Remembrance Sunday. Why are only the allied war dead remembered? Why not enemy troops?

Question

The point of remembrance is to give quiet thanks to the millions of brave troops who died in defence of our way of life and freedoms.

It is not at all about celebrating our victories over our enemies.

Since enemy troops also died in the conflicts, and since most wars are caused by leaders of countries with scant regard for the welfare of the troops and common sense, could it be said that enemy troops who died should also be remembered in some circumstances?

Answer 1

I understand your point, and it can be said that even the enemy soldier was serving his country, but in MY country we remember OUR soldiers. I suppose that in his country his efforts should be remembered.

The fight you will probably get is that in defeat, the enemy was shown to be wrong and therefore his efforts were misguided. In victory, the allies feel that their efforts to free oppressed peoples outweigh the efforts of the axis to control other nations.

I met German sailors in the 1970's who were proud that their fathers served in the German Navy in WWII. Service in the military did not mean you supported the Nazi party in Germany, yet these men had national pride. I can't say they had no right to their feeling simply because their side lost. Any more than our veterans should at their service in Viet Nam where we too lost.

Your point is well taken, but I'll leave the appreciation of foreign troops to their own countrymen. My pride is limited to those who sacrificed to free the world of German and Japanese aggression.


g-day!

Answer 2

The whole thing has become a bit blurred. It started as a tribute to those who had died on active service in the first world war. The King, politicians, generals and admirals whose failure or stupidity had sent thousands of young men to their deaths, then had the temerity to lay wreathes in their memory. It was slightly ironic that the ceremony took place at the height of the influenza epidemic which probably started in a British army depot in Belgium and which claimed more lives than the fighting. It was supposed to be a one-off ceremony to mark the first anniversary of the guns falling silent, but it continued and became an opportunity for military parades, jingoism and the glorification of war. After the second world war, the roll-call of those remembered had extended to all those killed in both wars, including civilians. At the time, every family had lost members either in action or in air raids and the ceremony had a personal meaning for everyone. British forces have been involved in a number of conflicts since, including Iraq and Afghanistan. The ceremony includes them as well. It is still the failure or the ambition of politicians that cause wars and our brave troops are the ones who have to clear up the mess. It would be far more to the credit of our leaders, when politics and diplomacy fail, if they marched into battle at the head of our troops. Or at least the thought of having to do so might have made Dubya and Blair try a little harder before sending in the bombers.

Answer 3

My family lost three young men during WW2. One was in the merchant navy and was torpedoed at sea, another died in a Japanese POW camp in Burma, and the third was a dighter pilot shot down over France. One was 19years of age, then one who was 22 years of age, and the pilot was killed two days before his 21st. Birthday.

My Father fought in North Africa with the 8th Army and had both his legs blown off and suffered perforated eardrums. by a German artillery shell. How can you expect me to remember the enemy troops on Rememberance Day.

Answer 4

You try to find a British, Commonwealth or American soldier who fought against the Japanese who would happily shake the hand of Japanese veteran I can tell you that if anyone says they'll do it it would only be so they could get closer to the throat.
Yes, the dead of all sides should be remembered. But you honestly can't expect those men who fought against them to give a monkey's about their old enemy?

When you see those old servicemen marching past the Cenotaph, not one of them is thinking about the enemy. They're thinking about the lads they knew who didn't get home.

Let each nation remember it's own fallen, keep it simple.

Answer 5

We should remember all dead not just our own. Im sure all other enemy troops from their respective nations will be remembered in some form for paying the ultimate price.

*I know it has very little to do with it, but it really bugs me when people especially Young Britons slander the German folks of today that had nothing to do with the war 60 years back on. We need to move past this and not get stuck in emotion.

*Also I feel the same about Africans of today who are demanding an apology for what some other people did 200 years since.

Its just not on.

Answer 6

most war memorials I see state they remember ALL who fell, the reason I think they do not give the names of enemy troops is that they may not have the information to put on there

Answer 7

good point,I know a few Germans who were in it one got out of Russia in '56 now with your statement of "scant regard for the troops" the Brits Luved wasting troops especially Colonials although the Champion of that was Stalin ,take a look at the Movie "Enemy at the Gate"

Answer 8

Each country remembers their own dead.The enemy did not die to defend our way of life and freedom.They were killed by our troops because they were trying to take away our way of life and freedom.Remembrance Sunday is not a celebration.It is to remember OUR GLORIOUS DEAD,the people who fought and died for OUR country and OUR freedom and OUR way of life.

Answer 9

what circumstances would enemy troops from a different country be remembered by an AMERICAN holiday? I cant think of any. Like General Patton said: "I will not die for my country, I will let some other son of a ***** die for his"

Answer 10

The Countries that sent their soldiers to war can do all the remembering they want. We are only obligated to remember our own brave men and women who gave their lives for our Nation.