Post Your Gulf War Media Gaffes Here
Someone once profoundly said "The first casualty of war is truth". Can't remeber who but he was obviously brighter than me.
Some noted gems:
The Aussie chief of staff referring to the "English Marines". He might have just well have said "Poms".
According to the BBC, B52s have to warm their engines up for a full hour before taking off.
A Sky reporter confidently stating that the allies were going to lay a supply pipeline all the way from Kuwait to Iraq when seing AFVs with bundles of pipes on top. What he actaully saw were 'Facsines' which are dropped into ditches allowing tanks to cross.
Same reporter interviewing 'liberated' Iraqi civilians expecting nice comments. One Iraqi wnet up to the microphone, said "Bush" and then blew a raspberry. Priceless!
Some noted gems:
The Aussie chief of staff referring to the "English Marines". He might have just well have said "Poms".
According to the BBC, B52s have to warm their engines up for a full hour before taking off.
A Sky reporter confidently stating that the allies were going to lay a supply pipeline all the way from Kuwait to Iraq when seing AFVs with bundles of pipes on top. What he actaully saw were 'Facsines' which are dropped into ditches allowing tanks to cross.
Same reporter interviewing 'liberated' Iraqi civilians expecting nice comments. One Iraqi wnet up to the microphone, said "Bush" and then blew a raspberry. Priceless!
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: UK
Age: 46
Posts: 642
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Remember from the first evening John Simpson reporting with one of those green camera things from somewhere in northern Iraq. "I'm xx miles SE of xxxx and we have seen intense US special forces activity all day. Indeed behind me you can probably make out a US vehicle (you could indeed see a vehicle but not as clearly to make out type)". After a couple more minutes of him blah blahing said vehicle drove off at speed. Idiot.
I too saw RAF Sir Bediviere (or however you spell it).
Sad to hear of death of Terry Lloyd. But lets hope the media learn a lesson from it - the front line is a place for the military, and the military only.
This is a great thread by the way. And if you journos dont like it - get stuffed, its payback time!
I too saw RAF Sir Bediviere (or however you spell it).
Sad to hear of death of Terry Lloyd. But lets hope the media learn a lesson from it - the front line is a place for the military, and the military only.
This is a great thread by the way. And if you journos dont like it - get stuffed, its payback time!
CNN Gaffe
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Lyneham
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Gp Capt Lockwood- It's pronounced Iraq, not Eye-raq.
Please Al Lockwood, we have to put up with 'Skeduled' for Scheduled already among British officers. Please announce the name of Iraq as the Queen intended
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Not where I should be...
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Not being an expert, but could it be something to do with G/C Lockwood's country of origin - ie New Zealand... I don't know whether they say Iraq or I-raq.
Just a thought...
Just a thought...
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Somerset
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Sadly, this wasn't broadcast but was overheard being uttered by a South Today reporter in a pompey pub on Saturday afternoon;
Journo "I didn't realise that the Red Arrows were so good"
Soundguy(drinking copiously) "What do you mean?"
Journo "Well, they keep hitting their targets bang-on"
Soundguy(looking puzzled) "Keh?"
Journo "Aren't they the ones bombing Baghdad with missiles?"
Soundguy "I dont think so"
Journo "But they fly Hawks dont they,I remember that from last year and they're tomato coloured."
Soundguy "No love, they're Tomahawks not Tomatohawks."
Unfortunately I missed the rest of the conversation,being too busy Pi===ng myself laughing.
Journo "I didn't realise that the Red Arrows were so good"
Soundguy(drinking copiously) "What do you mean?"
Journo "Well, they keep hitting their targets bang-on"
Soundguy(looking puzzled) "Keh?"
Journo "Aren't they the ones bombing Baghdad with missiles?"
Soundguy "I dont think so"
Journo "But they fly Hawks dont they,I remember that from last year and they're tomato coloured."
Soundguy "No love, they're Tomahawks not Tomatohawks."
Unfortunately I missed the rest of the conversation,being too busy Pi===ng myself laughing.
Moderator
Join Date: Jul 1997
Location: Europe
Posts: 3,228
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Pics of a KC135 refuelling A10s over Northern Iraq just now on Sky News.
The studio expert commented that the pilot would be topping up with AVGAS ... might give the A10s an extra 50Kts I guess ??
The studio expert commented that the pilot would be topping up with AVGAS ... might give the A10s an extra 50Kts I guess ??
Usual disclaimers apply!
Join Date: Nov 1999
Location: EGGW
Posts: 843
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Angela Rippedem?? and some 'defence expert' who should have known better discussing the B52's at Fairford.
"Eight extremely powerful engines."
Hhhmmmmm! the TF33 I don't think so
"Eight extremely powerful engines."
Hhhmmmmm! the TF33 I don't think so
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: The Shire
Posts: 106
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
It seems TV news services aren't legit any more without the "Ticker" headlines running along the bottom of the screen.
A couple of botches I've seen:
War in Iraw (extra bold!)
Australian SAS tropps diffuse Iraqi ballistic missiles ...
A couple of botches I've seen:
War in Iraw (extra bold!)
Australian SAS tropps diffuse Iraqi ballistic missiles ...
Just a numbered other
Not really a gaffe, but have you noticed how the luvvies are getting increasingly annoyed that the war is not proceeding at the speed they would like, (start for breakfast bulletin, juicy fire fight at lunchtime tea and medals for the evening slot); and that they are not treated to ALL the facts and planning info they would like.
Classic on ITV news was some bint postulating that with the 'ever increasing death toll, the allies might have to re-think their strategy'
At the time, only one brit from enemy action and precious few more US.
I'd bet that if the news hounds were told the expected casualty rates, they'd faint.
Well done to all down there. I wish you all a safe return.
Classic on ITV news was some bint postulating that with the 'ever increasing death toll, the allies might have to re-think their strategy'
At the time, only one brit from enemy action and precious few more US.
I'd bet that if the news hounds were told the expected casualty rates, they'd faint.
Well done to all down there. I wish you all a safe return.
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Perth, WA
Posts: 215
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Don't know about it being a gaffe, but just loved the way that the Fox News chappie in Kuwait would whip on the "gas mask" when the warning sirens started to go.
When asked should'nt he be wearing a suit as well, he pointed of to the left and said it was nearby, then explained that it was only a warning siren and when the real siren went of they would have time to jump into their suits.
Must be good TV to have these masks on, what?
When asked should'nt he be wearing a suit as well, he pointed of to the left and said it was nearby, then explained that it was only a warning siren and when the real siren went of they would have time to jump into their suits.
Must be good TV to have these masks on, what?
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: N51:37:39 W1:19:16 Feel free to use as a waypoint.
Posts: 844
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Beaver Alert
Noted for the first time this conflict on the BBC (although I usually watch CNN/Sky).
Paul Beaver is in the building get your shovels ready boys.
Paul Beaver is in the building get your shovels ready boys.
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Wexford, Ireland
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Here in Ireland a so-called "expert" was discussing the discovery of Russian equipment and the US demands that Russia cease selling stuff to the Iraqis.... "it was in very good condition, packed in boxes and with the acrylic lettering on the side, so it was definitely Russian". So they were selling them tiles then?
And 5Live last night constantly referred to "the two Apache piolots".
And 5Live last night constantly referred to "the two Apache piolots".
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: A PC!
Posts: 594
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
flyboy6876
Further to your comments on newsies with gas masks, I saw on the telly that when the US marines in Umm Quasar masked up, they did not put gloves on.
Now, I recall being told during NBC training in my time in the RAF that 1 drop of nerve agent on bare skin would kill. Do these chaps ahve some new kind if Nivea anti-NBC moisturiser which not only keeps your skin smooth but protects you from gas and germs?
Further to your comments on newsies with gas masks, I saw on the telly that when the US marines in Umm Quasar masked up, they did not put gloves on.
Now, I recall being told during NBC training in my time in the RAF that 1 drop of nerve agent on bare skin would kill. Do these chaps ahve some new kind if Nivea anti-NBC moisturiser which not only keeps your skin smooth but protects you from gas and germs?