"Militarist" Colombia celebrates independence without military parade

tasco66 says on Jul 23, 2008, 08:32:

I prefer the Colombian celebration

Bravo, Presidente Uribe for the perfect operation!

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britabroad says on Jul 23, 2008, 09:02:

There was a small military parade at Leticia, where Uribe sat next to Shakira, but no tanks, missiles, or intimidating weaponry. It was basically historical, parading the uniforms from 1810 up until the present day, and culminated in the concert.

Leave the big stick at home...carry a cannon!

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docwilliam says on Jul 23, 2008, 09:27:

I think you mean these guys;





I would not put them in the same catagory as the others. (these pics were taken months ago).
I did not notice the lack of military, as a show, until tasco printed it....and he is on the money.

"There's no time to panic"

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romy says on Jul 23, 2008, 09:32:

I'd like to see a Colombian military parade... perhaps intimidate some commies...

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tasco66 says on Jul 23, 2008, 11:11:

Does anyone know the story of the Colombian soldiers' Prussian pick helmets (see above picture)?

Bravo, Presidente Uribe for the perfect operation!

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docwilliam says on Jul 23, 2008, 12:30:

I had been asking gf about that and she does not know (i thought they were German WW1 type). In that ceremony I actually saw them "Goose stepping". If you know the history please share.

"There's no time to panic"

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billyb says on Jul 23, 2008, 13:15:

I'd be interested in hearing it also.

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britabroad says on Jul 23, 2008, 20:22:

I might be able to help with your queries.

I was told by a Colombian university lecturer I know that following independence from Spain political ties were a little strained with the 'mother country', but much of South America relied heavily on Europe for trade.
Germany stepped forward and ties were made which continued until WW2.
Military equipment was one of the main things imported from Germany - clothing, boots, helmets, weapons etc. With numerous civil wars during the 19th century, culminating in the War of 1000 Days (1899-1902), Germany sent military advisors to Colombia - hence the 'goose stepping', which isn't used nowadays.
This military trade continued through the early 20th century - leading to some Latin American country's voicing their support for Germany during both World Wars. Colombia was one such country, although they changed tack eventually and leant their verbal support to the allies. Venezuela, Brazil and Argentina were three others. Argentinian troops also wore the distinctive German helmet until the late 1950's.
Colombian troops during the 1930's and 40's wore an almost identical uniform to the Germans - helmets and all. Post WW1 was the same, perhaps explaining the pointed German type helmets from then. Having said that, some British army regiments wear similar headgear with their Dress uniforms.
By the 1950's and the Korean War, the Colombian military were buying from the USA as bankrupt Germany became a stigma and synominous with all things fascist and evil.

It's a shame that the British Legion (2500 ex British soldiers recruited by Simon Bolivar in Jamaica and who took part in every engagement between 1817 and 1824) weren't represented in the Leticia parade. My avatar shows an officer of Bolivar's British Legion in 1819.

Leave the big stick at home...carry a cannon!

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Alma del Norte says on Jul 23, 2008, 22:18:

Imagine that, a corps of British soldiers fighting for the Bolivarian dream and I wonder horw many were Black.

La vida es una rutina

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billyb says on Jul 24, 2008, 06:35:

Thanks brit, i've heard of the british legion, but might have to take a close look. Do you know of any books on them?

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docwilliam says on Jul 24, 2008, 09:08:

Thanks britabroad, that is a great history lesson.

Has anyone noticed that there are two German Cable chanels here in Colombia? It is 52 and 62, here in Ibague. Like I have said before......I have yet to meet a north American here but Germans, there have been quite a few.

"There's no time to panic"

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tasco66 says on Jul 24, 2008, 09:22:

Yep, thanks brit, I had a vague idea it was something like that

Bravo, Presidente Uribe for the perfect operation!

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britabroad says on Jul 24, 2008, 10:17:

billy
Don't know of any books relating to the British Legions but an informative website is www.wapedia.mobi/en/British_Legions.
They basically consisted of ex Brits who had fought against Napoleon and Joseph Bonaparte in Spain during the Peninsular Wars. Bolivar started recruiting them in 1816, following France's defeat at Waterloo in 1815. He wasn't short of volunteers as he doubled their pay and promoted them one rank higher than they had been in the British Army. Lots of Irish joined too (then part of Britain), with some Prussians (the royal family were from Germany).
Alma,
there were blacks press-ganged into the British navy, but don't think there were many black volunteers for the army at that time. They had their own regiments, who supported the Brits around the empire, like the King's African Rifles, the Bengal Lancers, the Ghurkas, etc. Certainly never seen marching through the City of London with bayonets fixed and colours flying!

Leave the big stick at home...carry a cannon!

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