Remembrance Day

On 11 November at 5:00 am, an armistice with Germany was signed in a railroad carriage at Compiègne. At 11 am on 11 November 1918 – “the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month” – a ceasefire came into effect. During the six hours between the signing of the armistice and its taking effect, opposing armies on the Western Front began to withdraw from their positions, but fighting continued along many areas of the front, as commanders wanted to capture territory before the war ended. Canadian Private George Lawrence Price was shot by a German sniper at 10:57 and died at 10:58. American Henry Gunther was killed 60 seconds before the armistice came into force while charging astonished German troops who were aware the Armistice was nearly upon them. The last British soldier to die was Pte George Edwin Ellison. The last casualty of the war was a German, Lieutenant Thomas, who, after 11 am, was walking towards the line to inform Americans who had not yet been informed of the Armistice that they would be vacating the buildings behind them.

Stanley KubrickPaths of Glory (1957) (1:27)

1 comment

    • on 11/11/2012 at 18:18

    This is not only a remarkable movie, it is able to capture the human cost as well as the complete insanity of war in a realistic manner.  This movie proves the genius that was Kubrick and demonstrates the remarkable acting prowess of Kirk Douglas.  I have watched this movie innumerable times and each time it delivers a powerful kick in the teeth.  Anyone who has not seen this movie should make the effort, however, be warned that this film will affect you deeply and for a very long time.

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