Like peas in a pod

Currently reading 'Time and Time Again' by Ben Elton. No spoilers but it basically involves sending someone back in time to 1914 to change the course of history and prevent WWI. I really enjoy a book that tells a story and educates me at the same time, and this book does just that. When that happens, I then start reading up on that period of history - not in depth, but enough to know the key points.

So, to this book and the period of history it covers. I was really surprised at the speed with which WWI kicked off and the pretty unconvincing reasons for it happening at all. I then got to thinking about the reasons for it coming to an end which again seemed rather abrupt, but much more welcome. 

Then comes yet another example of human stupidity and the futility of war. The Armistice was signed at 05:00 on the 11th November and was to come into effect at 11:00 that day, 6 hours later. So we were at peace, people around the world were rejoicing but the troops went on killing each other because no one had actually blown the whistle. It is estimated that there were 11,000 casualties on that day. War is a waste anyway, but there is something even more perverse about people being killed or injured when it's all over. I feel a 'Bill' meme coming on.

Oh, and the French authorities so didn't want to acknowledge what had happened that they saw to it that the headstones of soldiers killed that day were inscribed 10/11/18 instead of 11/11/18. Incredible (to be read in a French accent)