Pascal Bollon

Tagged: military

WWI National War Loan Campaign

WWI National War Loan Campaign

1917, The Last Push To finance the war effort during WWI, France balanced money printing and war bonds. The war bonds were not a novelty, and had been used since the French revolution in every national emergency situation. No “whatever the cost” then, but “mobilise your savings for victory!”. Different...

are you ready to die for your country

Ready to Die for Your Country? Not yet?

War is coming. Every commander-in-chief, active or retired, from every country, even China, has confirmed it was their current scenario. The invasion of Ukraine tipped over 10 years of wobbly international relations. It made the impossible possible again. Mutually Assured Destruction is an actual potential scenario, as demonstrated since 2 years. ...

the world before AVV-VVK museum aan de ijzer

The World before The World Before

March 2020. A weather so balmy, yet most of us locked up. It did not take long before many came up with grand plans for the future. All would be well in the “world after”. Certainly, a sound intellectual exercise during an enforced pause in our life plans. At least,...

war reporting

Running After the Facts

31 years ago, I was glued to my TV screen watching the first bombs falling on Baghdad. It was on CNN. And it gave a new meaning to “live reporting”. Today, concerned by the war in Ukraine, I watch live streaming from Kiev and frontline combat videos uploaded a few...

fight or flight

Fight or Flight? Are We Still Willing to Die for Danzig?

First we had Disease. Now we have War screaming out from our screens. Some already predicted Famine is around the corner. The disruption of the world’s granary made it even nearer. Death has stalked our private lives for the past 2 years. It is now unleashed in Ukraine. Technically, the...