geeft acht!plaats rust!
hoofd rechts!
richt u!
rechts om - links om keert!
over - geweer!
zet aw - geweer!
laadt - geweer!
legt an! zet af!
vuur!
Today, November 11th, at 11 a.m. [plus 11 seconds], those Germans being fond of carnival, celebrated the start into their so-called fifth season.
Today, November 11th, at 11. a.m., 89 years ago the armistice being considered as the end of the first World War came into effect.
Isn't life strange? On the same day, some people are celebrating carnival, others are remembering the victims of war.
No, I do not mind the carnival revelers along the Rhine and elsewhere getting beside themselves with joy.
But I do recommend visiting James Higham's blog (nourishing obsurity) and read following two posts:
[armistice day] the story behind it
and[monday, november 11th, 1918] pray for humanity
I do have nothing essential to add to what James wrote.
Only this: The orders above which I think need no translation I took from a "Flemish phrase book", printed (around 1915?) "primarily for the German soldiers and officers in Belgium".
I do hope there will no phrase books being printed again - in whatever language(s) - containing such phrases.
Unfortunately, I am no magician, and therefore my spell to learn from history will (probably) not come into effect.
