An extract from Robert Graves' "Goodbye to all that", which first appeared 1929, but mostly relating to WW1. It seems appropriate.


'Recently I saw the following contemporary newspaper cuttings put in chronological sequence:

When the fall of Antwerp became known, the church bells were rung [i.e. at Cologne and elsewhere]. - Kölnische Zeitung.

According to the Kölnische Zeitung, the clergy of Antwerp were compelled to ring the church bells when the fortress was taken. - Le Monde

According to what The Times has heard from Cologne, via Paris, the unfortunate Belgian priests who refused to ring the church bells when Antwerp was taken, have been sentenced to hard labour. - Corriere della Sera.

According to information which hes reached the Corrierre della Sera from Cologne, via London, it is confirmed that the barbaric conquerors of Antwerp punished the unfortunate Belgian priests for their heroic refusal to ring the church bells by hanging them as living clappers to the bells with their heads down. - Le Matin.'


One couldn't trust the press not to make stuff up ninety years ago. These were the papers of record at the time too. Nothing changes, well maybe it just gets a bit worse.

I note Foolestroupe says "I am now qualified to join the AJA", I hope you used the line about not joining any club that would have you as a member :-)