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Originally Posted by ORAC
(Post 9651859)
CENTO TACEVAL at Diyarbakir in mid-1970s, RAF S/L mentions casually to Turkish DISTAFF that he had found a guard asleep and woken him up. Turks identify guard, give him a field court martial, put him against the wall and shoot him. S/L sent home in shock at result of his offhand remark.
Widespread rumour was that base commander had an allowance of 5 conscripts a year to keep them on their toes. I went as an observer the next year - which was the last before CENTO was dissolved - but that's another story. |
It should be noted that the Turks were having major problems with the Kurds at the time. Our accommodation, along with all military facilities were patrolled by armed guards. When we moved it was in convoy with troop trucks and armoured cars, and when we requested a visit to a mountain top remote radar head, we were told it was to dangerous - as 6 guards had been killed there 4 weeks before.
So as far as the Turks were concerned the guard had endangered the lives of all his comrades in an active war zone. |
At Nicosia during the Turkish invasion of Cyprus the Turkish guards around the airfield would keep calling each other during the night.
This was to keep each other awake. Should one be asleep when the officer came around he was dead; then or later. |
Back in RAFG B(I)8 days, the aircraft carried US special weapons and when loaded were guarded by armed Spams with very clear orders regarding the No Lone Zone.
One snowy night, a pilot saw that the guard had fallen asleep. So he (bravely and very stupidly) took a few steps across the Red Line and back, then crept away around the corner, made a loud noise, which woke the guard, who promptly and correctly challenged him when he reappeared. "Has anyone else been here?" asked the pilot. "Sir, no Sir!", replied the guard. "Then what made those footprints into the No Lone Zone...??" :uhoh: |
The UK should bring back National Service for people aged 65-68. After all if some future Government wishes to send the Army on a "Peacekeeping Mission" in Afghanistan it's hardly fair to send young people on patrol because, God forbid and they get blown up, they will really miss their legs and gentlemens parts.
On the other hand if a couple of 65 year olds lose some of their lower bits through an IED they will not mind as much because they have had a good chance to employ them. This would also mean Tony Blair and Gordon Brown would be eligible for service..... |
Well all I can say is I'm glad I'm 70!
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Come on, TTN. We could have lots of fun with things that go "bang". And get a 68 year-old to lead the party.
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Sweden to bring back military service ? POLITICO
Sweden’s government on Thursday backed the reintroduction of compulsory military service for men and women born in or after 1999. The country’s armed forces is planning to add 4,000 recruits a year in 2018 and 2019, the government said in a statement. It added that the military lacked 1,000 soldiers and sailors as well as 7,000 reservists. “We have had a difficult time manning the war units on a voluntary basis and it has to be addressed in some way. Therefore, it is necessary to reactivate conscription,” Defense Minister Peter Hultqvist told Swedish radio........ |
"I'd like to volunteer to do that, Captain Mainwearing, Sir'"
I'm sure we 'over 70s' could add some value, provided it didn't involve running around. "Err, may I be excused for a minute, Captain?" |
MPN11. Exactly. See my earlier posts re "Citizen's Militia"
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To do what?
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Herod, just couldn't imagine the youth of today being given a gun to keep at home, the crime rate would go off the scale. |
Government would have to conscript men and women in equal numbers now. Infantry 50% female.... that would be amusing. |
"I'd like to volunteer to do that, Captain Mainwearing, Sir'" I'm sure we 'over 70s' could add some value, provided it didn't involve running around. "Err, may I be excused for a minute, Captain?" |
Back in RAFG B(I)8 days, the aircraft carried US special weapons and when loaded were guarded by armed Spams with very clear orders regarding the No Loan Zone. One snowy night, a pilot saw that the guard had fallen asleep. So he (bravely and very stupidly) took a few steps across the Red Line and back, then crept away around the corner, made a loud noise, which woke the guard, who promptly and correctly challenged him when he reappeared. "Has anyone else been here?" asked the pilot. "Sir, no Sir!", replied the guard. "Then what made those footprints into the No Loan Zone...??" |
https://www.theguardian.com/world/20...ntual-invasion
Lithuania fears Russian propaganda is prelude to eventual invasion |
Originally Posted by Tankertrashnav
(Post 9652309)
Well all I can say is I'm glad I'm 70!
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Can't see conscription working in the UK now. Youth know their 'rights'.
So many different religions and nationalities that would not want to fight for the UK. Diversity and equality - Govt would have to call up equal numbers of men and women. That would be like selecting a 50/50 male -female England Rugby team - and taking on an all-male team. Slaughtered. Heaven help us if it ever gets to that. |
SS, the German model allowed objectors to work in the health service. I believe when conscription ended there were worries that hospice would be short handed.
Mind you, having just been in hospital, I would not want someone on national service to look after me, even as a cleaner, if their heart was not in it. |
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