Headquarter's blog
22/10/2018
Hidalgo de Cisneros adventure
18th of March 1937. Spain, Guadalajara front.
Ten days after the beginning of the CTV’s offensive towards Guadalajara, when the Republican Air Force was in command of the air, Hidalgo de Cisneros, commander in chief of the FARE (the Republican air force) decided to fly on his own airplane to see the situation on the battlefield and the chaos in the Italian lines after the air attack on the morning. This action could be reckless as he could be attacked by enemy fighters.
This is his own relate of what happened:
” One of that days, when I was returning with my aeroplane, tired but happy of our pilots behaviour that day, I saw a Fiat fighter with the fascist ensigns on my right, and immediatly appeared another one on my left. I was very frightened as you can imagine. My first reaction was to feel stupid, so easily I have been caught. I did the only thing I could do, a hard and deep dive to almost reach the ground, but, naturally the two Fiat did the same and remained very close to me. To my surprise they didn’t open fire, I thought they wanted me as a prisoner, but suddenly one of them was saying hello with the hand and then I realized what happened. Some days ago five Fiat coming from Italy landed by mistake in one of our airfields, two managed to scape, but the other three were captured. These two planes was being tested following my orders, but I forgot about them, the mechanics also have forgotten to remove the fascist ensigns.
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27/08/2018
‘Pour Dieu et pour elle’
Autumn 1621, young Christian of Brunswick, declared himself for the cause of the Protestants. Some years before, in 1616, he was elected Lutheran administrator of the Prince-Bishopric of Halberstadt. This position provided him the necessary finances to start a military career. The Catholics called him ‘the false bishop’. Young Christian loved war and hated Catholics.
After the defeat of the Protestants at the battle of ‘White Mountain’ in 8th November 1620 he saw the opportunity of leading himself the Protestant cause. He raised an army and declared in a romantic way passionately in love in a chivalrous way of Elizabeth, the wife of Frederick V, ‘The Bohemian Queen’.
On one occasion that they met, the beautiful queen lost a glove. Christian saw it and rapidly took the glove from the floor and with a reverence he told her ‘Madan, i will return the glove to you once we were at the Palatinate’.
From this moment he wore the glove sewed to his hat with this inscription on it, ‘Pour Dieu et pour elle’ (For God and for her), a blasphemy in fact, as he meant Elizabeth not the mother of Jesus.
05/10/2018
Ravenstein captured
Winter 1941, North Africa front.
During the British offensive in called Operation Crusader Erwin Rommel was two times about to fall into British hands. Worst luck had General Ravenstein, commander of the 21st Panzer division who was captured the 29th of December by soldiers from the 2nd New Zealand Division in confused fighting near Sidi Rezegh. They initially didn’t know who was the prisoner who said to be colonel Schmidt hoping they didn’t understand his hierarchy ensigns. But when he was taken to see general Freyberg at the Divisional headquarters Prussian miitary etiquette prevailed and he introduced himself shouting ” Von Ravenstein!, general”
Autumn 1621, young Christian of Brunswick, declared himself for the cause of the Protestants. Some years before, in 1616, he was elected Lutheran administrator of the Prince-Bishopric of Halberstadt. This position provided him the necessary finances to start a military career. The Catholics called him ‘the false bishop’. Young Christian loved war and hated Catholics.
After the defeat of the Protestants at the battle of ‘White Mountain’ in 8th November 1620 he saw the opportunity of leading himself the Protestant cause. He raised an army and declared in a romantic way passionately in love in a chivalrous way of Elizabeth, the wife of Frederick V, ‘The Bohemian Queen’.
On one occasion that they met, the beautiful queen lost a glove. Christian saw it and rapidly took the glove from the floor and with a reverence he told her ‘Madan, i will return the glove to you once we were at the Palatinate’.
From this moment he wore the glove sewed to his hat with this inscription on it, ‘Pour Dieu et pour elle’ (For God and for her), a blasphemy in fact, as he meant Elizabeth not the mother of Jesus.
XVI Century – Anvers
Two millons burned
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It is known that Emperor Charles V borrowed large amounts of money from merchants such as the Yuggers family of Augusta and Juan Daens, rich merchant of Anvers.
On one occasion John had lent the Emperor the large sum of 2 million in cash. And he asked Carlos to honor him by granting him the honor of eating at home, Carlos agreed.
He entertained the emperor with all kinds of exquisite delicacies and luxury in the service. Carlos V was astonished by so much luxury and was about to leave when the merchant retained him requesting five more minutes, Carlos agreed and Juan ordered some servants who brought a silver tray with perfumed wood on it. The merchant set fire to the wood before the surprised look of the guest. In another tray they brought the loan document, which was taught to the Emperor, recognizing the document at the time. Juan Daens took the paper and threw it into the flames where it was quickly consumed and then told the Emperor ”’I am quite paid for the honor that V.M. has made me eating in my home”