The 1917 Battle of Passchendaele, aka the Third Battle of Ypres was one of the major battles of World War I, in which British, Canadian, South African New Zealand units engaged the German Army. After five months of fierce fighting, the Canadians took Passchendaele on 6 November 1917. Lest we forget.

William, British Columbia, Canada

Americans are usually mentioned. If not, they will surely mention it themselves - or go to war to press their stance.
If you actually take the time to read this article, the Americans are mentioned...

Jason, Ontario, Canada

Hi from France. First, Sakozy mentioned almost 20 countries (btw he mentioned Canada); his intention was not to mention every part of every country, he gave fiew examples of people around the world who fought in this war. Second, he was 10 minutes late, big deal... Let's stop French bashing plz.

nkfr, nantes, france

Hein Gomans, agreed, the Armistice was signed at 5.10 a.m., but it was agreed that it would come into force at 11.00 a.m., to enable time for all troops to be informed. Sarkozy was still late, whatever happend 90 years ago, as the agreed time for the service was 11.00 a.m.

david Leslie, Perth, Scotland

At least the Prince of Wales had the common sense not to wear one of his '5 star general play suits'. Pity he forgot that he does not deserve to wear any medals either.

Roger, Shrewsbury, U.K.

In truth, none of you personally fought in that war - and all your bickering and thoughtless comments are missing the point. We are supposed to be remembering those that fought and died and gave us the lives we have now. Those wars were about uniting, and all you are doing is dividing up history!

Kiristen, Gainesville,

If you take into account the population of Australia, Canada, the Welsh, English, Irish, and Scottish, their contribution was comparatively huge.

John, take another look at Normandy, Dunkirk, (at which time the US had still opted to remain neutral) ,and tell me their contribution was insignificant

Scott McCallum, Cleveland, Ohio

60,000+ Aussies died on the Western front alongside the Kiws, Canadians, Indians and some Yanks. The war would have ended much sooner but for the incompetence of the British Generals. The majority of the domiion troops were volunteers and never again will we see such bravery and sacrifice.

Bluey, Perth, Western Australia,

You would think Sarkozy could at least turn up on time for such an important event, whatever made him late could never be as important as what that were remembering. Also not doing proper research as to what countries actually fought save his oh so precious country is an absolute insult.

Louise Bretton, Sydney, Australia

How sad that everyone is more concerned that their "victim of choice" isn't being glorified and mentioned here rather than focus on remembering the horror of the war and the folks who fought at Verdun specifically as a group. How ironic that nationalism was the defining characteristic of WWI too...

Jeff Taylor, Lawrenceville, United States of America

Good point Dr Jai Chakrabarti, why not name the Commonwealth countries? Are the Australians, Irish etc more important? Why not?

stephen, brisbane, australia

its "La Guerre des guerres" not "Der des ders".

Maxime Caffarel, Brisbane, Australia

Snide commentary about Sarkozy's "lateness" betrays ignorance of the real facts.
In truth, the armistice papers were signed about 10 minutes AFTER 5 o'clock in the morning. (The armistice was to come into effect 6 hours after signing.) An officer moved the hand back to 5 AM exactly.

Hein Goemans, Rochester, USA

Canada deserved to be mentioned. Hail to the brave Lord Strathcona Horse (Royal Canadians) whose founding Colonel was the C I C of the Second Canadian Division, my great uncle, Sir Samuel Benfield Steele.

David B. Monier-Williams, Scottsdale, US/AZ

The Americans only come in after the everyone else has already won the war - ie WW1 and WW2.

Otherwise just look what happens to the Americans - Vietnam, Afghanistan and Iraq

Tobin, Sydney, Australia

Again, Sarkozy has shown a lack of respect and lack of culture towards everyone. What a poor way of representing his country!

Marie, Paris,

So Napoleon Sarkozy was late. Not that I expect anything but disrespect from the man who thinks he is president of Europe. If it had not been for the troops of the Empire (WW1) and Commonwealth (WW2) and the US (both) France would have been merely a province of Germany

M. Cawdery, Portadown,

How typically ignorant - Carla Bruni wears a cornflower ONLY and not as The Duchess of Cornwall is both a cornflower and a poppy representing ALL those who died. The French reps are so utterly pathetic. Their entire participation was shambolic and unworthy of their lofty positions.

alison, London,

And the Indians, the Nepalese, the South Africans, the Moroccans, the Algerians?
It wasn't just the newly independent former colonies, fellas. Colonial subjects were asked to fight, and they died for the Crown and for la belle France. These subjects of imperialism were not acknowledged.

mbw, New York, USA

Sure Jane. How about Eddie Rickenbacker and the other Hat-In-The-Ring boys? The fact Eddie fought for the French Lafayette Escadrille in death trap Nieuport scouts because Americans at that time weren't offficially involved in the war effort ties it in nicely. Heroes all!

Chris, Nottingham,

What are we to make of the absence of invitations to the heads of the Armed Forces of the countries represented at this ceremony? Disinterest? Lack of respect? Competition for the French?

Andy, Paris,

Please dont take Sarkozy's lack of preparation, respect & recognition as a reflection of the warm regard that many of us have for the contribution made by all the Commonwealth and other contries in WW1 & WW2. The considerable number oRememberance Day ceremonies across the UK show that we still care.

Denis, Doncaster, UK

Americans were rightfully mentioned but fallen Canadians deserve to be remembered too, having suffered more than half as many of the American casualties with less than a tenth of the population at the time. Shameful…

Marc, Montreal, Canada

To John in Hometown . . . the Canadian involvement was important as Canadians were the highest per capita serving country in WWI.
To Jessica and Brian . . . the Canadians fought, with honour, for Britain (way before American involvement too). While it would be nice to be mentioned, we know fought!

Eric, Montreal, Canada

Paul and John: They probably did, it just wasn't reported. The battle of Vimy Ridge is well known.

Joe, Gantsville,

Canada was still part of the British Empire during the First World War, so they were included in the mention of England.

David, Sterling, United States

Bringing up the unmentioned, like Canada, does underscore the point. Sarkozy blew it big time. Through tardiness and omission he has demonstrated an ignorance that points to a fundamental lack of understanding and respect. Kinda reminds me of our own lame duck (good riddance).

Adam Weishaupt, The Real Virginia, US

The living honor the dead for the lives that were given so that freedom was saved.

Sarkozy's timing and remarks are a poor reflection on the honor and dignity of France. The German chancellor allowed her pettiness to shame her nation.

James DeGriz, san francisco, USA

Americans do have the rights to comment on this matter....while the rest of the world was suffering defending civil liberties, they sat on their backsides, had it easy and got very wealthy out of it too!

Murray Collier, Newbury, UK

John of Hometown, Nevada...
I can assure you sir, that the rest of the world does indeed recognise the contribution that Canada gave...
I know many Canadians, and they are indeed among the finest of men.
ex pat Englishman

Roge Wheeler, vallarta, mexico

There were people form all around the world , Newfoundlanders, Africans, Kiwis, Indians, Manx, people from countries that don't exist anymore. How are they to be remembered... simply go to the battlefields of N. France and the memorials are all fallen are honoured.

George, Brisbane, Australia

Sarkozy showed absolute disrespect for the men who died on that shore by showing up late.

Saien, Florida, USA

It is not about keeping the Prince of Wales waiting, it is about a Head of State being there on time and respecting 20 million dead soldiers, many who gave up their lives to preserve what you take for granted now!

Ed, Oxford, UK

Last I checked, it was the french who ran afraid while Cadn stood against chem. warfare. Another time it was the british who conveniently messed up when we were trying to retake mainland UK, and thousands of Canadians suffered. US only came after they were affected, being selfish, nothing proud

Neil, Toronto, Canada

Americans are probably not mentioned because all we did is send a bunch of resources and prolong the war. We hardly lost any men compared to the millions lost by France or Germany, yet we act like we are the center of the world.

Jim, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

I've also head that little attention is paid to the upkeep of the graves of Indian soldiers in France.

This should be an issue for the UK to raise as it had charged itself with the dead soldiers' 'interests'.

And there's also the role of 'overseas' French troops on both wars.

Usman Qazi, Lahore, Pakistan

The contributions of the Canadians in WW I were quite significant. To put it in perspective, by the end of 1918 some 619,000 Canadians had enlisted and had over 60,000 deaths. This in a country which then had a population of around 8 Million. Plus 70 Canadians won the Victoria Cross in WW I.

Graham, Abu Dhabi,

Euopeans think they fought their wars and achieved great victories all by themselves without ever bothering to remember the few million Indians who fought for the British in a cold landscape far away from home when it was not even their fight both times. Do they even get a mention at all? None!!!

S Gollamudi, Hyderabad, India

To John, Hometown... Nev. You might not know that Canada's contribution was not just how many men were sacrificed, but that they held entire fronts when needed, dug tunnels under enemy lines, and had some of the highest decorated fighter pilots (Billy Elliot). All should be remembered!

Rick, Victoria, Canada

My suggestion to miffed Canadians is take a leaf from Sarkozy's book and arrive late - suggest very late, to the next European war you're invited. And as Spike once mentioned forget to bring a rifle.

Shane, Fremantle, Oz

Being a colonial country the Canadian contribution was far greater than the American war effort. The Canadians were feared by the Germans and were used extensively as front line troops in many advances on the front. The Americans came into the war too late and had little impact in the fighting.

Richard Stomber, Sydney, Australia

Mike Russel, Norwich.

You are only alive today because those brave people.

A sad remark from you which reflects today's self importance, which is where the world is going badly wrong.

mike, Sydney,

John in Nevada... perhaps France, Australia, Britain and Canada would have had fewer deaths in WW2 if your country had had the gumption to come in and help instead of waiting 2.5 years, only entering the war after you were yourself attacked.

Chris, Ottawa, Canada

Canada had 64,944 Military deaths during World War 1 and 2000 civilian deaths. It also had an additional 149,732 Military wounded. Why no mention?

Paul Valeriote, Otterville, Canada

Canadians are probably not mentioned because the rest of the world does not consider their contribution to be of much significance (unlike Canadians themselves)

John, Hometown, Nev.,

Sarkozy, as I recall, is a head of state presiding over the lives of 'living people'. I'm sure the dead, as well as the precious Prince of Wales, can wait ten minutes. Is this really important news anyway?

Mike Russel, Norwich, UK

To TW in Derbyshire: We can thank God that the French didn't leave us to our own (inadequate) resources in 1776! Sign me: a grateful Yank

Dick Cark, San Francisco, USA

war to end all wars? huh, what joke for statement, these countries never cared for others as they slaved them, used them and then sent them to fight their wars, i think the coward was the person shooting people who did not want war. i think that even celebrating these kind of event is promoting wars

amal, fremont, united states of america

It is a telling reflection on the man that he appears late again at an important international ceremony. He has yet again dishonoured the people he has been chosen to represent. Hey, at least he appeared sober this time.

Martin, Luton, England

Our Canadian heroes did not fight for recognition. They know what they did as do their families. Maybe it is time.

Matthew, BC, Canada

He's a reet good lad that Sarkozy. He arrived ten minutes late at 'is own do, makes a big thing of kissin' Camilla's 'and and then forgot there's a Wales in England. Oops ! There's a Wales in Britain. Bin readin' about that council which thinks it'll upset the northern natives if us talks of Britain

Phil de Buquet, Newport,

Next time the French have a problem, leave them to their own (inadequate) resources! This is a polite message despite what I really think!

TW, Derbyshire,

And no one remembers the thousands of Indians, Africans and other troops from the Commonwealth who died unsung in a cold foreign land fighting a war for their colonial masters....... who remembers them? Do we?

Dr Jai Chakrabarti, Norwich, CT, USA

More importantly, what about the Canadians who fought alongside the French and the British troops from the beginning?

Jessica, Vancouver, Canada

No mention of Wales or CANADA. Why is it that Canada is never mentioned? In both world wars Canada fought like lions and German's soliders even talk so highly of them. They won so many key and critical battles during those wars and barely get mentioned. So many where lost too.

Brian, London, England

Any mention of the Americans who went over to fight?

Jane Gardner, Sturbridge,