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Old 28th Mar 2012, 22:50
  #189 (permalink)  
rjtjrt
 
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Australia
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European Arms Support Embargo on Australia during tje Vietnam War.

French - 30mm DEFA cannon ammunition
Sweden - Carl Gustav anti tank ammunition
Switzerland - Pilatus Porter support
and most galling of all
Britain - 1000lb bombs for Canberra bomber - Canberra was operational in Vietnam.
Maybe more I can't remember.

For Britain to refuse to supply (and France for that matter) after so many Australians served in the European campaign of WWII, and with Britain being in recent past one of our closest allies, was a despicable act by the UK Government (spivs, one and all). This is not to say that the people of the UK were part of the low act - I have nothing but the fondest respect for the people of the UK, but not their elected representatives.

We should always remember how the Europeans treated a loyal and close ally when we in the future contemplate arms purchases from a European supplier. To paraphrase, those who forget/ignore history are destined to repeat it.

US are much less likely to do the same low act.

John
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