Ethnographic Arms & Armour - View Single Post

ariel · 21st April 2006, 11:33 PM

The story of arms is inseparable of the stories of men who wielded them.
Throughout history, we honor soldiers. Some are legendary heroes. We assume that the age of heroism and chivalry is over. It is not.
I just finished reading a book "The Yom Kippur War".
When Syrians attacked the Golan Heights, virtually nothing stood between them and the Israeli hinterland. Their 51st Armoured Brigade with more than 100 tanks penetrated the border and advanced unimpeded . They were met by a single tank under the command of a 21 year old Leutenant Zvi (diminutive Zvika) Greengold. He identified himself to the command post as "Koah Zvika" (Force Zvika) so that the Syrians would not know that he was alone. He fought an entire tank brigade for a whole night, destroyed almost 50 Syrian tanks and kept them at bay until the reserves arrived.
This was a battle worthy of Roland or Leonidas and his 300 Spartans.
Not less awe inspiring is the magnanimity of honors bestowed by the victors on their fallen enemies.
Israelis erected a memorial to the soldiers of the Arab Legion who fell almost to a man defending the Ammunition Hill in Jerusalem during the Six-Day War in 1967.
Perhaps, the most touching is the letter Ataturk (who defeated the British forces at Gallipoli), sent to the families of the fallen ANZAC soldiers.

"Those heroes that shed their blood and lost their lives... You are now lying in the soil of a friendly country. Therefore rest in peace. There is no difference between the Johnnies and the Mehmets to us where they lie side by side now here in this country of ours... you, the mothers, who sent their sons from faraway countries wipe away your tears; your sons are now lying in our bosom and are in peace. After having lost their lives on this land, they have become our sons as well."

The Australians erected a memorial to Ataturk in Canberra on which these words are engraved.

Say what you want, guys, but these people are awe inspiring.

21st April 2006, 11:33 PM	#1
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	Chivalry The story of arms is inseparable of the stories of men who wielded them. Throughout history, we honor soldiers. Some are legendary heroes. We assume that the age of heroism and chivalry is over. It is not. I just finished reading a book "The Yom Kippur War". When Syrians attacked the Golan Heights, virtually nothing stood between them and the Israeli hinterland. Their 51st Armoured Brigade with more than 100 tanks penetrated the border and advanced unimpeded . They were met by a single tank under the command of a 21 year old Leutenant Zvi (diminutive Zvika) Greengold. He identified himself to the command post as "Koah Zvika" (Force Zvika) so that the Syrians would not know that he was alone. He fought an entire tank brigade for a whole night, destroyed almost 50 Syrian tanks and kept them at bay until the reserves arrived. This was a battle worthy of Roland or Leonidas and his 300 Spartans. Not less awe inspiring is the magnanimity of honors bestowed by the victors on their fallen enemies. Israelis erected a memorial to the soldiers of the Arab Legion who fell almost to a man defending the Ammunition Hill in Jerusalem during the Six-Day War in 1967. Perhaps, the most touching is the letter Ataturk (who defeated the British forces at Gallipoli), sent to the families of the fallen ANZAC soldiers. "Those heroes that shed their blood and lost their lives... You are now lying in the soil of a friendly country. Therefore rest in peace. There is no difference between the Johnnies and the Mehmets to us where they lie side by side now here in this country of ours... you, the mothers, who sent their sons from faraway countries wipe away your tears; your sons are now lying in our bosom and are in peace. After having lost their lives on this land, they have become our sons as well." The Australians erected a memorial to Ataturk in Canberra on which these words are engraved. Say what you want, guys, but these people are awe inspiring.