During the war

[classic33]

Not be called up on medical grounds.

 

[Andy in Germany]

Surprising. I am reading a book about the Battle of Bulge and it makes a big thing about the Germans "combing out people in their 40s from industry" to make up the numbers to fight the battle. I had no idea that the limit in the UK was 52. I would be too old to be called up now though by a few years.

Germany was certainly using younger men and boys in the latter days of the war.

 

[Electric_Andy]

I would be called up. I was watching Pearl Harbour last night, and I did think to myself how horrible it would have been to be a civvie and then find yourself getting shot at. I do wonder what a world war would look like in this day and age. No trenches or bayonettes surely? What would actually happen (and of course I hope it does not). ? Do you think men and women would still be forced to enlist?

 

[Andy in Germany]

Do you think men and women would still be forced to enlist?

Have there been cases of women being forced to enlist?

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

I would be called up. I was watching Pearl Harbour last night, and I did think to myself how horrible it would have been to be a civvie and then find yourself getting shot at. I do wonder what a world war would look like in this day and age. No trenches or bayonettes surely? What would actually happen (and of course I hope it does not). ? Do you think men and women would still be forced to enlist?

Probably something like this:

In answer to Drago's original question: Oh dear! Hand me my Lee-Enfield and my battle dress.

 

[Electric_Andy]

Have there been cases of women being forced to enlist?

I don't know. What I meant was, would men and women be treated equally if it happened tomorrow? Would either partner in a relationship be able to stay at home if they had children? But that was just an aside, my main thought was what would war look like in modern day times. Would civilians be called up at all?

 

[Yellow Fang]

53 so too old. However, I fancy being a loader on a Churchill tank.

 

[cyberknight]

As long as it doesnt happen for another 9 weeks i safe , if i did get called up i reckon i would be put behind the lines in logistics based on my occupation

 

[stephec]

52. But here's a thought - how about making the ones who call for war actually go and fight (in other words, the politicos etc.)

Merkel v Johnson, just like the Frankie goes to Hollywood video.

 

[stephec]

I’ve got bone spurs in my feet and a rich dad so I’ll get off doing my duty.

I might decide to run for president in the future and start a few wars of my own, tho’

A rich dad gets you a commission, so you could end up in the SOE, and eventually the hands of the Gestapo, just pray that it's Von Smallhousen and Herr Flick that get hold of you. 😄

 

[Edwardoka]

By the end of WWII the age of conscription had risen to 52.

If the Nazzies started another war now and conscription was reintroduced, would you be called up? Or are you in a reserved occupation? Or would you be a conchie?

In my case im not quite 52, so I'd get the telegram. I'd happily go back into the Army, and at my age would probably get 3 stripes minimum as a matter of course. Or possibly I could go back into the Dibble as a reserved occupation.

So how would it work out for you?

I'd be called up but one of two things would happen. I would either:
- go full Private Pyle
- become an underground member of la resistance. I mean, in the situation you're talking about, the fight is against fascistic militarised xenophobic ultra-nationalists and *gestures vaguely at everything* I wouldn't exactly have to go far afield to find many of those.

 

[Blue Hills]

Surprising. I am reading a book about the Battle of Bulge and it makes a big thing about the Germans "combing out people in their 40s from industry" to make up the numbers to fight the battle.

I've just finished a book about the war. Clear from that and other stuff I've read that the germans/Nazis weren't quite as clever as some folks think in many ways.

 

[Blue Hills]

Germany was certainly using younger men and boys in the latter days of the war.

yes - younger, older, barely trained.

 

[Blue Hills]

They didn't exactly meet much resistance though.

not sure I understand you glasgow - just a few weeks after the normandy landings a fair few senior german army bods thought the war lost, not to mention what the poor bloody infantry thought - but the surrender took almost another year of slaughter and rubble.

 

[glasgowcyclist]

not sure I understand you glasgow - just a few weeks after the normandy landings a fair few senior german army bods thought the war lost, not to mention what the poor bloody infantry thought - but the surrender took almost another year of slaughter and rubble.

I was replying to Lane's reference to the attempted insurrection by Trump's terrorists. 👇

Some of those who managed to storm the capital of the most powerful country in the world didn't look all that young.