Here's a good article on why Americans don't cherish the memories and soldiers of World War I as much as they do with WWII, the Civil War, etc.
No conclusions really, but it has set me to thinking. I, too, haven't spent as much time visiting WWI sites and battlefields. (in fact, I have done hardly anything on the American participation)
I think it is high time I broke this mold and started doing more WWI work here. Yes, the Civil War, WWII and, to a lesser extent, the Indian Wars are what bring in traffic, but I think it is time we Americans remember more about our WWI past.
Stay tuned for more WWI rides and comments.

Check out the blog of the grandson of English World War 1 soldier, Henry Lamin, 90 years after the fact.

The blog states;

"This blog is made up of transcripts of Harry Lamin's letters from the first World War. The letters will be posted exactly 90 years after they were written. To find out Harry's fate, follow the blog!"

More about;
WILLIAM HENRY BONSER LAMIN
Born in August 1887 in Awsworth Notts, to Henry and Sarah Lamin. Elder Sisters Catherine (Kate) and Agnes (Annie) and Elder brother John (Jack). Educated at Awsworth Board School, just outside Ilkeston, Derbyshire, England.

This is the type of thing that the internet excels at. This is getting (highly deserved) attention from all around the web. It can be nothing but good for spreading the experiences of one of our nation's soldiers to a whole new audience.

Touratech has announced that its founder, Herbert Schwarz, got a 5,000 km test ride of the BMW F800 GS through the African nations of Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi and Uganda 4 weeks before the launch at Milan. Lucky guy!

The really good news is that Touratech kitted the bike out with as many Touratech parts as possible for the ride, so we should have a wide selection of gear and gadgets for the 800 when it hits the showrooms.

I'd still like to ride it so I can compare it to my KTM 950 Adventure.

On a military history note, I'd love to ride the East African battlefields of the German commander, Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck. Lettow-Vorbeck was never defeated in the field and caused enormous trouble for the British in east Africa during World War 1, even thought the British had an overwhelming numerical advantage.

From 1914-1918, Europe engulfed itself in a war that was long called the Great War or the War to End All Wars.

• The First Battle of Champagne 20 December 1914
• The Second / Winter Battle of the Masurian Lakes 7-22 February 1915
• Battle of Neuve Chapelle 10-13 March 1915
• Pancho Villa Attacks Columbus, New Mexico 9 March 1916
• Battle of Verdun Ends 18 December 1916
• WWI Versailles Peace Conference Opens 18 January 1919




Technorati Tags: 1900s 1910s 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 1919 AT Austria-Hungary BA BE BeNeLux BG Britain CZ DE europe FR france GB germany HR HU IT Italy LU NL Ottoman-Empire PL RS RU Russia SI SK TR USA World War 1 World War I WWI WWI motorcycle motorcycle-touring motorcycle touring military history military-history battlefields