Panorama - 05/11/07 - 21:00

[Vie sans frontieres]

Good work guys, both soldiers on Panorama last night and aircrew on Above Enemy Lines (You Tube) - but the crewman bleating about vomit on the seat was a bit much considering what the troops have to go through once they're off the aircraft. Think what you like mate, but vocalising it for the cameras just makes you look like a bit of a dick really and gives crewmen a bad name.

[FHA]

Good point V S F: I wish they'd edited that out.
In my experience, it's the linies who are left to clear it up anyway.

[cornish-stormrider]

Panorama, absolutely spot on. It should be made compulsory watching for the spineless gits in westmiser. I really felt for the lads.

[airborne_artist]

Eighty days continuously in the field, with contacts lasting 15+ hours - incredible.

[South Bound]

Really compelling viewing, well done all involved.

(Still gobsmacked about the ANA chappie getting his magazine blown off on screen - how lucky was he???)

[BattlerBritain]

Great programme and a great bunch of lads.

I had to admire that 23yr old L/Cpl. He had a maturity a lot older than that - certainly more than me when I was that age.

Come back safe lads.

[Epimetheus]

A Poem to Pass On

Picked this up in the e-mail today, attributed to a soldier out serving in warmer places. I put it here rather than start a new thread, seeing as this thread has a tone of humility and due recognition to it this morning. All the author has asked is that we do him the kind favour of passing it on as much as possible. Maybe a journo could publish it? I understand it's recent, apols if duff gen.

Its Christmas Day - All Is Secure

Twas the night before Christmas, he lived all alone,
In a one bedroom house made of plaster and stone.
I had come down the chimney with presents to give,
And to see just who in this home did live.

I looked all about, a strange sight I did see,
No tinsel no presents not even a tree.
No stocking by the mantle just boots filled with sand,
On the wall hung pictures of far distant lands,
With medals and badges awards of all kinds,
A sober thought came through my mind.

For this house was different, it was dark and dreary,
I found the home of a soldier once I could see clearly,
The soldier lay sleeping silent alone,
Curled up on the floor in this one-bedroom home.

The face was so gentle the room in such disorder,
Not how I pictured a lone British soldier.
Was this the hero of whom I'd just read,
Curled up on a poncho, the floor for a bed?

I realised the families that I saw this night,
Owed their lives to these soldiers who were willing to fight.
Soon round the world the children would play,
And grown-ups would celebrate a bright Christmas Day.

They all enjoy freedom each month of the year,
Because of the soldiers like the one lying here.
I couldn't help wonder how many alone,
On a cold Christmas Eve in a land far from home.

The very thought brought a tear to my eye,
I dropped to my knees and started to cry.
The soldier awakened and I heard a rough voice,
'Santa don't cry, this life is my choice.
I fight for freedom, I don't ask for more,
My life is my God, my Country, my Corps.'

The soldier rolled over and drifted to sleep,
I couldn't control it I continued to weep.

I kept watch for hours so silent and still,
And we both sat and shivered from the cold night's chill.
I didn't want to leave on that cold dark night,
This guardian of honour so willing to fight.

Then the soldier rolled over with a voice soft and pure,
Whispered 'Carry on Santa it's Christmas Day, all is secure'.
One look at my watch and I knew he was right,
'Merry Christmas my friend and to all a good night'.

[TEEEJ]

In the footage taken by the grenadier, was it me, or could you see the munition (looked like Paveway) before it hit?

Yes, the Paveway can be seen as it comes in from the right. Still photographers have managed to capture such munitions in flight before impact. A recent case was an Israeli Air Force attack where the photographer in the vicinity caught the munition before it impacted.

[Pilot Pacifier]

but the crewman bleating about vomit on the seat was a bit much considering what the troops have to go through once they're off the aircraft. Think what you like mate, but vocalising it for the cameras just makes you look like a bit of a dick really and gives crewmen a bad name

Sorry, but I totally disagree with you. a) You weren't there. b) You didn't have to clear it up. c) When the troops are briefed they are shown the sick bags which are in the seat rails above their heads and or to use their helmets as a last resort. d) In an unguarded moment during 4 weeks of filming having just done a sortie where they come under contact, to say what he said hardly makes him look like a dick or indeed gives any crewman a bad name.

Good point V S F: I wish they'd edited that out.
In my experience, it's the linies who are left to clear it up anyway.

It was shown to show the general public the realities of flying combat missions and what the ground troops go through as well as us in the air, what would rather have had, more about the online dating which went on far too long?

As the for linies clearing it up, obviously you haven't been there or you would know that the crewman and linies work together, Tigs2 made the point that it 'Purple Ops' out there, well, that extends to the air and ground trades working together as well.

Sorry for the thread creep, but having just come back from 'The Stan' there is no way I will not protect my own...

[Toddington Ted]

An excellent programme which put across the human message very well, together with some really stalwart characters. I had particular interest in watching and learning from it as my media ops duties will involve such things in that place soon no doubt.

[South Bound]

VSF

funny that, I watched it and thought more of the guy because he was prepared to clean it up. It is human nature to moan about doing crap jobs, no-one enjoys cleaning the toilet, one should not expect the crewman to be 'chipper' about cleaning up sick. Not the man at fault, rather the small-minded people that felt the need to slag him off publically for being a normal bloke...

Both documentaries were really good, let's focus on that and not on the nit-picky stuff, eh?

[dave_perry]

The L/Cpl from Tottenham was on the news yesterday morning and was asked about how he felt the public felt about the circumstances in the middle east. He said:

"...they don't care, they're more interested in the X Factor."

I actually think that this could be a fair reflection on todays general public. Any ideas?

[pulse1]

I am a member of the public who is angry and extremely concerned about what our servicemen and their families are being put through. Most of my neighbours and friends are also concerned but, other than writing to one's MP and waiting to vote at the next election, there is nothing we can do.

However, it is interesting that he mentions the X Factor. At least on the X Factor the public can have some effect on the outcome by using the dubious telephone voting. I suspect that, if the government had the guts to respond to a telephone vote on our continuing role in Afghanistan, the L/Cpl might be quite pleased at the response.

[C130 Techie]

"...they don't care, they're more interested in the X Factor."

I actually think that this could be a fair reflection on todays general public. Any ideas?

In the current self centred "celeb" orientated "me me me" element of our society that is probably a fair reflection. Sad though as these guys are risking their lives fighting to maintain the freedom of these people to watch such rubbish!

I rather hope though that Pulse 1 is right any many people really do care.

[Brewster Buffalo]

To me the Panorma programme, more than any other I've seen, illustrated how tough the fighting is out there and how determined an enemy the taliban are who continue to press the attack despite the artillery and bombs.

I do hope all the trials and efforts our troops go through out there do result in some sort of better Afganistan in the future.

[alC]

Set the video for

1.25am on Friday morning, 9th Nov.
Panorama is repeated on BBC1 Sign Zone.
I assume it will be Taking on the Taliban. al

[Never Alert]

Absolute respect to the Major and his troops, humbling and very moving stuff.

I don't know how anyone could watch that programme and not feel immensely proud of the British Armed Forces, including serving members sitting in the UK.

Long live this line of programmes, that's two good ones in the space of a month. They can only serve to increase the appreciation shown by the public to the guys OOA.

[ericferret]

Major praise also for the reporter and cameraman prepared to risk their necks for the superb footage needed for the program.

I always thought tv people were a bunch of tossers full stop.

I was wrong.

[hibbs007]

Missed the Panorama program (must catch the repeat) but what about Commando. I must say that the young officer, Berty?, straight out of training seemed to come over as a bit of an arse until he was sat talking to the camera having lost one of his marines.

It really brought it all home, and then when they said that 15 Marines had died while the program was being made, it was at this point I screamed at my wife and kids to shut up and show some respect while the names went up the screen and the last post was played, and I’m not afraid to admit I was in tears. Once again I really hope it brings it home to my fellow Civvies.

PS – I did 15 years but it was nothing compared to what people are doing now, keep up the good work, some of us try to understand.
PPS - I really must apologise to the kids, they are only 5 and 3 and didn’t deserve it!