Withdrawal from Afghanistan?
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ORAC,
I find myself in agreement for once. Howard's point has been taken up Bernd Greiner recently, this time with reference to Vietnam but very pointedly showing the direction headed in Afghanistan. The parallels between Afghanistan and Vietnam are far more deep rooted than is commonly realised.
I don't support the view that just because of failures in 1842, 1878-80 and 1919 that we are destined for failure in 2001-10. However, the outward view of Afghanistan until recently has been one of good versus evil, and perversely we have come down on the side of evil as much as the side of good, despite noble objectives. With little faith in our ability to take a nuanced view of the tribal world in and around Afghanistan in 2001 I vocally opposed the war at the time. Ironically, now that withdrawal is on the cards and more moderate outlooks are finally being accommodated we are in a position to achieve a form of success that was unattainable in the previous 8 years. Too late unfortunately.
I find myself in agreement for once. Howard's point has been taken up Bernd Greiner recently, this time with reference to Vietnam but very pointedly showing the direction headed in Afghanistan. The parallels between Afghanistan and Vietnam are far more deep rooted than is commonly realised.
I don't support the view that just because of failures in 1842, 1878-80 and 1919 that we are destined for failure in 2001-10. However, the outward view of Afghanistan until recently has been one of good versus evil, and perversely we have come down on the side of evil as much as the side of good, despite noble objectives. With little faith in our ability to take a nuanced view of the tribal world in and around Afghanistan in 2001 I vocally opposed the war at the time. Ironically, now that withdrawal is on the cards and more moderate outlooks are finally being accommodated we are in a position to achieve a form of success that was unattainable in the previous 8 years. Too late unfortunately.
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Caz
My Grandfather was fighting with the 51st Highland Division that covered the withdrawl of the BEF. The date he entered German Captivity was June 18th 1940 in the French village of Inchville, near St. Valery.
The 51st was sacrificed by WSC in the hope that it would give Marshall Petain 'a bit of spine' & prolong his surrender negotiations with the Germans in order to give the evacuated British Army some breathing space.
My Grandfather's unit fought on with captured German weapons & eating captured German rations & eventually raw vegetables from scouring the surrounding fields,knowing full well they'd been left behind unlike the Army of the nation they were there to help who were downing tools en masse & even turning on the remaining British defenders.
So, like I said, I hope the French aren't covering our withdrawl from ' Stan.
My Grandfather was fighting with the 51st Highland Division that covered the withdrawl of the BEF. The date he entered German Captivity was June 18th 1940 in the French village of Inchville, near St. Valery.
The 51st was sacrificed by WSC in the hope that it would give Marshall Petain 'a bit of spine' & prolong his surrender negotiations with the Germans in order to give the evacuated British Army some breathing space.
My Grandfather's unit fought on with captured German weapons & eating captured German rations & eventually raw vegetables from scouring the surrounding fields,knowing full well they'd been left behind unlike the Army of the nation they were there to help who were downing tools en masse & even turning on the remaining British defenders.
So, like I said, I hope the French aren't covering our withdrawl from ' Stan.
Perhaps the area that needs to be addressed more forcefully is that of funding - the Taliban are being bankrolled - without that money they cannot run their training camps or recruit footsoldiers. Take away the money and the problem will disappear.
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In a way, Afghanistan could be said to be about oil................
Afghanistan Oil Pipeline - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Afghanistan Oil Pipeline - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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DADDY OH
Your Grandfather should, therefore, have been aware that French Cavalry fought dismounted alongside the 1st Black Watch at St Pierre-le-Viger in the defence of St Valery En Caux until the surrender of the 51st Div.
Still, we mustn't let facts get in the way of prejudice - must we?
PS Would that Surrender make the Regiments involved HESM's - or is your sarcasm reserved for "Johnny Foreigner"?
Your Grandfather should, therefore, have been aware that French Cavalry fought dismounted alongside the 1st Black Watch at St Pierre-le-Viger in the defence of St Valery En Caux until the surrender of the 51st Div.
Still, we mustn't let facts get in the way of prejudice - must we?
PS Would that Surrender make the Regiments involved HESM's - or is your sarcasm reserved for "Johnny Foreigner"?
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Not only is the Spitfire used in the pic, one from 303 (Polish) Sqn RAF, it is the C.O.s personal aircraft.
Sorry (because I banged on about this before) to mention this again, but I note that I have informed two national media companies about this, as well as an MP known as an old campaigner, and no one seems to really care
.
I guess you could not blame the BNP for not knowing the exact squadron involved, but the red and white Polish chequer on the nose should have been a clue
Sorry (because I banged on about this before) to mention this again, but I note that I have informed two national media companies about this, as well as an MP known as an old campaigner, and no one seems to really care
.I guess you could not blame the BNP for not knowing the exact squadron involved, but the red and white Polish chequer on the nose should have been a clue
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ntvin
Could you explain what that link is all about. please?
Thanx
Cazatou.
Just a word against your detractors re French fighting men. I spent my youth thinking of the French as shirkers or cowards, based on WW2.
Then I read 'The last valley'.
Could you explain what that link is all about. please?
Thanx
Cazatou.
Just a word against your detractors re French fighting men. I spent my youth thinking of the French as shirkers or cowards, based on WW2.
Then I read 'The last valley'.
