West to Kandahar
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West to Kandahar
The secret is out. According to that font of accurate knowledge, on p16 (24 Apr), they say that "generals and senior diplomats are warming to the idea that they should declare victory in Helmand and move West to Kandahar.
Arse and elbow springs to mind.
Arse and elbow springs to mind.
Last edited by Pontius Navigator; 24th Apr 2010 at 17:03.
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"you stupid boy, how could you miss such a brilliant plan?"
Anyone pick up on the broun one's statement on terrorist intervention and failed States. I think I heard him say Iran and Somalia.
Only good thing about Iran is it would give the tiffy and frisbee crowd something to do.
Anyone pick up on the broun one's statement on terrorist intervention and failed States. I think I heard him say Iran and Somalia.
Only good thing about Iran is it would give the tiffy and frisbee crowd something to do.
Unless of course, "west" should be capitalised and refers to our (current) Security Minister 
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But who goes West
Pontious,
Watched PPrune for a while but not posted much. Interesting thread and one that I think will play out over the next few months, the key question is who is going to go West, the US is my bet, where does that leave the British Army, defending a small county in which victory has been declared whilst the world looks further West. All this is a period when a defence review is on the offing! Watch and smile, shout, cry and despair.
Watched PPrune for a while but not posted much. Interesting thread and one that I think will play out over the next few months, the key question is who is going to go West, the US is my bet, where does that leave the British Army, defending a small county in which victory has been declared whilst the world looks further West. All this is a period when a defence review is on the offing! Watch and smile, shout, cry and despair.
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Gnd, ah, you mean the same as what getsometime in said?
Deleted, you make a serious point from my wry observation of the DT's post. While we are well used to allied operations divisional (dream on) or force boundaries were always seen as a potential weak point in any defensive or offensive plan. Trying to ensure a cohesive structure with 10k Brits and 20k USMC would never be easy. There would either be gaps or worse overlaps with the inevitable blue on blue.
So the change of force areas is sensible if the force required is 20k or more.
Deleted, you make a serious point from my wry observation of the DT's post. While we are well used to allied operations divisional (dream on) or force boundaries were always seen as a potential weak point in any defensive or offensive plan. Trying to ensure a cohesive structure with 10k Brits and 20k USMC would never be easy. There would either be gaps or worse overlaps with the inevitable blue on blue.
So the change of force areas is sensible if the force required is 20k or more.
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And what of the US Army
Dear Pontious,
Not totally up to speed on current goings on as stuck overseas, thanks BA, hence my free time to write! USMC and Brit Army and then you can add C2 and the US Army into the pot,oh and NATO to add to the issue. The year of success and more of the same or a withdrawal with some political words to make everything seem like a success. Eyes down for an interesting time
Not totally up to speed on current goings on as stuck overseas, thanks BA, hence my free time to write! USMC and Brit Army and then you can add C2 and the US Army into the pot,oh and NATO to add to the issue. The year of success and more of the same or a withdrawal with some political words to make everything seem like a success. Eyes down for an interesting time
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Gnd, brunone actually mentioned Somalia and another lucky country whose name escapes me.
Have you noticed however that EVERY country in whose affairs we have become involved causes an influx of refugees from that country?
I bet there were not many Afgan refugees who sought refuge in mother Russia. So, what can Somali refugees bring to our cultural melting pot?
Have you noticed however that EVERY country in whose affairs we have become involved causes an influx of refugees from that country?
I bet there were not many Afgan refugees who sought refuge in mother Russia. So, what can Somali refugees bring to our cultural melting pot?
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I sugest that is not totally true - don't remember the influx of Germans in 45 - poles in 90 but not Germans. It was sort of theoretical and I admit - I haden't really thought it through fully!!!
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Gnd, oh yee of little memory. A fair number of German POW remained in UK, detained originally but eventually by choice. Similarly remember who runs ice cream parlours.
One reason for not getting inundated with Germans was of course the rules imposed on movement following the surrender. Remember also the Exodus to Israel, not UK I grant you.
One reason for not getting inundated with Germans was of course the rules imposed on movement following the surrender. Remember also the Exodus to Israel, not UK I grant you.
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Ok point taken. I suggest we keep the PoWs in their homeland and adopt the same rules for surrender?
Luigi runs our iceceram parlour and I am happy if the refugees run to Israil - saves us using Trident to tame them?
So may options - ahhhhhhhh!
Luigi runs our iceceram parlour and I am happy if the refugees run to Israil - saves us using Trident to tame them?
So may options - ahhhhhhhh!
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Pontius.
You make an interesting point about the ice cream parlours (well sort of).
Were the Italians here actually POW's in the strictest sense (yes, thread drift I know)?
While the Germans in my local area were under lock and key, the Italians were free to come and go as they pleased (there were only two italian camps close to me).
The only real restriction on the Italians was that they were not allowed alcohol, but they could quite happy stay with the locals for a Sunday roast!
You make an interesting point about the ice cream parlours (well sort of).
Were the Italians here actually POW's in the strictest sense (yes, thread drift I know)?
While the Germans in my local area were under lock and key, the Italians were free to come and go as they pleased (there were only two italian camps close to me).
The only real restriction on the Italians was that they were not allowed alcohol, but they could quite happy stay with the locals for a Sunday roast!
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BS, the Italians were properly POW and in May 1944 were asked if they wished to cooperate with the allies.
Prisoner of War Mail
However the rules of the Geneva Convention required that ordinary soldiers could be employed in non-war work rather than become an economic drain on the detaining power. For that reason many Italians were employed as farmer workers. I have no doubt some Germans were similarly employed as some Germans too avoided repatriation after the war, although many were shipped to North America.
Some POW camps were still occupied into 1948.
Prisoners of War
POW Camps in UK - 1 to 50
BTW, it was a requirement, honoured more in the breach, that we read and studied regularly the Geneva Convention. IIRC I believe it was supposed to be a monthly read in the 1960s; probably so that we could argue our case in a Soviet Gulag.
Prisoner of War Mail
However the rules of the Geneva Convention required that ordinary soldiers could be employed in non-war work rather than become an economic drain on the detaining power. For that reason many Italians were employed as farmer workers. I have no doubt some Germans were similarly employed as some Germans too avoided repatriation after the war, although many were shipped to North America.
Some POW camps were still occupied into 1948.
Prisoners of War
POW Camps in UK - 1 to 50
BTW, it was a requirement, honoured more in the breach, that we read and studied regularly the Geneva Convention. IIRC I believe it was supposed to be a monthly read in the 1960s; probably so that we could argue our case in a Soviet Gulag.
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Grabbers, assuming you are valiantly trying to get the thread back on track, the answer in The Times today is 'no'. We appear to be staying in Helmandshire.
US scraps plan to withdraw UK troops from Helmand - Times Online
US scraps plan to withdraw UK troops from Helmand - Times Online