WW2 History in schools?

Rootes75 · Feb 10, 2026

My Son is 14 and at a recent Parents evening when talking to his History teacher we found he has been studying Germany 1918-1945 as a module. Very interesting and nice to know its not simply swept under the carpet these days.

von Poop · Feb 10, 2026

Ron Goldstein said: ↑

Back in one piece so feel obliged to make a report on what it was like giving a talk to 6 to 7 year olds.

First of all I have to mention the "culture shock"

The school itself, which I won't name, was very welcoming and the form teacher must have warned the class that their speaker had arrived because when we opened the classroom door I was greeted by a phalanx of eager-eyed kids, all facing the door and staring at this old git wearing his medals and I thought, Blimey !..... what have I let myself in for !!!!

I was relieved when at a single word from their teacher they were all sitting on the floor, facing a white screen already showing some old photos I had previously supplied and I was invited to introduce myself.

I picked the largest kid I could see, asked him to keep his friends in order and then I was off into a prepared 10 minute talk but punctuated with lots of questions.

I was humbled at some of the answers from the kids, truly, and it made me realise how knowledgable they were in some areas and yet completely clueless in others.

I started by telling them that when war broke out I was swimming in the sea at Hove and heard the first sirens warning us of an impending air raid (false alarm, as it turned out)

I stopped and asked "Does anyone know what an air raid siren sounded like"

The nearest kid to me popped up her hand and said "we get them in Israel" and I thought "so you do, and not just for Remembrance Day either "

I was about to tell them an old favourite story of mine about a day leave in Rome when it occurred to me I had better check if they knew where Rome was.

I asked the question and hands shot up.

I picked a delightful child who was waving franticallyl.

"Its the Capital of Italy", she said and as I congratulated her I immediately thought, could I have done the same at her age ?

I spoke of having served in a tank unit and asked "do you know what a tank looks like ?"
"It's a gun on wheels" said the nearest boy confidently and I said "Well done that man !", but added gently that we used tracks instead of wheels.

I made the mistake of telling them my parrot story and for the rest of the talk, hands would occasionally pop up and we would all have to hear about their dogs and hampsters

By the time we finished my allotted half an hour had spread to 45 minutes but I enjoyed it, it seemed like my audience had too and yes, one of the questions was "what did you get all those medals for?"

Would I do it again ?

Without question.

Ron
Click to expand...

Re-reading the thread, as I still think a lot of cack is talked on this subject & find it interesting.
Reminded yet again: Ron was a civilised treasure.
Imagine that coming to your school. I bet some kids from that chat (now in their 20s) still remember it well.

(I still move through dark buildings with the back of my hand in front of me, because a fireman visited our school at a similar age & was very direct with that grimness that entertains kids...)

OpanaPointer · Feb 24, 2026

Rootes75 said: ↑

My Son is 14 and at a recent Parents evening when talking to his History teacher we found he has been studying Germany 1918-1945 as a module. Very interesting and nice to know its not simply swept under the carpet these days.
Click to expand...

"The past is prologue."

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WW2 History in schools?

Rootes75 Well-Known Member

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OpanaPointer Pearl Harbor Myth Buster

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WW2 History in schools?

Rootes75 Well-Known Member

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OpanaPointer Pearl Harbor Myth Buster

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