Sunday 14 December 2014

Back from Munich.

Well I have just returned from a long weekend in Munich, and its fair to say I'm knackered.
 What between walking the length and breadth of the city, doing a lot of Christmas markets and eating loads of meat, my senses are a tad battered.
 Still I would recommend a visit, as it is a very nice city, and the natives are friendly. But this is not trip adviser but a wargames blog so,...
The military and wars are a little problematical in Germany even after 60 plus years. I still get the impression that the whole militarism thing is difficult.
Especially Bavaria and in particular Munich, the birthplace of the Nazis. Without getting too heavy I can understand why Bavaria was receptive to Hitler,the state is a rich one, and any threat from the communists must have terrified the middle and upper classes, link this to the recession that decimated the savings of the working classes, Hitlers message must have been compelling.
 To be fair, whilst touring through Munich, the locals are no longer reticent about the past and acknowledge the role the Nazis had in the city. It probably explains why the Allies battered the place to pieces.
 Anyway that is not the purpose of the post.
Below is the famous photograph purporting to show Hitler celebrating the declaration of war in the Field Marshals Hall in Munich in 1914.
 Whilst walking around I ambled into the square known as the Field Marshals Hall which was commissioned by King Ludwig the First to commemorate the Bavarian army. Next to two fine looking lions are the statues of Marshal Tilly of Thirty Years war fame and Marshal Wrede? of Napoleonic Wars fame [ read notoriety]
 Tilly I could not argue with as a first rate commander, but Wrede....
  Napoleon famously said after the debacle at Hanau in 1813, ''I made Wrede  a Count I could not make him a general.'' as the Guard marched over the poorly placed Bavarian army.
 I think the best anecdote concerning Wrede,was during the Battle of Wagram where Wrede's Bavarian division stood in reserve. The Bavarians were sent in to support Marshal MacDonald's attack and Wrede suffered a bullet graze leading his men.
Fearing the wound was fatal, Wrede told MacDonald '' Tell the Emperor I die for him. I recommend to him my wife and children''.
 Macdonald, who was well used to wounds himself, retorted '' I think you will be able to make this recommendation to him yourself''.
Wrede miraculously recovered and continued to lead his men.
Wrede was made a Marshal in the Bavarian army in 1814 in recognition of his services to the allies
 [ read betrayal of the French] and subsequently prospered.
 Hence the statue.
 There is an old saying that ''the Devil looks after his own'' and I think Wrede is proof of that.
 God knows what I will write should I go to Sweden, and see the statues to Marshal Bernadotte, the ultimate Judas.
 I have to finish with a photograph of standard Bavarian fare. I must admit it tasted pretty good, but after several days of eating this food, one hankers for a slice of toast.
 By the way, the round object looking a little like mashed potato is actually a local delicacy called Potato Dumpling. I defy anyone to say they have found this nutritious and enjoyable, [ imagine chewing a tasteless rubber slipper] Still a good city to go to...........................



7 comments:

  1. All that protein and beer, that's why you need the dumpling! Glad you had a good trip and welcome back

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  2. Bernadotte Judas? Depends on your point of view since the swedes seemed enamoured with him. Glad you enjoyed your trip and had a good time in Munich.

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    Replies
    1. Now Paul,
      You know your history, Bernadotte really should have been arrested and shot after his performance at Auerstadt.

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  3. If you take a closer look at the picture with Hitler in you'll see three rows back someone resembling a well known UKIP leader.........ha! made you look!
    Glad you survived the trip.

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  4. Robbie- Been there done that- You can't be a veggie in Germany - it must be agin the law or something. Large bits of dead animal feature in almost every meal I ever ate in Hermany- more than a few over the years- though the Wild boar and the Gulashzuppe are excellent as are Bratkortoffen- don't quote me on the spelling !!

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  5. Robbie,

    I fully agree with your comment of Bernadotte.

    And I spent 6 years in Germany (3 in Bavaria and 3 in Baden-Wurttenburg) while in the Army. The food was magnificient, especially in the little "Mom & Pop" gasthausen that dot the towns and villages. Luckily my wife learned to prepare a number of German dishes and we have them occasionally.

    Jim

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My 6mm Napoleonic set up.

My 6mm Napoleonic set up.
Austria 1809.

Austrian Hussars

Austrian Hussars
Hinchliffe figures

Austrian Grenzer

Austrian Grenzer
Austrian Grenzer

Smoggycon 2013

Smoggycon 2013
Smoggycon 2013

Smoggycon 2012

Smoggycon 2012
Smoggycon 2012

Smoogycon 2009

Smoogycon 2009
My French getting another beating