WAR, MEMORY, MYTH
AND
HISTORY
MEMORY SITES
Journal
Cas Novak
HIS220 – Winter 2018 Table of Contents
GREECE...... 8
Battle of Thermopylae...... 8
Site...... 8
Date...... 8
Location...... 8
Combatants...... 8
Purpose...... 8
As A Site of History...... 9
Interesting Facts About the Site...... 10
As A Site of Memory...... 10
As A Site of Contested Memory...... 15
Your Concluding Analysis and Commentary...... 16
Appendix A – Simonides Inscription Translations...... 17
References...... 19
Photographic References...... 20
FRANCE...... 23
Dunkirk Memorial...... 23
Site...... 23
Date...... 23
Location...... 23
Purpose...... 23
HIS 220 Cas Novak Winter Term – 2018 2 of 132 As A Site of History...... 24
Interesting Facts About the Site...... 26
As A Site of Memory...... 26
As A Site of Contested Memory...... 30
Your Concluding Analysis and Commentary...... 31
References...... 33
Photographic References...... 34
L'ossuaire de Douaumont, Verdun...... 37
Site...... 37
Date...... 37
Location...... 37
Combatants...... 37
Purpose...... 37
As A Site of History...... 38
Interesting Facts About the Site...... 38
As A Site of Memory...... 39
As A Site of Contested Memory...... 46
Your Concluding Analysis and Commentary...... 47
References...... 49
Photograph References...... 51
HUNGARY...... 55
Shoes on the Danube Bank (Budapest, Hungary)...... 55
HIS 220 Cas Novak Winter Term – 2018 3 of 132 Site...... 55
Date...... 55
Location...... 55
Purpose...... 55
As A Site of History...... 55
Interesting Facts About the Site...... 56
As A Site of Memory...... 56
As A Site of Contested Memory...... 60
Your Concluding Analysis and Commentary...... 60
References...... 61
Photographic References...... 62
Shoes on the Danube – PowerPoint Presentation...... 65
References...... 73
IRELAND...... 75
Garden of Remembrance (Dublin)...... 75
Site...... 75
Date...... 75
Location...... 75
Purpose...... 75
As A Site of History...... 76
Interesting Facts About the Site...... 76
As A Site of Memory...... 77
HIS 220 Cas Novak Winter Term – 2018 4 of 132 As A Site of Contested Memory...... 83
Your Concluding Analysis and Commentary...... 86
References...... 88
Photographic References...... 89
News Article References...... 91
NAMIBIA...... 94
Heroes' Acre (Windhoek), Namibia...... 94
Site...... 94
Date...... 94
Location...... 94
Purpose...... 94
Site Controversies...... 95
As A Site of History...... 96
Interesting Facts About the Site...... 96
As A Site of Memory...... 96
Marble Obelisk...... 97
174 Heroes and Heroines Graves...... 98
Statue of the Unknown Soldier...... 99
The Pedestal...... 101
The Bronze Mural...... 101
The Eternal Flame...... 102
As A Site of Contested Memory...... 103
HIS 220 Cas Novak Winter Term – 2018 5 of 132 Your Concluding Analysis and Commentary...... 104
Appendix A – Inauguration National Heroes and Heroines...... 106
Appendix B – Additional National Heroes...... 108
References...... 110
Photographic References...... 112
SINGAPORE...... 115
Civilian War Memorial, Singapore...... 115
Site...... 115
Date...... 115
Location...... 115
Purpose...... 115
As A Site of History...... 116
Interesting Facts About the Site...... 118
As A Site of Memory...... 118
As A Site of Contested Memory...... 123
Your Concluding Analysis and Commentary...... 124
References...... 126
Photographic References...... 127
Assignment Assessment...... 130
HIS 220 Cas Novak Winter Term – 2018 6 of 132 Sites of War
Battle of Thermopylae
Journal Entry
Cas Novak
HIS 220 – Winter 2018
HIS 220 Cas Novak Winter Term – 2018 7 of 132 GREECE
Battle of Thermopylae
Site
Battle of Thermopylae
Date
August or September, 480 BCE
Location
Thermopylae, a mountain pass near the Malian Gulf, in the western Aegean Sea in Northern
Greece.
Combatants
Persia (the Persian Empire of Xerxes)
Greece (led by King Leonidas of Sparta)
Purpose
A monument to Leonidas and his army of Spartans and Thespians commemorating the Battle of Thermopylae which was the Persian Invasion of Greece in 480 BCE.
The Persians invaded Greece in retaliation for their defeat during the First Persian Invasion of
Greece at the Battle of Marathon in 490 BCE.
HIS 220 Cas Novak Winter Term – 2018 8 of 132 As A Site of History
By 480 BCE, Xerxes had assembled a large force of army and navy personnel in order to conquer Greece in retaliation for their defeat during the Battle of Marathon in 490 BCE. King
Leonidas chose to defend a narrow pass between the mountains of central Greece and the sea – Thermopylae. About 7,000 Greeks held off the more than 100,000 Persians for two days before the Greek forces were betrayed by a local resident who revealed to the Persians a way for them to outflank the Greeks.
The Greeks were now trapped with Persians both in front of, and behind them. Leonidas was aware of what was happening, and knew that this battle could not be won as the Greeks were vastly outnumbered. On the third day he dismissed the majority of his men and remained in
Thermopylae with a small fighting force of 1400 men (300 Spartans, 700 Thespians, 400
Thebans) to guard their retreat. They fought to the death.
When the Persians found Leonidas’ body on the battlefield, Xerxes ordered that his head be cut-off and the body crucified. It was 40 years after the battle before Leonidas’ bones were returned to Sparta where he was reburied with full honours.
Although Leonidas and his men were defeated, they bought the Greek city-states much needed time to regroup. The courage that the Spartans showed when facing the vast Persian army was an inspiration to other Greeks: they were willing to pay the ultimate price to maintain their freedom from foreign aggressors.
HIS 220 Cas Novak Winter Term – 2018 9 of 132 The Spartans and the Thespians both have monuments to their bravery, but it should be noted that the Thebans do not, and have never had, a memorial. The Thebans committed treason at Thermopylae as they betrayed Leonidas by surrendering to the invading Persian forces.
Interesting Facts About the Site
• Today, Thermopylae is about 4 km from the Malian Gulf, but during the Battle of
Thermopylae, the cliffs were right beside the sea.1
• Alexander the Great led a campaign against Persia in 330 BCE in response to
repeated Persian invasions of Greece, and Persia was betrayed by a local shepherd
who informed Alexander’s army about a secret path, just as a local resident had
betrayed Greece by informing Xerxes of a secret pass through Thermopylae.
As A Site of Memory
The monuments at Thermopylae have always been dedicated to the Battle of Thermopylae, and the Spartans and Thespians who fought there.
The Persians marched through Thermopylae after the defeat of Leonidas, and after their departure, those who fell in battle were collected and buried on the hill. A stone lion commemorating Leonidas was erected in Thermopylae forty years after the Battle at
Thermopylae which has been lost to time and history. There was also a commemorative stone
1 "Thermopylae | Mountain Pass, Greece". Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/place/Thermopylae.
HIS 220 Cas Novak Winter Term – 2018 10 of 132 placed over the burial mound (that has also been lost to time and history) with the following inscription (a form of ancient Greek poetry commonly used for epitaphs in the form of an elegiac couplet) usually attributed to the Greek poet Simonides of Ceos:
1. Commemorative Stone
Ὦ ξεῖν', ἀγγέλλειν Λακεδαιμονίοις ὅτι τῇδε
κείμεθα, τοῖς κείνων ῥήμασι πειθόμενοι.
Oh stranger, tell the Lacedaemonians that
we lie here, obedient to their words.
This type of verse (elegiac couplet) allows for many interpretations (Appendix A).
HIS 220 Cas Novak Winter Term – 2018 11 of 132 In 1955, a bronze statue of Leonidas was unveiled in Thermopylae with "ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ"
("Come and take them") inscribed at the base of the statue.
2. King Leonidas (Thermopylae statue)
The bronze statue is part of a monument called the “Leonidas Monument” created to honour the Spartans and their King. There are two marble statues to the left and right of Leonidas that are the personification of two famous landmarks of Sparta: the river Eurotas and Mount
Taygetos.
3. King Leonidas Statue and Monument at Thermopylae HIS 220 Cas Novak Winter Term – 2018 12 of 132 It should be noted that the figure of Leonidas was based on an ancient warrior that was found in an excavation conducted by the British Archaeological School in 1920 that was identified as
King Leonidas, and that this monument was entirely funded by American Greeks.2
There is also a metope between the two marble statues that depict battle scenes from the
Battle of Thermopylae.
4. Metope depicting battle scenes
A monument to the Thespians in Thermopylae was unveiled in 1977 and it depicts Eros, the oldest of the gods.
5. Monument to the Thespians depicting Eros 6. Monument to the Thespians depicting Eros 2 "The Statue Of Leonidas In Thermopyles | Cultural & Tourism Hoard". Culture.Lamia.Gr. http://culture.lamia.gr/en/blog/thermopylae- monument-leonidas.
HIS 220 Cas Novak Winter Term – 2018 13 of 132 The front of the monument reads:
7. Dedication
ΕΠΤΑΚΟΣΙO̱ Ν
θΕΣΠΙΕO̱ Ν
ΜΝΗΜ
In Memory of the 700 Thespians
The plate below the statue explains its symbolism:
8. Monument Symbolism
HIS 220 Cas Novak Winter Term – 2018 14 of 132 Symbolism of the statue3:
• The headless male figure symbolizes the anonymous sacrifice of the 700 Thespians to
their country.
• The outstretched chest symbolizes struggle, gallantry, strength, bravery and courage.
• The open wing symbolizes victory, glory, soul, spirit and freedom.
• The broken wing symbolizes voluntary sacrifice and death.
• The naked body symbolizes Eros, the most important god of the ancient Thespians, a
god of creation, beauty and life.
As A Site of Contested Memory
There are no controversies as such regarding this memorial, but there are still questions as to the role the Thebans played in the Battle of Thermopylae. The generally accepted theory is that the Thebans betrayed Leonidas when the battle turned against the Greeks and that they surrendered to the attacking Persians.
It has also been suggested that Leonidas kept the Thebans as hostages to ensure the allegiance of Thebes, although some analysts of the battle think it unlikely that they were hostages, rather that they were Thebans that objected to Persian dominance. It seems unlikely to me that they were hostages, as hostages need to be guarded. If Leonidas was making a last stand, he would need every warrior to fight and could not lose men to guard duty.
3 "Battle Of Thermopylae". En.Wikipedia.Org. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Thermopylae.
HIS 220 Cas Novak Winter Term – 2018 15 of 132 Your Concluding Analysis and Commentary
The Battle of Thermopylae is famous for being a heroic last stand, and helped to unite
Greece. Most people think of the 300 Spartans at the Battle of Thermopylae, but it should be noted that there were 1400 soldiers at that battle, not 300, and that the 400 Thebans betrayed
Greece by surrendering to the Persian army when the final battle had begun.
Today it is looked on as a place where heroes died for something larger than themselves.
Technically, the Battle of Thermopylae was a defeat for Greece – but the actions of the
Spartans and Thespians showed the rest of Greece that they were willing to die for their country so that others would not have to submit to the Persians.
Greece came together and managed to defeat an enemy that was larger and stronger than they were. The battle also proved that strategy and training are more important than numbers.
Although the Persians won the battle, they lost the war: they marched through Greece and burned Athens, but were ultimately defeated in 479 BCE which ended the Second Persian
Invasion of Greece.
It is interesting that out of all the Greek city-states, Sparta, the city-state that was the least free, would be the one that stood as the final defender of Greek freedoms. Spartans believed in freedom and duty, and were the most highly trained warriors that Greece had – they showed Greece and the world what courage in the face of impossible odds really means.
HIS 220 Cas Novak Winter Term – 2018 16 of 132 Appendix A – Simonides Inscription Translations
Battle of Thermopylae – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Thermopylae
Translation Notes Go tell the Spartans, thou who passest by, William Lisle Bowles That here, obedient to their laws, we lie. Stranger, tell the Spartans that we behaved William Golding as they would wish us to, and are buried here. Stranger! To Sparta say, her faithful band Francis Hodgson Here lie in death, remembering her command. Stranger, report this word, we pray, to the Spartans, that lying George Campbell Macaulay Here in this spot we remain, faithfully keeping their laws. Stranger, bear this message to the Spartans, William Roger Paton that we lie here obedient to their laws. Go tell the Spartans, stranger passing by, Steven Pressfield that here obedient to their laws we lie. Go, stranger, and to Lacedaemon tell George Rawlinson That here, obeying her behests, we fell. Go, way-farer, bear news to Sparta's town Cyril E. Robinson that here, their bidding done, we laid us down. Go tell the Spartans, you who read: Aubrey de Sélincourt We took their orders, and lie here dead. Friend, tell Lacedaemon Here we lie William Shepherd Obedient to our orders.
HIS 220 Cas Novak Winter Term – 2018 17 of 132 Oh Stranger, tell the Spartans From the 1962 film That we lie here obedient to their word. The 300 Spartans Stranger, when you find us lying here, From the 1977 film go tell the Spartans we obeyed their orders. Go Tell the Spartans Stranger, go tell the Spartans That we lie here J. Rufus Fears True, even to the death To our Spartan way of life. Go tell the Spartans, passerby: Frank Miller (subsequently used in the That here, by Spartan law, we lie. 2007 film)
HIS 220 Cas Novak Winter Term – 2018 18 of 132 References
"Battle Of Thermopylae". En.Wikipedia.Org.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Thermopylae.
"In Memory Of The 700 Thespians At Thermopylae". Historian On The Warpath.
http://www.scottmanning.com/content/in-memory-of-the-700-thespians-at-thermopylae/.
"Leonidas I". En.Wikipedia.Org. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leonidas_I.
"Simonides Of Ceos". En.Wikipedia.Org. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simonides_of_Ceos.
"The 300 Spartans". 300Spartanwarriors.Com.
http://www.300spartanwarriors.com/battleofthermopylae/tributesmemorials.html.
"The Statue Of Leonidas In Thermopyles | Cultural & Tourism Hoard". Culture.Lamia.Gr.
http://culture.lamia.gr/en/blog/thermopylae-monument-leonidas.
"Thermopylae | Mountain Pass, Greece". Encyclopedia Britannica.
https://www.britannica.com/place/Thermopylae.
HIS 220 Cas Novak Winter Term – 2018 19 of 132 Photographic References
1. Commemorative Stone
"The 300 Spartans". 300Spartanwarriors.Com.
http://www.300spartanwarriors.com/battleofthermopylae/tributesmemorials.html.
2. King Leonidas (Thermopylae statue)
"King Leonidas (Thermopylae Statue )". Fotobabble.
http://www.fotobabble.com/m/NXNKVDIyVDh5ejA9.
3. King Leonidas Statue and Monument at Thermopylae
"The 300 Spartans". 300Spartanwarriors.Com.
http://www.300spartanwarriors.com/battleofthermopylae/tributesmemorials.html.
4. Metope depicting battle scenes
Depositphotos, Inc. "Monumento A Leonidas En Las Termópilas,
Grecia". Depositphotos. https://sp.depositphotos.com/13478546/stock-photo-leonidas-
monument-in-thermopylae-greece.html.
5. Monument to the Thespians depicting Eros
"In Memory Of The 700 Thespians At Thermopylae". Historian On The Warpath.
http://www.scottmanning.com/content/in-memory-of-the-700-thespians-at-
thermopylae/.
6. Monument to the Thespians depicting Eros
"In Memory Of The 700 Thespians At Thermopylae". Historian On The Warpath.
HIS 220 Cas Novak Winter Term – 2018 20 of 132 http://www.scottmanning.com/content/in-memory-of-the-700-thespians-at-
thermopylae/.
7. Dedication
"In Memory Of The 700 Thespians At Thermopylae". Historian On The Warpath.
http://www.scottmanning.com/content/in-memory-of-the-700-thespians-at-
thermopylae/.
8. Monument Symbolism
"The 300 Spartans". 300Spartanwarriors.Com.
http://www.300spartanwarriors.com/battleofthermopylae/tributesmemorials.html.
HIS 220 Cas Novak Winter Term – 2018 21 of 132 Sites of War
Dunkirk
Journal Entry
Cas Novak
HIS 220 – Winter 2018
HIS 220 Cas Novak Winter Term – 2018 22 of 132 FRANCE
Dunkirk Memorial
Site
Dunkirk Memorial, Dunkirk, France
Date
Unveiled in 1957, by Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother
Location
Dunkirk Town Cemetery, Dunkirk, France
Purpose
The Dunkirk Memorial is a Commonwealth War Graves Commission* memorial that is dedicated to the over 4,500 missing and dead of the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) that fell prior to and during the Battle of Dunkirk, as well as the Dunkirk evacuation in 1939 and
1940 in France during World War II.
* The Commonwealth War Graves Commission is an organisation that marks, records, and maintains the graves and/or places of commemoration of the Commonwealth of Nations military service members that died during the two World Wars.
HIS 220 Cas Novak Winter Term – 2018 23 of 132 As A Site of History
In the space of six weeks, there were three distinct events that happened virtually simultaneously in Dunkirk, France: the Battle of France (also known as the Fall of France), the Battle of Dunkirk, and the Dunkirk Evacuation (also known as the Miracle of Dunkirk).
The Battle of France took place over six weeks, beginning May 10th until June 22nd, 1940, and was the German invasion of France during World War II. The Germans managed to surround the BEF and French divisions and forced them back to the North Sea, and this caused the
British to start evacuating their troops along with several French divisions from Dunkirk, which became known as the Dunkirk Evacuation. There were sixty remaining French divisions that were determined to resist the German advance, but were eventually overcome by superior
German forces.
The Battle of Dunkirk took place as part of the Battle of France. The German army launched a devastating attack on France and tore through the Allied forces which left them surrounded and trapped in Dunkirk. Hitler sanctioned the “Halt Order” (which was to briefly halt the
German advance and conserve materiel), as he was confident that the German army would crush the Allied forces, and this led to the Dunkirk Evacuation.
The Dunkirk Evacuation (also known as the Miracle of Dunkirk) was the result of a decision made by the British War Office on May 25th to evacuate the British and French forces from
Dunkirk, as the British troops were desperately needed back in Britain to help defend against
HIS 220 Cas Novak Winter Term – 2018 24 of 132 a potential Nazi invasion. During the Battle of Dunkirk, French forces held the line for nine days from May 27th – June 4th, 1940, allowing the majority of the troops to evacuate. The “Halt
Order” stopped the Germans from advancing on Dunkirk, and this three day halt of the
German army gave the Allies enough time to organise the Dunkirk Evacuation and to build a defensive line (the French 2nd Light Mechanized Division and the French 68th Infantry
Division).
The Germans intensified their attack on Dunkirk on June 2nd, but the French forces stood their ground until the evacuations were complete on the night of June 3rd. Although the French forces covered the escape for the bulk of the troops, they were unable to escape themselves.
The German Wehrmacht captured 35,000 soldiers, almost all of which were French. The
British managed to organise 861 ships (of which 243 sank due to German air strikes) for the evacuation of Dunkirk and they managed to rescue more than 330,000 Allied troops. Since
Churchill had promised the French that the British would cover their escape (although it was in fact the French that covered the British escape), he insisted that the Royal Navy return to
Dunkirk on June 4th to rescue as many of the French rearguard as possible. The Royal Navy managed to rescue over 26,000 French soldiers, but due to the rapid German advance they were unable to rescue all the French troops, and more than 30,000 soldiers were forced to surrender to the Germans.
HIS 220 Cas Novak Winter Term – 2018 25 of 132 Although Dunkirk was a loss, the largely successful evacuation captured the hearts of the
British people and the “Dunkirk Spirit” was born. The Dunkirk Spirit is: “The spirit of the British public pulling together to overcome times of adversity.”4
Interesting Facts About the Site
• The “Halt Order” did not originate with Adolf Hitler, but with the Colonel-Generals Gerd
von Rundstedt and Günther von Kluge. Hitler sanctioned the order with the support of
the Oberkommando der Wehrmacht.
• Although British officers were ordered to stay behind and coordinate the evacuation,
they abandoned their posts and evacuated to the rescue ships.
• The privately owned boats that went to Dunkirk to aid in rescuing the Allied troops
became known as the “Little Ships”.
As A Site of Memory
The Battle of France (also known as the Fall of France), the Battle of Dunkirk, and the Dunkirk
Evacuation (also known as the Miracle of Dunkirk) are memorialised in Dunkirk, France. The
Dunkirk Town Cemetery, which is where the Dunkirk memorial is located, is in the south- eastern corner of the town, and also holds two Commonwealth War Graves sections from the
First and Second World Wars. The Dunkirk Memorial is actually the entrance to the
Commonwealth War Graves section of the cemetery, and commemorates the more than
4,500 BEF casualties who died and have no known grave.
4 "Dunkirk Spirit - Wiktionary". En.Wiktionary.Org. https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Dunkirk_spirit.
HIS 220 Cas Novak Winter Term – 2018 26 of 132 It was unveiled by Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother in 1957 in front of visiting dignitaries, along with hundreds of veterans and relatives of those who died, and she made the following statement:
To-day we pay our tribute to the undying memory of all those brave men, soldiers,
sailors, and airmen, who died in the hour of seeming defeat in order that in the fullness
of time it could be turned to victory. Many of them rest in honoured graves, tended by
skilled and reverent hands, others in the swaying fortunes of swift battle lay where they
fell, and have no known resting place. They are commemorated in this beautiful setting
amid the scent of English flowers in a comradeship of 4,700 gallant soldiers.
Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, 29 June 1957
Wreaths were laid by the Queen Mother, dignitaries, veterans and relatives, the Last Post was played, and the Queen Mother also cast a wreath into the sea off the Dunkirk beaches on the return voyage to Britain.
The memorial was designed by Philip Hepworth, the Principal Architect for France for the
Imperial War Graves Commission (today known as the Commonwealth War Graves
Commission). The engraved glass panel depicting the evacuation was by John Hutton, a New
Zealand engraver.
HIS 220 Cas Novak Winter Term – 2018 27 of 132 1. The Dunkirk Memorial
The main building is a shrine in the form of a shelter that features memorial panels, a glass pane engraved with scenes from the evacuation, and there is a wooden seating area inside the shrine.
2. Dunkirk Memorial Shrine
HIS 220 Cas Novak Winter Term – 2018 28 of 132 The panels outside the shrine list the names of the soldiers lost in Dunkirk as well as those lost on ships that sank during the evacuation. There are 4,505 names listed on the free- standing stone walls that form two rows on either side of the path leading to the shrine.
3. Free-standing stone walls engraved with soldiers’ names
The engraved glass panel depicting the Dunkirk evacuation.
4. Engraved glass memorial pane of the 5. Engraved glass memorial pane of the evacuation evacuation
HIS 220 Cas Novak Winter Term – 2018 29 of 132 There is also another memorial near the beach in Dunkirk called “Memorial des Alliés” which is engraved with:
A la glorieuse memoire des aviateurs marins et soldats des armées francaises et allies
qui se sacriferent dans le bataille de Dunkerque Mai Juin 1940
To the glorious memory of the sailors and soldiers of the French and Allied armies who
sacrificed themselves in the battle for Dunkirk, May and June 1940
6. Memorial at Dunkirk Beach
There was a commemoration held in 2015 for the 75th anniversary on May 22nd, 2015.
As A Site of Contested Memory
I could find no controversies associated with this site.
HIS 220 Cas Novak Winter Term – 2018 30 of 132 Your Concluding Analysis and Commentary
Although the Dunkirk Memorial is dedicated to all who fell in Dunkirk, the Dunkirk Evacuation is emphasised at this remembrance site. Hundreds of civilian boats and naval vessels converged on Dunkirk after the fall of Calais in order to evacuate as many troops as possible from Dunkirk and neighbouring beaches, and it was the largest evacuation of Allied forces during World War II.
The German Luftwaffe was determined to bomb the town and the fort installations, but they were protected by Royal Air Force squadrons sent from Britain. Most of these aerial dogfights took place far above (or even away from) the beaches, and the soldiers awaiting evacuation were generally unaware that they were being protected by the Royal Air Force. Although the
Air Force provided air cover for the evacuating troops, it was actually the “Halt Order” that provided British the opportunity to organise the evacuation and build a defensive line for protection.
Although the British and their Allies were defeated in Dunkirk, Churchill managed to spin the defeat into a victory which became known as the “Dunkirk Spirit”. The Dunkirk Spirit is said to be a universal spirit that brings out the best in everyone during times of adversity, and originated in part due to the actions of the civilians who took their boats and helped the Royal
Navy during the Dunkirk Evacuation.
HIS 220 Cas Novak Winter Term – 2018 31 of 132 I think it fair to say that if the Dunkirk Evacuation had failed, Britain may have either fallen to
Germany or surrendered before being invaded. If Churchill hadn’t stood up to his government and declared that Britain would fight to the bitter end, Germany might very well have won the war.
The Dunkirk Evacuation is an example of what can be accomplished when people join together for a common goal. The battlegrounds at Dunkirk may have been a military defeat, but it was a boost to British morale and allowed the Allies to fight another day.
HIS 220 Cas Novak Winter Term – 2018 32 of 132 References
"Battle Of Dunkirk". En.Wikipedia.Org. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Dunkirk.
"Battle Of France". En.Wikipedia.Org. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_France.
"BBC NEWS | In Depth | Dunkirk | Dunkirk: The Propaganda War". News.Bbc.Co.Uk.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_depth/uk/2000/dunkirk/774417.stm.
"BBC NEWS | Special Report | 1999 | 02/99 | E-Cyclopedia | Dunkirk Spirit: Do We Still Have
It?". News.Bbc.Co.Uk. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/special_report/1999/02/99/e-
cyclopedia/771944.stm.
"Cemetery". Cwgc.Org. https://www.cwgc.org/find-a-cemetery/cemetery/68303/dunkirk-town-
cemetery/.
"Commonwealth War Graves Commission". En.Wikipedia.Org.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commonwealth_War_Graves_Commission.
"Dunkirk Evacuation". En.Wikipedia.Org. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunkirk_evacuation.
"Dunkirk Memorial". En.Wikipedia.Org. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunkirk_Memorial.
"Dunkirk Spirit - Wiktionary". En.Wiktionary.Org. https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Dunkirk_spirit.
"Dunkirk Town Cemetery & Dunkirk Memorial – Hauts-De-France, France | Landmarkscout".
Landmarkscout.Com. https://www.landmarkscout.com/dunkirk-town-cemetery-dunkirk-
memorial-hauts-de-france-france/.
HIS 220 Cas Novak Winter Term – 2018 33 of 132 Photographic References
1. The Dunkirk Memorial
"Dunkirk Memorial". En.Wikipedia.Org. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunkirk_Memorial.
2. Dunkirk Memorial Shrine
“Dunkirk Memorial". En.Wikipedia.Org.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunkirk_Memorial#/media/File:Dunkirk_Town_Cem._14.J
PG.
3. Free-standing stone walls engraved with soldiers’ names
"Dunkirk Memorial". Cwgc.Org. https://www.cwgc.org/find/find-cemeteries-and-
memorials/2082800/dunkirk-memorial.
4. Engraved glass memorial pane of the evacuation
"Dunkirk Town Cemetery & Dunkirk Memorial – Hauts-De-France, France |
Landmarkscout". Landmarkscout.Com. https://www.landmarkscout.com/dunkirk-town-
cemetery-dunkirk-memorial-hauts-de-france-france/.
5. Engraved glass memorial pane of the evacuation
"Dunkirk Town Cemetery & Dunkirk Memorial – Hauts-De-France, France |
Landmarkscout". Landmarkscout.Com. https://www.landmarkscout.com/dunkirk-town-
cemetery-dunkirk-memorial-hauts-de-france-france/.
HIS 220 Cas Novak Winter Term – 2018 34 of 132 6. 6. Memorial at Dunkirk Beach
"Remembering Dunkirk". Remember Me. The Changing Face Of Memorialisation.
https://remembermeproject.wordpress.com/2017/07/27/remembering-dunkirk/.
HIS 220 Cas Novak Winter Term – 2018 35 of 132 Sites of War
L'ossuaire de Douaumont, Verdun
(The Douaumont Ossuary)
Journal Entry
Cas Novak
HIS 220 – Winter 2018
HIS 220 Cas Novak Winter Term – 2018 36 of 132 L'ossuaire de Douaumont, Verdun
Site
L'ossuaire de Douaumont (the Douaumont Ossuary), Verdun
Date
Inaugurated on April 7th, 1932 by French President Albert Lebrun
Location
The Verdun battlefield, located in Douaumont, France
Combatants
The Battle of Verdun, February 21st – December 19th, 1916 between the French and German armies.
Purpose
The Douaumont Ossuary is a World War I memorial that contains the remains of soldiers who died during the Battle of Verdun, and has been designated as a national cemetery.
HIS 220 Cas Novak Winter Term – 2018 37 of 132 As A Site of History
The Battle of Verdun was a 300 day battle that took place between February 21st and
December 19th, 1916. Of the 700,000 soldiers that took part in the battle (on a battlefield that covered less than 20 square kilometres), 230,000 died and the rest were wounded or missing.
The Battle of Verdun was one of the longest and bloodiest of World War I on the Western
Front between the German and French armies. A German General believed that the war would be won or lost in France, and felt that a strategy of attrition was Germany’s best hope.
As Verdun held historic significance for the French, the German General believed that the
French would not allow Verdun to fall, and that France would lose so many men against the
German offensive that the Battle of Verdun would change the course of the war. There were approximately 330,000 German casualties, and approximately 370,000 French casualties.
Interesting Facts About the Site
Verdun has symbolic value for both France and Germany:
• France: Verdun was an ancient city that was among the last to fall during the Franco-
Prussian War, and had since then been turned into one of the most heavily fortified
strongholds along the border with Germany.
• Germany: in 843 BCE the Treaty of Verdun (which had divided the Carolingian Empire)
created the core of what was later to become Germany.
• The Battle of Verdun actually caught the French by surprise: although the German’s
spent seven weeks building up men and equipment, the French were unprepared for
HIS 220 Cas Novak Winter Term – 2018 38 of 132 the German attack as the area had seen little action during the early stages of the war,
and much of the equipment and the bulk of the soldiers had been moved to more
active areas.
• Of the more than 700,000 casualties at Verdun, 70% were caused by artillery fire.
• The French Air Force at Verdun included a squadron of American pilots: the Lafayette
Squadron was composed mostly of American pilots and some veterans of the French
Foreign Legion.
As A Site of Memory
L'ossuaire de Douaumont, or the Douaumont Ossuary, contains the remains of unknown
French and German soldiers who fell during the Battle of Verdun. The Bishop of Verdun lead the committee that raised funds (not only locally, but internationally as well) for the construction of the Douaumont Ossuary. Work began on August 22nd, 1920, and the
Douaumont Ossuary was opened on April 7th, 1932. In 1966 the ossuary was designated as an historical monument. There is also a museum with exhibits that have detailed models of the battlefield, displays of items found from both the French and German armies, and a short film about the Battle of Verdun is available for viewing.
There was already a provisional ossuary in place by 1920, and the remains of the dead were transferred to the new ossuary in 1927.
HIS 220 Cas Novak Winter Term – 2018 39 of 132 The central tower of the Douaumont Ossuary is 46 metres tall (one metre per sector of the
Battle of Verdun), and the monument is 137 metres long and designed like a cloister with open alcoves and ends with two apses. The battlefields can be seen from the top of the tower.
1. Ossuaire de Douaumont
2. Ossuaire de Douaumont
HIS 220 Cas Novak Winter Term – 2018 40 of 132 The tower contains a bronze death-bell, weighing over 2 metric tons, called the Bourdon de la
Victoire, and is sounded at official ceremonies.
3. Bourdon de la Victoire
The top of the tower has a rotating red and white death lantern which shines over the battlefield at night.
4. Lantern of the Dead
HIS 220 Cas Novak Winter Term – 2018 41 of 132 The Douaumont Ossuary interior: a vaulted semi-circular ossuary that is comprised of 18 vaults that each contain two tombs, as well as an apse at each end of the cloister that contain five tombs each. Each tomb corresponds to a section of the battlefield, and there are 46 tombs for the 46 main sectors of the Battle of Verdun. On the wall above each tomb there is an inscription that shows the area of the battlefield that the bodies were recovered from. Each tomb covers an 18 cubic metre vault. Some areas of the battlefield contained more skeletons than could be contained in a single vault, and those skeletons are housed in two 150 cubic metre vaults that are located at each end of the monument. The engraved bricks of the monument contain the name of a French soldier, but not all soldiers have been named – there are tens of thousands of unknown and missing soldiers.
5. Interior of the Douaumont Ossuary
The vaults contain small windows so that it is possible to view the skeletal remains.
6. Soldier Skeletons 7. Soldier Skeletons 8. Soldier Skeletons HIS 220 Cas Novak Winter Term – 2018 42 of 132 The shield where the Flame of Remembrance burns.
8. Flame of Remembrance
The Chapel of the Ossuary, located just underneath the Lantern of the Dead, with a vaulted ceiling and stained glass windows.
9. Chapel of the Ossuary
HIS 220 Cas Novak Winter Term – 2018 43 of 132 At the front of the Douaumont Ossuary is the French National Cemetery and contains the graves of 15,000 French soldiers. Each grave is marked by a white cross and a nameplate.
Muslim soldiers that are buried here were buried facing Mecca.
10. Nécropole nationale de Douaumont
In 2006, there was a memorial to the Muslim soldiers added.
11. Memorial dedicated to Muslim soldiers
HIS 220 Cas Novak Winter Term – 2018 44 of 132 12. Dedicated To The Muslim Soldiers That Died For France
In 2010, restoration of the Douaumont Ossuary began as the building had degraded, and there was to be renovations done for the Battle of Verdun centenary. The restoration of the ossuary was completed with the redevelopment of the interior tower (which hosts a museum), restoration of all parts of the cloister, and security was upgraded. The French President
François Hollande and the German Chancellor Angela Merkel, reopened the Douaumont
Ossuary in 2016 on the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Verdun. Hollande and Merkel relit the Flame of Remembrance to celebrate the “spirit of Verdun” while the bell was sounded.
A ceremony of reconciliation was led by French President François Mitterrand and German
Chancellor Helmut Kohl on September 22nd, 1984. War veterans from both countries were
HIS 220 Cas Novak Winter Term – 2018 45 of 132 present at the Douaumont Ossuary where silent homage was paid to the millions killed during both World Wars.
In 2008, President Nicolas Sarkozy presided over the first ceremony of Armistice Day to be held at the Douaumont Ossuary.
In March 2012, while the Douaumont Ossuary was undergoing renovations, thieves broke in and stole the bones and skulls of the dead.
In 2014, one of the most meaningful symbols of reconciliation took place at the Douaumont
Ossuary when for the first time, the name of a German soldier was added to the names inscribed on the ossuary ceiling.
In 2016, for three days between May 27th – 30th, there were commemorations for the centenary of the Battle of Verdun. There were tributes paid to the soldiers, renewal of friendships between France and Germany, and Verdun was confirmed as the “World Capital of Peace”.5
As A Site of Contested Memory
I could find no controversies associated with this site.
5 "Verdun, A Site Of Franco-German Remembrance | Chemins De Mémoire - Ministère De La Défense". Cheminsdememoire.Gouv.Fr. http://www.cheminsdememoire.gouv.fr/en/revue/verdun-site-franco-german- remembrance.
HIS 220 Cas Novak Winter Term – 2018 46 of 132 Your Concluding Analysis and Commentary
The Battle of Verdun was important due to its importance to all sides: France, Germany, and
Britain. Had Germany won the battle, they would have controlled the Western front. Germany also hoped that by trying to crush France, Britain would be more open to seeking terms with
Germany. Since Verdun was a sentimental icon to the French, the Germans hoped that the
French would send most of its soldiers for the defence of Verdun. This would then deplete the
French forces as the Germans attacked with heavy artillery, as well as destroying the morale of France. Germany managed to capture the majority Verdun, but even then the French forces refused to withdraw as it would have destroyed France politically.
The French army was badly outnumbered by the German forces, but they managed to keep the Germans at bay. The Germans eventually had to resort to chemical warfare, but they still suffered heavy losses and had to slowly retreat. Not only did the Germans have to retreat, they suffered an almost equal loss of life with the French, even though they had superior numbers.
The Battle of Verdun was one of the largest and bloodiest battles of World War I, as well as one of the longest. Although the Battle of Verdun should have been won by the Germans,
France managed to win the battle by not withdrawing. Both sides suffered a staggering loss of men, but this battle did change how the rest of the war was approached.
HIS 220 Cas Novak Winter Term – 2018 47 of 132 The Douaumont Ossuary contains the bones of the dead French and German soldiers in ossuaries, but there are windows to each ossuary that display the bones in heaping piles.
Each ossuary contains one part of the geographic region of the 20 square kilometre battlefield. Some would argue that it is appropriate for the bones to be displayed this way as it helps to illustrate the sheer scale of the number of dead, as well as representing how they died – violently and tragically. Others feel that this is irreverent and disrespectful to the remains – and the memory – of the soldiers. Personally, I agree with those that feel it is irreverent: the remains of these valiant soldiers should not be gawked at.
While the Douaumont Ossuary is a memorial that contains the remains of the soldiers that died during the Battle of Verdun, there is also a Verdun memorial to commemorate the Battle of Verdun itself. It is called the Verdun Memorial and is situated on the battlefield, close to the destroyed village of Fleury-devant-Douaumont. Construction began in the early 1960’s, and the memorial has been open to the public since September 1967. The memorial is for both the French and German soldiers, as well as the civilians that were lost during the Battle of
Verdun. The memorial itself is a military museum that displays both French and German armaments, military vehicles, uniforms, and other equipment used by the troops during the
Battle of Verdun.
HIS 220 Cas Novak Winter Term – 2018 48 of 132 References
"Battle Of Verdun". En.Wikipedia.Org. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Verdun.
"Douaumont : Peter Freundl, Premier Nom D'un Soldat Allemand Gravé Dans Un Mur De
L'ossuaire". France3-Regions.Francetvinfo.Fr. https://france3-
regions.francetvinfo.fr/grand-est/meuse/douaumont-peter-freundl-premier-nom-d-un-
soldat-allemand-grave-dans-un-mur-de-l-ossuaire-412085.html.
"Douaumont Ossuary". En.Wikipedia.Org. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Douaumont_Ossuary.
Lagneau, Laurent. "L’Ossuaire De Douaumont A Été Profané". Zone Militaire.
http://www.opex360.com/2012/03/08/lossuaire-de-douaumont-a-ete-profane/.
"MITTERRAND AND KOHL HONOR DEAD OF VERDUN". Nytimes.Com.
https://www.nytimes.com/1984/09/23/world/mitterrand-and-kohl-honor-dead-of-
verdun.html.
"Ossuaire De Douaumont - Agence Pierre-Yves Caillault ACMH". Agence Pierre-Yves
Caillault ACMH. http://www.agencecaillault.com/ossuaire-de-douaumont/.
"The Battle Of Verdun - History Learning Site". History Learning Site.
http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/world-war-one/battles-of-world-war-one/the-battle-of-
verdun/.
"Verdun Memorial". En.Wikipedia.Org. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Verdun_Memorial.
HIS 220 Cas Novak Winter Term – 2018 49 of 132 Verdun, 10, and World Word. "10 Things You May Not Know About The Battle Of
Verdun". HISTORY.Com. https://www.history.com/news/10-things-you-may-not-know-
about-the-battle-of-verdun.
"Verdun, A Site Of Franco-German Remembrance | Chemins De Mémoire - Ministère De La
Défense". Cheminsdememoire.Gouv.Fr.
http://www.cheminsdememoire.gouv.fr/en/revue/verdun-site-franco-german-
remembrance.
"Verdun: Douaumont Ossuary And Cemetery". Webmatters.Net.
http://www.webmatters.net/france/ww1_verdun_ossuaire.htm.
HIS 220 Cas Novak Winter Term – 2018 50 of 132 Photograph References
1. Ossuaire de Douaumont
"Ossuaire De Douaumont - Agence Pierre-Yves Caillault ACMH". Agence Pierre-Yves
Caillault ACMH. http://www.agencecaillault.com/ossuaire-de-douaumont/.
2. Ossuaire de Douaumont
"Ossuaire De Douaumont - Agence Pierre-Yves Caillault ACMH". Agence Pierre-Yves
Caillault ACMH. http://www.agencecaillault.com/ossuaire-de-douaumont/.
3. Bourdon de la Victoire
"L'ossuaire De Douaumont - Photo De L'ossuaire De Douaumont, Douaumont -
Tripadvisor". Tripadvisor.Fr. https://www.tripadvisor.fr/LocationPhotoDirectLink-
g1576902-d1880311-i127440676-L_Ossuaire_de_Douaumont-
Douaumont_Meuse_Grand_Est.html.
4. Lantern of the Dead
"Nuit Des Musées À L’Ossuaire De Douaumont | L'ossuaire De Douaumont". Verdun-
Douaumont.Com. http://www.verdun-douaumont.com/samedi-17-mai-de-19h30-a-
23h00-nuit-des-musees-a-lossuaire-de-douaumont/.
5. Soldier Skeletons
"Photos De Ossuaire De Douaumont, 14-18, Lorraine". Photos-Alsace-Lorraine.Com.
http://www.photos-alsace-lorraine.com/album/2270/Ossuaire+de+Douaumont.
HIS 220 Cas Novak Winter Term – 2018 51 of 132 6. Soldier Skeletons
"IMG_1123 Ossuaire Douaumont Verdun". Flickr.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/hjmf21/300350555.
7. Soldier Skeletons
"Ossuaire De Douaumont By Camille Toulemonde". Thinglink.Com.
https://www.thinglink.com/scene/897539459443064833.
8. Flame of Remembrance
"Ossuaire De Douaumont - Agence Pierre-Yves Caillault ACMH". Agence Pierre-Yves
Caillault ACMH. http://www.agencecaillault.com/ossuaire-de-douaumont/.
9. Chapel of the Ossuary
"Photos De Ossuaire De Douaumont, 14-18, Lorraine". Photos-Alsace-Lorraine.Com.
http://www.photos-alsace-lorraine.com/album/2270/Ossuaire+de+Douaumont.
10.Nécropole nationale de Douaumont
“Nécropole nationale et l'ossuaire de Douaumont”. Geneawiki.
https://fr.geneawiki.com/index.php/Nécropole_nationale_et_l
%27ossuaire_de_Douaumont
11. Memorial dedicated to Muslim soldiers
"Douaumont Nécropole Nationale". Pierre'S Photo Impressions Of The Western
Front. http://pierreswesternfront.punt.nl/content/2010/01/douaumont-necropole-
nationale.
HIS 220 Cas Novak Winter Term – 2018 52 of 132 12. Memorial dedicated to Muslim soldiers
"Douaumont Nécropole Nationale". Pierre'S Photo Impressions Of The Western
Front. http://pierreswesternfront.punt.nl/content/2010/01/douaumont-necropole-
nationale.
HIS 220 Cas Novak Winter Term – 2018 53 of 132 Sites of War
Shoes On The Danube Bank
Journal Entry
Cas Novak
HIS 220 – Winter 2018
HIS 220 Cas Novak Winter Term – 2018 54 of 132 HUNGARY
Shoes on the Danube Bank (Budapest, Hungary)
Site
Shoes on the Danube Bank
Date
December 1944 – January 1945
Location
The Pest side of the Danube Promenade, near the intersection of Széchenyi rakpart and
Zoltán utca, Budapest, Hungary
Purpose
Shoes on the Danube Bank is a holocaust memorial that is intended to honour Jews that were executed in Budapest during World War II. It was unveiled April 16th, 2005.
As A Site of History
During World War II, Arrow Cross death squads would gather Jewish people from the city and take them to the edge of the Danube River, order them to take off their shoes and then shoot
HIS 220 Cas Novak Winter Term – 2018 55 of 132 them. The executions took place at the edge of the river so that when the people were shot, their bodies would fall into the Danube and be carried away. The shoes are what remained of those executed.
Interesting Facts About the Site
• An award winning Hungarian Hungarian film director, screenwriter, actor, poet,
producer, cultural manager and cultural diplomat, János Can Togay, had the inspiration
for the monument and worked with the sculptor, Gyula Pauer.
• In September 2014, the memorial was defaced and several of the bronze shoes were
stolen, but police did not investigate the case because “no crime has been reported”6.
• In the winter of 1944/1945, the Danube River was known as the “Jewish Cemetery”.
As A Site of Memory
During World War II, The Arrow Cross Party, which was modelled after the Nazi Party of
Germany, was a pro-German, anti-Semitic, national socialist party that led the Hungarian government as the Government of National Unity from October 1944 until March 1945.
During the two months of December 1944 and January 1945, the Arrow Cross death squads rounded up Jewish people and took them to the edge of the Danube River for execution. The victims were lined up at the embankment, forced to remove their shoes and then shot into the
Danube as the river would carry the bodies away. They were told to remove their shoes – as
6 "Part Of Holocaust Memorial Exhibit Stolen From Banks Of Danube". Haaretz.Com. https://www.haaretz.com/jewish/part-of-holocaust-memorial-exhibit-stolen-in-budapest-1.5264113.
HIS 220 Cas Novak Winter Term – 2018 56 of 132 shoes were a valuable commodity during the war – which could be used or traded on the black market. The shoe laces were sometimes used to tie two or three people together if there was no rope available irrespective of age or gender. When the people were tied, the militiamen would shoot only one, who would then fall into the Danube taking the others with them, where the dead body would sink taking the still living ones with it. Other times, the tied bodies would float, and the militiamen would use them for target practice.
The site itself consists of sixty pairs of shoes that were constructed out of iron. The period appropriate shoes are what the victims were wearing before they were executed and fell into the Danube River. The iron shoes are attached to concrete which is placed on the Danube embankment.
1. Shoes on the Danube
HIS 220 Cas Novak Winter Term – 2018 57 of 132 2. Shoes on the Danube
There are three separate plaques along the embankment that reads in Hungarian, Hebrew and English:
"To the memory of victims shot into the Danube by Arrow Cross militiamen in 1944-45”
3. Dedication – Hungarian
HIS 220 Cas Novak Winter Term – 2018 58 of 132 4. Dedication – Hebrew
5. Dedication – English
Some who visit this memorial will leave flowers or light candles. Although the memorial has daily visits and tourists, there are also many who are relatives of the fallen victims who lay
HIS 220 Cas Novak Winter Term – 2018 59 of 132 wreaths to honour those whose lives were taken. On many nights, the shoes are only lit by the glow of flickering candles.
As A Site of Contested Memory
This is a holocaust memorial, something dedicated to the murdered Jews of Budapest – it is not something that is generally contested.
Your Concluding Analysis and Commentary
I think that this is one of the more effective memorials when it comes to showing how death came to the Jews of Budapest, as it is visual and corporeal: you can see the empty shoes, and touch them. It becomes almost inevitable that the owners of those shoes are imagined: there are workman’s boots and classic women’s pumps, and then there are the tiny children’s shoes. Some shoes are standing straight up, some shoes have fallen over, as if taken off in a hurry. Some have laces, some don’t. All are representations of the individual Jews who were executed along the Danube River – a physical reminder of the appalling brutality perpetrated against Jewish citizens.
It is rather shocking to see those abandoned shoes at edge of the Danube, as if the owners had just left them there. Those sixty pairs of shoes – men’s, women’s, children’s – you can’t help but be moved….and angry.
HIS 220 Cas Novak Winter Term – 2018 60 of 132 References
"Arrow Cross Party". En.Wikipedia.Org. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arrow_Cross_Party.
"Can Togay". En.Wikipedia.Org. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Can_Togay.
Mackintosh, Alex. "A History Of The Shoes On The Danube Bank". Culture Trip.
https://theculturetrip.com/europe/hungary/articles/a-history-of-the-shoes-on-the-danube-
bank/.
"Part Of Holocaust Memorial Exhibit Stolen From Banks Of Danube". Haaretz.Com.
https://www.haaretz.com/jewish/part-of-holocaust-memorial-exhibit-stolen-in-budapest-
1.5264113.
"Shoes On The Danube Bank". En.Wikipedia.Org.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shoes_on_the_Danube_Bank.
"Shoes On The Danube Embankment - Budapest Monument Of Art". Budapest.Com.
https://www.budapest.com/city_guide/sights/monuments_of_art/shoes_on_the_danube_e
mbankment.en.html.
HIS 220 Cas Novak Winter Term – 2018 61 of 132 Photographic References
1. Shoes on the Danube
"Photo Of The Week: Shoes On The Danube Promenade | Oh Hungary!".
Exchange.Adelinawong.Ca. http://exchange.adelinawong.ca/2012/04/photo-of-the-
week-shoes-on-the-danube-promenade/.
2. Shoes on the Danube
"Shoes On The Danube Promenade, Budapest - Scenes Of California". Scenes Of
California. http://www.scenesofcalifornia.com/shoes-on-the-danube-promenade-
budapest/.
3. Dedication – Hungarian
"Háttérben A Lánchíd - Picture Of Shoes On The Danube Bank, Budapest -
Tripadvisor". Tripadvisor.Com. https://www.tripadvisor.com/LocationPhotoDirectLink-
g274887-d1063833-i248448351-Shoes_on_the_Danube_Bank-
Budapest_Central_Hungary.html.
4. Dedication – Hebrew
"In Hebrew - The Iron Shoes On The Danube - Picture Of Shoes On The Danube
Bank, Budapest - Tripadvisor". Tripadvisor.Co.Za.
https://www.tripadvisor.co.za/LocationPhotoDirectLink-g274887-d1063833-
i257905666-Shoes_on_the_Danube_Bank-Budapest_Central_Hungary.html.
HIS 220 Cas Novak Winter Term – 2018 62 of 132 5. Dedication – English
"File:Memory-Text-Shoes.Jpg - Wikimedia Commons". Commons.Wikimedia.Org.
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Memory-Text-shoes.jpg.
HIS 220 Cas Novak Winter Term – 2018 63 of 132 Sites of War
Shoes On The Danube Bank
Powerpoint Presentation
Journal Entry
Cas Novak
HIS 220 – Winter 2018
HIS 220 Cas Novak Winter Term – 2018 64 of 132 Shoes on the Danube – PowerPoint Presentation
HIS 220 Cas Novak Winter Term – 2018 65 of 132 HIS 220 Cas Novak Winter Term – 2018 66 of 132 HIS 220 Cas Novak Winter Term – 2018 67 of 132 HIS 220 Cas Novak Winter Term – 2018 68 of 132 HIS 220 Cas Novak Winter Term – 2018 69 of 132 HIS 220 Cas Novak Winter Term – 2018 70 of 132 HIS 220 Cas Novak Winter Term – 2018 71 of 132 HIS 220 Cas Novak Winter Term – 2018 72 of 132 References
"1945: Jews' Hero In Hungary Is Arrested, Never Seen Again". Haaretz.Com.
https://www.haaretz.com/jewish/.premium-1945-jews-hero-in-hungary-is-arrested-
vanishes-1.5480305.
"Beautiful Budapest | Love Kernow | Travel Blog". Lovekernow. http://www.love-
kernow.co.uk/beautiful-budapest/.
"Danube Stone Apartment House :: FBG SHOES ON THE DANUBE EMBANKMENT".
Gotobudapest.Eu. http://gotobudapest.eu/danubestoneapartments/index.php?cID=228.
"Government Of National Unity (Hungary)". En.Wikipedia.Org.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Government_of_National_Unity_(Hungary).
"Photograph". Ushmm.Org. https://www.ushmm.org/wlc/en/media_ph.php?
ModuleId=0&MediaId=1005.
"Segunda Guerra Mundial". Pinterest. https://www.pinterest.es/pin/730709108261681385/.
"World War II". Pinterest. https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/227361481172224016/.
HIS 220 Cas Novak Winter Term – 2018 73 of 132 Sites of War
Garden of Remembrance Dublin
Journal Entry
Cas Novak
HIS 220 – Winter 2018
HIS 220 Cas Novak Winter Term – 2018 74 of 132 IRELAND
Garden of Remembrance (Dublin)
Site
Garden of Remembrance (Dublin)
Date
The Garden opened in 1966
Location
Parnell Square East, Rotunda, Dublin, Ireland
Purpose
The site is a memorial garden, called the Garden of Remembrance, and commemorates freedom fighters from the following uprisings7:
• The 1798 rebellion of the Society of United Irishmen.
• The 1803 rebellion of Robert Emmet.
• The 1848 rebellion of Young Ireland.
• The 1867 rising of the Fenian Brotherhood.
• The 1916 Easter Rising of the Irish Volunteers and the Irish Citizen Army.
7 "Garden Of Remembrance (Dublin)". En.Wikipedia.Org. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garden_of_Remembrance_(Dublin).
HIS 220 Cas Novak Winter Term – 2018 75 of 132 • The 1919–21 Irish War of Independence of the Irish Republican Army.
The Garden of Remembrance is also:
• a memorial for Bloody Sunday in 1920,
• where the Irish Volunteers were founded in 1913, and
• where several leaders of the 1916 Rising were held overnight before being taken
to Kilmainham Gaol for execution.
The Garden of Remembrance should not be confused with the Irish National War Memorial
Gardens in Dublin which is dedicated to the Irish soldiers that gave their lives during World
War I.
As A Site of History
The location was chosen for its ties to Ireland’s history of rebellion, but the site itself is not an ancient battlefield or battleground – it is a memorial garden that is dedicated to the “memory of all those who gave their lives in the cause of Irish Freedom.”8
Interesting Facts About the Site
• The site was previously part of the Rotunda Hospital’s pleasure gardens that originally
opened in 1749, which was actually a year before construction of the hospital began.
8 "Garden Of Remembrance (Dublin)". En.Wikipedia.Org. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garden_of_Remembrance_(Dublin).
HIS 220 Cas Novak Winter Term – 2018 76 of 132 At that time, there was a fee for admission to the gardens which was used to fund the
hospital.
As A Site of Memory
The Garden is used for remembrance and commemoration of the Irish freedom fighters.
There are remembrance ceremonies every year on Easter to commemorate the 1916 Easter
Rising. President Michael D. Higgins laid a wreath in the Garden at the Statue of Lir in 2016 celebrating the 1916 centenary, and then a minute of silence was observed.
The land for the Garden of Remembrance was bought from the Rotunda Hospital in 1939, and a design competition for the garden was held in 1940, with Daithí P. Hanly winning the competition in 1946. The sunken gardens, mosaics and statuary make the garden an appropriate place for contemplation, reflection and/or meditation.
The Garden of Remembrance had its official opening in 1966, on Easter Monday, which marked the 50th anniversary of the 1916 Rising. The Garden was opened by President Éamon de Valera who had also been a commander during the 1916 Rising.
HIS 220 Cas Novak Winter Term – 2018 77 of 132 1. Garden of Remembrance Opening Ceremony There is a sunken cruciform pit in the Garden, with a cruciform pool at its centre, and they are surrounded by raised lawns.
2. Sunken Cruciform Pit
The pool is lined with mosaic tiles that form a blue-green wave pattern that is periodically broken with tiled representations of broken weapons. The tiled weapons symbolise the Celtic
HIS 220 Cas Novak Winter Term – 2018 78 of 132 tradition of marking the end of a battle by either breaking weapons, and/or throwing broken weapons into rivers. There are benches surrounding the pool with boxes of flowers between each bench.
3. Cruciform Pit Mosaic
4. Cruciform Pit Mosaic
HIS 220 Cas Novak Winter Term – 2018 79 of 132 As the Garden is entered, there are blue fences by the stairs that are set in the shapes of the
Trinitity College (Brian Boru) harp, the Loughnashade trumpet, and the Ballinderry sword.
5. Trinity College Harp, Trumpet, Sword
There are stairs leading from the head of the cross to a sculpture that was added in 1971 –
Oisín Kelly’s The Children of Lir, which is an old Irish legend.
6. Children of Lir
HIS 220 Cas Novak Winter Term – 2018 80 of 132 Lir had four children who were tragically turned into swans by their step-mother. The children had to remain as swans for 900 years before they could be restored to human form after being blessed by a monk. The symbolism of life, years of punishment, and then resurrection to another life is very poignant imagery in a garden dedicated to the Irish struggle for independence.
7. Children of Lir
The wall behind the statue is etched with a poem in Gaelic by Liam Mac Uistin. “We Saw a
Vision”, which is an aisling style poem. There are also English and French versions on two bronze plaques.
HIS 220 Cas Novak Winter Term – 2018 81 of 132 8. Poem - We Saw A Vision in Gaelic
9. Poem - We Saw A Vision in English
HIS 220 Cas Novak Winter Term – 2018 82 of 132 We Saw A Vision
In the darkness of despair we saw a vision,
We lit the light of hope and it was not extinguished.
In the desert of discouragement we saw a vision.
We planted the tree of valour and it blossomed.
In the winter of bondage we saw a vision.
We melted the snow of lethargy and the river of resurrection flowed from it.
We sent our vision aswim like a swan on the river. The vision became a reality.
Winter became summer. Bondage became freedom and this we left to you as your inheritance.
O generations of freedom remember us, the generations of the vision.
Liam Mac Uistín9
As A Site of Contested Memory
I could find no controversies associated with the site itself, however, there have been many protests, demonstrations and/or rallies held there over the years:
• July 1, 2017 – Rally for life to Save the Eighth.
9 "Garden Of Remembrance (Dublin)". En.Wikipedia.Org. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garden_of_Remembrance_(Dublin).
HIS 220 Cas Novak Winter Term – 2018 83 of 132 • May 1, 2017 – Protest on May Day with regards to the ongoing homeless crisis and
action on the housing crisis. The protest began at the Garden of Remembrance to put
Ireland’s homeless crisis into the spotlight.
• April 4, 2017 – Protesters were at the Garden of Remembrance as part of international
protests calling for the legalisation of cannabis.
• Jan 21, 2017 – March/protest/rally against Donald Trump being elected President of
the United States.
• Aug 1, 2015 – Anti-immigrant graffiti was found in the Garden of Remembrance that
made reference to the 1916 uprising. The graffiti questioned what 1916 was for amid
claims that multiculturalism is the equivalent of Irish genocide.
• Sep 26, 2013 – Controversy regarding the proposed addition of a memorial to the
victims of institutional abuse to the Garden of Remembrance: “It is demeaning to the
survivors not to give them their own space but to ask them to share with a memorial
that is celebratory. And it is demeaning to those who fought for the principles of
democracy, our independence, to ask them to share with this dark chapter of abuse.”10
• Sep 28, 2013 – Demonstration regarding pro-choice.
• Mar 8, 2012-2018 – Repeal the Eighth rally and march that begins in the Garden of
Remembrance about access to abortion care in Ireland.
• Oct 22, 2011 – Protest about the transfer of private debt to the Irish citizens (“debt
nationalisation”).
• May 17, 2011 – A demonstration/protest regarding Queen Elizabeth’s visit to Dublin.
10 "Garden Of Remembrance Child Abuse Memorial 'Demeaning'". The Irish Times. https://www.irishtimes.com/news/environment/garden- of-remembrance-child-abuse-memorial-demeaning-1.1540155.
HIS 220 Cas Novak Winter Term – 2018 84 of 132 • Nov 27, 2010 – Demonstration about the €85 billion bailout, and the government’s four-
year austerity plan.
• Dec 10, 2006 – Animal rights rally to raise awareness for the plight of animals in
laboratories, fur farms and animal abuse/cruelty.
• Feb 25, 2006 – The Dublin Riot of February 2006, when a group of northern unionist
victims of the Troubles protested at what they thought was the Irish government’s
collusion with the IRA.
• Feb 15, 2003 – Anti-war protesters opposed the imminent invasion of Iraq by British
and American forces.
• May 9, 1981 – H-Block (the Irish hunger strike) protesters gathered to call on
government support for the Hunger Strikers and march to the Garden of
Remembrance to lay wreaths.
Protests, demonstrations or rallies generally start or end at the Garden, and as the above list demonstrates, the causes are many and varied. Today, there is almost always some sort of protest, demonstration or rally to be found at the Garden.
The only event that could truly be called a protest regarding the Garden involves the proposed memorial to abuse victims that developers wanted to add within the memorial gardens in 2013. The plans were refused as they would have a negative effect on the Garden of Remembrance as the association between the two memorials is considered inappropriate.
As of 2017 there has been no progress on the memorial to abuse victims, so the Dublin City
HIS 220 Cas Novak Winter Term – 2018 85 of 132 Council is now considering a permanent exhibition in a public institution rather than a memorial.
Your Concluding Analysis and Commentary
The 1916 uprising, known as the Easter Rising or the Easter Rebellion, was an armed insurrection that occurred during Easter week in April 1916 where Irish nationalists staged a rebellion against the British government in Ireland. The rebels only held out for six days during which more than 2,000 people were killed, the leaders of the rebellion were executed by firing squad, and the rebels were crushed by British forces. While there was initially little support from the Irish people (who blamed the rebels for the deaths and the destruction of the
Dublin city centre), public opinion eventually shifted due to rushed executions, martial law and people being imprisoned without trials by the British. The momentum for Irish independence had gained popularity, and the executed leaders were proclaimed martyrs. The Easter Rising was the catalyst for Ireland’s struggle for freedom and it was in 1922 that the treaty was signed for what is today the Republic of Ireland.
The Garden of Remembrance is used to commemorate all the Irish men and women who fought over the years for Irish independence and Irish freedom, and is intended to be a place of quiet remembrance and reflection. Aspects of each conflict are still bitterly contested and debated even today, but the memory of the battles and the cause – freedom for the Irish – is what the Easter Rising stands for, and why it is the focal point for the commemoration of events that involve freedom from oppression at the hands of the British.
HIS 220 Cas Novak Winter Term – 2018 86 of 132 It is important to remember major events that shaped a countries past, but it is also important to realise that more than a hundred years into the future, that memory becomes a mixture of both myth and fact. This mixture of fact and fiction is what makes the Garden a commemorative site rather than a celebratory one. The violence of the rebels (a very small minority) who believed that they were entitled to kill and destroy for their political aspirations
(Irish freedom) rather than follow through with peaceful and diplomatic measures that were already underway (via Parnell, O’Connell and others) should be remembered, not necessarily celebrated. The violence of the times are today cloaked as heroic sacrifice based on the idea that the ends justify the means – it is something that should not be forgotten, but neither should it be revered.
HIS 220 Cas Novak Winter Term – 2018 87 of 132 References
Cassidy, Lisa. "Garden Of Remembrance, Parnell Square, Dublin 1 | Built
Dublin". Builtdublin.Com. http://builtdublin.com/garden-of-remembrance-parnell-square-
dublin-1/.
"Exhibition May Replace Memorial To Abuse Victims". Irishexaminer.Com.
https://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/exhibition-may-replace-memorial-to-abuse-victims-
444899.html.
"Garden Of Remembrance (Dublin)". En.Wikipedia.Org.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garden_of_Remembrance_(Dublin).
"Irish National War Memorial Gardens". En.Wikipedia.Org.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irish_National_War_Memorial_Gardens.
"The Garden Of Remembrance | DF Ceremonial | Info Centre | Defence Forces". Military.Ie.
http://www.military.ie/info-centre/df-ceremonial/the-garden-of-remembrance/.
HIS 220 Cas Novak Winter Term – 2018 88 of 132 Photographic References
1. Garden of Remembrance Opening Ceremony
"Garden Of Remembrance". Irelandxo.Com. https://www.irelandxo.com/ireland-
xo/news/garden-remembrance.
2. Sunken Cruciform Pit
"Aerial View Of Dublin's Garden Of Remembrance, Dublin City Centre,...". Getty
Images. https://www.gettyimages.ca/detail/photo/garden-of-remembrance-dublin-city-
centre-royalty-free-image/827006712.
3. Cruciform Pit Mosaic
"Garden Of Remembrance – Photo By Infomatique Via Flickr Creative Commons |
Ireland Travel Kit". Irelandtravelkit.Com. http://www.irelandtravelkit.com/mosaic-at-the-
garden-of-remembrance-dublin-city/gardenofrememberancefull/.
4. Cruciform Pit Mosaic
"Garden of Remembrance Parnell Square Dublin". Archiseek.com.
http://archiseek.com/2011/1966-garden-of-remembrance-parnell-square-dublin/
5. Trinity College Harp, Trumpet, Sword
Ludwig, Frank. franklludwig.com. http://franklludwig.com/xdublin.html
6. Children of Lir
Garden of Remembrance, Dublin. "Garden Of Remembrance, Dublin. Editorial Stock
Photo - Image Of Respectful, Gardens: 80352738". Dreamstime.Com.
HIS 220 Cas Novak Winter Term – 2018 89 of 132 https://www.dreamstime.com/editorial-stock-photo-garden-remembrance-dublin-
parnell-sq-e-autumn-fall-oct-image80352738.
7. Children of Lir
Cassidy, Lisa. "Garden Of Remembrance, Parnell Square, Dublin 1 | Built
Dublin". Builtdublin.Com. http://builtdublin.com/garden-of-remembrance-parnell-
square-dublin-1/.
8. Poem - We Saw A Vision in Gaelic
"Dublin – The Garden Of Remembrance". With The British Army In Flanders & France.
http://thebignote.com/2017/08/13/dublin-the-garden-of-remembrance/.
9. Poem - We Saw A Vision in English
"Garden Of Remembrance (Dublin)". En.Wikipedia.Org.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garden_of_Remembrance_(Dublin).
HIS 220 Cas Novak Winter Term – 2018 90 of 132 News Article References
"Americans In Dublin And Galway March For Civil Rights After Trump Inauguration". Irishcentral.Com. https://www.irishcentral.com/news/community/americans-in-dublin-and- galway-march-for-civil-rights-after-trump-inauguration.
"Animal Rights Activists In Dublin Rally". The Irish Times. https://www.irishtimes.com/news/animal-rights-activists-in-dublin-rally-1.800525? mode=sample&auth-failed=1&pw-origin=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.irishtimes.com%2Fnews %2Fanimal-rights-activists-in-dublin-rally-1.800525.
Brennan, See. "Pictures: Thousands Turn Out In Dublin For May Day Protest Calling For Action On Housing Crisis". Thejournal.Ie. http://www.thejournal.ie/may-day-march- housing-3367912-May2017/.
Brophy, See. "Pictures: Crowds Take To The Streets For Pro-Choice March". Thejournal.Ie. http://www.thejournal.ie/pro-choice-dublin-1105528-Sep2013/.
Demolder, Kate. "There Is A Women's March Going On In Dublin Tomorrow". Lovindublin.Com. https://lovindublin.com/dublin/there-is-a-womens-march- going-on-in-dublin-tomorrow.
MacGuill, See. "IN IMAGES: A Brief History Of The Irish Protest". Thejournal.Ie. http://www.thejournal.ie/history-of-protests-in-ireland-1753667-Nov2014/.
McNamee, See. "Anti-Immigrant Graffiti Appears In Garden Of Remembrance". Thejournal.Ie. http://www.thejournal.ie/immigrant-graffiti-garden-remembrance-rising-2248238- Aug2015/.
Murray, See. "'Free The Weed': Worldwide Demos Call For Legalisation Of Cannabis". Thejournal.Ie. http://www.thejournal.ie/420-weed-dublin-3350219-Apr2017/.
O'Carroll, See. "Occupy Dame Street Protesters Hold March Against ‘Debt Nationalisation’". Thejournal.Ie. http://www.thejournal.ie/occupy-dame-street-protesters- to-hold-march-260694-Oct2011/.
Reilly, See. "Twenty-One Arrests In City Centre As Queen Visits Garden Of Remembrance". Thejournal.Ie. http://www.thejournal.ie/arrests-in-city-centre-as-queen- visits-garden-of-remembrance-137973-May2011/.
HIS 220 Cas Novak Winter Term – 2018 91 of 132 "'Save The 8Th' Rally For Life - Garden Of Remembrance, D.1 - Catholicireland.Net". Catholicireland.Net. https://www.catholicireland.net/event/save-8th-rally-life-garden- remembrance-d-1/.
"Support The Hunger Strike". RTÉ Archives. http://www.rte.ie/archives/2016/0506/786647- support-the-hunger-strike/.
"Things Fall Apart – The Dublin Riot Of February 2006". The Irish Story. http://www.theirishstory.com/2011/02/09/things-fall-apart-the-dublin-riot-of-february- 2006/#.Wo-MUy25u9I.
"Votes For Repeal - International Women's Day Event - Repeal Eight". Repeal Eight. https://www.repealeight.ie/event/votes-repeal-2018-international-womens-day-event/.
HIS 220 Cas Novak Winter Term – 2018 92 of 132 Sites of War
Heroes' Acre (Windhoek)
Journal Entry
Cas Novak
HIS 220 – Winter 2018
HIS 220 Cas Novak Winter Term – 2018 93 of 132 NAMIBIA
Heroes' Acre (Windhoek), Namibia
Site
Heroes' Acre (Windhoek), Republic of Namibia
Date
Opened August 26th, 2002
Location
10 kilometres south of the city centre of Windhoek, Republic of Namibia, on the B1 national road to Rehoboth
Purpose
Heroes' Acre is an official war memorial of the Republic of Namibia that is to “foster a spirit of patriotism and nationalism, and to pass on the legacy to the future generations of Namibia.”11
The memorial is meant to commemorate the “Namibians’ march from slavery and colonialism to armed struggle and victory under SWAPO*.”12
11 "Heroes' Acre (Namibia)". En.Wikipedia.Org. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heroes%27_Acre_(Namibia). 12 "SWAPO In Exile And After: Dilemmas Of Pragmatic Nationalism | Southern African Digital History Journal". Dhsouthafrica.Leadr.Msu.Edu. http://dhsouthafrica.leadr.msu.edu/research-papers/bernard-c-moore- research-paper/.
HIS 220 Cas Novak Winter Term – 2018 94 of 132 The site contains a bronze Statue of the Unknown Soldier, a marble Obelisk, a Pedestal, the
Eternal flame, a burial site that consists of 174 tombs (not all of which are occupied), the
Bronze Mural, a grandstand for 5,000 people, and parade grounds.
*SWAPO is the South West African People’s Organisation which was Namibia’s anti-apartheid movement.
Site Controversies
As the site is meant to “foster a spirit of patriotism and nationalism, and to pass on the legacy to the future generations of Namibia” in a country with high levels of poverty and unemployment, the entrance fee makes it difficult or impossible for the average Namibian to visit this monument that is dedicated to their own history.
There was significant controversy with regards to the building of the memorial. The government awarded a North Korean company a contract worth N$60 million to build the 732 acre monument, and there was no tendering for the contract. By the end, construction costs had doubled.
The Statue of the Unknown Soldier bears a physical resemblance to Sam Nujoma who was
Namibia’s founding president, as well as the one who commissioned the statue.
Although the memorial had been in place for less than three years, bronze statues were showing signs of decay, and the lettering used was in places broken or missing.
HIS 220 Cas Novak Winter Term – 2018 95 of 132 As A Site of History
Heroes’ Acre is a memorial/commemoration site, and not a place where a significant battle was fought.
Interesting Facts About the Site
• Heroes’ Acre took 13 months to construct and covers an area of over 732 hectares
(over 7 square kilometres).
• The City of Windhoek donated the land to the government for the memorial.
• The layout of Heroes’ Acre is a symmetrical polygon.
As A Site of Memory
Heroes’ Acre is over 732 hectares, and was formed as a symmetrical polygon which consists of the following “arms”:
• a public seating area for up to 5,000 people,
• the entrance area,
• the Obelisk,
• the graves, and
• a staircase (which gives a panoramic view of the City of Windhoek).
HIS 220 Cas Novak Winter Term – 2018 96 of 132 The entrance to Heroes’ Acre is a gate with two kneeling women sculpted to the gates on either side that are holding a bouquet of flowers, which is a traditional Namibian welcome.
1. Entrance Gate to Heroes Acre
2. Welcome to Heroes Acre
Marble Obelisk
At the centre of Heroes’ Acre is a 34-metre high marble obelisk that honours the bravery and courage of those who fought for Namibia’s freedom. At the bottom of the stairs that lead to the
HIS 220 Cas Novak Winter Term – 2018 97 of 132 obelisk, an “eternal flame” burns. When viewed from the parade grounds, the obelisk takes on the form of a sword.
3. Heroes' Acre overlooking Windhoek
174 Heroes and Heroines Graves
The true centre of Heroes’ Acre are the 174 tombs for Namibian Heroes and Heroines. Some of the tombs are vacant to provide space for future heroes and heroines, and some are symbolic (as the location of the remains are unknown), but the tombs that are occupied have names and photographs engraved on black marble. At its inauguration, there were nine national heroes and heroines identified, and each of them has a tombstone with their name and photograph, although they are not buried there (Appendix A). In later years, additional people were declared national heroes and buried at Heroes’ Acre (Appendix B).
HIS 220 Cas Novak Winter Term – 2018 98 of 132 4. Graves of Namibia's National Heroes
Statue of the Unknown Soldier
There is a bronze statue in Heroes’ Acre that is a memorial for the Unknown Soldier. The soldier carries a Kalashnikov rifle in one hand and an anti-tank grenade in the other. The statue is representative of all the soldiers in the People’s Liberation Army of Namibia that died during the struggle for independence from colonial rule. The bronze statue is eight metres high and weighs four tonnes. The writing on the pedestal under the statue is a statement from
President Sam Nujoma and was cast in his own handwriting: “Glory to the fallen Heroes and
Heroins of the motherland Namibia! Sam Nujoma 26th August 2002”. Heroes Day is celebrated on August 26th each year and is a remembrance for the tens of thousands of
Namibians that died during the struggle for freedom during the Namibian War of
Independence.
HIS 220 Cas Novak Winter Term – 2018 99 of 132 5. Bronze Statue of the Unknown Soldier
6. Marble Obelisk and Bronze Statue of the "Unknown Soldier"
HIS 220 Cas Novak Winter Term – 2018 100 of 132 The Pedestal
The Pedestal serves as the symbolic resting place for the people who lost their lives during the Namibian War of Independence, and contains soil from three mass graves of the freedom fighters: Cassinga, Angola, Oshatotwa, Zambia, and Ongulumbashe, Namibia.
7. The Pedestal
The Bronze Mural
The Bronze Mural illustrates the struggles of the Namibian people during their fight for independence. The mural depicts the liberation struggle starting with the uprising against
Imperial Germany, moving on to the fighting against South African Occupation and Apartheid policies, and concluding with the lowering of the South African flag and the raising of the
Namibian flag on March 21st, 1990. The curved shape represents the journey from oppression to the creation of a free and independent country.
HIS 220 Cas Novak Winter Term – 2018 101 of 132 8. Depiction of Namibia's Struggle for Freedom
The Eternal Flame
The Eternal Flame is the symbol of the undying spirit and sacrifice made by Namibians for
Namibia and constantly burns.
9. Eternal Flame
HIS 220 Cas Novak Winter Term – 2018 102 of 132 August 26th, known as Heroes’ Day, is a public holiday and there are various ceremonies that take place at Heroes’ Acre to reflect on the past, and to remember those who gave their lives for the freedom and independence of Namibia
As A Site of Contested Memory
Heroes’ Acre is meant to be a national monument that was to unify the nation after years of apartheid and colonial rule. However, the monument features revolve around the South West
African People's Organisation’s (SWAPO) version of history, and it glorifies the same people who tortured and murdered members of their own party. There is no mention of:
• the human rights abuses by SWAPO which took place in Angola,
• SWAPO’s limiting of liberation fighters’ activities in Zambia in exchange for economic
security,
• the SWAPO detention camps in Angola where SWAPO members and their families
were detained, tortured and killed without a trial, and
• the SWAPO “witch hunt” for perceived South African spies where hundreds of SWAPO
members were imprisoned, tortured, and interrogated.
Many Namibians also find the memorial to be “pompous...quite naive, misplaced and ludicrous”13 and believe that the ruling SWAPO party has “erected a monument for itself”14,
13 "Heroes Acre". Namibia-Travel.Net. http://www.namibia-travel.net/travelguide/southern-namibia/heroes- acre.html. 14 Ibid.
HIS 220 Cas Novak Winter Term – 2018 103 of 132 and they feel that the government is not making a genuine attempt to come to terms with the past.
Breaking the Wall of Silence (BWS) is a Namibian National Government Office (NGO) that focusses on human rights, especially regarding the ex-detainees of the Namibian liberation movement during the Namibian War of Independence. Another goal for BWS is the development of a more open and tolerant society in Namibia. BWS is attempting to work with the Namibian government with regards to the detainee issue, as well as encouraging SWAPO to admit to wrong-doing and issue an official apology.
Your Concluding Analysis and Commentary
As time passes, the more subjective memory becomes, and if the purpose of memorialisation is to remind people of what happened, and for future generations to learn from past mistakes, it is important to recognise true history, or accurate history: not history written from the victor’s perspective, but history as it happened, both good and bad. Some people believe that
Heroes’ Acre was politically motivated and promoted SWAPO’s agenda, others believe that it is a shrine that promotes the values of Namibia.
It seems that in order to be classified as a national hero or heroine worthy of Heroes’ Acre, the person would have to be Namibian (thereby disregarding Zambian or Angolan candidates) and have liberation struggle credentials, or be someone that the SWAPO government
HIS 220 Cas Novak Winter Term – 2018 104 of 132 approves of. It is difficult to decide who should be a hero as the definition of hero would change from person to person:
• someone who fought for liberation,
• someone who fought for democracy, or
• occasionally, even the perpetrators of crimes could be considered heroes to some.
I do not think that reconciliation can be achieved until SWAPO officially admits to and apologises for its activities during the Namibian liberation movement. There also needs to be in-depth analysis of the events with regards to cause and consequences, as well as the impact any human rights abuses had on victims, survivors and family members. The
Namibian people did not simply fight for liberation or independence: they also fought for democracy, and it was a battle by black Namibians against white power.
HIS 220 Cas Novak Winter Term – 2018 105 of 132 Appendix A – Inauguration National Heroes and Heroines (taken from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heroes%27_Acre_(Namibia)
1. Kahimemua Nguvauva (1850–1896), Chief of the Ovambanderu, was wounded May
1896 in the Battle of Sturmfeldand after his surrender executed by the Germans
2. Nehale Lya Mpingana (died 1908), King of Ondonga, defeated the settlers of
the Dorsland Trek in 1886, and German colonial forces at Fort Namutoni in 1904
3. Samuel Maharero (1856–1923), Paramount Chief of the Herero people, led the
uprisings against German colonialism that resulted in the Herero and Namaqua War of
1904–1907
4. Hendrik Witbooi (1830–1905), King of the Nama people and fighter against the colonial
oppression of the German Empire in German South West Africa
5. Jacob Morenga (1875–1907), successor of Hendrik Witbooi as Nama Chief, used the
fortress of ǁKhauxaǃnas to wage a guerrilla war against the Schutztruppe of Imperial
Germany
6. Mandume Ya Ndemufayo (1894–1917), last king of the Kwanyama, led his people into
battles with British, Portuguese, and South African colonial forces
7. Iipumbu Ya Tshilongo (1875–1959), King of the Uukwambi and strong nationalist,
resisted European cultural influence exercised via the establishment of mission
stations and administrative outposts
HIS 220 Cas Novak Winter Term – 2018 106 of 132 8. Anna Mungunda (1910s–1959), protester against the forced eviction from
Windhoek's Old Location in 1959. Set the car of a high-ranking administrator alight and
was shot dead in response.
9. Hosea Kutako (1870–1970), Paramount Chief of the Herero and petitioner to
the United Nations for an independent Namibia
HIS 220 Cas Novak Winter Term – 2018 107 of 132 Appendix B – Additional National Heroes (taken from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heroes%27_Acre_(Namibia)
1. Dimo Hamaambo (1932–2002), served as the second commander of the People's
Liberation Army of Namibia
2. Maxton Joseph Mutongulume (1932–2004), founding member of the Ovamboland
People's Congress and long-term SWAPO functionary and Central Committee member
3. Markus Kooper (1918–2005), petitioner to the United Nations
4. Mose Penaani Tjitendero (1943–2006), first speaker of National Assembly
5. Richard Kapelwa Kabajani (1943–2007), former cabinet minister and ambassador
to Cuba
6. John Pandeni (1950–2008), prisoner of Robben Island and later Namibian Minister
7. Peter Tsheehama (1941–2010), People's Liberation Army of Namibia commander and
Chief of Namibian Intelligence
8. John ya Otto Nankudhu (1933–2011), People's Liberation Army of Namibia
commander and Robben Island inmate
9. Frederick Matongo (1946 or 1947–2013) Lieutenant Colonel of the Namibian Defence
Force, early participant of the Namibian War of Independence
10.Andrew Intamba (1947–2014), first director of the Namibia Central Intelligence Service,
and Namibian ambassador to Egypt
HIS 220 Cas Novak Winter Term – 2018 108 of 132 11. Gerson Veii (1939–2015), the first opposition party member (SWANU) to be accorded
a hero's burial
12.Mzee Kaukungwa (1919–2014), veteran of the People's Liberation Army of Namibia
and founding member of SWAPO.
13.Hidipo Hamutenya (1939–2016), former cabinet minister, long-time leading member of
SWAPO, founder of RDP.
14.Andimba Toivo ya Toivo (1924–2017), anti-apartheid activist, politician and political
prisoner. Founding member of SWAPO.
HIS 220 Cas Novak Winter Term – 2018 109 of 132 References
"Breaking The Wall Of Silence". En.Wikipedia.Org.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Breaking_the_Wall_of_Silence.
"Breaking The Wall Of Silence". Sites.Google.Com.
https://sites.google.com/site/breakingthewallofsilence/Home.
"Heroes Acre". Namibia-Travel.Net. http://www.namibia-travel.net/travelguide/southern-
namibia/heroes-acre.html.
"Heroes' Acre (Namibia)". En.Wikipedia.Org. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heroes
%27_Acre_(Namibia).
"Heroes Acre In Windhoek | The Polynational War Memorial". War-Memorial.Net.
http://www.war-memorial.net/mem_det.asp?ID=173.
"Heroes' Day (Namibia)". En.Wikipedia.Org. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heroes
%27_Day_(Namibia).
"In Remembrance Of Our Heroes". New Era Newspaper Namibia.
https://www.newera.com.na/2016/08/25/remembrance-heroes/.
"SWAPO". En.Wikipedia.Org. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SWAPO.
"SWAPO In Exile And After: Dilemmas Of Pragmatic Nationalism | Southern African Digital
History Journal". Dhsouthafrica.Leadr.Msu.Edu.
http://dhsouthafrica.leadr.msu.edu/research-papers/bernard-c-moore-research-paper/.
HIS 220 Cas Novak Winter Term – 2018 110 of 132 "Tomb Of The Unknown Soldier". En.Wikipedia.Org.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tomb_of_the_Unknown_Soldier.
Waweru, Nduta. "Good Morning Africa From Heroes' Acre, Namibia - This Is Africa". This Is
Africa. https://thisisafrica.me/good-morning-africa-heroes-acre-namibia/.
HIS 220 Cas Novak Winter Term – 2018 111 of 132 Photographic References
1. Entrance Gate to Heroes Acre
Limited, Alamy. "Stock Photo - WINDHOEK, NAMIBIA - JUNE 16, 2017: The Entrance
To Heroes Acre, An Official War Memorial Of The Republic Of Namibia To The South
Of Windhoek, The Capi". Alamy. http://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-windhoek-namibia-
june-16-2017-the-entrance-to-heroes-acre-an-official-150390893.html.
2. Welcome to Heroes Acre
"Heroes Stock Images - Download 21,585 Photos". Heroes Stock Images - Download
21,585 Photos. https://www.dreamstime.com/photos-images/heroes.html.
3. Heroes' Acre overlooking Windhoek
Namibia, CGE. "Week 7: A Week Of Heroes And
Homework". Cgenamibia.Blogspot.Ca. http://cgenamibia.blogspot.ca/2013/03/week-7-
week-of-heroes-and-homework.html.
4. Graves of Namibia's National Heroes
"Tracks4africa". Tracks4africa.
https://tracks4africa.co.za/listings/photo_gallery/w138764/.
5. Bronze Statue of the Unknown Soldier
"In Remembrance Of Our Heroes". New Era Newspaper Namibia.
https://www.newera.com.na/2016/08/25/remembrance-heroes/.
HIS 220 Cas Novak Winter Term – 2018 112 of 132 6. Marble Obelisk and Bronze Statue of the "Unknown Soldier"
"Tracks4africa". Tracks4africa. https://tracks4africa.co.za/listings/item/w138764/heroes-
acre/.
7. The Pedestal
David McKenzie and Brent Swails, CNN. "Statues And Ammunition: North Korea's
Africa Connections". CNN. https://www.cnn.com/2017/10/22/africa/north-korea-
africa/index.html.
8. Depiction of Namibia's Struggle for Freedom
"Tracks4africa". Tracks4africa.
https://tracks4africa.co.za/listings/photo_gallery/w138764/.
9. Eternal Flame
"Heroes' Acre (Namibia) | Mapio.Net". Mapio.Net. http://mapio.net/o/1148073/.
HIS 220 Cas Novak Winter Term – 2018 113 of 132 Sites of War
Civilian War Memorial, Singapore
Journal Entry
Cas Novak
HIS 220 – Winter 2018
HIS 220 Cas Novak Winter Term – 2018 114 of 132 SINGAPORE
Civilian War Memorial, Singapore
Site
Memorial to the Civilian Victims of the Japanese Occupation, more commonly known as the
Civilian War Memorial, Singapore
Date
Inaugurated on February 15th, 1967 by Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew
Location
Located within the War Memorial Park in the Central Area of Singapore’s Central Business
District.
Purpose
The Civilian War Memorial is a memorial that was built in memory of the civilians (non- combatants) that were killed during the Japanese Occupation of Singapore during World War
II. It has been named a heritage landmark, and sits on parkland located within the War
Memorial Park within Singapore’s Central Business District.
HIS 220 Cas Novak Winter Term – 2018 115 of 132 As A Site of History
During the Pacific War from 1942 – 1945, the Japanese Empire occupied Singapore, and thousands of ethnic Chinese were killed in the Sook Ching massacre. In February 1962, regions of Singapore such as Siglap, Changi, and Bukit Timah reported finding remains that belonged to the civilian victims of the Japanese Occupation. The Singapore Chinese
Chamber of Commerce and Industry took responsibility for gathering the remains and creating a memorial.
Singapore surrendered to the Japanese on February 15th, 1942 after the Battle of Singapore
(also known as the Fall of Singapore). Singapore was a British colony with a significant British military base, and when the Japanese captured Singapore, it resulted in the largest surrender of British-led military personnel in British history. Approximately 80,000 British, Indian and
Australian troops became prisoners of war, along with the 50,000 that were already being held by the Japanese. Winston Churchill called it the “worst disaster in British military history”.15
The Japanese wanted vengeance against the Chinese and sought to eliminate anyone that held anti-Japanese sentiments. This resulted in thousands being killed in the Sook Ching massacre. Sook Ching, translated as “purge through cleansing”, was the systematic purging of the Chinese (as well as other ethnicities believed to be anti-Japanese) by the Japanese military that took place throughout Singapore following the Battle of Singapore, from February
18th – March 4th, 1942.
15 "Battle Of Singapore". En.Wikipedia.Org. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Singapore.
HIS 220 Cas Novak Winter Term – 2018 116 of 132 Singapore was divided into sectors where the Japanese set-up screening centres, and then ordered all Chinese males between the ages of 18 and 50 to report for inspection. The men were inspected, and those thought to be anti-Japanese were eliminated. Periodically, women and children were also sent for inspection as well. Those who survived the inspection were stamped with “examined” on their faces, arms or clothing, (although some were issued a certificate). Those who failed the inspection were stamped with a triangular mark and were then separated from the others and sent to the killing sites, where they were brutally massacred and unceremoniously dumped into mass graves. From “A Country Study:
Singapore”:
All Chinese males from ages eighteen to fifty were required to report
to registration camps for screening. The Japanese or military police
arrested those alleged to be anti-Japanese, meaning those who were
singled out by informers or who were teachers, journalists,
intellectuals, or even former servants of the British. Some were
imprisoned, but most were executed.16
After the Japanese surrendered in 1947, British authorities held a war crimes trial for those involved with Sook Ching. As the Japanese did not pass down written orders, and much of the paperwork was destroyed before the surrender, it was difficult to prove who was responsible for what. Of the seven on trial, two received the death penalty while the other five received life sentences. The apparent mastermind behind the massacre, Masanobu Tsuji, managed to escape before being arrested.
16 "Sook Ching". En.Wikipedia.Org. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sook_Ching.
HIS 220 Cas Novak Winter Term – 2018 117 of 132 Interesting Facts About the Site
• Often called the “Chopsticks Monument” by Singaporeans due to its shape.
As A Site of Memory
The Civilian War Memorial is the first to honour civilian victims – other memorials only commemorated military personnel.
In 1963, the Prime Minister set aside a plot of land for the building of the memorial that would be dedicated to the civilians killed in World War II. One of Singapore’s most renowned architects, Leong Swee Lim, won the open design competition in March 1963, and the Civilian
War Memorial became one of Leong’s most famous and significant contributions towards
Singapore’s architecture.
In June 1963, Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew performed the ground-breaking ceremony to lay the foundation for the memorial, and construction began on April 23rd, 1966. There was a ceremony held on November 1st, 1966 (before the memorial was completed), where 606 urns that contained the remains of thousands of unknown civilians found in mass graves were interred on either side of the memorial podium.
The Civilian War Memorial was completed in January 1967, with Yew presiding over the official opening ceremonies on February 15th, exactly 25 years after the Fall of Singapore. The
HIS 220 Cas Novak Winter Term – 2018 118 of 132 memorial sits within the War Memorial Park, a 1.4 hectare park located in the downtown core of Singapore’s Central Region. Yew’s speech:
"We meet not to rekindle old fires of hatred, nor to seek
settlements for blood debts. We meet to remember the men and
women who were the hapless victims of one of the fires of
history. This monument will remind those of us who were here
25 years ago, of what can happen to people caught completely
unaware and unprepared for what was in store for them. It will
help our children understand and remember, what we have told
them of this lesson we paid so bitterly to learn".17
The Civilian War Memorial is comprised of four identical tapering pillars that represent the shared experiences and unity of the four major ethnic groups in Singapore: Chinese,
Eurasian, Indian, and Malay. While the majority of the victims of the Japanese Occupation were Chinese, it was decided that this memorial would commemorate all victims, regardless of ethnicity.
The pillars are each 70 metres high, and painted white. They sit on a raised platform that encloses a vault holding 606 urns that contain the victims’ remains.
17 "SG DISCOVER - Civilian War Memorial @ Beach Rd, Civilian War Memorial". Sgdiscover.Com. http://sgdiscover.com/Location/30/Civilian-War-Memorial.
HIS 220 Cas Novak Winter Term – 2018 119 of 132 1. Civilian War Memorial
2. Civilian War Memorial – Top
HIS 220 Cas Novak Winter Term – 2018 120 of 132 Within the four pillars is an empty urn placed on a pedestal that represents the death of countless civilians.
3. The Empty Urn
The base of the raised platform is inscribed with the words: “Memorial to the Civilian Victims of the Japanese Occupation, 1942-1945” in Singapore’s four official languages (English,
Mandarin, Malay, Punjabi).
4. "Memorial to the Civilian Victims of the Japanese Occupation 1942-1945"
HIS 220 Cas Novak Winter Term – 2018 121 of 132 The entire structure is surrounded by pools of water and greenery that provide a place for peace and reflection.
5. Water pools surrounding the memorial
6. Civilian War Memorial at the Centre of the War Memorial Park
HIS 220 Cas Novak Winter Term – 2018 122 of 132 February 15th, Total Defence Day, commemorates the anniversary of the Fall of Singapore in
1942, and an inter-faith memorial service is held at the Civilian War Memorial to commemorate the victims of war.
In August 2013, the Civilian War Memorial was designated the 65th National Monument of
Singapore by the National Heritage Board of the Singapore government.
The Civilian War Memorial is one of Singapore’s most iconic landmarks, and embraces the virtues of a multiracial and multicultural city.
As A Site of Contested Memory
The site itself is not contested, but Japan and Singapore disagree on just how many died during the massacre. Japan claims that there were fewer than 5,000 deaths, but Singapore claims that “verifiable numbers would be about 70,000”.18
When Singapore became self-governing in 1959, anti-Japanese sentiment was high, and the
Chinese community demanded reparations and an apology from Japan. In 1963, Japan claimed that war reparations had been made to the British in 1951 and therefore to Singapore as it was then still a British Colony. In 1965, another request was made to Japan for reparations and an apology. Japan agreed to pay S$50 million in compensation (half of which was a grant, half a loan) in 1966, but they did not make an official apology.
18 "SG DISCOVER - Civilian War Memorial @ Beach Rd, Civilian War Memorial". Sgdiscover.Com. http://sgdiscover.com/Location/30/Civilian-War-Memorial.
HIS 220 Cas Novak Winter Term – 2018 123 of 132 The remains of the Sook Ching victims are still being unearthed decades after the massacre, with the most recent find in 1997.
Your Concluding Analysis and Commentary
It is important to note that the Sook Ching massacre was actually planned before any
Japanese forces arrived in Singapore. The Japanese military commanders had created a plan called the “Implementation Guideline for Manipulating Overseas Chinese” that was to eliminate any who failed to obey the occupying Japanese, or any with anti-Japanese leanings.
Japan has still not acknowledged its war crimes towards Singapore, and has actively tried to suppress its war history. In fact, Japan is not even teaching this history to its own students: in the 1990’s only eight out of twenty-six history textbooks mention the massacre, and the most widely used textbook simply stated that “atrocities took place in Singapore and elsewhere”.19
It seems that much of the resentment towards Japan stems from the fact that Japan seems to be downplaying its role as the aggressor: Singapore and China feel that Japan needs to acknowledge past wrongs, and that Japanese citizens need to take a stand against the white- washing of Japanese history. Japan has, in very general terms, expressed remorse for the war, but with regards to specific issues like the Sook Ching massacre and Nanjing, there has
19 "The Battle Of Singapore, The Massacre Of Chinese And Understanding Of The Issue In Postwar Japan | The Asia-Pacific Journal: Japan Focus". Apjjf.Org. https://apjjf.org/-Hayashi-Hirofumi/3187/article.html.
HIS 220 Cas Novak Winter Term – 2018 124 of 132 been nothing tangible from Japan, and this casts a shadow on relations between Japan and
China.
I think that one of the reasons that the Sook Ching massacre still dominates modern memory in Singapore is because Singapore was not directly involved in any of the fighting (between the Allied forces and Japan) during the war, whereas the Japanese Occupation affected everyone and has became part of national memory. I also believe that it is generational – when it is no longer part of living memory, but part of history, it becomes less immediate, less relevant.
There will always be some who feel that Japan has not done enough to apologise for, or make reparations for, its war crimes, but there are just as many that feel that Japan should not be made to apologise over and over.
HIS 220 Cas Novak Winter Term – 2018 125 of 132 References
"Battle Of Singapore". En.Wikipedia.Org. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Singapore.
"Civilian War Memorial". En.Wikipedia.Org.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Civilian_War_Memorial.
"Civilian War Memorial". Www.Roots.Sg. https://roots.sg/Content/Places/national-
monuments/civilian-war-memorial.
Me, About, and Timothy Tye. "Civilian War Memorial, Singapore". Timothytye.Com.
http://www.timothytye.com/asia/singapore/civilian-war-memorial.htm.
"SG DISCOVER - Civilian War Memorial @ Beach Rd, Civilian War Memorial".
Sgdiscover.Com. http://sgdiscover.com/Location/30/Civilian-War-Memorial.
"Sook Ching". En.Wikipedia.Org. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sook_Ching.
"The Battle Of Singapore, The Massacre Of Chinese And Understanding Of The Issue In
Postwar Japan | The Asia-Pacific Journal: Japan Focus". Apjjf.Org. https://apjjf.org/-
Hayashi-Hirofumi/3187/article.html.
"War Memorial Park, Singapore". En.Wikipedia.Org.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War_Memorial_Park,_Singapore.
HIS 220 Cas Novak Winter Term – 2018 126 of 132 Photographic References
1. Civilian War Memorial
"Civilian War Memorial". www.Roots.Sg. https://roots.sg/Content/Places/national-
monuments/civilian-war-memorial.
2. Civilian War Memorial – Top
"Civilian War Memorial". www.Roots.Sg. https://roots.sg/Content/Places/national-
monuments/civilian-war-memorial.
3. The Empty Urn
"Civilian War Memorial". www.Roots.Sg. https://roots.sg/Content/Places/national-
monuments/civilian-war-memorial.
4. "Memorial to the Civilian Victims of the Japanese Occupation 1942-1945"
"SG DISCOVER - Civilian War Memorial @ Beach Rd, Civilian War Memorial".
Sgdiscover.Com. http://sgdiscover.com/Location/30/Civilian-War-Memorial.
5. Water pools surrounding the memorial
Picture Of Civilian War Memorial, Singapore - Tripadvisor". Tripadvisor.Com.
https://www.tripadvisor.com/LocationPhotoDirectLink-g294265-d3459938-i233337780-
Civilian_War_Memorial-Singapore.html.
6. Civilian War Memorial at the Centre of the War Memorial Park
"Main View Of The Civilian War Memorial Park Building Image, Singapore".
Streetdirectory.Com.
HIS 220 Cas Novak Winter Term – 2018 127 of 132 http://www.streetdirectory.com/stock_images/travel/normal_show/13685046710402/24
6327/the_civilian_war_memorial_park_main_view/
HIS 220 Cas Novak Winter Term – 2018 128 of 132 Sites of War
Assignment Assessment
Journal Entry
Cas Novak
HIS 220 – Winter 2018
HIS 220 Cas Novak Winter Term – 2018 129 of 132 Assignment Assessment
When you are completed with your templates, write a 1+ page conclusion that assesses the assignment overall.
The Cambridge Dictionary defines minimalist as “belonging or relating to a style in art, design, and theatre that uses the smallest range of materials and colours possible, and only very simple shapes or forms”. It was fascinating to see these memorials of the world, with all their magnificence and majesty, and realise just how powerful their messages are: whether the remembrance is a small plaque (the original Thermopylae dedication stone), a towering sculpture (the Singapore memorial), a biographical museum vs a representation or interpretation (Anne Frank house, USS Missouri), or examples of self-defence (Great Wall of
China, Hadrian’s Wall). For my set of memorials, it was the smallest and most minimal memorial that had the most power (Shoes on the Danube).
War memorials are a direct link to past events that shaped the world of today.
Assignments like these make one realise the continuing importance of war memorials, and how unique they are to the community, city, or nation that erected them. Conservation and preservation of these memorials ensures that individuals or events are remembered, and that an important part of a nations heritage is protected. Memorials are also part of history, and provide a link to the past for those that are in no way related to the event – the sacrifices made by so many for freedom must be remembered.
HIS 220 Cas Novak Winter Term – 2018 130 of 132 Memorials are also meant to improve awareness and understanding of a nations war history, and become part of social memory over time by maintaining the memories through remembrance activities (ceremonies, rituals, etc). Each generation has its own interpretation of what happened and why, and these different interpretations add new meanings to an event for future generations studying their cultural and national histories.
Even though there were specific themes (such as World War I) that could be chosen for a set of memorials, the sites may have been about the theme World War I, but the memorials covered Australia, New Zealand, Newfoundland, Turkey, Bosnia and Herzegovina, France
(twice), Belgium (twice), Britain, and Canada. A memorial to World War I is essentially the same regardless of country: to commemorate the soldiers that fought as well as the tremendous loss of life, and the battles that were won or lost. The motivations behind a World
War I memorial may be different due to the values of a particular country (or because it happened in or to a specific country) and its attitude towards war, but ultimately it is the same memorial, just in different form.
I think it would have been more interesting to pick one country, for example France, and list the war memorials from France, and then possibly:
• compare and contrast two World War I memorials,
• compare and contrast a memorial from World War I and World War II,
HIS 220 Cas Novak Winter Term – 2018 131 of 132 • determine how many memorials are in France and from which period in time (ie the
Memorial of the Siege of 1792 (the Column of the Goddess), Fort Mont-Valérie from
the Franco-Prussian war, Château de Gageac from the Hundred Years’ War),
• consider the differences in size, scope, cost, what is memorialised from each event,
why was each memorial created (to commemorate soldiers or civilians, a specific
battle, or even the signing of an armistice), what is the form of the memorial (obelisks,
statues, cenotaphs, arches, fountains, halls, gardens, trees, etc),
• find memorials that have been lost to time or through neglect,
• determine how these memorials show what is considered important to France (ie
people, places, events),
• compare an event important to two different countries (ie Vimy for France and Canada,
and determine what is commemorated about Vimy Ridge in both countries and why),
• determine if the memorials are only for the “glorious heroes” or are innocents
remembered as well,
• compare memorials linked to a specific event (ie Vimy Ridge) to see if they honour
both soldiers and civilians, as well as battles, crusades and struggles.
For the memorials that I researched, I found the Shoes on the Danube memorial to be the most moving, powerful and evocative. This does not in any way diminish the other memorials, but holocaust memorials are not just representations: they are still part of living memory, or at least my living memory. Finding out that some memorials were politically motivated (and what those motivations were) was eye-opening as well.
HIS 220 Cas Novak Winter Term – 2018 132 of 132