and Higher." This really is a one-liner in the truest sense of the word—blink and you'll miss it.
Jackie Wilson was much admired by Elvis, and rightly so. Elvis thought so much of him that he not only copied his moves when performing "Return to Sender" in the film "Girls! Girls! Girls!" but he also offered financial support to Jackie's family, after Wilson became ill and spent several years in a comatose state in hospital. Wilson also admitted that he was influenced by Elvis. They shared a mutual respect.
Jackie Wilson was born on 9 June 1934 in Detroit. In September 1975 he suffered a heart attack while performing onstage and damaged his head when he fell. He went into coma and only emerged from that state briefly in 1976. He died on 21 January 1984 at the Memorial Hospital in Mount Holly, New Jersey.
So what about The Dells? The story goes that Raynard Miner and Billy Davis wrote a song called "Higher and Higher" and that this song was stolen from Miner's briefcase by Gary Jackson and Carl Smith. These two got Jackie Wilson to record the song, but it had by that time already been recorded by The Dells. Writing credit on Wilson's release showed Smith and Jackson; this led them to be sued by Miner and Davis and these were awarded 80% of the credits. Well, Mr. Bumble announced in "Oliver Twist" that, "The law is an ass…" and right he might well have been, for The Dells' song, "Higher and Higher" (now titled "(You're Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher And Higher" for some reason, as these words do not appear in the lyrics), is very different to the Jackie Wilson version, with only minor lyrical and melodic similarities: an inspiration, perhaps, but little more. So for me, Jackie still takes the original crown.
500 Miles recorded by Elvis on ?, 1966; Informal
Written by: West
A Hundred Years From Now recorded by Elvis on Thursday, 4 June 1970; Studio
Written by: Red River Dave (Dave McEnery)
Originally recorded by Bob Atcher and Bonnie Blue Eyes in 1940
Hear Elvis's version on: Walk A Mile In My Shoes—The Essential 70's Masters Disc 3
A song called "A Hundred Years From Now" featured in the 1905 Broadway musical "Moonshine," with music by Silvio Hein and lyrics by George V. Hobart and Edwin Milton Royle. I can confirm that this is not the same song, however, even though the Bear Family Records 1991 release "Flatt & Scruggs 1948-1959" lists Hein and Royle in the writers credits. (Elvis's recordings list Flatt & Scruggs, as does Ernst Jorgensen's "A Life In Music.")
The full title of the song appears to be "I Won't Care (A Hundred Years From Now)" and Red River Dave (David L McEnery), a Texas country singer, published a song by this title the 1930s' song portfolio, "Songs Of The Mountains And Plains." In an interview made on 5 May, 1975, Red River Dave confirmed that he was the writer of the song that Flatt & Scruggs recorded as "A Hundred Years From Now." (The interview is part of the Oral History section of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.)
On 18 June 1940, country duo Bob Atcher and Bonnie Blue Eyes recorded Red River Dave's number and released it with the title "(I Won't Care) A Hundred Years From Now," firstly on Okeh 05755 and later on Conqueror 9595 and Columbia 37751. The label specifically credits "McEnery" as the songwriter.
After Loving You recorded by Elvis on Tuesday, 18 February 1969; Studio
Written by: Miller; Lantz
Originally recorded by Eddy Arnold in 1962
Hear Elvis's version on: From Nashville to Memphis (5)
Elvis first recorded this number at home in 1966 and this home-recording was issued on "Platinum: A Life In Music" in 1997. The studio recording, however, was made at the American Studios and was originally released almost 20 years earlier on the "From Elvis In Memphis" album—perhaps the very best Elvis album. It is reported on some sites that Eddy Arnold recorded his version of "After Loving You" on 4 May, 1962. His recording was released on RCA Victor single 47-8048, as the B-side of "A Little Heartache," in July of that same year. Joe Henderson's version was on Todd 1077. Although this recording was released in 1962, the exact recording date is unknown.
Eddie Miller, the writer of this number, also wrote "Release Me."
Can you provide a recording date for the Joe Henderson version? contact me.
Ain't That Loving You Baby recorded by Elvis on Tuesday, 10 June 1958; Studio
Written by: Otis; Hunter
Allá En El Rancho Grande recorded by Elvis on Wednesday, 15 July 1970; Informal
Written by: de Uranga; del Moral; Ramos
Originally recorded by Cantantes de la Orquesta Típica Mexicana in 1926
Hear Elvis's version on: Walk A Mile In My Shoes—The Essential 70's Masters Disc 5
Not an "official" recording, but nevertheless released officially by BMG, this is just Elvis playing around during rehearsals for the film "That's The Way It Is." The title translates as "Over there in the big ranch."
The original recording of "Allá En El Rancho Grande" was made by Cantantes de la Orquesta Típica Mexicana on 26 November, 1926. It was released on a 10-inch disc, Victor 79066 (black label, Latin American).
(Thanks to The Originals Project for permission to use the label image.)
Almost Always True recorded by Elvis on Wednesday, 22 March 1961; Studio
Written by: Wise; Weisman
Did Elvis sing "Lovely Mamie"? contact me.
Almost In Love recorded by Elvis on Thursday, 7 March 1968; Studio
Written by: Bonfá; Starr
Originally recorded by Luiz Bonfá in 1965
Hear Elvis's version on: Double Features: Live a Little, Love a Little; Charro!; The Trouble With Girls; Change of Habit
"Almost In Love" was originally written by Luiz Bonfá and recorded as "Moonlight In Rio" on his 1965 album "The Brazilian Scene," released on Philips PHS 600-208. Randy Starr added English lyrics and the tune became the song "Almost In Love," used in Elvis's film "Live A Little, Love A Little." Another case of a wonderful song being lost on a soundtrack, I'm afraid.
Louis Bonfá was born on 22 October 1922 in Rio de Janeiro. Because of his gifted ability with the guitar, the classical guitarist Isaías Sávio gave the young Bonfá free lessons. After becoming known through radio exposure, Bonfá went on to become a foremost composer and musician in Brazil. He lived and worked in the USA from the early 1960s until 1975. Luiz Bonfá died in Brazil on 12 January 2001.
Aloha Oe recorded by Elvis on Tuesday, 21 March 1961; Studio
Written by: Liliuokalani; Wilmott
Always On My Mind recorded by Elvis on Wednesday, 29 March 1972; Studio
Written by: Carson; James; Christopher
Originally recorded by B. J. Thomas in 1969/70
Hear Elvis's version on: The Essential Collection; Walk A Mile In My Shoes—The Essential 70's Masters Disc 2
Mark James, whose name appears in the writers credits, also wrote "It's Only Love," "Moody Blue" and "Suspicious Minds." Elvis's version was coupled on a single with "Separate Ways." Brenda Lee recorded her version of "Always On My Mind" 6 months before Elvis, on 22 September 1971 (it was not released until June 1972) and this is generally considered to be the original. However, in 1969 or 1970, B.J. Thomas recorded the number in the American Studios in Memphis. This version did not surface for over 25 years, when it appeared for the first time on the album "B.J. Thomas Golden Classics: 22 Classic Tracks" (CD-Masters Intercontinental #4005), which was released in August 1996.
After an inauspicious start in the music business as part of the group Triumph, B.J. Thomas went solo and had an immediate hit with his 1966 recording of the Hank Williams song "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry." However, he failed to score again in the charts until 1968, when he enjoyed huge success with Bacharach and David's "Raindrops Keep Fallin' On My Head." He continued to have hits with various record labels, mainly in the country charts, until well into the 1980s.
Unfortunately, I am unable to find anything to support the claim that Thomas recorded the number first: it is not even mentioned in the definitive book on the American Studios, Roben Jones's "Memphis Boys: The Story of American Studios."
Can you confirm/disprove that Thomas was the first to record "Always On My Mind"? contact me.
Am I Ready recorded by Elvis on Wednesday, 16 February 1966; Studio
Written by: Tepper; Bennett
Amazing Grace recorded by Elvis on Monday, 15 March 1971; Studio
Written by: Traditional/Newton
Originally recorded by The Original Sacred Harp Choir in 1922
Hear Elvis's version on: Walk A Mile In My Shoes—The Essential 70's Masters Disc 3; Amazing Grace (CD 1); He Touched Me
John Newton wrote the words to this hymn in the 18th century. Newton was the reformed master of a slave ship and not a particularly pleasant character in his earlier life. He became rector of a parish in Olney in Great Britain, where he compiled "Olney Hymns," a hymnal which was published in 1779 and contained the first printing of "Amazing Grace". The original tune used to accompany "Amazing Grace" is associated with the Scottish folk song "Loch Lomond" and the17th century English hymn "Todlen Hame". The "New Britain" tune -- the tune now most associated with the song and the one used by Elvis -- was first used in 1835 in the hymnal "The Southern Harmony" in the USA. Elvis sings an extra verse, not included in Newton's version ("When we've been there ten thousand years…"); this verse was added by John Rees in the 19th century. The Original Sacred Harp Choir's recording was released on Brunswick 5150 with the title "New Britain".
Amen recorded by Elvis on Wednesday, 20 March 1974; Concert
Written by: Traditional
An American Trilogy recorded by Elvis on Thursday, 17 February 1972; Concert
Written by: Traditional/Newbury
Originally recorded by Mickey Newbury in 1971
Hear Elvis's version on: Walk A Mile In My Shoes—The Essential 70's Masters Disc 1; Recorded Live On Stage In Memphis
Mickey Newbury was born Milton Newbury in Houston, Texas, on 19 May, 1940. After having served in the US Air Force, he moved to Nashville and wrote songs for other artists before recording his first album in 1968. After stints with RCA and Mercury, Newbury moved to Elektra where he recorded his original version of "An American Trilogy" for his first album on that label, "Frisco Mabel Joy." The exact date of the recording session that produced "An American Trilogy" is unkown, but it took place around June 1971. The number was also released as a single on Elektra 4570.
The three numbers used by Newbury to make up the Trilogy are: "Dixie," written in 1859 by Dan Emmett; "Battle Hymn Of The Republic," written in 1861 by Julia Howe (set to the tune of "John Browns Body"); "All My Trials," which is a traditional number whose composer is unknown, though the names of Rita Green and C.C. Carter are sometimes listed --- versions of "All My Trials" were released in 1956 by Cynthia Gooding and Bob Gibson. The songs are intended to represent the three factions involved in the US Civil War, namely the Confederate South (Dixie), the Unionist North ("Battle Hymn"), and the slaves ("All My Trials").
The live recording of this number, made by Elvis during his January-February 1972 series of concerts at the Las Vegas Hilton, was released as a single (with The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face). Other live recordings by Elvis have also been released.
An Evening Prayer recorded by Elvis on Tuesday, 18 May 1971; Studio
Written by: Battersby; Gabriel
Are You Lonesome Tonight? recorded by Elvis on Monday, 4 April 1960; Studio
Written by: Turk; Handman
Originally recorded by Charles Hart in 1927
Hear Elvis's version on: The Essential Collection; Golden Records Vol.3; Elvis In Concert; ELV1S 30 #1 Hits
The number is probably more associated with Al Jolson than anyone other than Elvis, but Jolson did not make a recording of it until 1950. Numerous artists recorded AYLT in 1927, including the composer himself, Lou Handman, who played piano backing while his sister Edythe provided the vocals on the Gennett label (27 June), and Vaughn DeLeath ("The Radio Girl") who recorded the number twice, first as a solo on 13 June 1927 and then on the following 1 October, as vocalist for The Colonial Club Orchestra. Famed tenor Henry Burr released his own version in that same year, having recorded it (probably) on 5 August. Ned Jakobs is often listed as the first to record the number (he recorded it on 17 May 1927), but his recording was not used. At least one recording of the number is reported to have been made on 18 June, 1926, the year in which it was copyrighted; this was done by Bob Haring, leading the Cameo Dance Orchestra, a sort of studio band brought together to record as much as possible as early as possible -- have a look here. . This number was released on three labels: Cameo 967, Lincoln 2540 and Romeo 250 (all with the same matrix number). However, the recording is purely instrumental (at least on Romeo 250, where the performer is listed as the Dixie Daisies) and writing credits are shown for Turk, Little, Britt and not Turk, Handman. It looks, therefore, as if Roy Turk's lyrics were set to music twice: the familiar song as Elvis recorded it and an earlier version, with music by Little and Britt. Therefore, the original honour has to go to Charles Hart ( see good biography ), whose 9 May 1927 recording was released as "Are You Lonesome To-night" on Harmony 431.
Colonel Parker persuaded Elvis to record this number, a favourite of Mrs. Parker's! The arrangement used in Elvis's version is based on the 1950 recording of Are You Lonesome Tonight by the Blue Barron Orchestra.
The spoken part is loosely based on a speech by Jacques in Shakespeare's "As You Like It", Act II Scene VII: "All the world's a stage, and all men and women merely players: they have their exits and their entrances; And one man in his time plays many parts."
Can you provide proof of the Cameo 967/Lincoln 2540 release? contact me.
Are You Sincere recorded by Elvis on Monday, 24 September 1973; Studio
Written by: Walker
Originally recorded by Andy Williams in 1958
Hear Elvis's version on: Raised On Rock; Walk A Mile In My Shoes—The Essential 70's Masters Disc 4
Wayne Walker probably recorded his own composition in 1957, but then only as a demo (thanks to his daughter for providing this information). The number was passed on to Andy Williams, who had a big hit with it the following year on the Cadence Records label (Cadence 1340). It went on to become Walker's most recorded number.
Ask Me recorded by Elvis on Monday, 27 May 1963; Studio
Written by: Modugno; Giant; Baum; Kaye
Originally recorded by Domenico Modugno in 1958
Hear Elvis's version on: Collectors Gold; From Nashville to Memphis (3)
Italian Domenico Modugno had a massive hit in 1958 with "Volare" and now had a new number out on Fonit SP 30440 called "Resta Cu Mme," the B-side of which was "Io." Modugno was born in Polignano a Mare in Italy on 9 January, 1928. An aspiring actor, Modugno's career turned towards singing when he took part in and won the 1958 San Remo Music Festival with his own song, "Nel Biu Dipinto Di Blu," better known as "Volare." Modugno continued to be active in both acting and singing throughout the 1960s and 1970s. In the latter part of the 1980s he moved into politics and became a representative for Turin of the Italian Radical party. Domenic Modugno died in August 1994.
The original Italian title , "Io," was printed on the label of the Elvis's UK single release of "Ask Me," between brackets after the English title. This caused some confusion to Albert Hand, then editor of Elvis Monthly, who wondered what the number 10 meant! Elvis recorded the number twice: the May 27th version was not released until 1991; the 1964 single version was recorded on January 12, 1964.
At The Hop recorded by Elvis on ?, 1959; Informal
Written by: Singer; Madara; White
Originally recorded by Danny And The Juniors in 1957
Hear Elvis's version on: Greetings From Germany (Unofficial CD)
The number was originally written as "Do The Bop," but by the time it was ready to be recorded, the dance called the Bop was already history. Dick Clark suggested a quick title change to "At The Hop," and the rest really is history! The single was originally released on the Singular label (S-711) before being picked up and released on the ABC-Parampunt label (9871). Not only did Danny And The Juniors have a number 1 smash with the song, but Elvis recorded it informally on a home tape recorded whilst in Germany doing his army stint. The recording has not been officially released.
Aubrey recorded by Elvis on Monday, 2 September 1974; Concert
Written by: Gates
Ave Maria recorded by Elvis on Thursday, 20 August 1970; Concert
Written by: Bach; Bernard; Gounod(?)
Originally recorded by W.D. McFarland in 1898
Hear Elvis's version on: A Bright Midnight With Elvis (unofficial release)
Paul Bernard and Charles Gounod used Luke 1:28 as the inspiration for "Ave Maria" in 1859, adapting the words to J.S. Bach's First prelude. According to the Discography of American Historical Recordings, McFarland's version of "Ave Maria" was recorded in November 1898 and released as a 7" single-sided disc on Berliner 1917. M.A. Guarini's recording of the same title probably took place at about the same time, but I have been unable to find a date. His version of "Ave Maria" was released as a cylinder early in 1899 on Edison Records 7287. 1899 saw another recording of the song by Helen Jenynge, made on 7 March and released on Berliner 3676. Interestingly, Alessandro Moreschi (apparently a somewhat physically challenged singer, known as The Last Castrato...) recorded the number on a cylinder in 1902 (Opal 5477).
But note the question-mark next to the composers. There's a problem, for Franz Schubert also composed a number called "Ave Maria" and this in 1825. Well, to be honest, it wasn't called "Ave Maria" at the time, but saw the light of day as "Ellens dritter Gesang" or "Ellens Third Song" and was part of seven songs that he wrote as a setting for Walter Scott's then popular poem, "The Lady Of The Lake." The tune was later adopted to accompany the words of the Roman Catholic prayer, "Ave Maria."
Elvis used the song in an unusual medley with "I Got A Woman" in the International Hotel, Las Vegas, during some of the shows of his 1970 summer season there. (The number has appeared on several unofficial releases containing audience recordings of various performances; I offer just one example). But just whose song he used is unclear, as (at least on the LP "The Hillbilly Cat Live" and on the CD example above) he sings little more than "Ave Mari…" (the first three or four syllables of both songs).
Baby Let's Play House recorded by Elvis on Saturday, 5 February 1955; Studio
Written by: Gunter
Originally recorded by Arthur Gunter in 1954
Hear Elvis's version on: The Sun Sessions CD; The Complete 50's Masters 1
Elvis changed the words of the original slightly in his performance, singing "you may get a pink Cadillac," in place of Gunter's original "you may get religion." Elvis already had religion, the Cadillac would soon follow! There is some doubt about the recording date: 5 February is the date normally listed, but Elvis appeared at the Louisiana Hayride on that date; it is possible that the song was recorded earlier that same week.
Arthur Gunter was born on 23 May 1926 in Nashville, Tennessee. As a child, he formed the Gunter Brothers Quartet with his brothers and cousins. In 1954 he signed with Excello Records and recorded "Baby Let's Play House" in November. It was released on Excello 2047 and was a local hit. It became nationally known the following year when Elvis recorded it for Sun; "Elvis got that number and made it famous. But I didn't get a chance to shake his hand," Gunter would later say. His first royalty check, received that same year, was for $6500. Arthur Gunter died in March 1976.
Baby What You Want Me To Do recorded by Elvis on Thursday, 27 June 1968; Studio
Written by: Reed
Banana Boat Song (Day-O) recorded by Elvis on Friday, 3 May 1957; One-liner
Written by: Traditional, adap. Burgie
Originally recorded by Edric Connor and The Caribbeans in 1954
Hear Elvis's version on: Jailhouse Rock FTD 2-CD
Elvis "sings" just a very small part of this number before the first take of "I Want To Be Free." The title is worth mentioning, however, because of the achievements of the original artist, Edric Connor.
Connor was born in August 1913 in Mayaro, Trinidad. He was extremely interested in the ethnic music of his country and, when he moved to the UK in 1944, he introduced this music to the British public through a series of radio programmes he made for the BBC. In 1954 he recorded an LP of traditional Jamaican music that had been collected by Tom Murray. "Songs From Jamaica," on Argo RG 33, contained several titles that would later reappear as Ska, Reggae, Mento, even Pop, but perhaps its most obvious influence came from the track "Day Dah Light," which, in 1956, would become Harry Belafonte's "Banana Boat Song." (Many sites give the date of the LP as 1952, but I believe it to be 1954.)
However, Connor was far more than just a folk singer (even though he had a magnificent singing voice). He was also a Shakespearean actor (the first black actor to be so), a film actor (notably appearing as Dagoo in "Moby Dick"), a director, a television actor, and he even managed the programme for the first Notting Hill Carnival in 1959.
Connor himself put together the backing group that he used on the "Songs From Jamaica" album, The Caribbeans. They decided to stick together after the session, but changed the name of the group to The Southlanders. They would soon record another album with Connor, "Songs From Trinidad," and would also find fame in their own right, most notably for their recording of "I am a Mole and I Live in a Hole."
Connor died far too young in October 1968.
Beyond The Reef recorded by Elvis on Friday, 27 May 1966; Studio
Written by: Pitman
Originally recorded by Napua Stevens in 1949
Hear Elvis's version on: From Nashville to Memphis (3)
Jack Pitman, who composed this number, was a Canadian. He moved to Hawaii in 1943 and composed "Beyond The Reef," probably his most famous song, in 1948. Napua Stevens was a popular and successful Hawaiian recording artist. Following her local success, the number was picked up and recorded on the mainland of the USA by Jimmy Wakely together with Margaret Whiting and at just about the same time by Bing Crosby. An earlier, incomplete home recording of Elvis's version of this number was made in 1960; this was released in 2000 on the CD "In A Private Moment."
Big Boss Man recorded by Elvis on Sunday, 10 September 1967; Studio
Written by: Smith; Dixon
Blue Christmas recorded by Elvis on Thursday, 5 September 1957; Studio
Written by: Hayes; Johnson
Originally recorded by Doye O'Dell in 1948
Hear Elvis's version on: Elvis' Christmas Album; If Every Day Was Like Christmas; NBC-TV Special; The Complete 50's Masters 3
Although recorded in 1957 and part of the original "Elvis' Christmas Album," the track was not released on single until 1964, when it reached the top of the Billboard special Christmas Singles chart. Doye was born in 1912. One of his biggest hits was "Old Shep," which he recorded in 1947 (later also recorded by Elvis). In the 1950s he became one of the many singing cowboys in films, though continued his recording career, which remained his most significant activity. Doye O'Dell died in January 2001.
Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain recorded by Elvis on Sunday, 8 February 1976; Studio
Written by: Rose
Blue Hawaii recorded by Elvis on Wednesday, 22 March 1961; Studio
Written by: Robin; Rainger
Originally recorded by Jack Denny and His Orchestra in 1937
Hear Elvis's version on: Blue Hawaii
Elvis's "Blue Hawaii" was, of course, the title track of one of his first films after leaving the army. The song originally became well known because of another film, "Waikiki Wedding," from 1937, starring Bing Crosby and Shirley Ross, but it was not Crosby who made the original recording. This honour probably goes to Jack Denny and His Orchestra, with vocals by Sonny Schuyler. Denny and his band recorded the number on 19 February 1937, several days before Crosby. It was released on Master 105.
Denny fronted numerous bands in the 1920s and 1930s. In 1931 he moved from Montreal, Canada, to New York City, and the following year started playing at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel. He developed a "society" sound, using no brass section, but adding extra pianos and woodwinds. His sweet sound was eventually overtaken when Xavier Cugat's more raucous style was featured as an opening act.
Confusingly, towards the end of the 1920s, another number called "Blue Hawaii" was popular. However, this was a totally different song, both musically and lyrically, written by Baer, Caesar and Schuster.
(Marilyn Monroe fans might like to know that co-writer Leo Robin also wrote "Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend.")
Blue Monday recorded by Elvis on Monday, 4 February 1974; One-liner
Written by: Bartholomew
Wikipedia article
Thanks to all the people who have provided feedback and additional information that I've been able to use to improve this site and its contents: Garth Bond (UK?), Sebastiano Cecere (Italy), Chris Deakin (UK), Stig Ericsson (Sweden), Mark Hillier (UK), Joop Jansen (Netherlands), Torben Jensen (Denmark), Robin Jones (Saudi Arabia), Bob Moke (USA), Henk Muller (Netherlands), Rami Poutiainen (Finland), Aad Sala (Netherlands), Trevor Simpson (UK), Leroy Smith (Netherlands), Philippe Spard (France), Kris Verdonck (Belgium). If I've forgotten anyone, please forgive me!
The best site for other originals is probably The Originals Project
My information for Elvis fans
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Elvis Presley Biography
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Elvis Aaron Presley, 8 January 1935, Tupelo, Mississippi, USA, d. 16 August 1977, Memphis, Tennessee, USA. The most celebrated popular music phenomenon of his era and, for many, the purest embodiment of rock n roll, Elvis Presleys life and career have become part of rock legend. The elder of twins, his younger brother, Jesse Garon, was stillborn, a tragedy that partly contributed to the maternal solicitude dominating his childhood and teenage years. Presleys first significant step towards a musical career took place at the age of eight when he won $5 in a local song contest performing the lachrymose Red Foley ballad, Old Shep. His earliest musical influence came from attending the Pentecostal Church and listening to the psalms and gospel songs. He also had a strong grounding in country and blues and it was the combination of these different styles that was to provide his unique musical identity.
By the age of 13, Presley had moved with his family to Memphis, and during his later school years began cultivating an outsider image, with long hair, spidery sideburns and ostentatious clothes. After leaving school he took a job as a truck driver, a role in keeping with his unconventional appearance. In spite of his rebel posturing, Presley remained studiously polite to his elders and was devoted to his mother. Indeed, it was his filial affection that first prompted him to visit Sun Records, whose studios offered the sophisticated equivalent of a fairground recording booth service. In 1953, as a birthday present to his mother, Gladys, Presley cut a version of the Ink Spots My Happiness, backed with the Raskin/Brown/Fisher standard Thats When Your Heartaches Begin. The studio manager, Marion Keisker, noted Presleys unusual but distinctive vocal style and informed Suns owner/producer Sam Phillips of his potential. Phillips nurtured the boy for almost a year before, in July 1954, putting him together with country guitarist Scotty Moore and bass player Bill Black. Their early sessions showed considerable promise, especially when Presley began alternating his unorthodox low-key delivery with a high-pitched whine. The amplified guitars of Moore and Black contributed strongly to the effect and convinced Phillips that the singer was startlingly original. In Presley, Phillips saw something that he had long dreamed and spoken of discovering; a white boy who sang like a negro.
Presleys debut disc on Sun was the extraordinary Thats All Right (Mama), a showcase for his rich, multi-textured vocal dexterity, with sharp, solid backing from his compatriots. The b-side, Blue Moon Of Kentucky, was a country song, but the arrangement showed that Presley was threatening to slip into an entirely different genre, closer to R&B. Local response to these strange-sounding performances was encouraging and Phillips eventually shifted 20, 000 copies of the disc. For his second single, Presley recorded Roy Browns Good Rockin Tonight backed by the zingy I Dont Care If The Sun Dont Shine. The more roots-influenced Milk Cow Blues Boogie followed, while the b-side, Youre A Heartbreaker, had some strong tempo changes that neatly complemented Presleys quirky vocal. Baby Lets Play House/Im Left, Youre Right, Shes Gone continued the momentum and led to Presley performing on The Grand Old Opry and Louisiana Hayride radio programmes. A series of live dates commenced in 1955 with drummer D.J. Fontana added to the ranks. Presley toured clubs in Arkansas, Louisiana and Texas billed as The King Of Western Bop and The Hillbilly Cat. Audience reaction verged on the fanatical, which was hardly surprising given Presleys semi-erotic performances. His hip-swivelling routine, in which he cascaded across the stage and plunged to his knees at dramatic moments in a song, was remarkable for the period and prompted near-riotous fan mania. The final Sun single, a cover version of Junior Parkers Mystery Train, was later acclaimed by many as the definitive rock n roll single, with its chugging rhythm, soaring vocal and enticing lead guitar breaks.
It established Presley as an artist worthy of national attention and ushered in the next phase of his career, which was dominated by the imposing figure of Colonel Tom Parker. The Colonel was a former fairground huckster who managed several country artists including Hank Snow and Eddy Arnold. After relieving disc jockey Bob Neal of Presleys managership, Parker persuaded Sam Phillips that his financial interests would be better served by releasing the boy to a major label. RCA Records had already noted the commercial potential of the phenomenon under offer and agreed to pay Sun Records a release fee of $35, 000, an incredible sum for the period. The sheer diversity of Presleys musical heritage and his remarkable ability as a vocalist and interpreter of material enabled him to escape the cultural parochialism of his R&B-influenced predecessors. The attendant rock n roll explosion, in which Presley was both a creator and participant, ensured that he could reach a mass audience, many of them newly affluent teenagers.
It was on 10 January 1956, a mere two days after his 21st birthday, that Presley entered RCAs studios in Nashville to record his first tracks for a major label. His debut session produced the epochal Heartbreak Hotel, one of the most striking pop records ever released. Co-composed by Hoyt Axtons mother Mae, the song evoked nothing less than a vision of absolute funereal despair. There was nothing in the pop charts of the period that even hinted at the degree of desolation described in the song. Presleys reading was extraordinarily mature and moving, with a determined avoidance of any histrionics in favour of a pained and resigned acceptance of loneliness as death. The economical yet acutely emphatic piano work of Floyd Cramer enhanced the stark mood of the piece, which was frozen in a suitably minimalist production. The startling originality and intensity of Heartbreak Hotel entranced the American public and pushed the single to number 1 for an astonishing eight weeks. Whatever else he achieved, Presley was already assured a place in pop history for one of the greatest major label debut records ever released. During the same month that Heartbreak Hotel was recorded, Presley made his national television debut displaying his sexually enticing gyrations before a bewildered adult audience whose alleged outrage subsequently persuaded producers to film the star exclusively from the waist upwards. Having outsold his former Sun colleague Carl Perkins with Blue Suede Shoes, Presley released a debut album that contained several of the songs he had previously recorded with Sam Phillips, including Little Richards Tutti Frutti, the R&B classic I Got A Woman and an eerie, wailing version of Richard Rodgers / Lorenz Harts Blue Moon, which emphasized his remarkable vocal range.
Since hitting number 2 in the UK lists with Heartbreak Hotel, Presley had been virtually guaranteed European success and his profile was increased via a regular series of releases as RCA took full advantage of their bulging back catalogue. Although there was a danger of overkill, Presleys talent, reputation and immensely strong fanbase vindicated the intense release schedule and the quality of the material ensured that the public was not disappointed. After hitting number 1 for the second time with the slight ballad I Want You, I Need You, I Love You, Presley released what was to become the most commercially successful double-sided single in pop history, Hound Dog/Dont Be Cruel. The former was composed by the immortal rock n roll songwriting team of Leiber And Stoller, and presented Presley at his upbeat best with a novel lyric, complete with a striking guitar solo and spirited hand clapping from his backing group the Jordanaires. Otis Blackwells Dont Be Cruel was equally effective with a striking melody line and some clever and amusing vocal gymnastics from the hiccuping King of Western Bop, who also received a co-writing credit. The single remained at number 1 in the USA for a staggering 11 weeks and both sides of the record were massive hits in the UK.
Celluloid fame for Presley next beckoned with Love Me Tender, produced by David Weisbert, who had previously worked on James DeansRebel Without A Cause. Presleys movie debut received mixed reviews but was a box-office smash, while the smouldering, perfectly enunciated title track topped the US charts for five weeks. The spate of Presley singles continued in earnest through 1957 and one of the biggest was another Otis Blackwell composition, All Shook Up, which the singer used as a cheekily oblique comment on his by now legendary dance movements. By late 1956 it was rumoured that Presley would be drafted into the US Army and, as if to compensate for that irksome eventuality, RCA, Twentieth Century Fox and the Colonel stepped up the work-rate and release schedules. Incredibly, three major films were completed in the next two-and-a-half years. Loving You boasted a quasi-autobiographical script with Presley playing a truck driver who becomes a pop star. The title track became the b-side of (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear which reigned at number 1 for seven weeks. The third movie, Jailhouse Rock, was Presleys most successful to date with an excellent soundtrack and some inspired choreography. The Leiber and Stoller title track was an instant classic that again topped the US charts for seven weeks and made pop history by entering the UK listings at number 1.
The fourth celluloid outing, King Creole (adapted from the Harold Robbins novel, A Stone For Danny Fisher), is regarded by many as Presleys finest film and a firm indicator of his sadly unfulfilled potential as a serious actor. Once more the soundtrack album featured some surprisingly strong material such as the haunting Crawfish and the vibrant Dixieland Rock. By the time King Creole was released in 1958, Elvis had already been inducted into the US Forces. A publicity photograph of the singer having his hair shorn symbolically commented on his approaching musical emasculation. Although rock n roll purists mourned the passing of the old Elvis, it seemed inevitable in the context of the 50s that he would move towards a broader base appeal and tone down his rebellious image. From 1958-60, Presley served in the US Armed Forces, spending much of his time in Germany where he was regarded as a model soldier. It was during this period that he first met 14-year-old Priscilla Beaulieu, whom he later married in 1967. Back in America, the Colonel kept his absent stars reputation intact via a series of films, record releases and extensive merchandising. Hits such as Wear My Ring Around Your Neck, Hard Headed Woman, One Night, I Got Stung, A Fool Such As I and A Big Hunk O Love filled the long, two-year gap and by the time Presley reappeared, he was ready to assume the mantle of all-round entertainer. The change was immediately evident in the series of number 1 hits that he enjoyed in the early 60s. The enormously successful Its Now Or Never, based on the Italian melody O Sole Mio, revealed the King as an operatic crooner, far removed from his earlier raucous recordings. Are You Lonesome Tonight?, originally recorded by Al Jolson as early as 1927, allowed Presley to quote some Shakespeare in the spoken-word middle section as well as showing his ham-acting ability with an overwrought vocal.
The new clean-cut Presley was presented on celluloid in GI Blues. The movie played upon his recent army exploits and saw him serenading a puppet on the charming chart-topper Wooden Heart, which also allowed Elvis to show off his knowledge of German. The grandiose Surrender completed this phase of big ballads in the old-fashioned style. For the next few years Presley concentrated on an undemanding spree of films, including Flaming Star, Wild In The Country, Blue Hawaii, Kid Galahad, Girls! Girls! Girls!, Follow That Dream, Fun In Acapulco, It Happened At The Worlds Fair, Kissin Cousins, Viva Las Vegas, Roustabout, Girl Happy, Tickle Me, Harem Scarum, Frankie And Johnny, Paradise - Hawaiian Style and Spinout. Not surprisingly, most of his album recordings were hastily completed soundtracks with unadventurous commissioned songs. For his singles he relied increasingly on the formidable Doc Pomus / Mort Shuman team who composed such hits as Mess Of Blues, Little Sister and His Latest Flame. More and more, however, the hits were adapted from films and their chart positions suffered accordingly. After the 1963 number 1 Devil In Disguise, a bleak period followed in which such minor songs as Bossa Nova Baby, Kiss Me Quick, Aint That Lovin You Baby and Blue Christmas became the rule rather than the exception. Significantly, his biggest success of the mid-60s, Crying In The Chapel, had been recorded five years earlier, and part of its appeal came from the realization that it represented something ineffably lost.
In the wake of the Beatles rise to fame and the beat boom explosion, Presley seemed a figure out of time. Nevertheless, in spite of the dated nature of many of his recordings, he could still invest power and emotion into classic songs. The sassy Frankie And Johnny was expertly sung by Presley, as was his moving reading of Ketty Lesters Love Letters. His other significant 1966 release, If Everyday Was Like Christmas, was a beautiful festive song unlike anything else in the charts of the period. By 1967, however, it was clear to critics and even a large proportion of his devoted following that Presley had seriously lost his way. He continued to grind out pointless movies such as Double Trouble, Speedway, Clambake and Live A Little, Love A Little, even though the box office returns were increasingly poor. His capacity to register instant hits, irrespective of the material was also wearing thin, as such lowly placed singles as You Gotta Stop and Long Legged Woman demonstrated all too alarmingly. However, just as Presleys career had reached its all-time nadir he seemed to wake up, take stock, and break free from the artistic malaise in which he found himself. Two songs written by country guitarist Jerry Reed, Guitar Man and US Male, proved a spectacular return to form for Elvis in 1968, such was Presleys conviction that the compositions almost seemed to be written specifically for him. During the same year, Colonel Tom Parker had approached NBC-TV about the possibility of recording a Presley Christmas special in which the singer would perform a selection of religious songs similar in feel to his early 60s album His Hand In Mine. However, the executive producers of the show vetoed that concept in favour of a one-hour spectacular designed to capture Elvis at his rock n rollin best. It was a remarkable challenge for the singer, seemingly in the autumn of his career, and he responded to the idea with unexpected enthusiasm.
The Elvis TV Special was broadcast in America on 3 December 1968 and has since become legendary as one of the most celebrated moments in pop broadcasting history. The show was not merely good but an absolute revelation, with the King emerging as if he had been frozen in time for 10 years. His determination to recapture past glories oozed from every movement and was discernible in every aside. With his leather jacket and acoustic guitar strung casually round his neck, he resembled nothing less than the consummate pop idol of the 50s who had entranced a generation. To add authenticity to the proceedings he was accompanied by his old sidekicks Scotty Moore and D.J. Fontana. There was no sense of self-parody in the show as Presley joked about his famous surly curled-lip movement and even heaped passing ridicule on his endless stream of bad movies. The music concentrated heavily on his 50s classics but, significantly, there was a startling finale courtesy of the passionate If I Can Dream in which he seemed to sum up the frustration of a decade in a few short lines. The critical plaudits heaped upon Elvis in the wake of his television special prompted the singer to undertake his most significant recordings in years. With producer Chips Moman overseeing the sessions in January 1969, Presley recorded enough material to cover two highly praised albums, From Elvis In Memphis and From Memphis To Vegas/From Vegas To Memphis. The former was particularly strong with such distinctive tracks as the eerie Long Black Limousine and the engagingly melodic Any Day Now. On the singles front, Presley was back in top form and finally coming to terms with contemporary issues, most notably on the socially aware In The Ghetto, which hit number 2 in the UK and number 3 in the USA. The glorious Suspicious Minds, a wonderful song of marital jealousy, with cascading tempo changes and an exceptional vocal arrangement, gave him his first US chart-topper since Good Luck Charm back in 1962. Subsequent hits such as the maudlin Dont Cry Daddy, which dealt with the death of a marriage, ably demonstrated Presleys ability to read a song. Even his final few films seemed less disastrous than expected.
In 1969s Charro, he grew a beard for the first time in his portrayal of a moody cowboy, while A Change Of Habit dealt with more serious subject matter than usual. More importantly, Presley returned as a live performer at Las Vegas, with a strong backing group including guitarist James Burton and pianist Glen D. Hardin. In common with John Lennon, who also returned to the stage that same year with the Plastic Ono Band, Presley opened his set with Carl Perkins Blue Suede Shoes. His comeback was well received and one of the live songs, The Wonder Of You, stayed at number 1 in Britain for six weeks during the summer of 1970. There was also a revealing documentary film of the tour - Thats The Way It Is - and a companion album that included contemporary cover versions, such as Tony Joe Whites Polk Salad Annie, Creedence Clearwater Revivals Proud Mary and Neil Diamonds Sweet Caroline.
During the early 70s Presley continued his live performances, but soon fell victim to the same artistic atrophy that had bedevilled his celluloid career. Rather than re-entering the studio to record fresh material he relied on a slew of patchy live albums that saturated the marketplace. What had been innovative and exciting in 1969 swiftly became a tedious routine and an exercise in misdirected potential. The backdrop to Presleys final years was a sordid slump into drug dependency, reinforced by the pervasive unreality of a pampered lifestyle in his fantasy home, Graceland. The dissolution of his marriage in 1973 coincided with a further decline and an alarming tendency to put on weight. Remarkably, he continued to undertake live appearances, most notably in Las Vegas, covering up his bloated frame with brightly coloured jump suits and an enormous, ostentatiously jewelled belt. He collapsed onstage on a couple of occasions and finally on 16 August 1977 his tired body expired. The official cause of death was a heart attack, undoubtedly brought on by barbiturate usage over a long period. In the weeks following his demise, his record sales predictably rocketed and Way Down proved a fittingly final UK number 1.
The importance of Presley in the history of rock n roll and popular music remains incalculable. In spite of his iconographic status, the Elvis image was never captured in a single moment of time like that of Bill Haley, Buddy Holly or even Chuck Berry. Presley, in spite of his apparent creative inertia, was not a one-dimensional artist clinging to history but a multi-faceted performer whose career spanned several decades and phases. For purists and rockabilly enthusiasts it is the early Presley that remains of greatest importance and there is no doubting that his personal fusion of black and white musical influences, incorporating R&B and country, produced some of the finest and most durable recordings of the century. Beyond Elvis The Hillbilly Cat, however, there was the face that launched a thousand imitators, that black-haired, smiling or smouldering presence who stared from the front covers of numerous EPs, albums and film posters of the late 50s and early 60s. It was that well-groomed, immaculate pop star who inspired a generation of performers and second-rate imitators in the 60s. There was also Elvis the Las Vegas performer, vibrant and vulgar, yet still distant and increasingly appealing to a later generation brought up on the excesses of 70s rock and glam ephemera. Finally, there was the bloated Presley who bestrode the stage in the last months of his career. For many, he has come to symbolize the decadence and loss of dignity that is all too often heir to pop idolatry. It is no wonder that Presleys remarkable career so sharply divides those who testify to his ultimate greatness and those who bemoan the gifts that he seemingly squandered along the way.
Twenty years after Presleys death, in August 1997, there was no waning of his power and appeal. Television, radio, newspapers and magazines all over the world still found that, whatever was happening elsewhere, little could compare to this anniversary. Almost five years later, a remix of the 1968 single A Little Less Conversation by Dutch DJ Junkie XL provided Presley with his eighteenth UK chart-topper. In doing so, he nudged ahead of the Beatles to claim the record number of UK number 1 singles. The attendant compilation set topped the album charts on both sides of the Atlantic. In September 2003, a remix of 1969s Rubberneckin by UK DJ Paul Oakenfold topped the US singles chart. At the start of 2005, RCA Records began a high-profile campaign to re-promote all of Presleys 18 UK chart-topping singles. Jailhouse Rock, the first re-release, duly entered the singles chart at number 1 on 9 January. One Night became the UK charts 1000th number 1 single the following week.
Source: The Encyclopedia of Popular Music by Colin Larkin. Licensed from Muze.
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We read Time and The Economist for our weekly fix of news analysis from around the world. There are ESPN The Magazine and Sports Illustrated for sports news and features. Those who follow show business can do so through People and Entertainment Weekly. Fashion fanatics have GQ, Elle, Glamour and Cosmopolitan to follow. Health buffs can subscribe to Men’s Health and Shape.
Magazines are integral parts of our lives. Whether as a source of information or as a way to while away the time in some waiting room, we will always find a use for them. Some issues are specially awaited for, like Time Magazine’s Man of the Year Issue and Sports Illustrated Magazine’s annual Swimsuit Edition.
Others, however, have a more steady circulation for its regular issues. Here is a list of the top ten best selling magazines in the United States based on the number of copies distributed every issue.
1. AARP The Magazine – 22,528,478 copies per issue
AARP is the American Association of Retired Persons, a non-government organization and interest group established in 1958. The organization aims to enhance the quality of life of people over the age of 50. Members are provided with special products and services, as well as with unique benefits. It publishes AARP The Magazine, which used to be known as Modern Maturity. A copy comes out once every two months. AARP also publishes AARP Bulletin that has an outstanding circulation of its own numbering 22,283,411 copies per issue.
2. The Costco Connection – 8,631,275 copies per issue
This magazine is made for members of the warehouse club Costco Wholesale Corporation. Costco was established in 1983 in Kirkland in Washington, while the magazine was first published five years later. The company aims to provide members with good quality branded merchandise at low prices. It is the largest membership warehouse club in the country, and is considered to be the fifth largest retailer.
3. Game Informer – 8,169,524 copies per issue
Game Informer, or GI, is a monthly magazine published by Game Stop Corporation. The magazine first came out in August of 1991. It features news and articles, as well as reviews and strategy tips and recommendations of different video games and associated consoles.
4. Better Homes and Gardens – 7,617,038 copies per issue
Better Homes and Gardens is a monthly magazine published by the Meredith Corporation out of Des Moines in Iowa. The magazine first came out in 1922. It features news and articles about home economics and interior design, with special interests in cooking, gardening, crafts, healthy living, decorating and entertainment. It is the best selling among the Seven Sisters, a group of service magazines geared especially for women. The others are Good Housekeeping, Family Circle, Ladies’ Home Journal, Redbook and Woman’s Day. The seventh, McCall’s, closed down in 2002.
5. Reader’s Digest – 5,577,717 copies per issue
Reader’s Digest is a monthly magazine that has a strong conservative and anti communist perspective on political and social issues. DeWitt and Lila Bell Wallace first published it in 1922 in New York City. The magazine is also published in large print edition, audio, digital and Braille formats.
6. Good Housekeeping – 4,346,757 copies per issue
Good Housekeeping is a monthly magazine published by Hearst Magazines. It first came out in 1885 in Holyoke in Massachusetts. The magazine focuses on home economics and women’s interests, such as literature, health, diet and recipes. It also features product testing by The Good Housekeeping Institute. The magazine considers a lot of famous writers as alumnae, including Virginia Woolf, A.J. Cronin, Frances Parkinson Keyes, Edwin Markham, Somerset Maugham, Edna St. Vincent Millay and Evelyn Waugh.
7. National Geographic – 4,232,205 copies per issue
National Geographic is a monthly magazine published by the National Geographic Society out of Washington, D.C. it was first published in October of 1888, or a mere nine months after the establishment of the National Geographic Society. It features articles in culture, current events, geography, history, photography and popular science. It was a recent recipient of the Magazine of the Year award given out by the American Society of Magazine Editors.
8. Family Circle – 4,100,977 copies per issue
Family Circle is a women’s magazine that is part of the Seven Sisters. It was first published in 1932 and it comes out with 15 issues every year. The magazine features articles and features on home economics and women’s interests. The Meredith Corporation publishes it.
9. People – 3,563,035 copies per issue
People magazine is a weekly magazine published by Time Warner or Time Inc. Its first issue came out on 4 March 1974. The magazine focuses on celebrity and human interests news and features. It has the distinction of being the magazine with the highest number of readership with an audience of around 46.6 million adults. It also has the highest revenue earned from advertising of any magazine published in the United States. Advertising revenue for 2011 reached an astronomical amount of almost a billion dollars. While the magazine tries to evenly divide its stories between celebrity news and human-interest features, the website version on the other hand focuses exclusively on articles about celebrities. It once recorded 51.7 million page views in a single day, doing it the day after the Academy Awards. People magazine is especially popular because of several annual issues that it comes out with. These issues list the Most Beautiful People, The Best Dressed, and of course, the much-awaited Sexiest Man Alive.
10. Woman’s Day – 3,449,692 copies per issue
Woman’s Day is a monthly magazine published by Hearst Magazines. It was first published in 7 October 1937, though its roots could be traced back to as early as six years before that, when the supermarket and liquor store chain Great Atlantic and Pacific Tea Company started giving out recipe planners to its customers. The magazine features articles in food, homemaking, nutrition, fashion and physical fitness and attractiveness. It is also considered as one of the Seven Sisters.
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| Reader's Digest |
In what year did Playboy Magazine come out | Top 10 Most Popular Magazines of 2013 | Reading Tree
Top 10 Most Popular Magazines of 2013
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A magazine is a collection of articles in a published form. It is a convenient way to find various articles on a particular subject in one place. The roots of the word ‘magazine’ are traced back to the Arabic word makhazin, meaning, storehouses. Therefore, magazine turned out to mean the storehouses of knowledge. Our favorite magazines can be found stacked in our book-shelves, our bed-sides, and even our traveling bags. There is a long list of categories to which the magazines belong for example news magazines, sports magazines, fashion magazines, teen magazines, craft magazines, etc; hence, appealing to the interest of the majority of the people. They are published in various languages and millions of copies are circulated around the World. Also, magazines with international circulation allow stories and ideas to travel across the globe. This list of top 10 most popular magazines is based on their respective circulation, a variable which is reflective of their popularity.
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10. People
‘People’ is an American magazine owned by the Time Inc. It is published weekly and is considered to be one of the America’s most popular magazines with the largest audience. It belongs to the categories of celebrity and human-interest where special care is taken to maintain a balance and not to turn it into a complete celebrity gossip magazine. It is widely known for its yearly special issues: ‘Sexiest Man Alive’, ‘World’s Most Beautiful people’, and ‘Best & Worst Dressed’. In 2005, People was named as the “Magazine of the Year” by Advertising Age and in 2006, it was ranked as number 3 on Adweek’s ‘Brand Blazers’ list. Its circulation is around 3.5 million.
9. Family Circle
The Family Circle, launched in 1932, is an American magazine especially for Women. It has been owned by many companies including The New York Times Company and now it is being published by the Meredith Corporation. It is one of the “Seven Sisters”, a group of magazines which especially targets the women audience. Thus, as already evident, its category is home-economics and other interests of the women. It is published 15 times a year and its total circulation is around 3.8 million.
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8. National Geographic
The National Geographic magazine is the official magazine of the National Geographic Society, first published in 1888. Its articles are about geography, science, history, culture, and photography. It is published monthly and has an international circulation of around 875 thousand and a US based circulation of around 4 million. It is also being published in 36 various language editions. The National Geographic magazine has won many awards including the American Society of Magazine Editor’s General Excellence Award in 2006, 2007, and 2011 (in the over 2 million circulation category). It has also received top ASME awards for photo journalism and the magazine of the year awards in 2010 and 2011, respectively.
7. Good Housekeeping
The Good Housekeeping is also one of the “Seven Sisters”, published for the Women. Its articles target women’s interests including product testing, recipes, health, and literature. It is an American magazine, first published in 1885, and is currently being published by the Hearst Magazines. However, in 1922, its British edition was also started. Some of the famous writers who have written in this magazine are Somerset Maugham, Francis Parkinson, and Virginia Wolf. Its total circulation is around 4.3 million.
6. Reader’s Digest
The Reader’s Digest is an American family magazine and its category is general interest. Its first issue was published in 1922 while the last issue was published in February, 2013. Its total circulation was around 5.5 million. It was a monthly magazine owned by the Reader’s Digest Association. Its size was half that of the regular American magazines therefore, its American edition took up the slogan of ‘America in your pocket’. It had a global circulation of around 10.5 million where it reached 70 countries in 21 different languages. The Reader’s Digest held the honor of being the best-selling consumer magazine in the United States for many years until 2009 when it lost the title to Better Homes & Gardens.
5. Better Homes & Gardens
The Better Homes & Gardens is another one of the “Seven Sisters” American monthly magazine. It was founded in 1922 and is published by the Meredith Corporation. Its articles are based on topics such as cooking, gardening, interior designing, crafts, and healthy living. It is the 4th best-selling magazine in the United States. Its total circulation is around 7.6 million.
4. Game Informer
The Game Informer is an American monthly magazine belonging to the category of video games. It is published by the GameStop Corporation and was launched in 1991. It contains reviews and news regarding video games and consoles. It is owned by the parent company of a video-game retailer (GameStop Corp.) which enhances its in-store promotion. Its total circulation is around 8.1 million, making it the United States’ third largest magazine.
3. AARP The Magazine
Since 1980s, AARP The Magazine has been the United States’ largest circulated magazine. However, until 2002, it was known as the Modern Maturity. First published in 1958, it is a bi-monthly magazine owned by a non-governmental organization, the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP). It belongs to the category of ‘lifestyle’. Its total circulation is about 22.5 million.
2. Awake!
The World’s second most circulated magazine is a religious magazine. Awake! is a monthly American magazine considered to be the companion magazine of The Watchtower. It is an illustrated magazine, first published in 1919. It is published by the Jehovah’s Witnesses through the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania. Its original purpose, as given in a statement until 1982 was: “this magazine builds confidence in the Creator’s promise of a peaceful and secure new order before the generation that saw 1914 pass away”. It is published in 99 languages with a total circulation of around 43.5 million copies.
1. The Watchtower (Public Edition)
The World’s most circulated magazine is an illustrated religious magazine. It is a monthly American magazine, first published in 1879. It is published in 209 languages around the globe with a monthly circulation of a massive 45 million copies. It is published by the Jehovah’s Witnesses through the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society Pennsylvania. Its purpose is given in its mission statement: “This magazine, The Watchtower, honors Jehovah God, the Ruler of the universe. It comforts people with the good news that God’s heavenly Kingdom will soon end all wickedness and transform the earth into a paradise. It promotes faith in Jesus Christ, who died so that we might gain everlasting life and who is now ruling as King of God’s Kingdom. This magazine has been published continuously since 1879 and is nonpolitical. It adheres to the Bible as its authority.”
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In newspaper slang what section of the paper is known as Hatches, Matches and Dispatches | matches and dispatches Archives - Scrapiana Scrapiana
The American Museum wakes up for another season
‘Hatches, matches and dispatches’ is old newspaper slang for the births, marriages and deaths columns. You’ll also hear it used to refer to baptisms, weddings and funerals, the corresponding services offered by the Church. Now the American Museum in Britain , located idyllically on the southern outskirts of Bath, has tweaked the term for its latest exhibition, Hatched, Matched, Dispatched – & Patched! This exhibition, which runs through the year until 1st November 2015, brings together textile artefacts interwoven with life’s great rites of passage. And, as plenty of those textile items have been created using patchwork (and the museum has a fine permanent quilt collection), that’s where the ‘patched’ comes in.
Some artefacts have also been borrowed from exhibition partners the Beamish Museum , Jersey Museum and Art Gallery , the Quilters’ Guild , and Jen Jones’ collection in Wales, and so the sourcing reflects a mixed provenance from both the United States and the British Isles. But it’s the cross-cultural universality of the human condition which draws them all together, and there are plenty of poignant human-interest stories behind these objects, as curator Kate Hebert explains: ‘the personal and sentimental connections, the stories of the individuals that are linked with these objects, are what I have found so moving.’
I went along for the press launch early last month when spring was still struggling to assert itself and the banks of daffodils were only just beginning to open outside in the beautiful grounds. But there was plenty of stitched brightness and vitality to view within the exhibition. Here’s a taste of what I saw.
Hatched, Matched, Dispatched – & Patched! poster
Glad rags
Life’s big milestones are usually associated with looking your best, so it makes sense that many of the textile objects featured in the exhibition are items of clothing (a subject I was possibly over-engaged with when I attended as I was in the middle of a ‘fashion fast’ – more of that in another post). Christening gowns, christening bonnets, baby slippers, bridal gowns and shoes, black clothes worn when an official period of mourning was enforced, even clothing worn by the dead to be buried in – modern day grave goods, you might call them – feature here.
The displays are subdivided into three grouped sections (‘Hatched’, ‘Matched’ and ‘Dispatched’), but I’ll dot back and forth between them for this post.
In the ‘Hatched’ section cascades of handmade broderie anglaise in a row of Christening gowns caught my eye. The christening gown took over when swaddling fell out of favour in the eighteenth century. Then gowns became longer and longer, an opportunity to display one’s wealth and status in the finest detail, all located at the front, of course, where it could be shown off. In a cabinet of baby bonnets, I spotted a cap with the tiniest imaginable white French knots – alas, my phone wasn’t up to capturing them. I was also drawn to a pair of 1930s silk baby slippers with padded soles worked very effectively in a hatched trapunto pattern of quilting, using coloured yarns which were just visible through the silk.
Christening robe, c. 1890 c/o Jersey Museum
One of the wedding dresses on display was worn in 1887 by Agnes Lucy Hughes, the first mother-in-law of Wallis Simpson. But most eye-catching is the daffodil dress (see below) embroidered by Henriette Leonard for inclusion in her bridal trousseau around 1892. Tragically, Henriette died before she was able to wear it; her brother persuaded her to take a tour of Europe shortly before her wedding, and during the trip she took ill with the flu allied with ‘nervous exhaustion’ and died. The pristine condition of the dress suggests that it was never worn and got packed away as a family memento.
Daffodil dress. Photo credit: the American Museum
Sad rags
In the ‘Dispatched’ section there’s quite a bit of mourning garb, much of it nineteenth century and frequently featuring jet. As a Victorian female mourner observing a strict code of mourning etiquette, your yards of black crepe would be held together in part by ‘jet pins’ (actually ‘japanned’ or enamelled metal) so as not to allow the unseemly glint of frivolous silver caused by a regular steel pin.
Jet pins
Strict observance of an official mourning regime in Britain appears to have been relaxed during the Great War. Then the massive death toll in the trenches would have required so many to wear mourning garb that civilian morale would have been too sorely tested.
There’s a tradition in Wales of knitting stockings to be worn after death. Similarly, some women quilted skirts to be buried in. The late nineteenth century Welsh skirt below is a rare survival, made by two sisters who somehow left it behind when they moved house.
Welsh quilted burial skirt, nineteenth century, courtesy of Jen Jones
Quilts
Finely detailed items to adorn the home have often been made in response to a birth, stitched by a young woman in anticipation of her marriage, or by a mourning widow to mark the sorrowful departure of her life’s partner. The American Museum is justly famous for its quilt collection, and you get a chance to see a few of their gems showcased here in this exhibition.
Ellen Bryant’s 1863 log cabin quilt
One of my favourites is the stunning log cabin top shown above, pieced around 1863 by Ellen Bryant in preparation for her marriage in Londonderry, Vermont. Over three hundred log cabin blocks (each 4 and a half inches square) have been arranged in a variation known as ‘barn raising’ or ‘sunshine and shadow’. This eye-popping quilt has an even more intricately pieced backing created by Ellen’s sister, not finished until 1886. Evidently the resulting quilt – a sororal labour of love – took over two decades to complete.
And another favourite from the permanent collection is the Christmas bride. The appliqued holly leaves have faded over the years, as greens tend to do, but the red berries and festoons remain surprisingly bright. Insider tip: you may still be able to find a tea towel bearing this design in the museum shop.
Christmas Bride appliqued quilt
With my interest in mending, I was glad to see Bertha Mitchell’s quilt, made from dress and furnishing fabrics to celebrate her sister’s wedding in 1899. Bertha worked as a seamstress, repairing clothes in Keswick Boarding School. You’ll find a close-up picture of that quilt over on my Instagram feed .
A very special cot quilt is featured here, on loan from the Quilters’ Guild, but unfortunately I didn’t get a photo of it. It’s the earliest piece on display (1700-10) and is a white, whole-cloth quilt, densely quilted by hand.
There are also a few mourning or memorial quilts on display, a couple dating from the American Civil War era (see ‘Darts of Death’ on my Instagram feed ).
Poignant needle
And then there was possibly the most moving item of all, a simple embroidered tablecloth – its very ordinariness adding to its poignancy. The signatures of female friends and American servicemen stationed at Cheltenham during the months leading up to D-Day are partly embroidered. But some remain in the pencil. Helen Slater, the embroiderer, was working them in a variety of bright colours, but she stopped part way through one signature, and her needle remains lodged in the fabric. She couldn’t bring herself to finish the project after she heard that her fiancé, Jack Carpenter (his name embroidered in red) had been killed in action. She put the cloth away with a book (The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam) that he’d given her just before he left for the D-Day landings, and she cherished them both for 70 years until her own death.
Embroidered tablecloth, World War II
Postpartum pincushions
I like a nice pin or several and so made a beeline for a couple of exhibits featuring pins. For the diehard haberdashery enthusiast, besides the jet pins mentioned above there’s the museum’s own 1821 baby-welcoming pincushion made of silk and steel pins. This pincushion, which has just been restored (the silk had shredded and the stuffing been lost), reminded me of a couple in the 2010 V&A exhibition of quilts, though those were dated a little earlier. Pincushions with elaborate patterns and phrases marked out with pinheads were popular gifts for new mothers. However, it was considered bad luck to gift such a pincushion before the birth, as that might sharpen the pains of labour. The museum notes explain that in colonial New York, births were announced by hanging pincushions on door knockers – a practice which apparently fell out of favour after the safety pin was invented in 1878.
‘Welcome little stranger’ pin cushion
Tonsorial textiles
Grim though they might sound to us today, mourning rings made from the deceased’s hair were popular on both sides of the Atlantic during the nineteenth century. The eagle-eyed visitor to this exhibition will spot fascinatingly intricate rings and brooches delicately woven from human hair. I didn’t get a good shot of them, sadly, as that part of the exhibition was dark, but do look out for the rings ingeniously formed to resemble tiny buckled belts.
There’s a lot more to see than I can show you here, but you can find a few more images over on my Instagram feed . And let’s not forget the person who put it all together: Kate Hebert, new in post as the American Museum’s curator. Congratulations, Kate!
Curator Kate Hebert
Finally, a quick update on last year’s immensely popular Kaffe Fassett exhibition . I’m reliably informed that there is now a permanent Kaffe boutique at the museum , so whenever you time your visit you can always get your fix.
Hatched, Matched, Dispatched – & Patched! runs till 1st November 2015 at the American Museum in Britain , Claverton Manor. There will be a talk by Edwina Ehrman, Curator of Fashion & Textiles at the Victoria & Albert Museum, this Thursday 16th April 2015. Check out the museum’s website for other associated events.
Running alongside this exhibition is Spirit Hawk Eye, a celebration of American native culture through the portraits of Heidi Laughton.
| births marriages and deaths |
In basketball what is the term used for ramming the ball into the basket from close range | Read nearly all about it ... | Stuff.co.nz
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Last updated 11:42 27/09/2008
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Geoff Rennison
Life's a constant battle with the elements Better off just digging It's true, I'm normal Lost in family holiday brouhaha Rambling chats demonstrate a word's worth Be a good chap, throttle off a bit Dream of Queen spoilt by submarine Those who are right face uncertain fates Fervour and fairies in the land of the AFL When snooker collided with university
I don't know what I'd do without my daily newspaper. It usually arrives in our mailbox about 4.30 in the afternoon and if occasionally it's late I'll fret and prowl between house and mailbox, swearing softly if it happens to be raining.
On the very rare occasions when it fails to arrive, my neighbour and I can be seen in the gathering dusk, comparing notes and wondering what's happened.
Our paper-girl may arrive on a push-bike, on horseback, in a car, on a bike accompanied by a horse, or when all else fails, on foot. And once I hear the clang of the mailbox door I'm off outside (conditioned reflex, psychologists call it) and the evening's rituals can begin.
I don't know when I first started reading newspapers but it must have been long ago because I became a great fan of Rupert Bear, Bill Badger and the gang, and even today, if I'm in an airport somewhere and I happen upon an ownerless newspaper with Rupert in it, I'll check on what he's doing - basically the same things he was doing in 1947! Timeless, that's Rupert, but I rapidly moved on from him when I met Tintin and co. I still regard Thompson and Thomson as classic "accidental comedians".
The South Waikato News was an early newspaper in Tokoroa and I remember an article that spoke out against the more extreme avant-garde among artists. I wrote to the editor in enthusiastic support of such extremism - "finally I put a match to my painting, ran all over the remains in football boots and hung the debris in a gallery. Heavens - if that's not art, I don't know what is". That sort of thing.
A move to Wellington saw the Evening Post become my paper of choice. I used to buy it from a lad who looked about half my age (I was 17) and whose territory was mid-Lambton Quay. "Hayyyyyvenin' Peee-ost!" he'd sing out. Much more fun than an automatic dispenser.
A move to Auckland saw the Herald replace the Post. And the good thing about the Herald was the Herald bus, which left Auckland about 3am full of papers for the Waikato, with one or two seats left free for nocturnal passengers.
It was a great feeling, making one's way to the despatch depot at dead-of-night, climbing in among the papers and being driven through the sleeping city. One night a girl about my age got on; there being only two spare seats we had to sit together and I greatly regretted it when she got off at Ngaruawahia. Ohhh, the romance of dawn coming up amidst the rustling of a myriad Heralds!
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I must now confess that I don't actually read very much of my newspaper. I've known people who spend hours over a paper and when the news articles and opinion columns are left far behind, they plough grimly through Used Cars, Births, Marriages And Deaths (Hatches, Matches And Dispatches, a colleague once called them), Meetings, Escorts, Situations Vacant and Public Notices.
These days I tend to pop in and out of pages reading articles whose headings take my eye. Naturally I miss things.
"Did you read about so-and-so?" my wife will ask.
"No, I didn't see it."
"Well it's here under a big heading on page two."
"After you with the front bit again, then."
Some things are mandatory: the Far Side cartoon on page two. (I'm talking about the Nelson Mail, you'll observe.) There are hundreds of cartoonists being published. The now-retired Gary Larson mined a vein of humour that was unique. I was once in a bookshop in Arizona reading through a Larson collection and crying with laughter. Another customer came up and said "I bet I know what you're laughing at," and she was right.
I might grumble at two-page adverts interrupting the flow of news towards the editorial page but that's just me. Some people like to read adverts.
I always read the letters, clicking my tongue sometimes at the never-ending, never-resolved sagas played out there. Global warming is a good example.
The weekly gardening section sees me either nodding my head approvingly or loudly disagreeing with some item - usually vege-growing or composting.
Taking the turbulent anarchy of the overseas world as a given, I guess that I'm most interested these days in oddities.
Last Tuesday's paper was a beaut: 1. Busy executives can now save time by showering in their suits.
2. The giant lump of "ambergris" might well be lard.
3. The Elvis Is Alive museum is for sale.
4. Someone's studying the kind of eruption that would destroy most of the North Island.
5. Geoff Robinson and Sean Plunkett may be resigning.
Hello! A clang from the mailbox. There's a horse nearby ... excuse me.
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Which Scottish racecourse begins with A | RaceCourses | Horse Racing Stats
by Stephen
Horse Racing Stats
There are sixty racecourses in Great Britain. Find a racecourse by location or type of racing or view the full A-Z list of racecourses in Great Britain.
Racecourse Location
Scotland has five courses, Wales two, with the remaining fifty three courses located between all four corners of England.
Scotland
Ayr Hamilton Park Kelso Musselburgh Perth
North
Bath Exeter Newton Abbot Salisbury Taunton Wincanton
South / South East
Ascot Brighton Epsom Folkestone Fontwell Park Goodwood Chelmsford City Kempton Park Lingfield Park Newbury Plumpton Sandown Park Windsor
Type of Racing
The majority of racecourses in Great Britain are national hunt courses where horses compete over jumps. Many courses are dual purpose and have a jumps course and a flat course. There are five all weather courses but this surface is proving to be very popular and new all weather courses are planned for the future.
Flat Turf
| Ayr |
Whose ear did Mike Tyson bite a piece out of | Races & Tickets
Races & Tickets
Races & Tickets
Races & Tickets
Ayr Racecourse is Scotland’s only Grade 1 track hosting high quality jumps and flat racing and in 2017 there will be a record 35 fixtures with racing on every month of the year.
Included in this extensive fixture list are 10 Festival/Feature Days highlighted by the Coral Scottish Grand National Festival on Friday April 21 and Saturday April 22 and the three day William Hill Ayr Gold Cup Festival on September 21-23.
The very first fixture of 2017 is New Year Raceday on Monday January 2 with the seven race card due off at 12.30 pm and the feature race is a two mile five furlong handicap hurdle at 2.30 pm.
Following the last race there is live entertainment in the Horseshoe Bar within the Clubstand with Dakota performing their version of some classic hits and there will also be a dj in the Ayrshire Suite within the Grandstand.
The next big weekend fixture is the two day meeting on Friday March 10 and Saturday March 11 always a popular couple of days with the highlight of the second day, the two mile four furlong handicap hurdle for the Craigie Cup.
Into April and Scotland’s biggest, richest and most prestigious jumps fixture the Coral Scottish Grand National takes place on Friday April 21 and Saturday April 22.
With 15 races and more than £600,000 in prize-money over the two days this is jumps racing at its very best.
Friday is Ladies Day when one lucky lady will win a star prize – last year it was a break to Barcelona.
The feature race is the Class 1 Listed race – the Hillhouse Quarry Handicap Chase with £45,000 in prize-money which is sure to attract some top horses from leading stables.
Saturday sees the richest race in Scottish jumps racing – the £215,000 Coral Scottish Grand National which features up to 30 runners negotiating 27 fences over the four mile course and as the race reaches its climax the huge crowd cheer on their favourites and the noise builds to a crescendo.
Other principal races on the day include the £105,000 QTS Scottish Champion Hurdle, a Class 1 Grade 2 contest, the Jordan Electrics Ltd Future Champion Novices’ Chase and the Scotty Brand Handicap Chase, a Listed Race.
This day has completely sold out over the last two years so the message is to book early to avoid disappointment .
It’s not only the racing that is first class on these days – before, during and after racing there is some terrific entertainment.
The first major race of the Flat season comes on Wednesday May 24 – Tennent’s Raceday - with the Class 1 Listed EBF Fillies Stakes, run over one mile two furlongs which was run for the first time last year and won by Clem Fandango. There is also a strong supporting card and a live band will play after the last race in the Clubstand.
June’s double header of Tennent’s Racenight on Friday the 23rd followed by the hugely popular Scottish Sun Raceday on Saturday June 24.
The Friday evening meeting features six races followed by live music and the party will last until around midnight.
Scottish Sun Raceday also combines exciting racing with fabulous entertainment on what is a really glamorous day out at Scotland’s premier racecourse.
The highlight of the seven race card is the Scottish Sun/British Stallion Studs E.B.F. Land O’Burns Fillies Stakes, a Listed Race over five furlongs with £50,000 in prize-money. This race has been won in the past by some star horses including Look Busy (2008) and Margot Did (2011) and 2016 winner Marsha went on to win a Group 1 race in France .
Ladies can win a coin and a place in the final of the Best Dressed Ladies competition at the William Hill Ayr Gold Cup Ladies Day on Friday September 23 when there are fabulous prizes to be won.
And immediately after racing there is some terrific entertainment with a mix of a live band in the Clubstand and a dj in the Ayrshire Suite.
July sees five fixtures including the ever popular totepool Family Raceday on Sunday July 9 and Glasgow Fair Family Raceday on Monday July 17 both brilliant days out for all the family with racing and lots and lots of family entertainment which is all free and includes fun fair rides, face painting and a marquee full of fabulous activities.
August’s highlight is on Saturday August 12 with the fabulous QTS Ladies Night an afternoon and evening crammed full of racing and full on glamour.
There’s another chance for ladies to win coins for William Hill Ladies Day final in September plus some top entertainment after racing with a dj in the Grandstand and a live band in the club area.
September sees Scotland’s richest and biggest flat race meeting the fabulous William Hill Ayr Gold Cup Festival – top racing and entertainment with top class races each day with a Class 1 contest on each of the three days of the Festival.
The £65,000 William Hill Doonside Cup, a Class 1 Listed Race, is run on the Thursday with the Shadwell Stud/EBF Stallions Harry Rosebery Stakes, a Class 1 Listed Race on Friday and the Group 3 William Hill Firth Of Clyde Stakes on Saturday.
The six furlong William Hill Ayr Gold Cup is in the top two sprint handicaps in Europe and every year the standard of horse competing has risen and last year’s winner Don’t Touch has since won a Listed race and competed at Group level.
In addition the William Hill Ayr Silver Cup is run on Saturday and the William Hill Ayr Bronze Cup on Friday which is ladies Day and features the final of our fabulous Ladies competition.
We race every month of the year with something to suit all tastes - for exciting racing, fabulous themed racedays and the best in entertainment visit Scotland’s premier racecourse.
The parade ring and track
Top class flat racing at Ayr
A great day out is always on the card at Ayr Racecourse
Spectacular jumps action at Ayr
Our Festival Racedays always attract large crowds
Glamour and glitz is all part of the raceday experience
Hospitality facilities are second to none at Ayr Racecourse
FOR FURTHER DETAILS AND TO FIND OUT MORE CALL 01292 264179 OR
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What sport is played by Penrith Panthers | Sports - Penrith Australia
:: Sports
Good Sports All Round
Centrebet Stadium home of the Penrith PanthersThe people of Penrith love their sport - just ask the vocal crowd at the next Penrith Panthers rugby league game! If you enjoy the great outdoors, there’s a multitude of activities to keep you occupied in the Penrith region.
The Sydney International Regatta Centre played host to the rowing during the Sydney Olympics, but those with a passion for sport can walk or jog around the impressive man-made lake, or ride a bicycle along the five-kilometre cycle path. Right next door to the Regatta Centre is the Penrith Whitewater Stadium, home to the 2000 Olympics kayaking slalom and canoeing events. Visitors can experience the thrill of taking on the rapids without having to hike to remote, difficult-to-reach rivers.
Penrith Swimming CentreIf you like to keep fit by swimming a few laps, Penrith Swimming Centre is the ideal place for you. They also offer aquarobics, water polo, aerobics, a running track, basketball court and much more!
For a sport that’s a little less wet (unless, of course, your ball ends up in one of the water hazards!), there’s always golf. The Penrith region has some of the most scenic and challenging courses in Sydney, including those at the Leonay Golf Course, Wallacia Golf Club, Penrith Golf Club and Dunheved. Glenmore Heritage Valley is a must-visit for golfers of all levels, as it features a 27-hole championship course, bar and restaurant. Panthers World of Entertainment also features Aqua Golf and Putt Putt Golf.
If the weather makes outdoor activities a little unpleasant, why not try some inside action? The Indoor Climbing Centre takes rock climbing to new heights, while Penrith Skatel caters to both rollerskaters and rollerbladers, and there's Penrith Ice Palace for the ice skating enthusiasts. Tackle the tenpins at Penrith’s AMF Bowling Centre, or visit Penrith Cue Sports Centre for a game of snooker, billiards or pool.
There’s indoor cricket, a new ice skating rink and lots more. Regardless of whether you’re a keen sportsperson or just out to have some fun, Penrith is sure to satisfy your sporting needs.
AMF Bowling and Laser Skirmish
Penrith Ice Palace
| Rugby league |
In the days of sailing ships which crew member usually doubled up as the ship’s doctor | History of the Penrith Panthers - Panthers
History of the Penrith Panthers
A brief history of the Panthers
Although rugby league had been played in Penrith since 1912 it was not until the 1960s that serious consideration was given to promoting a local team to the elite division.
In 1967, the Penrith Panthers made it - being accepted along with Cronulla-Sutherland, into the Sydney 1st Division Premiership.
As late as 1966 Penrith had played in the 2nd Division wearing blue and white. But on elevation to the top grade they found that Cronulla-Sutherland had already registered blue, white and black.
At that time Newtown were also playing in royal blue and there was the well-known blue and white strip of Canterbury, as such a decision was made to change the club colours to brown and white.
The Panther had been chosen as the Penrith emblem in 1964 after a public competition was won by a graphic artist from Emu Plains named Deidre Copeland.
The first premiership team was: Bill Tonkin, Bob Landers, Dave Applebee, Ern Gillon, Wayne Peckham, Maurie Raper, Laurie Fagan, Tony Brown (captain), Wal Crust, Bill McCall, Geoff Waldie, Barry Harris and Ron Workman.
The team played its first pre-season trial against Cronulla-Sutherland on February 24th. Penrith won 18-12, in front of a crowd of 18,768.
Their first premiership match was against Canterbury on April 2nd and Penrith led 12-10 until the final 15 minutes, when Canterbury overhauled them to win 15-12.
On April 23rd, 1967 Penrith Park was officially opened with a match between the Panthers and the reigning premiers, St George.
The Panthers won 24-12 in front of 12,201 spectators. Penrith finished the season in 11th place, with 12 points from five wins, two draws and 11 losses.
The team's results were mixed over the years until 1990 when Penrith reached its first grand final, where Canberra beat them 18-14.
That year, four Penrith players - Brad Fittler, John Cartwright, Greg Alexander and Mark Geyer were named in the Asutralian Kangaroos squad.
Despite the grand final loss, premiership glory was not far away and would arrive in 1991.
In a repeat of the previous grand final, the Panthers played Canberra. This time, Penrith won 19-12, with Royce Simmons famously b=playing the role of hero with two crucial tries.
The years from 1992 until 1996 were disappointing ones for the Penrith club. Injuries, internal dramas and a number of prominent departures to other clubs served to bring the Panthers back to earth in a big way.
Among the departures were star players Greg Alexander and Mark Geyer as well as coach and current general manager Phil Gould.
Despite all this the Panthers bounced back in 1997, winning all six of their matches in the Super League World Club Challenge series - played both in the UK and Australia.
They also made the Super League semi-finals by finishing fifth in the competition.
In a tense semi-final Penrith defeated Canterbury15-14 at Belmore to advance to the elimination final against Canberra at Bruce Stadium where they were knocked out 32-12 by their finals nemesis.
That year, Ryan Girdler, Greg Alexander, Matt Adamson and Craig Gower all represented NSW in the Tri-Series, which was Suer League's version of State of Origin football.
Girdler, Adamson and Gower also represented Australia against New Zealand and Great Britain.
The Panthers would build on that success in 2000 when they finished fifth on the NRL ladder, making the semi-finals in a unified competition for the first time since 1991 and scoring an equal club record of six wins in a row.
Penrith's Harold Matthews side reached its grand final and the SG Ball team won their championship.
Unfortunately 2001 would see Penrith's inconsitency rear it's head again as the club recorded it's worst season and collected the first wooden spoon in Panthers history.
As a result major changes were made to the administrative, coaching and training staff.
Shane Richardson was appointed CEO at the end of the season, while John Lang from the Sharks took over as head coach.
2002 was a better year and changes at the end of the season placed the club in a good position to move ahead.
A lot of hard work followed and season 2003 saw the club reap the rewards.
After a slow start to the season - losing three of their first four matches - the Panthers began to fire.
After a bye in Round five, they went on to set a new club record of eight wins in a row and suddenly the media began to take notice. Was something happening at the foot of the mountains?
It certainly was - and by Round 14 there was talk that the side were 'genuine contenders'.
In all, the Panthers won 21 of their 27 matches in the competition proper and the finals series.
They broke the home ground record three times along the way to winning both the minor premiership and J.J Giltinan shield and the NRL Premiership, defeating the Sydney Roosters 18-6 in a grand final that some experts rated as probably the best ever.
Luke Priddis won the Clive Churchill Medal and Craig Gower proved himself to be the form player of the competition.
Penrith then went onto England for the World Club Challenge but were beaten by Bradford.
It was always going to be difficult for the Panthers to defend their premiership, but - despite injuries and a large number of players backing up from representative football - the Panthers came within one game of the Grand Final.
They finished third overall and in addition, the St Marys-Penrith Cougars and the Penrith Jersey Flegg sides finished fourth in their respective competitions. Penrith's SG Ball came third and the Harold Matthews side finished second.
It was also a successful season on the spectator front: Penrith was the most watched team on free-to-air television in 2004 and for 2003 and 2004 combined had an average home crowd second only to the powerhouse that is the Brisbane Broncos.
Players who were picked for rep football during the year - whether for City-Country, Origin, Australia or New Zealand - included Craig Gower, Luke Rooney, Trent Waterhouse, Joel Clinton, Tony Puletua, Joe Galuvao, Paul Whatuira, Frank Pritchard, Luke Lewis, Shane Rodney, Amos Roberts, Luke Priddis, Rhys Wesser and Ben Ross.
At the end of the season, Penrith lost two iconic players with the retirements of Ryan Girdler and Martin Lang.
Girdler's achievements on retirement included: Most points for the club (1,572 from 204 games); most tries for the club (101 - shared with Greg Alexander); and most points in a season (229).
Midway through the season, Michael Leary was called upon to fill in as acting CEO at short notice. Later in the year, Glenn Matthews took over as CEO and Michael was named General Manager, Rugby League.
The Panthers had a slow start to the 2005 season, partly as a result of injuries to key players such as Craig Gower and Tony Puletua.
At one stage, the side looked headed for the wooden spoon yet, a couple of weeks later, just missed out on a place in the final eight.
Off the field, work began on revamping Penrith Stadium, courtesy of $10 million in funding from the Federal Government. And for the first time in its history, the stadium had a naming sponsor - and was known as Credit Union Australia Stadium Penrith.
2006 was not a memorable year for the first grade side, though they finished the season strongly. And in all, 11 players were chosen to play representative football, either in City/Country, State of Origin or for their respective nations.
It was a very good year for the club in general, though, with Penrith's Harold Matthews, SG Ball and Jersey Flegg sides each winning a premiership - the first time in history that one club had won all three in the same year.
The club would also celebrate the 40th anniversary of its entry to the elite grade and announced its 'Team of Legends'.
17 players were chosen from the ranks of all who'd gone before with the selection panel being headed by Roger Cowan, the man who led Panthers as CEO for almost 40 years until his retirement.
The team was: 1. Rhys Wesser, 2. Bob Landers, 3. Grahame Moran, 4. Ryan Girdler, 5. Alan McIndoe, 6. Brad Fittler, 7. Greg Alexander, 8. Terry Geary, 9. Royce Simmons, 10. Tim Sheens, 11. John Cartwright, 12. Bill Ashurst, 13. Colin Van Der Voort, 14. Craig Gower, 15. Brad Izzard, 16. Mark Geyer, 17. Tony Puletua.
The improvements to CUA Stadium and the new Western Grandstand complex won immediate approval from fans and the media alike.
Alas the year also saw coach John Lang's departure after five years with the club. The new coach was Matthew Elliott.
2007 was a mixed year for the club.
It finished with two contrasting 'trophies' - the Wooden Spoon in the NRL and the NSWRL Club Championship pennant, the latter for the first time in its history.
The Club Championship is based on performances in Premier League, Jersey Flegg, SG Ball and Harold Matthews.
The Panthers Ball and Matthews sides each made their respective grand finals, but were unable to prevail again. But the club's Flegg side had an incredible year that culminated in winning the Premiership for the second year in a row.
The NRL side finished last after a scrappy and disappointing season that saw the departure of one of the club's greatest... Craig Gower, who left to play rugby union in France amongst a media storm.
It was the end of an era that began 12 seasons earlier when Gower made his first grade debut for the Panthers.
In the end, he played 238 games for the club and led it to a premiership.
In that time he captained his country, and also played rep football for NSW and City Origin.
2007 was the last year of Premier League as the second tier competition, to be replaced in 2008 by the NYC, a national tournament for Under 20s.
The year also saw Penrith reach an historic agreement with the Windsor Club, which entered a team in Premier League for 2008.
As part of the agreement, any fit Penrith player not required in a given week for either NRL or Under 20s would become available to the Windsor Wolves to play either in Premier League or Jim Beam Cup.
Team Profiles
2 Raiders 24 17 1 6 2 688 456 232 39
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3 Sharks 24 17 1 6 2 580 404 176 39
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4 Cowboys 24 15 0 9 2 584 355 229 34
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5 Broncos 24 15 0 9 2 554 434 120 34
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6 Panthers 24 14 0 10 2 563 463 100 32
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7 Bulldogs 24 14 0 10 2 506 448 58 32
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8 Titans 24 11 1 12 2 508 497 11 27
L R26
9 Wests Tigers 24 11 0 13 2 499 607 -108 26
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10 Warriors 24 10 0 14 2 513 601 -88 24
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11 Dragons 24 10 0 14 2 341 538 -197 24
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12 Rabbitohs 24 9 0 15 2 473 549 -76 22
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13 Sea Eagles 24 8 0 16 2 454 563 -109 20
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14 Eels 24 13 0 11 2 298 324 -26 18
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15 Roosters 24 6 0 18 2 443 576 -133 16
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16 Knights 24 1 1 22 2 305 800 -495 7
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2 Cowboys 24 16 1 7 2 772 526 246 37
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3 Dragons 24 15 1 8 2 737 545 192 35
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4 Sharks 24 15 1 8 2 666 607 59 35
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5 Roosters 24 14 1 9 2 710 642 68 33
D R26
6 Wests Tigers 24 12 4 8 2 680 541 139 32
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7 Eels 24 14 0 10 2 579 562 17 32
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8 Raiders 24 13 1 10 2 608 692 -84 31
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9 Broncos 24 11 1 12 2 664 576 88 27
D R26
10 Knights 24 11 1 12 2 589 678 -89 27
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11 Bulldogs 24 9 1 14 2 604 694 -90 23
W R26
12 Storm 24 8 2 14 2 700 756 -56 22
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13 Titans 24 9 0 15 2 627 698 -71 22
L R26
14 Warriors 24 8 1 15 2 466 680 -214 21
L R26
15 Rabbitohs 24 7 0 17 2 468 742 -274 18
L R26
16 Sea Eagles 24 3 1 20 2 483 883 -400 11
L R26
| i don't know |
Which row on a typewriter contains the most vowels | Fun With Words: Word Oddities
Word Oddities
Longest Words
Cabbaged and fabaceae, each eight letters long, are the longest words that can be played on a musical instrument. Seven letter words with this property include acceded, baggage, bedface, cabbage, defaced, and effaced.
Aegilops, eight letters long, is the longest word whose letters are arranged in alphabetical order. Seven letter words with this property include beefily and billowy. Six letter words include abhors, accent, access, almost, biopsy, bijoux, billow, chintz, effort, and ghosty.
Spoonfeed, nine letters long, is the longest word whose letters are arranged in reverse alphabetical order. Trollied is an eight letter word with this property. Seven letter words with this property include sponged and wronged.
Cimicic and Cimicid, each seven letters long, are the longest words that are exclusively made up of Roman Numerals.
Nonsupports, eleven letters long, is the longest word in the English language made up of only letters in the second half of the alphabet. Ten letter words include prosupport, soupspoons, and zoosporous.
Overnumerousnesses, eighteen letters long, is the longest English word that consists of only letters that lack ascenders, descenders, and dots in lower case. Overnervousnesses is seventeen letters. Sixteen letter words with this property include curvaceousnesses and overnumerousness. Fifteen letter words with this property include erroneousnesses, nonconcurrences, overnervousness, and verrucosenesses.
Lighttight and lillypilly, each ten letters long, are the longest English words consisting only of letters with ascenders, descenders, or dots in lower case.
Tittifill, nine letters long, is the longest English word consisting only of letters with ascenders or dots in lower case. Eight letter words with this property include libidibi and tikitiki.
The only English words that consist entirely of letters with descenders in lower case are gyp and gyppy.
Honorificabilitudinitatibus, 27 letters long, is the longest English word consisting strictly of alterating consonants and vowels. An eighteen letter word with this property is epicoracohumeraler. A seventeen letter word with this property is hypovitaminosises. Sixteen letter words with this property include aluminosilicates, depolarizability, and supererogatorily. Fifteen letter words with this property include cytomegalovirus, heterozygosises, hexosaminidases, paramyxoviruses, pararosanilines, parasitological, tenosynovitides, tenosynovitises, unimaginatively, and verisimilitudes.
The Rot13 method of encrypting text is performed by rotating the alphabet by thirteen characters. Because there are 26 letters in the alphabet, the decryption process is the same as the encryption. The longest words to form other words when Rot13 encrypted are the seven letter words abjurer and nowhere, which become each other.
Letters
Dermatoglyphics, misconjugatedly, and uncopyrightable, each fifteen letters long, are the longest English words in which no letter appears more than once. Fourteen letter words with this property are ambidextrously, benzhydroxamic, hydromagnetics, hydropneumatic, pseudomythical, schizotrypanum, sulphogermanic, troublemakings, undiscoverably, and vesiculography.
Esophagographers and unprosperousness, each sixteen letters long, are the longest English words in which each of their letters occurs at least twice.
Esophagographers, sixteen letters long, is the longest English word in which each of its letters occurs exactly twice. A fourteen word with this property is scintillescent. Twelve letter words with this property include happenchance and shanghaiings. Ten letter words with this property include arraigning, concisions, intestines, and horseshoer.
Sestettes is a word in which each of its letters occurs three times.
The word chincherinchee is the only known English word which has one letter occurring once, two letters occurring twice, and three letters occurring three times.
Ultrarevolutionaries is a word in which each of the five main vowels occurs twice.
Eunoia, six letters long, is the shortest word in the English language that contains all five main vowels. Seven letter words with this property include adoulie, douleia, eucosia, eulogia, eunomia, eutopia, miaoued, moineau, sequoia, and suoidea. (The scientific name iouea is a genus of Cretaceous fossil sponges.)
Caesious, eight letters long, is the shortest word in the English language that contains all five main vowels in alphabetical order. Nine letter words with this property are acheilous, acheirous, aerobious, arsenious, arterious, autecious, facetious, and parecious.
Suoidea, seven letters long, is the shortest word in the English language that contains all five main vowels in reverse alphabetical order. Other words with this property are scarce; they include the ten letter words duoliteral and unoriental, the fourteen letter word subcontinental, and the fifteen letter words neuroepithelial and uncomplimentary.
Facetiously, eleven letters long, is the shortest word in the English language that contains all six vowels in alphabetical order. A twelve letter word with this property is abstemiously. The fourteen letter words adventitiously and sacrilegiously have this property but also have repeated vowels.
Twyndyllyngs, twelve letters long, is the longest word in the English language without any of the five main vowels. An eleven letter word with this property is the singular form, twyndyllyng. An eight letter word with this property is symphysy. Seven letter words with this property include gypsyfy, gypsyry, nymphly, and rhythms.
Strengths, nine letters long, is the longest word in the English language with only one vowel.
Strengthlessnesses, eighteen letters long, is the longest word in the English language with only one vowel repeated. A seventeen letter word with this property is defenselessnesses. A sixteen letter word with this property is strengthlessness. A fifteen letter word with this property is defenselessness. A fourteen letter word with this property is degenerescence. Thirteen letter words with this property are degenerescent, disinhibiting, effervescence, handcraftsman, kinnikinnicks, philistinisms, primitivistic, retelemetered, and whipstitching.
Euouae, six letters long, is the longest English word consisting only of vowels, and, also, the English word with the most consecutive vowels. Words with five consecutive vowels include cooeeing and queueing.
Archchronicler, catchphrase, eschscholtzia, latchstring, lengthsman, and postphthisic each have six consonants in a row. Borschts has six consonants in a row in just one syllable. Words with five consecutive consonants include angstrom, angsts, birthplace, dumbstruck, eighths, heartthrob, lengths, postscript, strengths, thumbscrew, twelfths, warmths, and witchcraft.
Hotshots consists of the same four letters repeated. There are other eight letter words with this property, but none are common: beriberi, caracara, chowchow, couscous, froufrou, greegree, guitguit, kavakava, lavalava, mahimahi, and matamata.
Abcaree, abchalazal, abcoulomb, crabcake, and drabcloth are among the only words in the English language that contain "abc."
Hydroxyzine is the only word in the English language that contains "xyz."
The longest alphabetic sequences to appear in English words are "mnop" and "rstu." Mnop appears in such words as gymnopaedic, gymnophiona, gymnoplast, limnophilous, prumnopitys, semnopithecus, somnopathy, and thamnophile. Rstu appears in such words as overstudy, overstuff, superstud, and understudy.
You and ewe are pronounced the same but share no letters in common. Eye and I is another such pair. Oh and eau is yet another.
Subbookkeeper is the only English word with four pairs of double letters in a row. Assessee and keelless are the shortest words with three pairs of double letters. Cooee is the shortest word with two double letters.
Only a few words (not counting three letter words) start with the same three letters they end with. They include: aftershaft, anticipant, anticoagulant, anticonvulsant, antiformant, antioxidant, antiperspirant, calendrical, entablement, entanglement, entertainment, enthrallment, enthralment, entrapment, hotshot, ingesting, ingratiating, ingrowing, ionization, microsomic, nicotinic, physiography, phytogeography, phytography, redeclared, respires, restores, restructures, tormentor, and underground. As a special case, six letter words with this property are atlatl, bonbon, booboo, bulbul, cancan, chichi, dumdum, grigri, motmot, murmur, pawpaw, pompom, tartar, testes, and tsetse.
Fewer words (excluding four letter words) start with the same four letters they end with. These include uricosuric and the nonsense word abracadabra. As a special case, eight letter words with this property are beriberi, caracara, chowchow, couscous, froufrou, greegree, guitguit, hotshots, kavakava, lavalava, mahimahi, and matamata.
Typewriters
Aftercataracts and tesseradecades, each fourteen letters long, are the longest words that can be typed using only those letters normally typed with the left hand. Twelve letter words with this property include aftereffects, desegregated, desegregates, reasseverate, reverberated, reverberates, and stewardesses.
Johnny-jump-up and niminy-piminy, twelve letters long, are the longest words that can be typed using only those letters normally typed with the right hand. Eleven letter words with this property include hypolimnion and kinnikinnik. Nine letter words with this property include homophony, homophyly, monophony, nipponium, nonillion, pollinium, and polyonomy.
Leptothricosis and leucocytozoans, each fourteen letters long, are the longest English words that are normally typed using strictly alternating hands. Thirteen letter words with this property include antiendowment, antisudorific, autotoxicosis, dismantlement, leucocytozoan, and neurotoxicity. Twelve letter words with this property include authenticity and suspensorial.
Postmuscular, twelve letters long, is the longest English word that is normally typed by switching hands every two letters.
Rupturewort, eleven letters long, is the longest word that can be typed using only those letters in the top row of a typewriter. Ten letter words with this property are pepperroot, pepperwort, pewterwort, pirouetter, prerequire, pretorture, proprietor, repertoire, repetitory, tetterwort, and typewriter.
Shakalshas, ten letters long, is the longest English word that can be typed using only those letters in the middle row of a typewriter. Nine letter words with this property include flagfalls, hadassahs, and haggadahs. Eight letter words with this property include alfalfas, galagala, galahads, and haskalah.
Deeded, hummum, muhuhu, and muumuu, each six letters long, are the longest English words that are normally typed with just one finger. Five letter words with this property include ceded, mummy, unnun, and yummy.
RinkWorks.com is typed by alternately moving left and right from key to key.
Symmetry
CHECKBOOK, nine letters long, is the longest word in the English language composed entirely of letters with horizontal symmetry in upper case. Eight letter words with this property include BEDECKED, BOOHOOED, CODEBOOK, COOKBOOK, DOBCHICK, EXCEEDED, HOODOOED, and KEBOBBED.
HOMOTAXIA, nine letters long, is the longest word in the English language composed entirely of letters with vertical symmetry in upper case. Eight letter words with this property include AUTOMATA, AUTOTOMY, MOTIVITY, MAHIMAHI, MATAMATA, MYXOMATA, and THATAWAY. Seven letter words with this property include AUTOMAT, MAMMOTH, MAXIMUM, TAXIWAY, WITHOUT, and the proper name TIMOTHY. Hyphenated terms with this property include HOITY-TOITY and MOUTH-TO-MOUTH.
HAH, HOH, HUH, MA'AM, MOM, OHO, TAT, TIT, TOT, TOOT, TUT, and WOW are several words which, when written in upper case letters, have vertical symmetry.
I, OHO, and IHI'IHI are the only words in the English language that, when written in upper case letters, have horizontal and vertical symmetry and consist entirely of letters that have both horizontal and vertical symmetry.
ZOONOSIS, eight letters long, is the longest word in the English language composed of letters with 180 degree rotational symmetry. Six letter words with this property include NINONS, ONIONS, and SOZINS.
MOW, SIS, and SWIMS, when written in upper case letters, have 180 degree rotational symmetry.
COUSCOUS, eight letters long, is the longest word in the English language such that one cannot tell visually if it's been written in all upper case or all lower case letters. Four letter words with this property are COCO, COOS, COWS, CUSS, SCOW, VOWS, WOOS, WUSS, and ZOOS.
Anagrams
Conservationalists and conversationalists, each eighteen letters long, are the longest non-scientific English words that are anagrams of each other. Internationalism and interlaminations are sixteen letter anagrams of each other.
Basiparachromatin and marsipobranchiata, each seventeen letters long, are anagrams of each other that have no more than three consecutive letters in common. Thermonastically and hematocrystallin are sixteen letter anagrams of each other that have this same property.
Nitromagnesite and regimentations, each fourteen letters long, are anagrams of each other without any consecutive letters in common.
Interrogatives, reinvestigator, and tergiversation, each fourteen letters long, are the longest three non-scientific English words that are anagrams of each other. They have no more than three consecutive letters in common with each other.
Monday is the only day of the week that has an anagram, which is dynamo. March, April, and May are the only months of the year that have anagrams, which are charm, ripal, and yam.
Earth, having the anagrams hater and heart, and Mars, having the anagrams arms and rams, are the only planets with anagrams.
Contained Words
Thitherwards contains the most English words spelled consecutively within it: a, ar, ard, ards, er, he, her, hi, hit, hithe, hither, hitherward, hitherwards, I, it, ither, the, thither, thitherward, wa, war, ward, and wards, totaling twenty-three words. Therein, seven letters long, contains twelve words: er, ere, he, her, here, herein, I, in, re, rein, the, and there.
Ushers contains the most personal pronouns spelled consecutively within it: he, her, hers, she, and us, totaling five pronouns.
Syllables
Scraunched and the archaic word strengthed, each ten letters long, are the longest English words that are only one syllable long. Nine letter monosyllabic words are scratched, screeched, scrounged, squelched, straights, and strengths.
Rugged is a two syllable word that can be made one syllable by adding letters to it to make shrugged. The two syllable word ague can be made one syllable by adding letters to make it vague or plague.
Are is a one syllable word that can be made into a three syllable word by adding just one letter to make area. Similarly, came can become cameo, gape can become agape, and lien can become alien. Adding a letter to the middle of smile becomes the three syllable word simile. Similarly, whine can become wahine.
Io may be the shortest two syllable word in the English language. Other candidates are aa, ai, and eo, but there is some dispute over the pronunciation and legitimacy of these words.
Iouea, five letters long, is the shortest four syllable English word. Oceania, oogonia, and oxyopia, each seven letters long, are the shortest five syllable English words.
Chasm, dirndl, massacring, rhythm, sarcasm, and vrbaite have more syllables than pronounced vowels. Contractions and words that end in ism and ithm also have this property. Proper names with this property include Edinburgh and Hamtramck.
Articles
Sometimes redundancy creeps into accepted usage when terms are translated from one language to another. Rio Grande River is redundant to a speaker of both English and Spanish, as is Sierra Mountains, but, when addressing an English speaker, the extra English specification makes sense.
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| Top Row |
Which character in Alice in Wonderland never stopped sobbing | Word Trivia
Word Trivia
Longest Words
The longest English word that does not contain the letter 'e' is floccinaucinihilipilification at 29 letters.
Cabbaged and fabaceae, each 8 letters long, are the longest words that can be played on a musical instrument.
Aegilops, 8 letters long, is the longest word with its letters arranged in alphabetical order.
Spoonfeed, 9 letters long, is the longest word with its letters arranged in reverse alphabetical order.
CIMICIC and CIMICID, each 7 letters long, are the longest words that are exclusively made up of Roman numerals when written in upper case. Among words consisting of only Roman numeral letters, the "highest scoring" are MIMIC (2,102) and IMMIX (2,012).
Overnumerousnesses, 18 letters long, is the longest word that consists of only letters that lack ascenders, descenders and dots in lower case.
Lighttight and hillypilly, each 10 letters long, are the longest words consisting only of letters with ascenders, descenders and dots in lower case.
Tittifill, 9 letters long, is the longest word consisting only of letters with ascenders or dots in lower case.
Honorificabilitudinitatibus, 27 letters long, is the longest word consisting strictly of alternating consonents and vowels.
Dermatoglyphics, misconjugatedly and uncopyrightable, each 15 letters long, are the longest words in which no letter appears more than once. Subdermatoglyphic, at 17 letters, is longer but is very obscure and rarely used.
Unprosperousness, 16 letters long, is the longest word in which each letter occurs at least twice.
Esophagographers, 16 letter long, is the longest word in which each of its letters occurs twice.
Fickleheaded and fiddledeedee, both 12 letters long, are the longest words consisting only of letters in the first half of the alphabet.
Discrete - discreet is the longest homophonic anagram (2 similarly pronounced words that are spelled differently but sound the same and are composed of the same letters).
Redivider is the longest common palindromic word ( a word reading the same backwards and forwards).
The longest words that are reverse images of each other are stressed and desserts.
Symmetry
CHECKBOOK, 9 letters long, is the longest word composed entirely of letters with horizontal symmetry in upper case. Some others with this property are: BEDECKED, BOOHOOED, CHECKBOOK, CHOICE, CODEBOOK, COOKBOOK, DECIDED, DIOXIDE, EXCEEDED, HIDE, ICEBOX, OBOE.
HOITY-TOITY, at 10 letters long, is the longest word composed entirely of letters with vertical symmetry in upper case. HOMOTAXIA, 9 letters long, is another with this property.
I and OHO are the only words that, when written in upper case, have horizontal and vertical symmetry and consist of letters that have both horizontal and vertical symmetry.
ZOONOSIS, 8 letter long, is the longest word composed of letters with 180� rotational symmetry in upper case.
MOW, SIS and SWIMS, when written in upper case, have 180� rotational symmetry.
Typewriter Words
Aftercataracts and tesseradecades, each 14 letters long, are the longest words that can be typed using only those letters normally typed with the left hand. The more common words stewardesses (12 letters) and reverberated (11 letters) are other examples.
Johnny-jump-up and niminy-piminy, each 12 letters long, are the longest words that can be typed using only those letters normally typed with the right hand. Lollipop (8 letters) is more common.
Leptothricosis and leucocytozoans, each 14 letters long, are the longest words that can be typed using strictly alternating hands.
Postmuscular, 12 letters long, is the longest word that is normally typed by switching hands every two letters.
Uropyoureter (a collection of urine & pus in the ureter), at 12 lettters long, is the longest word that can be typed using only those letters on the top row of a typewriter. Some 11 letter words are: proprietory, proterotype and rupturewort. Some 10 letter words are: pepperroot, pepperwort, perpetuity, pewterwort, pirouetter, prerequire, pretorture, proprietor, repertoire, tetterwort and typewriter.
Shakalshas, 10 letters long, is the longest word that can be typed using only those letters in the middle row of a typewriter.
Deeded, hummum, muhuhu, and muumuu, each 6 letters long, are the longest words that are normally typed with just one finger.
Words that use each of the eight typing fingers just once include: alpiners, biplanes, captions, clasping, esophagi, elapsing, harelips, impalers, jackpots, lifespan, panelist, placings, plainest, plaudits, pleasing, pralines and scalping.
Vowels
Words (found in major English dictionaries) consisting entirely of vowels include a, aa ( a type of lava), ae, ai, aieee, iao, oii, eau, euouae, oe, oo, I, o, a, io and uoiauai, the last being the longest vowel-only word (7 letters).
A and I are the shortest words composed of vowels only.
Euouae, a 6 letter English word consisting only of vowels, also contains the most consecutive vowels.
Other words with consecutive vowels are: beauty, liaising ( 3 vowels); obsequious (4 vowels); queueing, aieee, cooeeing, jussieuean, miaoued, zaouia, zooeae, zoaeae, (5 vowels).
Not counting 'y', Twyndyllyngs, 12 letters long, is the longest word in the English language without any of the five main vowels. The 7 letter rhythms is a more common one. Short words are my, sky and thy.
Asthma begins and ends with a vowel but has no other vowels in between. Some less common long words with this property are isthmi (alternate plural of isthmus), aphtha and eltchi.
Ultrarevolutionaries is a word in which each of the five main vowels occurs twice.
Strengths, 9 letter long, is the longest word with only one vowel.
Chrononhotonthologos (20 letters) is the longest word with only one repeated vowel. Two other long words with this property are strengthlessnesses (18 letters) and defencelessnesses (17 letters).
Abstemious, abstentious, adventitious, aerious, annelidous, arsenious, arterious, caesious and facetious are all words with all five vowels in order. If you count 'y' as a vowel, -ly can be added to most of them to get all six vowels.
Duoliteral, quodlibetal, subcontinental, uncomplimentary, unnoticeably and unproprietary are all words with all five vowels in reverse order (except for 'y'). The shortest word in this category is suoidea (the taxonomic group to which pigs belong) at 7 letters, while the longest is punctoschmidtella (a crustacean) at 17 letters.
The shortest word with the vowels in alphabetical order is aerious (7 letters). The longest such word is phragelliorhynchus (a protozoan) with 18 letters.
There are many words that have all five vowels in any order such as: authoritative, behaviour, cauliflower, documentation, exhumation, favourite, graciousness, hallucinogen, inconsequential, liquefacation, malfunctioned, neuroglia, ostentatious, pandemonium, questionnaire, revolutionary, sacrilegious, sternutation, tambourine, uncomplimentary, and vexatious. The shortest words in this category are adoulie, aerious, douleia, eucosia, eulogia, eunoia, eunomia, eutopia, miaoued, moineau and sequoia.
Blander can integrate all 5 vowels to make five new separate words: blander, blender, blinder, blonder, blunder. Another example is: patting, petting, pitting, potting, putting.
Honorificabilitudinitatibus (27 letters) is the longest words consisting entirely of alternating vowels and consonants. Other such words are aluminosilicates (16 letters), epicoracohumeraler (18 letters), hexosaminidases (15 letters), iculanibokolas (14 letters), pararosanilines (15 letters), parasitological (15 letters) and verisimilitudes (15 letters).
Syllables
Scraunched and the archaic word strengthed each 10 letters long, are the longest words which are only one syllable long.
Rugged is a two-syllable word that can be made one syllable by adding letters to it to make shrugged. The two-syllable word ague can be made one syllable by adding letters to make vague or plague.
Are is a one syllable word that can be made into a three-syllable word by adding just one letter to make area. Came, plus one letter, becomes the three-syllable word cameo. Gape can become agape. Lien can become alien. Adding a letter to the middle of smile becomes the three-syllable simile. Adding a letter in the middle of whine makes wahine.
The three-syllable word hideous, with the change of a single consonant, becomes a two-syllable word with no vowel sounds in common: hideout.
Chasm, dirndl, massacring, rhythm, sarcasm and vrbaite have more syllables than pronounced vowels. Contractions and words ending in ism and ithm also have this property, as does the proper name Edinburgh.
The only countries in the world with one syllable in their names are Chad, France, Greece and Spain.
Some two-syllable words which become one-syllable words by adding a letter or letters are: ague/plague, ague/vague, ave/have, rugged/shrugged, aged/raged, aged/staged, boa/boat, ole/sole, ole/whole, ragged/dragged, naked/snaked, sour/source, winged/twinged.
Some common words which change to three syllables when just one letter is added are: are/area, came/cameo, crime/Crimea, gape/agape, hose/hosea, Jude/Judea, lien/alien, ole/oleo, rode/rodeo, Rome/Romeo, smile/simile, whine/wahine.
Plurals
Some words which have no singular form are: alms, amends, braces cattle, clothes, doldrums, eaves, ides, marginalia, pants, pliers, scissors, shorts, smithereens, trousers.
Many words, such as deer, moose and sheep, are spelled and pronounced the same way in both their singular and plural forms. More interesting words with this property are congeries, kudos, premises, shambles, series and species. Fish can be both singular and plural, yet fishes is also a correct pluralisation of the word.
Some words which have their plural spelled the same way as their singular form but pronounced differently are: bourgeois, chassis, corps, faux-pas, gardebras,pr�cis, pince-nez, rendezvous.
Many plural words ending in s become different singular words when another s is added (e.g. cares/caress, princes/princess): abbes, abys, adventures, bas, bos, bras,bulgines, bus,cares, chapes, cites, cosines, deadlines, discus, esquires, fras, gamines, gaus, glassines, gues, his, homines, hos, kavas, kas, larges, las, los, lownes, marques, mas, millionaires, mis, moras, mos, multimillionaires, needles, nervines, ogres,pas, pis, pos, poses, prelates, princes, pros, pus, sagenes, saltines, shines, sightlines, squires, tartines, timelines, tyrranes, usures and zebras. Many of them switch from masculine plural form to feminine singular form.
Kine, an obsolete plural of cow, shares no letters with its singular form.
Folk and folks are both plurals, with no singular form.
Necropolis is a singular word ending in S that becomes plural when the S is removed.
Axe and axis are two different words, yet they share the same plural, axes. Others are base and basis (bases), and ellipse and ellipsis (ellipses).
The plural of man is men. The plural of woman is women. The plural of human is humans.
The plural of foot is feet. The plural of goosefoot is goosefoots. The plural of goose is geese.The plural of mongoose is mongooses.
The plural of mouse, the rodent, is mice. The plural of mouse, the computer hardware device, is mouses.
Other unusually pluralised words are brother, which may be pluralised to brothers but also brethren; cherub, which is pluralised to cherubim; die, which is pluralised to dice; formula, which may be pluralised to formulas but also formulae; juger, which is pluralised to jugera; kibbutz, which is pluralised to kibbutzim; landsman, which is pluralised to landsleit; libretto, which is pluralised to libretti; ox, which is pluralised to oxen, paries, which is pluralised to parietes; person, which is pluralised to people; rubai, which is pluralised to rubaiyat; schema, which is pluralised to schemata; seraph, which is pluralised to seraphim; tempo, which is pluralised to tempi; and wunderkind, which is pluralised to wunderkinder. Most of these words were taken from other languages - like Hebrew, Greek, German and Italian - with the foreign pluralisation rules retained.
The singular form of braces, when used in the orthodontic sense, is bracket. One bracket per tooth is attached when someone is fitted with braces.
Hair is a singular word that suggests more than its plural, hairs.
Anagrams
Louis XIII, the King of France during the early 17th century, appointed a Royal Anagrammist for a salary of �1, 200 a year.
Representationalism and misrepresentational , each 19 letters long, are the longest non-scientific English words that are anagrams of each other. Other long examples are: conservationalists and conversationalists (18 letters); internationalism and interlaminations (16 letters). The scientific words hydroxydesoxycorticosterone and hydroxydeoxycorticosterones are the longest words that are anagrams of each other.
Basiparachromatin and marsipobranchiata, each 17 letters long, are anagrams of each other that have no more than three consecutive letters in common.
Nitromagnesite and regimentations, each 14 letters long, are anagrams of each other without any consecutive letters in common.
Interrogatives, reinvestigator and tergiversation, each 14 letters long, are the longest three non-scientific words that are anagrams of each other.
Monday is the only day of the week that has an anagram, which is dynamo. March, April and May are the only months of the year that have anagrams, these are charm, ripal and yam.
Earth, with hater and heart, and Mars, with arms and rams, are the only planets In the Solar System with anagrams.
Japan's former capital city (Kyoto, A.D. 794-1868) and present capital city (Tokyo) are anagrams of each other.
There is no other word that can be made by rearranging the letters of the word anagram.
The word stifle is an anagram of itself!
Contained Words
Thitherwards contains the most English words spelled consecutively within it: a, ar, ard, ards, er, he, her, hi, hit, hithe, hither, hitherward, hitherwards, I, it, ither, the, thitherward, thitherwards, wa, war, ward and wards, totalling 23 words.
Ushers contains the most personal pronouns spelled consecutively within it: he, her, hers, she, and us, totalling five pronouns.
Interchangeability contains the words three, eight, nine, ten, thirteen, thirty, thirty-nine, eighty, eighty-nine, ninety and ninety-eight.
Miscellaneous
Hotshots consists of the same four letters repeated. There are other 8 letter words with this property, though none of them are common: caracara, chowchow, couscous, froufrou, greegree, guitguit, kavakava and lavalava.
Abcaree, Abchalazal, Abcoulomb, crabcake, dabchick and drabcloth are among the only words in the English language that contain 'abc'.
Hydroxyzine and xyzzor are the only words that contains 'xyz'.
Tmesis is the only English word beginning with 'tm'.
The longest alphabetical sequences to appear in English words are 'mnop' and 'rstu'. 'Mnop' appears in such words as gymnopaedic, gymnophiona, gymnoplast, limnophilous, prumnopitys, semnopithecus, somnopathy and thamnophile. 'Rstu' appears in such words as overstudy, overstuff, superstud and understudy.
You and ewe are pronounced the same but have no letters in common. Eye and I is another such pair. Oh and eau is another.
Subbookkeeper is the only English word with four pairs of double letters in a row. Assessee and keelless are the shortest words with three pairs of double letters. Cooee is the shortest word with two double letters.
The most commonly used words in written English are: the, of, and, a, to, in, is, you, it, he, for, was, on, are, as, with, his, they, at, be, this, from, I, have, or, by, one, had, not, but, what, all, were, when, we, there, can, an, your, which, their, said, if, do.
The most commonly occuring sound in spoken English is the sound of a in alone, followed by e as in key, t as in top and d as in dip.
Of is the only commonly used word in which F is pronounced like a V. The only other words with this property are hereof, thereof and whereof.
Tough, though, through and thorough are formed by adding a letter every time between t and ough, but none of them rhymes with any other.
The combination ough can be pronounced in nine different ways. The following sentence contains them all: "A rough-coated, dough-faced, thoughtful ploughman strode through the streets of Scarborough; after falling into a slough, he coughed and hiccoughed."
Underfund and underground are the only two English words that start and finish with 'und'.
Widow is the only female form in English that is shorter than the corresponding male term (widower). Most female forms are derived by modifying the male term with a suffix (actor/actress).
Demirep is the only word in the English language which is made feminine by applying a prefix, rather than a suffix, to the masculine form, which is rep.
No word in the English language rhymes with depth, month, orange, silver or purple.
Dreamt is the only common English word ending in mt. Others are the obscure adreamt, redreamt undreamt and daydreamt.
Tremendous, horrendous, stupendous and hazardous are the only English words ending in -dous.
The word queue is the only one in the English language that is still pronounced the same when the last four letters are removed.
The only words consisting entirely of letters with descenders in lower case are gyp and gyppy.
A word in which each of its letters occurs three times is sestettes.
Syzygy is the only English word with three ys. The word means the conjunction or opposition of any two of the heavenly bodies.
The word chincherinchee is the only known word that has one letter occurring once, two letters occcuring twice and three letters occurring three times.
Of all the words in the English language, the word set has the most definitions (192 according to the Oxford English Dictionary).
"I am." is the shortest complete sentence in the English language. Some say that the sentence "I do." is the longest!
| i don't know |
Who was a one hit wonder in 1975 with Feelings | Feelings - Morris Albert |
April 25th, 2011 | 1 Comment
You could start today and write songs the rest of your life and never, ever write anything half as sensitive as “Feelings” by Morris Albert.
This song is so weepy, sensitive and in touch with its inner goodness and sadness, it makes me want to hurl.
There must have been something in the water in 1975 that inspired songwriters to produce easy listening dreck that captured the sensitive zeitgeist but holds absolutely no relevance today.
In one year alone, Casey Kasem counted down the hits and found “Feelings” by Morris Albert, “I’m Not Lisa” by Jessi Colter and “The Last Farewell” by Roger Whitaker in the Billboard Top 20.
Who was buying all these records? Was there a record store rush by people over the age of 65?
In a year that also gave us the tremendous “Magic” by Pilot , the enduring “How Long” by Ace and “The Hustle” by Van McCoy , pop radio listeners had to endure all of these feeling songs.
Call me shallow, but I would rather dance “The Hustle” all night than hear “Feelings” ever again.
Listen to Feelings by Morris Albert
Morris Albert was a Brazillian artist who released his first record in 1974 that featured “Feelings.” The song exploded in a gooey mess of over-the-top emotion and soon sold more than 1 million copies and was covered by people as diverse as Ella Fitzgerald and Frank Sinatra. Albert was riding high when “Feelings” was nominated for a Grammy Award for Song of the Year in 1976. The amazing or disturbing thing is that he lost to “Send in the Clowns” by Judy Collins, another ridiculously sensitive ballad. Albert was also nominated for the Best New Artist Grammy Award. He lost to Natalie Cole, daughter of Nat King Cole.
| Morris Albert |
Who was a one hit wonder in 1981 with O Superman | Feelings [RCA] - Morris Albert | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic
Feelings [RCA]
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AllMusic Review by Joe Viglione
"Feelings" was the monster easy listening song of 1975, not hitting number one as "Love Will Keep Us Together" did that year for Captain & Tenille, but becoming a standard ballad that spawned close to 300 cover versions (shades of Paul McCartney's "Yesterday" and Bobby Hebb's "Sunny"!). The Feelings album is spotty, and that was the enigma of Morris Albert. Side A concludes with the wonderfully dramatic "Falling Tears," a better-than-good production, preceded by lesser songs like "This World Today Is a Mess" and the latter-day Bob Lind that is the opening track, "Woman." The balladeer as folksinger didn't cut it, and it was equally clear that Albert was best with his sincere lovelorn vocal and deep production, and when he put the Barry Manilow-style excesses aside. Albert should have been the South American Manilow and, believe it or not, there is a track on the disc that is superior to the hit title song. The follow-up single, "Sweet Loving Man," is a sweeping pop sensation that got moderate adult contemporary airplay, but may have been hindered by the Kinks/"Lola"-style double entendre: "Call me, let me hear your lips say, you're my sweet loving man." It should have been a smash in the gay bars to hear a man say "you're my sweet loving man," but women might've just passed it off as a guy asking them to say those words, which may have been the original intent. Albert's excellent grasp of the English language makes one wonder, for he certainly knew what ambiguity could do to enhance (or halt) record sales. Where many radio listeners got to the point where they didn't want to hear "feelings, woh woh woh, feelings" one more time, "Sweet Loving Man" has the '70s uplifting pop sound of Ronnie Milsap or Neil Sedaka, sadly missing on "Ways of Fire/Boombanakaoo," the weak production taking away from a style and sound that Madonna found with "La Isla Bonita" 12 years later. She keyed in on perfect production, and that's what is missing on some of these tracks, while showing up on others. There may have been songwriting controversy with the song "Feelings" as well: Shirley Bassey's album credits the song to Albert/Gaste, while other covers credit it to Albert/Jourdan and Albert/Kaisermann (the singer's full name is Morris Albert Kaisermann). "Where Is the Love of the World" lifts liberally from Bobby Vinton's "Blue Velvet," the backing vocals an almost exact rip. "Christine" is not a bad little pop tune, and "Gotta Go Home" could have been a neat country ditty, though both songs suffer from underproduction. The final track, "Gonna Love You More," like the other three excellent titles -- "Falling Tears," "Feelings," and "Sweet Loving Man" -- -- is in-the-pocket middle of the road, and well worth the price of admission. Had Morris Albert been able to deliver solid albums the caliber of those lush recordings, he could have been an adult contemporary superstar instead of a one-hit wonder.
Track Listing
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In which hotel did Polly Sherman work | Fawlty Towers | Uncyclopedia | Fandom powered by Wikia
edit Pre-Production Problems
The original concept of the Fawlty Towers documentary came about when a BBC producer was poisoned by a digruntled hotel owner at the Gleneagles Hotel in Torquay in 1967. Appalled that the hotel had long been notorious for its dislike of all public service broadcasting, the producer threatened to sue. In the end the two sides agreed a settlement, by which the hotel agreed the BBC to make a television programme about them for no extra fee. The owner of the hotel, Basil Fawlty (ex-Royal Marines naval clerk, wounded during the Second World War in an incident with a German made filing cabinet) agreed to the conditions and filming was given the go ahead in 1971 as the hotel was fully booked by the British navy until then. Fawlty Towers would become one of the first fly-on-the-wall documentaries.
Unfortunately, pre-production problems were rife. The swimming pool of the hotel selected for the documentary, Fawlty Towers Hotel in Torquay, was at the time being used by the British Royal Navy as a training ground for their Attack Dolphins training program. Some of the technical crew that were hired to install the hidden cameras around the hotel were killed when some of the dolphins mistook them for Germans. The British Navy apologised for this unfortunate incident. Fortunately, 19 of the 21 cameras were installed before the unfortunate dolphin carnage incident, and the secret filming began in 1972.
The original plan was to film a full year of activity in the hotel, from which the edited documentary could then be created. However, further delays occurred when the hotel was uprooted by a tornado and swept along a rainbow to the Land of Oz in April 1972. Despite the rather annoying delay that this caused, the up-side was that when the hotel magically reappeared in August 1972, all cameras and film rolls were now in colour rather than black and white. Filming was re-started in November 1972 and ran uninterrupted until June 1973.
edit Basil Fawlty
The documentary was centered around one major character, the hotel owner and manager, Basil Fawlty. In the later re-classification to a comedy, Basil’s uncanny resemblance to comic favourite John Cleese was utilised to assist in convincing the audience that the show was not real.
Basil Fawlty was born in 1926 in Surrey, England. He joined the British Royal Navy in 1942 but hopes of glorious naval career ewre reduced when he discovered he was prone to violent seasick the moment he stepped on board a ship, or indeed any that floated. The navy took pity and forced him to join the army instead. Whilst waiting for his transfer, Fawlty took up catering as a profession and was placed in charge of ordering supplies. Convinced he was good at doing this, Fawlty (now in the army) moved on to hotel management. He worked for a number of prestigious hotels and had by the early 1960s risen to running the Ritz in Lond. There an unfortunate business about a salmon mousse ruined his reputation and he was secretly pensioned off by the owners eager to cover up the scandal. Determined to stay in the hotel trade, Fawlty was able to re-locate to Torquay where he opened his hotel.
edit Sybil Fawlty
Basil Fawlty was married to his wife, which was handy. His wife’s name was Sybil Fawlty. Sybil was born Sybil Louise Ballsak on 22nd February 1931 in Torquay, England. She grew up in Torquay, where she trained as a nurse, day carer and budding ladies golf champion. She met her husband on a golf course where he had strayed by accident after he had been knocked over by a bus. Sybil took pity on Basil and the couple married. The couple do not have any children, a condition Fawlty blamed on the bus and successfully sued the local authority. This left them Basil and Sybil with a healthy pot of money which they decided to invest in a hotel.
edit Manuel Sanchez
Born in Barcelona, Spain , Manuel Sanchez emigrated to England to obtain a redemption. Once a trainee bull fighter, Manuel suffered a losing streak in the bull ring and was deemed 'poor entertainment value' by the authorities there. Determined to restore his reputation and under the misunderstanding that the English hunted bulls with hounds and red coats, he moved from his home city. Manuel's dream was over before it started but he was reluctant to return to Barcelona. He then moved into busking around England and through this method, ended up in Torquay. Fawlty employed him as the hotel entertainment but also found that Manuel could also double up as hotel assistant. This despite Manuel's hazy grasp of English but he was very cheap and so stayed on.
edit Polly Sherman
Polly Sherman, an American student who lives in the hotel as a live in maid and general help. She is also a part time student, studying languages, art and anthropology. Polly is not fully trusted by Sybil, she considers her a flirt and suspects Basil is using her as his mistress. However, she is aware that Basil is a snob and wouldn't do anything with Polly but Sybil reasons 'men are men' and that if opportunity arose, her husband would take it.
Polly is unaware of Sybil's latent hostility but her strange willingness to help out Basil with some of his bizarre deceptions does suggest there is a bond between them. Not that Basil shows her any tenderness but it is suggested he reminds her of her own father who walked out of Polly's family when she was only five. Polly also has her own hang ups and struggles to bond with men of her own age. Since the hotel's doesn't encourage single men staying there and has a policy about only accepting married couples, chance of meeting any love interest there remains remote.
edit Terry Cockney
Terry Cockney, all round handyman from London and a suspected drug runner for the infamous Luton gangster Spiny Norman . Now relocated to Torquay for holiday/work, Cockney works as a chef at Fawlty's hotel. Says to have an unrequited love for Manuel but that they fell out when another chef was employed and made a move on the Spaniard (replused).
edit Documentary / Comedy
The edited documentary program, simply entitled “One Year’s Worth of Edited Footage of a Hotel in Torquay” was submitted to the British Censorship Board for approval and rating prior to airing. The five members of the Board reported back that the “shocking images could cripple British tourism and we cannot endorse this documentary.” Dismayed, but not defeated, the producers of the show consulted with the head of the BBC, Hulk Hogan , on how to handle this setback. Logical and wise, Hulk suggested that the production team should add some canned laughter to the audio track and re-present the documentary as a comedy. The final result was an uncannily workable success, and the Censorship Board endorsed the program for airing as a comedy.
It is thought that this ingenious tactic was subsequently used to get other previously banned documentaries through the strict censorship regulations. Possible other “documentary to comedy” productions include Only Fools and Horses (originally a harrowing documentary about life on a British council estate), The Good Life (originally an x-rated documentary about the depraved sexual activities of a middle class hippy couple), and Hi De Hi (a documentary showing the desperate measures that a failing seaside campsite will go to in order to stay in business).
edit Critical Reception
Fawlty Towers was well received both by critics and by the British viewing audiences of the 1970s. During the first season of the now cult-status sitcom, the BBC received literally three letters from the viewing audience stating how much they loved the show. On the weekly feedback show “Points Of View”, the show actually received a genuine, unstaged telephone call from a viewer, rather than the usual staff of the BBC calling in from the next office to pad out the show. The viewer stated that he laughed whilst watching Fawlty Towers.
The media critics also praised the show. Some of the more notable comments from the British press were:
“Fuck me, that fucking show is fucking ace! I shit myself laughing! I’m laughing now just thinking about it. AAaaaaaahhhh Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha. See- I’m laughing. AAAAhhhh ha ha ha ha. OOOOhh, Ha ha ha ha.”- Barbara Woodhouse, The Independent
“I laughed at the comedy show Fawlty Towers.” - Derek Minge, The Sun
“You have just got to watch Fawlty Towers. I pissed myself laughing. Literally – I was slashing so hard that I ruptured my cock laughing. But I didn’t care – it was sooo funny! I just couldn’t stop watching it. My cock was in severe pain, leaking blood and piss, but I just had to keep watching rather than going to the hospital. Oh my! What a laugh. I will definitely be tuning in again next week.” – Michael Barrymore , The Daily Telegraph .
edit Terrorist Threat
In addition to being featured in the TV series of the same name, the Fawlty Towers hotel has also become famous as being the site of a serious terrorist threat in the early 1990s.
Libyan freedom fighters calling themselves “The Lords Of Terror” held all residents and staff hostage for a total of 24 days between 3rd February and 27th February 1992. Fortunately, Basil Fawlty and his wife Sybil were in town when the siege began and had not been allowed back into the hotel by the terrorists. Despite issuing numerous threats by telephone and mail, the freedom fighters were not taken seriously by the police until day 22 of the siege, with the Torquay police thinking the threatening letters and telephone calls with screaming torture victims were just some of the lads having a bit of a laugh.
On day 12 of the siege the police received the severed arm of one of the hostages. Believing that this was an elaborate part of the prank, the arm was nailed to the staff notice board, with the sign “Ha, ha – very funny!” pinned to it. It was only when the arm began to stink out the entire station that the police had experts examine the arm to discover that it was real.
When the threat was finally acknowledged as real, the head of the Torquay police force, Bobby Ball, put together a crack team of his two best men and sent them to Fawlty Towers to negotiate with the hostages. Although inexperienced and untrained in hostage negotiations, the two town constables were commended for bringing the siege to a successful conclusion two days later, when the terrorists died from starvation. None of the hostages survived.
edit Fawlty Towers Today
The Fawlty Towers hotel remains a popular location for tourists to the Torquay area. Basil Fawlty has been interviewed several times by members of the press, but having never watched the TV show, he tends to be somewhat confused by all the attention.
Basil’s wife Sybil died on 14th August 2008 when she cut off her head whilst cleaning her teeth.
Polly, the maid, married Basil Fawlty on 22nd August 2008.
Manuel, the waiter, is dead.
Terry is still the chef at the Fawlty Towers Hotel. He has a chronic case of herpes.
| Fawlty Towers |
What is the name of the character played by Victoria Wood in Dinnerladies | Connie Booth - The TV IV
Connie Booth
January 31, 1944 in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
Notable Roles
Awards
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Connie Booth is an American actress and writer best known for her work in the 1960s and 70s with her ex-husband, John Cleese , both on his show Monty Python's Flying Circus and on their sitcom, which they co-created, co-wrote, and co-starred in, Fawlty Towers .
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4 Memorable Moments
Biography
Connie Booth was born in Indianapolis, Indiana in 1944 to a Wall Street mogul and an actress. She, too, began acting on stage and moved to New York to try her hand at Broadway. While a waitress in the 1960s, she met John Cleese , who had been travelling in America as part of a revue and had stayed on there. She and Cleese were married, and she moved with him back to England.
While Cleese started work in Monty Python's Flying Circus , Booth was a constant fixture at the sets. She was well-liked by the other members of Monty Python , in part because, during the recording of the earliest episodes, her distinctive laugh was one of the few they heard from the studio audience. They later had her play several supporting roles, both in the series and in their first original film, Monty Python and the Holy Grail, as a witch accused of turning a man into a newt.
Feeling that he wasn't spending enough time with her and with their daughter Cynthia—born in 1971—Cleese left the show before its fourth season. They collaborated on a film, Romance with a Double Bass. Cleese demanded that his next project also be in collaboration with Booth. The BBC agreed, and together they wrote and created Fawlty Towers . Besides writing every episode together, Cleese played hotel manager Basil Fawlty , and Booth played the waitress, Polly Sherman . The response to the show was at first underwhelming, but by the time of the rebroadcast of the first season , it had become a cult smash hit.
In 1978, Cleese and Booth suffered a painful divorce after ten years of marriage. Around the same time, vicious rumors were spreading regarding her pay for her work on Fawlty Towers. Despite this, Cleese and Booth would collaborate again on a second season of Fawlty Towers before going their separate ways.
Throughout the 80s and 90s, she found other work in British films and TV, often playing an American. During this time, she avoided any association with Fawlty Towers and shunned interviews about it. She was also the victim of more rumors, which she denied—this time that she was a lesbian and had had an illicit affair with Cleese's sister.
At the start of the 21st century, she retired from acting and went into relative seclusion as a psychotherapist. She now lives in a small English town with her husband, theater critic John Lahr, and spends most of her time counselling new mothers—particularly those from foreign countries, just as she once was.
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Who played Kate in the BBC1 comedy Kiss Me Kate | Kiss Me Kate (TV Series 1998–2000) - IMDb
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A situation comedy portraying the frenetic everyday life of a woman counselor.
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Famous Directors: From Sundance to Prominence
From Christopher Nolan to Quentin Tarantino and every Coen brother in between, many of today's most popular directors got their start at the Sundance Film Festival . Here's a list of some of the biggest names to go from Sundance to Hollywood prominence.
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Title: Kiss Me Kate (1998–2000)
6.6/10
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1 win & 1 nomination. See more awards »
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A situation comedy portraying the frenetic everyday life of Kate Salinger ( Caroline Quentin ), a woman counselor who not only must deal with the various problems of her clients but also the permanently depressed state of her business partner Douglas ( Chris Langham ), the unrequited romantic attention of her travel agent neighbor Craig ( Darren Boyd ) and the love-sick Italian Tony ( Cliff Parisi ), owner of the local wine bar. Written by Mark Smith <[email protected]>
4 May 1998 (UK) See more »
Also Known As:
Let's skip the kiss, Kate.
29 February 2004 | by cascade_ice
(USA) – See all my reviews
Kate Salinger (Caroline Quentin) is a marriage and relationship counselor who seems to be able to solve everyone else's problems but not her own. Her flatmate, Douglas (series writer Chris Langham), works with Kate and is also in love with her. He makes it so obvious, we as the audience wonder how someone as intelligent as Kate could be so dense about it. Kate, on the other hand, is crazy about Douglas' brother, Ian, a doctor who changes girlfriends faster than he changes underwear. Kate seems oblivious to this as well. The only long-term couple on the show is Kate's secretary, Mel (Amanda Holden), and Craig, the downstairs computer geek (Darren Boyd). The series follows the ups and downs in Kate's life, and reveals her own imperfections and insecurities as she tries to help others with theirs.
"Kiss Me Kate" is a Britcom that features a quirky cast with chemistry and some hilarious situations, but at times Kate's condescending attitude and crass talk can be a turn-off. It's difficult to like her character; it's easier to feel sympathy for her and her friends. And the lovely, dark-haired Quentin proves that a woman doesn't have to be a size 4 to be talented and beautiful.
8 of 8 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?
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| Caroline Quentin |
Who played Thelma in The Likely Lads | Kiss Me Kate (TV Series 1998–2000) - IMDb
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A situation comedy portraying the frenetic everyday life of a woman counselor.
Stars:
Famous Directors: From Sundance to Prominence
From Christopher Nolan to Quentin Tarantino and every Coen brother in between, many of today's most popular directors got their start at the Sundance Film Festival . Here's a list of some of the biggest names to go from Sundance to Hollywood prominence.
a list of 14 titles
created 23 Jul 2014
a list of 223 titles
created 02 Mar 2015
a list of 167 titles
created 30 Nov 2015
a list of 100 titles
created 8 months ago
a list of 80 titles
created 7 months ago
Title: Kiss Me Kate (1998–2000)
6.6/10
Want to share IMDb's rating on your own site? Use the HTML below.
You must be a registered user to use the IMDb rating plugin.
1 win & 1 nomination. See more awards »
Photos
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Storyline
A situation comedy portraying the frenetic everyday life of Kate Salinger ( Caroline Quentin ), a woman counselor who not only must deal with the various problems of her clients but also the permanently depressed state of her business partner Douglas ( Chris Langham ), the unrequited romantic attention of her travel agent neighbor Craig ( Darren Boyd ) and the love-sick Italian Tony ( Cliff Parisi ), owner of the local wine bar. Written by Mark Smith <[email protected]>
4 May 1998 (UK) See more »
Also Known As:
Let's skip the kiss, Kate.
29 February 2004 | by cascade_ice
(USA) – See all my reviews
Kate Salinger (Caroline Quentin) is a marriage and relationship counselor who seems to be able to solve everyone else's problems but not her own. Her flatmate, Douglas (series writer Chris Langham), works with Kate and is also in love with her. He makes it so obvious, we as the audience wonder how someone as intelligent as Kate could be so dense about it. Kate, on the other hand, is crazy about Douglas' brother, Ian, a doctor who changes girlfriends faster than he changes underwear. Kate seems oblivious to this as well. The only long-term couple on the show is Kate's secretary, Mel (Amanda Holden), and Craig, the downstairs computer geek (Darren Boyd). The series follows the ups and downs in Kate's life, and reveals her own imperfections and insecurities as she tries to help others with theirs.
"Kiss Me Kate" is a Britcom that features a quirky cast with chemistry and some hilarious situations, but at times Kate's condescending attitude and crass talk can be a turn-off. It's difficult to like her character; it's easier to feel sympathy for her and her friends. And the lovely, dark-haired Quentin proves that a woman doesn't have to be a size 4 to be talented and beautiful.
8 of 8 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?
Yes
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