Peace

Peace003 - CopyLe Francport: 5:45 a.m.

The signature at this place…at this time…near to Compiènge went into effect at 11:00 a.m. marking an armistice between warring nations. The document signed by French Marshal Ferdinand Foch was only the beginning as this day, 11 November 1918, though a peace was not a formal surrender with Germany.

Prior to this day other armistices were signed by the Allies against former enemies Bulgaria (the Armistice of Salonika: 29 September 1918); the Ottoman Empire (the Armistice of Mudros: 31 October 1918); and Austria-Hungary (the Armistice of Villa Giusti or the Padua Armistice: 3 November 1918). There was now with the 11 November 1918 signing, peace, but the Great War with Germany did not come to a procedural and documented end until the Treaty of Versailles was signed 28 June 1919.

However, even before Versailles, in German East Africa…Zambia (Northern Rhodesia) German commander Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck along with about 1,500 troops continued to raid after 11 November 1918. At the Chambeshi River 14 November 1918 Lettow-Vorbeck was informed of the 11 November 1918 armistice. On 25 November 1918, his undefeated army surrendered at Abercorn.


About The Author

pferguson
Paul has worked with the Paradigm Motion Picture Company since 2009 as producer, historian and research specialist. Paul first met Casey and Ian WIlliams of Paradigm in April 2007 at Ieper (Ypres), Belgium when ceremonies were being held for the re-dedication of the Vimy Memorial, France. Paul's sensitivity to film was developed at an early age seeing his first films at RCAF Zweibrucken, Germany and Sardinia. Paul returned to Canada in 1967 and was captivated by David Lean's "Lawrence of Arabia" and "Bridge on the River Kwai". Over time Paul became increasingly interested in storytelling, content development, character, direction, cinematography, narration and soundtracks. At the University of Victoria, Paul studied and compared Japanese and Australian film and became interested in Australian film maker Peter Weir and his film "Gallipoli" (1981). Paul was inspired when he learned Weir visited the beaches, ridges and ravines of the peninsula. "Gallipoli", the film, led Paul on many journeys to sites of conflict in England, France, Belgium, Holland, Germany, Malta, Hawaii, Gallipoli, North Macedonia and Salonika. When Paul first watched documentary filmmaker Ken Burns, "The Civil War", Paul understood how his own experience and insight could be effective and perhaps influential in film-making. Combining his knowledge of Museums and Archives, exhibitions and idea strategies with his film interests was a natural progression. Paul thinks like a film-maker. His passion for history and storytelling brings to Paradigm an eye (and ear) to the keen and sensitive interests of; content development, the understanding of successful and relational use of collections, imagery and voice. Like Paul's favorite actor, Peter O'Toole, Paul believes in the adage “To deepen not broaden.” While on this path Paul always remembers his grandmother whose father did not return from the Great War and how his loss shaped her life and how her experience continues to guide him.

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