The Art of the Pencil
Why were 19,240 British soldiers killed on Day 1 of the Somme Battle?
After 7 days of bombardment, the British expected to walk across no man’s land and overrun the Germans without a fight. Instead they were mowed down in their thousands. What went wrong?
Prologue
On the morning of the 1st July 1916, the British soldiers would climb up their wooden ladders, clamber over the sandbagged parapets of their trenches and then move towards the German lines. The exact instruction as regards their motion was given as walk: not run, not practice fire and movement but walk. The British High Command expected a docile German force dazed and shell-shocked after 7 days of continuous bombardment not to respond at all or if they did, not with alacrity. Amongst many others, this would become a cardinal error of this battle.
Instead, in short order, the British forces were pinned down and massacred.
Stunning Photos of the Malaysian Air Flight MH17 Crash
These photos poignantly illustrate the horror of the disaster which befell Malaysia Air Flight MH17 over the Ukraine.
Being extremely graphic in nature, if you are squeamish by nature, view with circumspection.
Mamphela Ramphele: Arrogance and Ego Writ Large
From holding Mamphela in high regard, her recent behaviour casts her in a completely different light.
Mamphela Ramphele’s recent actions since creating the so-called political movement Agang, have been surreal to say the least. It commenced with the establishment of a political movement. Instead of presenting an alternative to the ANC what did she do: she denigrated the ANC’s performance? Not that the concerns raised were in any way an inaccurate exposition of the current South African situation but what a potential voter needs is some form of action plan.
Scary Stairs from Around the World
How about creating a novel holiday experience? Climb all the scariest stairs in the world
South Africa’s Coming of Age: A Lament for the Loss of Innocence
With great expectation, the New South Africa was born. After a brief period – like the Prague spring – it wilted under the pressure of cronyism, corruption and incompetence.
Each Society has its own rules about attaining one’s majority and some of them are illogical. For example in some one may not drink until one has reached 21 years of age but yet their sons are expected to wage war from the age of 18.
Stunning Photos of Animals
All of these photographs each in its own way is special. However the last one of three is extra special
Review of the Exhibition entitled The Days of the Dinosaur
This exhibition is currently being held at the Sandton Convention Centre. It comprises life-size models of dinosaurs and a 25 minute 3D movie. Naturally the attraction for most people is not the Dino Face Painting or Dino Shop which are designed to attract the children and the parent’s wallets, but the exhibition itself.
65T Olifant Tank overturns on Van Reenen’s Pass
An Army Transport Vehicle carrying an Olifant Tank loses its brakes on Van Reenen’s Pass. The tank rolled off across the road.
According to the Ladysmith Gazette, on 20th June 2014 an army transport vehicle allegedly lost its brakes while coming down Van Reenen’s Pass. The driver attempted to stop the truck at an emergency arrestor bed which is specially designed to slow trucks if their brakes fail. The 65-ton Olifant main battle tank was thrown off the truck and ended up lying upside down on the north bound carriageway. Damage to the tank is unknown at this stage. A private breakdown service was used to remove the tank from the road, as the military recovery team was not able to reach the scene until much later the following day.
Was JF Kennedy killed by the Black Umbrella Man?
Conspiracy theorists have had a field day expounding theories about why Kennedy was assassinated and by whom. This postulation appeals to me.
What I have always found confusing was to refer to John Fitzgerald Kennedy as “Jack Kennedy.” To ensure that I was not referring to one of his siblings or offspring, for 40 years I have always used his initials JFK. Kennedy was an American politician who served as the 35th President of the United States from January 1961 until he was assassinated on 22nd November 1963 in Dallas Texas.
The event left a deeply-lasting impression on many Americans. As with the December 7, 1941 attack on Pearl Harbour before it, and the September 11, 2001 attacks after it, asking “Where were you when you heard about President Kennedy’s assassination” would become a common topic of discussion.
Main picture: Was the black umbrella man the true assassin of JFK?