History Guy
@history-guy.bsky.social
Just an ordinary, passionate history enthusiast.
29 September 1915; No. 16 Stationary Hospital, Le Tréport, BEF France – as related by one VAD nurse.
"[...] we took in another convoy thatfilled every bed in all the huts and we were on thego all night long."
'Dorothea's War', Dorothea Crewdson, Weidenfeld & Nicolson, 2013
#Loos
#WW1
"[...] we took in another convoy thatfilled every bed in all the huts and we were on thego all night long."
'Dorothea's War', Dorothea Crewdson, Weidenfeld & Nicolson, 2013
#Loos
#WW1
![Dorothea Crewdson – VAD NurseNo. 16 Stationary Hospital, Le Tréport, BEF FranceDiary Entry – Wednesday, 29 September 1915
There is a most awful gale raging after a wet and wild night. The Mess anteroom tent collapsed again at breakfast time. We helped to do a hurried moving of furniture out into the Mess tent – made it only just in time. Orderlies and a troupe of volunteers did the rest of the tidying up. There was no attempt this time to save the tent as there was no use struggling with it. No other occupied tents have gone yet but if the wind gets worse tonight it will probably cause wholesale havoc. [...]
Such a time last night. Came on to find a convoy occupying half the beds in the ward and the otherhalf left empty by a departure in afternoon.Then at 4 a.m. we took in another convoy thatfilled every bed in all the huts and we were on thego all night long. Six operations, five of them head cases, were done last night. Rind came over fromthe enterics ward to help till 4. I was so pleased tosee her. The men are all in very poor spirits aboutthe fighting. There are a lot of very bad cases amongthe new arrivals, several on DI and SI lists. The day people will have a job. They already look very worn, hardly having had any off-duty time. I have no time at present for writing at night. Not much in the day either.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:ztmpsktsmtofecjds7hurq53/bafkreiewrqbnyyxbb5gnfpg3jp3dk6uux4ph2tqvlykt7jbxsizjlxib3y@jpeg)
September 29, 2025 at 6:14 PM
28 September 1915; No. 16 Stationary Hospital, Le Tréport, BEF France – as related by one VAD nurse.
"[...]oh! the suffering and misery it means is heart-rending! There seems to be a tremendous battle raging."
'Dorothea's War', Dorothea Crewdson, Weidenfeld & Nicolson, 2013
#Loos
#WW1
"[...]oh! the suffering and misery it means is heart-rending! There seems to be a tremendous battle raging."
'Dorothea's War', Dorothea Crewdson, Weidenfeld & Nicolson, 2013
#Loos
#WW1
![Dorothea Crewdson – VAD NurseNo. 16 Stationary Hospital, Le Tréport, BEF FranceDiary Entry – Tuesday, 28 September 1915
Well, here we are in the thick of it. I have always been told that one day we shall be busy and the time seems to have come at last but oh! the suffering and misery it means is heart-rending! There seems to be a tremendous battle raging. The general attack is from our side [...] it means a tremendous rush of work in all the hospitals tonight. We have had 20 extra beds put into the ward, brought in before midnight by crowds of orderlies and already we have 21 patients. Thereis hardly room to turn in the ward for all the beds.
The great rush began on Sunday morning.Now we are to have convoy after convoy andevacuations every day. What a life! [...] We havetwo or three really bad cases here and anothermight haemorrhage which is rather agitating. I amnot looking forward to the arrival of the next contingent of wounded soldiers. [...]
I went to bed as soon as possible to prepare for tonight. I find it very difficult to get to bed in spite of all my good intentions. Going to bed in the daytime is not the same as night, but I am very thankful to be able to sleep so well. It really is a great blessing.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:ztmpsktsmtofecjds7hurq53/bafkreigq6oy7d2qttvnqvo4kqagdldpi7f2cr4ildzyfpmhnfjntiutaai@jpeg)
September 28, 2025 at 12:32 PM
25 September 1915; Loos Battle – as seen by one officer.
"Dear Mother,
What promises to be the biggest battle in history began exactly 24 minutes ago[...]"
'WE ARE ALL FLOURISHING – The Letters and Diary of Captain Walter JJ Coats MC, 1914–1919', Goldcrest Books International Ltd, 2022
#Loos
#WW1
"Dear Mother,
What promises to be the biggest battle in history began exactly 24 minutes ago[...]"
'WE ARE ALL FLOURISHING – The Letters and Diary of Captain Walter JJ Coats MC, 1914–1919', Goldcrest Books International Ltd, 2022
#Loos
#WW1
![Captain Walter JJ Coats MC1/9 Highland Light Infantry, 5th Infantry Brigade, 2nd Division, I CorpsLetter to his mother – 25 September 1915 (from Givenchy sector)
My dear Mother,What promises to be the biggest battle in history began exactly 24 minutes ago to be precise at 5.50 AM this morning. I knew there was going to be a show several weeks ago and would have liked to tell you but of course could not. Our Battalion is going to make for the Germans in about a quarter of an hour but I am in charge of two guns which are Brigaded, so I stay with the Battalion headquarters for the time being. I may of course be called on to go over at any time but meantime I am sitting in a very comfortable dugout smoking a very fine cheroot.[...]Our men have just started across and I am rather anxious to know how they’re getting on. We cannot see them from where we are. It is beastly to have to sit and listen to the rifle fire and know that one’s friends are up against it. I would rather go and take my chance with them but being the junior Machine Gun Officer I had no say in the matter. The rifle fire is now I think not quite so heavy so either we are across or are driven back. Which? I must stop. [...]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:ztmpsktsmtofecjds7hurq53/bafkreicjmbzftxqb2wogzzdhzm2c52klmwmy5xswlw53fq3m6usvfarh74@jpeg)
September 25, 2025 at 7:39 PM
I think it's really (or overwhelmingly) those still clinging to (their own) Brexit-advocacy and Leave-vote – and fanatically awaiting its vindication – that really need to "learn".
The real (cult-driven) division in the UK is between those who bought into the Brexit-prospectus and everyone else.
The real (cult-driven) division in the UK is between those who bought into the Brexit-prospectus and everyone else.
August 23, 2025 at 7:47 PM
I think it's really (or overwhelmingly) those still clinging to (their own) Brexit-advocacy and Leave-vote – and fanatically awaiting its vindication – that really need to "learn".
The real (cult-driven) division in the UK is between those who bought into the Brexit-prospectus and everyone else.
The real (cult-driven) division in the UK is between those who bought into the Brexit-prospectus and everyone else.
Brexit=Enfeeblement
A notable feature of MAGA/Brexiter (forms of) nationalism is how hopelessly they confuse structuralised, diplomatic, economic, institutional ISOLATION with national prosperity-enhancement and empowerment.
Why belligerents blockade foes in war must be mystifying to such a mindset.
A notable feature of MAGA/Brexiter (forms of) nationalism is how hopelessly they confuse structuralised, diplomatic, economic, institutional ISOLATION with national prosperity-enhancement and empowerment.
Why belligerents blockade foes in war must be mystifying to such a mindset.
March 12, 2025 at 9:35 AM
Brexit=Enfeeblement
A notable feature of MAGA/Brexiter (forms of) nationalism is how hopelessly they confuse structuralised, diplomatic, economic, institutional ISOLATION with national prosperity-enhancement and empowerment.
Why belligerents blockade foes in war must be mystifying to such a mindset.
A notable feature of MAGA/Brexiter (forms of) nationalism is how hopelessly they confuse structuralised, diplomatic, economic, institutional ISOLATION with national prosperity-enhancement and empowerment.
Why belligerents blockade foes in war must be mystifying to such a mindset.
The assigned role of the Trump-Musk putschists in the endeavour looks to be to assign blame for (the unceasing continuation of) Russia's war of Ukraine-destruction on Ukraine itself – for offending Russia, financially victimising and being ungrateful to the US, and not wanting peace enough (somehow)
March 11, 2025 at 1:38 PM
The assigned role of the Trump-Musk putschists in the endeavour looks to be to assign blame for (the unceasing continuation of) Russia's war of Ukraine-destruction on Ukraine itself – for offending Russia, financially victimising and being ungrateful to the US, and not wanting peace enough (somehow)
It's not just Donald Trump though. It really is the entirety of the MAGA movement: One of ever-greater (online-fuelled) radicalisation, scapegoating and enemy-seeking sado-populist destruction – all in the name of the new MAGA volksgemeinschaft, and in unthinking fealty to the MAGA-leader.
March 8, 2025 at 12:58 PM
It's not just Donald Trump though. It really is the entirety of the MAGA movement: One of ever-greater (online-fuelled) radicalisation, scapegoating and enemy-seeking sado-populist destruction – all in the name of the new MAGA volksgemeinschaft, and in unthinking fealty to the MAGA-leader.
The simplistic MAGA anti-Ukraine axis wilfully ignores a basic concept: deterrence profile. It's vital for any SUSTAINED truce as Ukrainian security depends on deterring Russian attack. No leader of Ukraine can indulge such shortsighted ignorance on national security but Trumpists in US are happy to
March 2, 2025 at 11:19 AM
The simplistic MAGA anti-Ukraine axis wilfully ignores a basic concept: deterrence profile. It's vital for any SUSTAINED truce as Ukrainian security depends on deterring Russian attack. No leader of Ukraine can indulge such shortsighted ignorance on national security but Trumpists in US are happy to
The US has proved to be a MUCH softer and weaker target for the Kremlin than Ukraine.
March 1, 2025 at 5:35 PM
The US has proved to be a MUCH softer and weaker target for the Kremlin than Ukraine.
It was ALWAYS an extraordinarily daft, parochial, and grossly irresponsible indulgence – full of make-believe and truck-loads of ignorance. Many may have struggled (or been reluctant) to see it for what self-immolating foolishness it truly was – but to call the project daft is to put it very mildly.
March 1, 2025 at 2:46 PM
It was ALWAYS an extraordinarily daft, parochial, and grossly irresponsible indulgence – full of make-believe and truck-loads of ignorance. Many may have struggled (or been reluctant) to see it for what self-immolating foolishness it truly was – but to call the project daft is to put it very mildly.
It's all an obvious pretence.
To try and boost the chances of far-right, blood-and-soil nationalist nihilism/fascism (of the MAGA variety) – getting more power, at the expense of democracy, prosperity and security in developed, parliamentary polities – as desired by Elon Musk and the Kremlin.
To try and boost the chances of far-right, blood-and-soil nationalist nihilism/fascism (of the MAGA variety) – getting more power, at the expense of democracy, prosperity and security in developed, parliamentary polities – as desired by Elon Musk and the Kremlin.
February 15, 2025 at 4:16 PM
It's all an obvious pretence.
To try and boost the chances of far-right, blood-and-soil nationalist nihilism/fascism (of the MAGA variety) – getting more power, at the expense of democracy, prosperity and security in developed, parliamentary polities – as desired by Elon Musk and the Kremlin.
To try and boost the chances of far-right, blood-and-soil nationalist nihilism/fascism (of the MAGA variety) – getting more power, at the expense of democracy, prosperity and security in developed, parliamentary polities – as desired by Elon Musk and the Kremlin.
Stunning (John Alton) chiaroscuro cinematography in Big Combo.
I love T-Men (1947) personally. Although Border Incident (1949) (concerning a black market in cross-border migrants working in Californian agriculture) might feel more contemporary/topical in some ways. (Both Mann/Alton collaborations)
I love T-Men (1947) personally. Although Border Incident (1949) (concerning a black market in cross-border migrants working in Californian agriculture) might feel more contemporary/topical in some ways. (Both Mann/Alton collaborations)
February 15, 2025 at 3:21 PM
Stunning (John Alton) chiaroscuro cinematography in Big Combo.
I love T-Men (1947) personally. Although Border Incident (1949) (concerning a black market in cross-border migrants working in Californian agriculture) might feel more contemporary/topical in some ways. (Both Mann/Alton collaborations)
I love T-Men (1947) personally. Although Border Incident (1949) (concerning a black market in cross-border migrants working in Californian agriculture) might feel more contemporary/topical in some ways. (Both Mann/Alton collaborations)
Yes – got past the Hays Code censorship.
Although, at the time, the (mid-level) censor might be just too embarrassed (or worried about wider questions) to reveal he understood what certain scenes implied to say anything and get them censored. Eddie Muller has spoken about this sort of thing before.
Although, at the time, the (mid-level) censor might be just too embarrassed (or worried about wider questions) to reveal he understood what certain scenes implied to say anything and get them censored. Eddie Muller has spoken about this sort of thing before.
February 15, 2025 at 3:14 PM
Yes – got past the Hays Code censorship.
Although, at the time, the (mid-level) censor might be just too embarrassed (or worried about wider questions) to reveal he understood what certain scenes implied to say anything and get them censored. Eddie Muller has spoken about this sort of thing before.
Although, at the time, the (mid-level) censor might be just too embarrassed (or worried about wider questions) to reveal he understood what certain scenes implied to say anything and get them censored. Eddie Muller has spoken about this sort of thing before.
There's also The St. Louis Bank Robbery (1959) – if a Steve McQueen connection might be of interest...
www.imdb.com/title/tt0052...
www.imdb.com/title/tt0052...
The St. Louis Bank Robbery (1959) ⭐ 5.8 | Crime, Drama, Thriller
1h 29m | Not Rated
www.imdb.com
February 15, 2025 at 1:36 PM
There's also The St. Louis Bank Robbery (1959) – if a Steve McQueen connection might be of interest...
www.imdb.com/title/tt0052...
www.imdb.com/title/tt0052...
GREAT selection. (And I'm guessing you mean Asphalt Jungle.)
I love The Killing in particular. Great heist noir, innovatively done.
I think The Killers (1946), Criss Cross (1949) and Armored Car Robbery (1950) are all well worth (re-)visiting if you enjoy this kind of flick...
I love The Killing in particular. Great heist noir, innovatively done.
I think The Killers (1946), Criss Cross (1949) and Armored Car Robbery (1950) are all well worth (re-)visiting if you enjoy this kind of flick...
February 14, 2025 at 11:00 PM
GREAT selection. (And I'm guessing you mean Asphalt Jungle.)
I love The Killing in particular. Great heist noir, innovatively done.
I think The Killers (1946), Criss Cross (1949) and Armored Car Robbery (1950) are all well worth (re-)visiting if you enjoy this kind of flick...
I love The Killing in particular. Great heist noir, innovatively done.
I think The Killers (1946), Criss Cross (1949) and Armored Car Robbery (1950) are all well worth (re-)visiting if you enjoy this kind of flick...
They don't seek functional, pluralist, parliamentary democracies.
They want more dysfunctional, autocratic Magastans – that mirror their own hyper-ignorance and simple-minded urges to scapegoat, rage, self-deceive and self-destroy.
Something that will help them feel a bit less lonely and insecure.
They want more dysfunctional, autocratic Magastans – that mirror their own hyper-ignorance and simple-minded urges to scapegoat, rage, self-deceive and self-destroy.
Something that will help them feel a bit less lonely and insecure.
February 14, 2025 at 8:45 PM
They don't seek functional, pluralist, parliamentary democracies.
They want more dysfunctional, autocratic Magastans – that mirror their own hyper-ignorance and simple-minded urges to scapegoat, rage, self-deceive and self-destroy.
Something that will help them feel a bit less lonely and insecure.
They want more dysfunctional, autocratic Magastans – that mirror their own hyper-ignorance and simple-minded urges to scapegoat, rage, self-deceive and self-destroy.
Something that will help them feel a bit less lonely and insecure.