BBC TV "The World's War"

This morning over breakfast, I watched Part 1 (of 2) of this programme, through BBC I-Player. The second part is showing tonight.

A very interesting programme, he talks about the Indian Army then the Tirailleurs Senegalais and how both were affected by European 19th century racial concepts. I would quibble with some of the detail but, on the whole, I recommend this programme. David Olusoga is new to me but he made some really interesting points.

David Olusoga

Remembering Robin Williams

Woke this morning to the news that Robin Williams has died at his home in California, aged just 63. This is a sad loss. I found him to be a genuinely funny man, starting from when he came to my notice in the television programme "Mork & Mindy".

Robin Williams and Pam Dawber as Mork & Mindy

One of my best cinema memories. In the very large Odeon Leicester Square to see the newly released "Good Morning Vietnam" - the film contains a number of in-jokes about Nixon - I had recently finished my degree which included a course in American Politics - so myself and another chap at the other side of the very full cinema were the only two people laughing - a very strange moment that should have made me very subdued but he was so funny, I could not help myself but laugh outloud.

Thank you Robin.

Fortress Visit Report : Feste Wagner / Fort de Verny

My recent stay in Metz - I took a bus ride to Verny, to visit the German built fort there.

In German - Feste Wagner. In French - Fort de Verny.

Built between 1904 and 1910, during the Annexation. Part of the outer ring of fortifications around Metz.

Slowly and lovingly being restored by ADFM, (Association pour le Decouverte de la Fortification Messine) since the mid-1980's. They organise walking tours around the work on Sundays and Thursdays during the summer, it takes about three hours. A very knowledgeable guide, French only, no English spoken. I would write a better explanation for the site but I have packed away my books ready for the house move on Friday. I will write a separate post about the forts around Metz, when we are settled and back from holidays.

Outside the fort is still dangerous with uncollected ordinance

Barracks building

Ready built position for train-mobile artillery

Part of the extensive barbed wire fields

"Escargot" sentry post

Howitzer block

Cannon block

55mm cannons for local defence

Railings for access control

A win...A win...finally we won a test match

England celebrate (photo pinched from the Guardian website, so thank you)

England have won the third test, playing really well against India. Hooray hooray hooray. The first test win in a year. Well done boys. The series is now level at 1 - 1.

The news media has provided some funny comments. According to the BBC, with this win England have got the monkey off their backs. I have no idea what that means, but it made me laugh. This young man below, Moeen Ali, is the new England spinner and he took six wickets during the Indian second innings. He has been called "the beard to be feared".

Flyovers

Over our street here in York, first the Red Arrows at around five o'clock, then the Battle of Britain Flight (the Avro Lancaster, a Spitfire and a Hurricane) about six-thirty, I think on their way to the Sunderland air-show.

Fortress Visit Report : Metz : Medieval Walls and Fort Bellecroix

Image from "Vauban and the French Military Under Louis XIV"
by Jean-Denis G.G. Lepage".

Metz had a long medieval wall, about 7 kilometres with around 60 towers. Many of the towers were built and maintained by the Guilds (you know - butchers, bakers, candlestick makers). Only part of this remains, from the Moselle to the Porte des Allemands, behind Fort Bellecroix.

As I walked around the walls, one tower in particular caught my attention, the Tour des Esprits.

Tour des Esprits

Damaged during the 1944 battle to liberate Metz, later restored

Lovely vaulted ceiling

On close inspection, it seems to me that the roundels to allow cannon fire were installed at a later date.

A musketry wall was added during the 1830's, all around the wall. This would have provided protection against small arms fire but probably have been easy meat for siege artillery.

Musketry wall in front, medieval wall behind.
(Picture pinched from internet - thanks to the poster)

From the Porte des Allemands, I crossed the river and entered Fort Bellecroix.

The notice board for the Circuit of the Ramparts, in need of some repair.

"Bellecroix Fort. The military past of Bellecroix.

It was under Louis XV that Cormontaigne, successor to Vauban, built to a large extent the double crown of Fort Bellecroix, under the direction of the Military Governor Marechal de Belle-Isle, between 1734 and 1740.

The works, comprising of four bastions, three curtain walls, three demi-lunes and a lunette, was protected by 3kms of dry ditch and 4.6kms of underground galleries.

Under Napoleon III and to the end of the 19th century, these fortifications were reinforced."

The double-crownwork is largely intact but under much tree growth. The main ditch between the line of the bastions and curtain walls and the line of the demi-lunes is used for playgrounds and basketball courts.

Bastion on the right, basketball court.

Demi-lune.

Demi-lune, under the shrubbery.

Porte de Sarrelouis

Pas de souris.

From a bastion shoulder towards the Porte de Sarrelouis.

Another disastrous Test Match

Having drawn the first test, England have lost the second test against India. (Sigh) That makes ten matches since our last win - seven of them losses. (Sigh)

I say England have lost the second test because I feel that is what happened, on a beautiful green track England bowled first and still lost by 95 runs. Credit to the Indians for some terrific batting and bowling but I feel they did not win it, England lost that match. (Grrr)

Time to rest Captain Cook?