British war graves

Its unusual to see war graves targetted like that. Most likely alcohol influenced. I think someone threw a petrol bomb at the US Embassy in Nicosia, and a few picket lines at Akrotiri, but thats about it here.

Apparently, loads of British tombstones had to be replaced after the big earthquake in 1997.

I quite agree Alistair, the French do take good care of the graves we should be grateful to them for that.
Again, it’s the minority that seem to give the majority a bad name.

The most destructive weapon there is seems to be ignorance.

Dave

It’s good to see everybody in agreement for once , I’m sure this must have been the work of stupid kids – whoever it was I hope they are caught , I know there are plenty of people (including myself ) who joke about the French – but they take very good care of the cemetaries , there are a good few in Britain which don’t could do with a bit more respectful attention.

Chirac sent a letter to the Queen apologising.

I guess we all know it was down to a bunch of idiots and I don’t think it has damaged Anglo French relations (well not any more than they had been before this).

Kev – didn’t Raffarin make some sort of comment on the day?

Might I suggest it would have been more courteous if he’d apologised on the day it happened.

Regards,

kev35

The french President today appologised on behalf of those responcible. Though he didn’t have to. Very curtious. 🙂

An item in the local newspaper this evening states that a local man is so appalled by what went on at Etaples Cemetery that he is intending to have his Grandfather’s body exhumed and returned home for burial. That gives some idea of the depth of feeling this incident has created.

Regards,

kev35

I understand your anger Hand, I read that many French people are disgusted at this disgraceful act of vandalism. It angers me when all British football supporters are labelled as hooligans because of the mindless crass behaviour of the minority who spoil it for the majority. I hate crime and vandalism whoever the perpetrators are, and we need to remember that such acts are carried out by a minority.

it was not jsut british but commonwealth

rabie 😉

Nice to see that smart people can make the difference between idiots and the feeling of a nation.

We owe a lot to the British nation for both WWI and WWII.
Any respectful citizen should know that.
This kind of acts is just provocation and I’m just ashamed that this nasty thing took place in my country.

Snowman, its good to have people such as yourself on the forum who understand the anger and upset that this ugly incident has caused, your posts in response to it have been thoughtful, reasoned and entirely balanced and show the same anger and disgust the Brits feel, I have no doubt that the majority of French citizens both young and old feel the same way too, lets not forget many French lives were lost as well and this act of vandalism is an insult to all the people who lost their lives during two world wars, I’m sure I speak for most people here when I say that I feel no ill will toward the French as a whole, only those who carried out the vandalism, whatever Britain and Frances differences may be on a political level, on this subject, and no doubt many more, we certainly agree.

Regards, Dazza.

Dazza

I can assure you I understand where you’re coming from. I couldn’t believe my eyes when I read the various messages. It’ is sickening, and I understand what it means to someone rom the UK coming across this piece of news.

Whatever posessed this or these individual(s) to do such a thing, it is absolutely contrary to what French values are supposed to be about. Only an extremist or a madman (or both) could have done that.

I am sure that French WW2 survivors have not forgotten the debt we owe to all the soldiers who died to free Europe. They must be utterly sick about this.

It’s despicable…

“Believe me it doesn’t represent the feelings of French people towards the British people.
Each nation has to live with his own stupids !!!”

We believe you, don’t worry.

What can one possibly say?

There was an earthquake in France today…. the cause was determined to be thousands of allied soldiers turning in their graves…..
One of the slogans apparently read “Dig up your rubbish, its fouling our soil”, I must admit I find it hard to come up with words to describe the disgust and anger I felt, and still feel, when I read this in the paper today, undoubtedly this is the view of only a microscopic portion of the French populace, but it sticks in my throat and probably does so even more with those who fought and lost family and friends in the wars these graves commemorate.

p1ss and blood boiling with anger, Dazza.:mad:

I agree , totally disgusting and not acceptable.
Believe me it doesn’t represent the feelings of French people towards the British people.

Each nation has to live with his own stupids !!!

Hi Kev

I think I can understand your feelings.
I sincerely hope the authorities will catch the culprits and deal with them harshly. I also hope the government and the population clearly disacociate themselves from this abhorent act and condemn it roundly and without ambiguity.

The last thing we need at the moment is create more rifts between allies and we need to try as much as possible to keep a clear head. Knee-jerk reactions will only play into the hands of the mindless idiots who commmit such crimes. I hope with all my heart this will not leave the door open for all bigots on both sides to launch attacks and undermine the values we all share.

A straw poll I’ve just conducted among French mates brought about a unanimous condemnation. They were all appalled by it. I can’t believe for a second that this outrage reflects the feelings of the majority.

I also fervently hope Chirac will publicly and unequivoqually condem this act. I know how important it is for the French to prove their complete and utter rejection of such actions to the British population.
I have a feeling the tabloids will have a field day. I know how it will look… This is the last thing the UK and France need at the moment.

I hope the French crack down hard on those responsible and make a clear stand. This cannot be tolerated.

Seb.

Somehow I knew you would say something like that. Thank you for your concern and your eloquence. We have to believe that the majority of the French people feel as you do. But, in the sad event that this is to become a frequent occurrence, I strongly suggest we return to France and bring our dead home.

Regards,

kev35

This is nothing short of disgraceful and scandalous behaviour from people who ought to be utterly ashamed of themselves. I think the overwhelming majority of people in France are appalled at such a horrifying event.

There might be a tradition of taking the mickey at our cousins across the Channel (the French are as bad (or good if you prefer) at that as the Brits, I reckon). But this is something different altogether.

It could be the work of idiotic youngsters, it could be the work of people who wanted to vent some of their feelings about events currently unfolding in the world. But they are choosing the wrong target. I feel utterly sick that some individuals have chosen to tarnish the memory of soldiers who lost their lives fighting against the enemy. The signs written on the graves seem to indicate a pretty muddled-up mind at work, with a loose grasp of history. If this stems from anger, then the potential is ominus, because we all know what violence anger can beget, if left unchecked. But this is really a ghastly thing.

Here’s what I found ojn the BBC Web site:

“This violation of a burial place – scandalous in itself – is an attack on the memory of the sacrifice made by the British and American soldiers who contributed to the liberation of our soil,” said the local member of parliament, former Socialist arts minister Jack Lang.

“Our disagreement with the British and American governments (on Iraq) can in no way justify any assault on the memory of men who sacrificed themselves for our country.”

I couldn’t agree more!

Didn’t see this in time

to stop me posting it on FlyPast forum.

I’m still pretty angry 😡

Moggy