By al (Statetrooper) (152.163.188.164) on Tuesday, April 01, 2003 - 07:56 pm:

I know this has the potential to be a tricky subject to those who oppose this military action.
However, I feel this is of prime importance.
If you truly admired men like those portrayed in B.O.B. you need to support the Coalition Troops of today.
Even if you are opposed to the war, the troops NEED support. If you are the type of person who prays - do that, if you are the type who surfs the web - do that to find avenues to email the troops. AOL has recently removed their link (i hope only temporarily) but please - support the troops! there are ways to send them the little things they need(i.e. chap stick, baby wipes,etc.)
Please realize, they are normal men and women now required to do extraordinary things.
Admire them, Honor them, Support them! please take action to do whatever you can.

By Glenn Chapman (211.28.96.68) on Wednesday, April 02, 2003 - 01:01 pm:

If you would like to send support to Australian troops in Iraq via e-mail the address is;

messagestothetroops@defence.gov.au

Currently Australia is contributing our SAS Special Forces, 4th Royal Australian Regiment elements, a Squadron of F/A-18 Strike Aircraft, Two AP-3c Orion Aircarft, Hercules aircraft and two Navy Frigates with Mine Clearance Divers.

May they return safely.

By RobinKAH (67.195.249.38) on Wednesday, April 02, 2003 - 07:41 pm:

"Operation Dear Abby" is still going, folks! You can send a message to "any service member" via e-mail. I think this is limited to U.S. service personnel - sure would be nice to have such a link available for the U.K. troops too!

http://anyservicemember.navy.mil/

By RobinKAH (67.195.249.38) on Wednesday, April 02, 2003 - 07:43 pm:

OPERATION USO CARE PACKAGE

Delivers needed items to service members deployed overseas. Link explains how you can contribute!

http://www.usometrodc.org/care.html

By RobinKAH (67.195.249.38) on Wednesday, April 02, 2003 - 07:45 pm:

OPERATION USO CARE PACKAGE -- Link explains how you can contribute.

http://www.usometrodc.org/care.html

By Robin (Robinkah) (67.195.249.38) on Wednesday, April 02, 2003 - 07:59 pm:

AMERICAN and INTERNATIONAL RED CROSS -- including links on what you can do to help.

http://www.redcross.org/

By Robin (Robinkah) (67.195.249.38) on Wednesday, April 02, 2003 - 08:03 pm:

You can even donate through the Salvation Army!

http://www.salvationarmyusa.org/www_usn.nsf

By Jonathan Jones (Jonjones) (81.131.26.105) on Thursday, April 03, 2003 - 04:33 pm:

I would like to find two services:

Whydontyou/getabrain.Com

For the US senior personell who decided to overlook the fact that US troops had not been taught to differentiate between Iraqi and British machines.

Whydontyou/getan.eyetest.Com

For all those trigger happy pilots and Patriot Missile battery commanders who are a little too enthusiastic for everyone's own good.

Jonathan.

By Brook Seifert (Brook_Seifert) (209.227.119.199) on Thursday, April 03, 2003 - 04:52 pm:

If you're going to make a sarcastic comment, it's important that you should spell "Personnel" corectly...

By steve lundy (Breechblock) (216.209.143.95) on Thursday, April 03, 2003 - 06:45 pm:

Jonathan,
We seen first hand what our troops in Afghanistan received in the War on Terrorism. U.S pilots killed 4 of our guys when they disobeyed orders and decided to drop their bombs anyways.
Steve L.
P.S. {correctly}

By al (Statetrooper) (152.163.188.164) on Friday, April 04, 2003 - 09:02 am:

Jonathan,
It seems your post would be more appropriate for the folder titled: my 'views' on the war with iraq.

By Jonathan Jones (Jonjones) (81.131.5.134) on Friday, April 04, 2003 - 09:44 am:

Brook, I was definately not being sarcastic. Friends are fed up over there with some trigger happy "allies", especially that A10 pilot and the officer in charge of that Patriot battery. Blue on Blue will be the colour of the language if certain folks I know catch up with them! Also, whilst they're being blasted I doubt that they give a monkey for the quality of my grammar.

Al, the title of the thread is support the troops.
By voicing what I've said, I'm reflecting the mood of many over there. They're sick of trigger happy goons who've watched "Top Gun" too many times. I don't exclusively refer to the attitudes of British troops either.

So, I am trying to support the troops by encouraging those who are "out on a jolly" to put their specs back on, let their guide dog ride shotgun with them and stop killing their own side, supposedly. Amatuers.

Jonathan (correctly).

By jwicks (24.220.222.254) on Friday, April 04, 2003 - 05:43 pm:

Johnathan has a valid point and he addresses a very unfortanute situation that has been one of the harsh realities of "all" wars. Death due to friendly fire is nothing new and it is not only the British that have been the victims of this, U.S. troops have killed their own guys in the past and probably every military has some incidence of "death by friendly fire". Everyone here knows my stand on things and I have a great deal of respect for Jonathan's opinions on the topics discussed here. His posts have maintained a very fair balance between various opposing contributors to this site even though he may not fully agree with either side. For that reason, It's my turn to return the favor.
I have a brother in the Army, If he died in combat against the enemy, I would be very sad but at the same time very proud that he died defending the Constitution of the United States and the safety of the world. Now, If I found out that he had been killed by friendly fire, I would be just plain "pissed off" and although my views on what we are doing stands strong, I do not blame a single Brit for being outraged about this. It's too bad in this age when we can "drop a bomb on a flies but from x thousand feet" that this occurs. I think that this is one of those times when it doesn't matter if you agree or disagree with this war because that is not the issue. The outrage that is felt by Jonathan, is valid and really should be felt by all.
P.S. my spelling sucks too.

Jamie

By al (Statetrooper) (205.188.209.69) on Friday, April 04, 2003 - 06:50 pm:

Jamie,
That was a good point you made about your brother. I know exactly how you feel. I have a mix of 2 dozen close relatives/friends from high school/college buddies all in various branches of the military.
My uncle has 1 year left and he will be on full retirement with over 20 yrs of service. He has 2 daughters and a wife waiting for him since October. He was suppose to be done serving his 1 year 'hardship' term, then all this happened.
No ordinary person wants to see deaths...(I dont even want to see Sadaam's death) but here comes my controversial comment. Police are in danger if in the line fire--in the military there is no such luxury. The occupational hazard is at anytime something could go wrong from your own side. It's something all people have to face before they 'sign on the dotted line' and so do their family members. I told my wife once, that if I died on my first day in law enforcement by a fellow officer's bullet, DO NOT dishonor that, because it's is always a possible. The honor is in being willing to serve despite the unfortunate possibilities.
Let me close by saying this...It is upsetting that so many 18 year olds right out of high school think they could be 'an army of one'!
There are some who need to get a grip and realize they do not have permission to think without their superior's orders - or they are a liablity.
Hopefully before too much time goes by, their view broadens and they do things right.

By Jonathan Jones (Jonjones) (81.131.100.88) on Friday, April 04, 2003 - 07:01 pm:

Jamie and Al, if I was wearing a hat I would take it off to you both.

As you have rightly said, it's amazing in this day and age that this "Blue on Blue" problem is still encountered as much as it is.

I remember some film footage just a few days ago where it was U.S troops who were trying to be really polite and restrained for the media with regards to a very recent "Blue on Blue" which had resulted in casualties amongst their own.

The job is tough enough without having to be more scared of your own side than of the enemy. After the debacles that happened in Desert Storm a programme for saving lives was introduced. It appears that the fruits of these labours may appear in about four years time. No doubt the project has been underfunded and has lacked resources due to limited budgets and the need to supply the next generation of things that kill people. Makes you wonder about some folks' priorities, doesn't it?

In the meantime, we see Coalition equipment forgetting about complete camouflage and sporting very bright orange recognition markings. I really doubt that it's for the benefit of the hostile Iraqis but they must appreciate it, all the same.

Here's to hoping that there's less of it from now on and thanks for your well-considered comments.

Regards, Jonathan.

By Jonathan Jones (Jonjones) (81.135.97.101) on Saturday, April 05, 2003 - 08:42 am:

Incidentally folks, do we know which units are actually out there in this campaign? Glenns post above outlines the Australian contribution and in doing so honours them. Would it be an idea for us to honour the contributions of all the Coalition forces?

Personally, I'm trying to obtain confirmation of the Polish special forces and a glimpse of their activities. No doubt for obvious reasons it may come out in a book, ten years from now.

As for the Aussies, I know how good they are! Here's to hoping that they've brought enough "tubes" with them....

Regards, Jonathan.

By Glenn Chapman (211.28.96.68) on Saturday, April 05, 2003 - 12:58 pm:

You won't find a better soldier than an Aussie mate, especially if they are from the SASR, well the Ghurka's are not bad ;)

By Glenn Chapman (211.28.96.68) on Saturday, April 05, 2003 - 01:01 pm:

Gurkhas, rather

By Jonathan Jones (Jonjones) (81.131.206.12) on Saturday, April 05, 2003 - 01:14 pm:

I'll second that, mate. Had an Aussie for a C/O a long time ago (that's all I'm saying on the matter of me) and he was very popular. Boy, could he sing. Our favourite was "And the Band Played Waltzing Matilda". To my shame I've forgotten the tune and most of the words.

I also echo your sentiments of the Gurkhas. They once awarded me a Gurkha teddy bear! He has the full dress uniform including badge, buttons and the traditional Kukuri knife. All in miniature.

BTW, my ex-C/O always said that the likes of "XXXX" and "Fosters" were for us poms and that true Aussies drank "Black Swan". Is that right?

Cheers, Jonathan.

By RobinKAH (67.195.45.215) on Saturday, April 05, 2003 - 09:19 pm:

Gentlemen, I've written to the Aussie "message to the troops" address thanks to Mr. Chapman above, but I have been unable to locate anything similar for UK troops. Also, if either of you could provide sites where donations may be made in support of the families of the service personnel, I'm interested in that as well. I have located the British Red Cross page, but that's all.

By alan james o'reilly (Alanor) (62.254.64.5) on Saturday, April 12, 2003 - 06:54 pm:

Hi Jonathan

You can get the lyrics and music from The Anzacs Songbook by Ted Egan, ISBN 0909104999.

Or I could post a photocopy to you at a snail mail address.

Black Swan sounds like a West Australian brew to me, eastern states (NSW, Victoria, Queensland) would have different brands.

Heard tonight from the dad of a USMC corporal presently serving in Iraq. His son is doing OK, itself a piece of good news.

Regards
Alan O'R

By Jonathan Jones (Jonjones) (81.135.5.212) on Tuesday, April 15, 2003 - 06:41 pm:

Alan, you're not going to like this but I drove past your neck of the woods only last weekend! I'd not spotted a post of yours on the site for a while so I didn't think it right to contact you in advance. Should I dig a foxhole now?

BTW, thanks for the additional information. The book sounds absolutely brilliant! I'd appreciate anything you have on that. Plus the info on beer is always well appreciated.

Hopefully it won't be long before I cruie by on my way to Teeside again.

Take care mate. Jonathan.

By Chris Saunders (Space_Cowboy) (195.92.194.18) on Wednesday, April 16, 2003 - 02:26 pm:

Just a quick message on our British troops. The 1st & 3rd battalions of the Parachute Regiment are out there as part of the 16th Air Assault Brigade.

Here's to those 'Red Devils'!

Chris

By alan james o'reilly (Alanor) (62.254.64.5) on Wednesday, April 16, 2003 - 02:29 pm:

Hi Jonathan

No problem at all, we have been busy one way and another but happy for you to get in touch next time you're up this way.

Egan's book might be OOP now, it was published in 1986. I guess you could do a search via Albris or Amazon, in case it is still available. However, if you'd me like to pcopy the relevant pages, I can do so.

(Have been busy with the WW2 2nd Para Bn in N.Africa lately - in locations where Irene V. wasn't able to visit unfortunately. They are about to head off to Sicily - the operation where many of the troop carriers with the 82nd AB tragically got shot down by mistake. A/B operations are/were always hazardous, as emerges in BoB several times.)

Best regards
Alan

By Jonathan Jones (Jonjones) (81.135.56.195) on Wednesday, April 16, 2003 - 06:43 pm:

Cheers for the Para info, Chris!

BTW, there's been speculation re: the British dead of the two Helicopters crashing early in the campaign. Contrary to some views in the press, they were not members of the SBS but specialised mountaneers of the Royal Marines.

No worries, Alan. We'll hopefully meet up in the nearish future and I'd certainly like to look at the ANZ book then! I know what you mean about Airborne operations being hazardous. I could not believe how some of the Allied Airborne were treated by those towing them on the approach to Sicily. Anyone not understanding this might like to read "Pegasus Bridge" by Ambrose. A great book.

Regards, Jonathan.

By alan james o'reilly (Alanor) (62.254.64.5) on Thursday, April 17, 2003 - 08:50 pm:

Thanks Jonathan

Look forward to meeting up at some point, will sort out the pcopies before then.

I understand some of the tugs cast off their gliders on the way to Sicily - nightmarish business for those on board the latter.

"Pegasus Bridge" is a very informative book, about the other end of the D-Day line, compared to BoB.

Regards
Alan

By Jonathan Jones (Jonjones) (81.131.123.58) on Thursday, April 17, 2003 - 09:38 pm:

Cheers Alan,

It's only recently that I was made aware that Major Winters and some of the other members of Easy Co. had read "Pegasus Bridge" prior to Ambrose writing BoB.

If I recall, the tugs were under orders not to be subjected to flak. Hence when they approached the shores of Sicily and were fired upon, they cast their gliders free and flew away. Unfortunately, some of the gliders did not make it to the shore and those onboard drowned. What a tragic waste of highly trained airborne troops.

Regards, Jonathan.

By stephen stallebrass (Drstallebrass) (62.253.32.5) on Sunday, April 20, 2003 - 07:22 am:

Hi,

Yes, Pegasus bridge is a great book and absolutely worth reading.

As you know I'm a Brit and damned proud of it and yes I was extremey angry at our troops being killed in blue on blue. My thoughts not only go out to those killed and there family but also to those that were responsible.

If it had been me then I'd feel like shit. Remember that you the US are our closest allies and vica versa, I'm so proud to stand alongside the US in this tough time but I am also proud that they (us) are the only ones who have got the balls to do something. We all have this mutual love, admiration, appreciation and respect for our allies, now imagine killing them in blue on blue, thats how they must feel. Friendly fire incidents are not intentional but accidents and they must really be feeling it. So cut them some slack.

I think back to those great words of Eisenhower that still ring so true in todays conflict..."soldiers, sailors and airmen of the allied epeditionary force, you are about to embark on the great crusade, toward which we have striven these many months. The eyes of the world are upon you. Good Luck, and let us all beseech the blessing of the almighty god upon this great and noble undertaking".

One more thing I'd like to say to any anti war/anti US folk that criticise the US of their intentions, I feel that although you are entitled to your opinion you are wrong, America inherited/earnt their imperial power and responsibility after the end of the second world war and are now trying to use this power and responsibly for the common good.

have a great easter
steve stallebrass

By alan james o'reilly (Alanor) (62.254.64.5) on Tuesday, May 20, 2003 - 02:25 pm:

This is a great site. I commend it to all, in commemoration of what we owe.

http://members.shaw.ca/tunebook/richardson.htm


Alan O'Reilly

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