the rix mix

Today is the 90th anniversary of the beginning of the Battle of the Somme in France. 20,000 British died on the first day, Five months & one million casualties later the British & French allies had gained all of five miles. British commanding General Douglas Haig, instead of being relieved & court martialed, kept his job, was promoted following the Great War, made an Earl, & awarded 100,000 pounds by the government. That's what happens to a winner. The oldest surviving British soldier from the period is Henry Allingham, aged 110.