The Postcard
A postcard that was published by R. & K. L. that is a real photograph.
The card was posted in Bury on Wednesday the 23rd. December 1914 to:
Mr. & Mrs. J. Shaw,
20 Bolton Street,
Ramsbottom.
The message on the divided back of the card was as follows:
"To wish you a Merry
Christmas and a Bright
New Year.
Love Minnie".
The message was perhaps overly optimistic given that the Great War was in progress when the card was written.
The Battle of Sarikamish
So what else happened on the day that Minnie posted the card?
Well, on the 23rd. December 1914, two divisions with the Ottoman Empire pursued retreating Russian forces in what is now the border between Turkey and Georgia.
However thick fog confused a trailing division to believe that the one in front was Russian instead of Ottoman. The resulting friendly fire cost Ottoman forces the lives of 2,000 soldiers.
The Battle of Rufiji Delta
Also on that day, the Royal Navy sent two shallow ships to engage the German cruiser SMS Königsberg hiding in Rufiji River in German East Africa, but were driven away by defensive fire.
The Croix de Guerre
Also on the 23rd. December 1914, French deputy Georges Bonnefous put forth a legislative bill to create the Croix de la Valeur Militaire that was signed by 66 other deputies.
The bill would eventually create the Croix de Guerre which was given to French soldiers or allies who displayed valour during World War I.
