Good Luck and God Speed
Join Date: Jan 2003
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Ditto the sentiments of practically all the previous replies, I'll just add the following, keep yourselves nice and lets hope you all return home safe and soon.
Regards, R.P.
Regards, R.P.
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Deepest Oxfordshire
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May I echo Blacksheep:
The time has come for this KOS, too, to jump off the fence. Godspeed to you all.
Gadget
Well, I've said my piece for peace, passionately, in several threads. The argument has run its course, and I'm on the losing side; So be it.
Gadget
Seems corny to put a posting here to back up you cynical ******s, but maybe some of you are logging on!
One of the "Melchets" (MacFadyen, I think), sent out a signal with the following Shakespearian quote on the eve of the 1991 round in that stinking part of the globe:
"From this day to the ending of the world,
But we in it shall be remembered-
We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;
For he to-day that sheds his blood with me
Shall be my brother; be he ne'er so vile,
This day shall gentle his condition;
And gentlemen in England now-a-bed
Shall think themselves accurs'd they were not here,
And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks
That fought with us upon Saint Crispin's day."
Whilst most of us thought "what a ****", I've come to realise that the sentiment, itself, DOES hold true. Do your duty as you know it and understand that the majority value your courage and wish that they could aspire to it.
Godspeed.
Osbo
One of the "Melchets" (MacFadyen, I think), sent out a signal with the following Shakespearian quote on the eve of the 1991 round in that stinking part of the globe:
"From this day to the ending of the world,
But we in it shall be remembered-
We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;
For he to-day that sheds his blood with me
Shall be my brother; be he ne'er so vile,
This day shall gentle his condition;
And gentlemen in England now-a-bed
Shall think themselves accurs'd they were not here,
And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks
That fought with us upon Saint Crispin's day."
Whilst most of us thought "what a ****", I've come to realise that the sentiment, itself, DOES hold true. Do your duty as you know it and understand that the majority value your courage and wish that they could aspire to it.
Godspeed.
Osbo
Good luck and God Speed to all the fine men and women currently engaged on operations. My thoughts will be with you, and with your loved ones, over the few weeks.
I am genuinely sorry that I cam currently unable to share your burden for making the world a safer place.
I am genuinely sorry that I cam currently unable to share your burden for making the world a safer place.
Join Date: Mar 2001
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I read this on another site and though it would be appropriate in here.
Lieutenant Colonel Tim Collins gave the 800 strong battlegroup of the 1st Battalion of the Royal Irish the pep talk as the US deadline for Saddam Hussein to leave Iraq or face action ticked away.
Reporters said the men listened in silence to the address at Fort Blair Mayne desert camp, 20 miles from the Iraqi border.
"We go to liberate not to conquer. We will not fly our flags in their country," he said.
"We are entering Iraq to free a people and the only flag which will be flown in that ancient land is their own. Show respect for them.
"There are some who are alive at this moment who will not be alive shortly. Those who do not wish to go on that journey, we will not send.
"As for the others I expect you to rock their world. Wipe them out if that is what they choose. But if you are ferocious in battle remember to be magnanimous in victory.
"Iraq is steeped in history. It is the site of the Garden of Eden, of the Great Flood and the birthplace of Abraham. Tread lightly there.
"You will see things that no man could pay to see and you will have to go a long way to find a more decent, generous and upright people than the Iraqis.
"You will be embarrassed by their hospitality even though they have nothing.
"Don't treat them as refugees for they are in their own country. Their children will be poor, in years to come they will know that the light of liberation in their lives was brought by you.
"If there are casualties of war then remember that when they woke up and got dressed in the morning they did not plan to die this day.
"Allow them dignity in death. Bury them properly and mark their graves."
"It is my foremost intention to bring every single one of you out alive but there may be people among us who will not see the end of this campaign.
"We will put them in their sleeping bags and send them back. There will be no time for sorrow.
"The enemy should be in no doubt that we are his nemesis and that we are bringing about his rightful destruction.
"There are many regional commanders who have stains on their souls and they are stoking the fires of hell for Saddam.
"He and his forces will be destroyed by this coalition for what they have done. As they die they will know their deeds have brought them to this place. Show them no pity."
He said: "It is a big step to take another human life. It is not to be done lightly.
"I know of men who have taken life needlessly in other conflicts, I can assure you they live with the mark of Cain upon them.
"If someone surrenders to you then remember they have that right in international law and ensure that one day they go home to their family.
"The ones who wish to fight, well, we aim to please."
He warned the troops not to get carried away in the heat of battle.
"If you harm the regiment or its history by over enthusiasm in killing or in cowardice, know it is your family who will suffer.
"You will be shunned unless your conduct is of the highest for your deeds will follow you down through history. We will bring shame on neither our uniform or our nation."
Warning that the troops were very likely to face chemical or biological weapons, he said: "It is not a question of if, it's a question of when. We know he has already devolved the decision to lower commanders, and that means he has already taken the decision himself. If we survive the first strike we will survive the attack."
His closing words were resolute: "As for ourselves, let's bring everyone home and leave Iraq a better place for us having been there. Our business now is north."
Lieutenant Colonel Tim Collins gave the 800 strong battlegroup of the 1st Battalion of the Royal Irish the pep talk as the US deadline for Saddam Hussein to leave Iraq or face action ticked away.
Reporters said the men listened in silence to the address at Fort Blair Mayne desert camp, 20 miles from the Iraqi border.
"We go to liberate not to conquer. We will not fly our flags in their country," he said.
"We are entering Iraq to free a people and the only flag which will be flown in that ancient land is their own. Show respect for them.
"There are some who are alive at this moment who will not be alive shortly. Those who do not wish to go on that journey, we will not send.
"As for the others I expect you to rock their world. Wipe them out if that is what they choose. But if you are ferocious in battle remember to be magnanimous in victory.
"Iraq is steeped in history. It is the site of the Garden of Eden, of the Great Flood and the birthplace of Abraham. Tread lightly there.
"You will see things that no man could pay to see and you will have to go a long way to find a more decent, generous and upright people than the Iraqis.
"You will be embarrassed by their hospitality even though they have nothing.
"Don't treat them as refugees for they are in their own country. Their children will be poor, in years to come they will know that the light of liberation in their lives was brought by you.
"If there are casualties of war then remember that when they woke up and got dressed in the morning they did not plan to die this day.
"Allow them dignity in death. Bury them properly and mark their graves."
"It is my foremost intention to bring every single one of you out alive but there may be people among us who will not see the end of this campaign.
"We will put them in their sleeping bags and send them back. There will be no time for sorrow.
"The enemy should be in no doubt that we are his nemesis and that we are bringing about his rightful destruction.
"There are many regional commanders who have stains on their souls and they are stoking the fires of hell for Saddam.
"He and his forces will be destroyed by this coalition for what they have done. As they die they will know their deeds have brought them to this place. Show them no pity."
He said: "It is a big step to take another human life. It is not to be done lightly.
"I know of men who have taken life needlessly in other conflicts, I can assure you they live with the mark of Cain upon them.
"If someone surrenders to you then remember they have that right in international law and ensure that one day they go home to their family.
"The ones who wish to fight, well, we aim to please."
He warned the troops not to get carried away in the heat of battle.
"If you harm the regiment or its history by over enthusiasm in killing or in cowardice, know it is your family who will suffer.
"You will be shunned unless your conduct is of the highest for your deeds will follow you down through history. We will bring shame on neither our uniform or our nation."
Warning that the troops were very likely to face chemical or biological weapons, he said: "It is not a question of if, it's a question of when. We know he has already devolved the decision to lower commanders, and that means he has already taken the decision himself. If we survive the first strike we will survive the attack."
His closing words were resolute: "As for ourselves, let's bring everyone home and leave Iraq a better place for us having been there. Our business now is north."
Join Date: Apr 2002
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I read Lt Col Collins' words in the paper this morning - stirring stuff. It sent a chill down my spine then and it still does!
Once again - to everyone who is in, or about to be in, harm's way , take care and come home soon.
Once again - to everyone who is in, or about to be in, harm's way , take care and come home soon.
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We are fortunate that our forces have the leaders to take them into battle and, God willing, bring them home. Such men are an inspiration, and I know only too well the need to be able to inspire those under your command into the most difficult situations that they could ever find themselves in. Be swift, sure and safe.
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Lt Col Collins Address
Thank you, Gadget, for posting Lt Col Tim Collin's address to his troops of the Royal Irish. Wonderful! Original and inspiring! Ah, these eloquent Irish!
(You can take the boy out of the RAF etc....
(You can take the boy out of the RAF etc....
Join Date: Jan 2001
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Inspirational
I couldn't stop reading Lt Col Tim's call to arms. Now that, was awe! I saw a US Navy 2 Star(?) on the doing the same thing. He finished with
Nuff said really.
I really hope that those with business up north do it and come back, soon. Stay safe.
It's Hammer time!
I really hope that those with business up north do it and come back, soon. Stay safe.
