Stands Among The World's Most Stands Among The ... - Index of
Stands Among The World's Most Stands Among The ... - Index of
Stands Among The World's Most Stands Among The ... - Index of
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BRITISH/GERMAN EX-SERVICEMEN FOR PEACE<br />
"Through your visit you have found a road which ought to lead to an understanding between our two<br />
nations. That our people feel as we do has been proved to you by the welcome which the population<br />
<strong>of</strong> Berlin accorded you on your arrival. When we who had fought against one another have now come<br />
together this may be the beginning <strong>of</strong> relations which shall develop from country to country, from exsoldier<br />
to ex-soldier. And just as we who are now comrades have forgotten the quarrel that once led<br />
us to fight one another as brave soldiers, so it is our wish that with the passing <strong>of</strong> the years our people<br />
will see those wounds healed which the war inflicted. You, my English comrades, used to call us<br />
Fritz when we were fighting against you, and we used to call you by your old soldier name, Tommy.<br />
May both our peoples so understand one another in the future as we, Tommy and Fritz, understand<br />
one another now." - Reich Leader, National Socialist War Victims Relief to a British Legion<br />
deputation visiting Germany<br />
"<strong>The</strong>re is a tremendous desire on the part <strong>of</strong> all German ex-servicemen for world peace. <strong>The</strong>ir main<br />
desire appeared to be the closest possible co-operation between Great Britain and Germany. An<br />
Anglo-German organization would perhaps be scarcely practicable, but this strong feeling for cooperation<br />
ought to be turned to good purpose. It is hoped in the not too distant future to have exservicemen<br />
throughout the world linked together in some way as to pursue the common objective <strong>of</strong><br />
world peace. In Germany it is difficult to divorce ex-service matters from national affairs, because<br />
the present government is so largely composed <strong>of</strong> ex-servicemen.<br />
"<strong>The</strong> youth <strong>of</strong> Germany is obviously being trained to regard peace as the greatest ideal, realising that<br />
the future <strong>of</strong> civilization depends on its maintenance."<br />
- Major F.W.C Fetherstone-Godley, British Legion Delegate. Daily Mail<br />
"Our aim is to make our people happy once more by guaranteeing to them their daily bread. <strong>The</strong><br />
work involved is great, and the world should leave us to carry it out in peace."<br />
- Adolf Hitler, 22nd October 1933<br />
"We Germans don't like this war. We think it is needless and silly."<br />
- Joseph Goebbels, Daily Mail, January 13 th 1940<br />
"In this hour I feel it to be my duty before my own conscience to appeal once more to reason and<br />
common sense in Britain. I consider myself in a position to make this appeal since I am not the<br />
vanquished begging favors, but the victor speaking in the name <strong>of</strong> reason. I see no reason why this<br />
war must go on. I am grieved to think <strong>of</strong> the sacrifices, which it will claim. I would like to avert<br />
them." - Adolf Hitler, July 19th 1940 to the Reichstag<br />
"After the victories against Poland and in the West, I again decided - and for the last time - to hold out<br />
my hand to England and to point out that a continuation <strong>of</strong> the war could only be senseless for<br />
England, and that there was nothing to prevent the conclusion <strong>of</strong> a reasonable peace. Indeed there<br />
were no differences between England and Germany except those artificially created."<br />
- Adolf Hitler, November, 1941<br />
And this time the German government was still working for a negotiated peace and issued the<br />
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