@OldSchoolEuph Very well put. Could not have done it better myself, and I'm a history professional.

No need to go to Kelly's. Some of their mouthpieces aren't really what you would look for these days, being copies of copies of superannuated junk. But there is a solution:
http://www.mundstuecke.ch/en/
The Brand brand (could not resist that pun, sorry) has established itself as an extremely good and at the same time inexpensive mouthpiece maker. Their mouthpieces have endeared themselves to European players who frequently have to do winter gigs in freezing temperatures - these mouthpieces don't get cold or freeze to the lips.
Actually, I've got one sitting on my desk right beside me, as my "buzz while I'm writing e-mails mouthpiece". And I've played it through several Christmas seasons so far. I'm really happy with it. It usually travels with me, and whenever things get scary, I switch over to it. It does not have quite the punch of a Bach Megatone (which is what I normally play); but it's extremely handy in extremes, like playing an outdoor big band gig in Italy, having half and hour's break and finding that in the sun, the mouthpiece got too hot to handle. Had to take the Bach Megatone off with gloves!! and substitute the Brand for it.
I've heard that, if suitably contacted, they will offer special terms as regards paying in instalments and the like.

Civilian ship, yes; but apart from passengers - many of whom were American volunteers for the British forces - she was carrying a freight of explosives and was in waters declared a war zone by both the British and the Germans.
As to Vinzenz Schrottenbach, he was not just an Austrian Navy reservist, he was a specialized engineer officer after first going through Cadet School and then taking up a Navy career.

No. That was an unsigned autograph card for an already established soloist.

Why can you describe the People of Hungary as "Nazis on Gallows"? -

Because they are Hung Arians.

Journalist: "Why do your buses always travel in groups of three?"
Bus Driver: "We need to protect ourselves against the angry mob."
Journalist: "And why is the mob so angry?"
Bus Driver: "Because we always travel in groups of three."

What's the worst nightmare of a sleeping bat?
Diarrhoea.

Single guy: Goes to the fridge, does not find anything interesting and goes to bed.
Married guy: Goes to bed, does not find anything interesting and goes to the fridge.

"Emergency! There's a young man climbing up to my room!" -
"Madam, this is for the police. You called the fire service."
"Exactly! He needs a longer ladder!"

"Men are like lava lamps: Nice to look at, but not very bright."