Monday, 23 January 2012
Sunday, 22 January 2012
Saturday, 21 January 2012
Introducing Patrick Hollins, Coastal Command - WWII
Patrick joined the RAF because his father had fought in the trenches in WWI and the idea of being up to his ankles in mud didn't appeal. In fact he may have had a rethink after being assigned to Coastal Command, 502 Squadron. As a gunnery officer he found himself flying on the Armstrong Whitley bomber, notoriously known as the “flying coffin”. In this interview, Patrick is keen to point out that the bomber floats very well: his plane ditched into the Atlantic in the dead of night. In this entertaining interview Patrick also talks about his experiences in two other Coastal Command squadrons and reflects on just how lucky he was to survive the war. Watch interview Here
Thank you for your service Patrick, I salute you Sir.
Friday, 20 January 2012
I do not want Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner dead
How do I feel now it’s the 30th anniversary of the Falklands War? Tired, and distant from others. Maybe surprisingly to some even to other Falklands veterans. For several months I had been a member of a a group on Face book called Falklands 30, on the face of it a great site with loads of photographs and stories about the War in 1982, I even posted a few of my own like the telegram I sent my Mother from Port Stanley after the cease fire to let her know I was still alive. I think anyone who has read my Blog over the years should be in no doubt about my thoughts on the Falklands War and why I thought it was the right thing to retake the Island from a bunch of Fascist thugs. But then surely as grown up men let alone veterans we should be able to have civilised debate especially in a `closed` group like Falklands30. Well I will give as good as I get when it comes to defending my points of view, but I will not open a bottle of champagne and celebrate a woman that has being diagnosed with cancer like Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner even if she is apposed to British rule in the Falklands. It makes me wonder how far some people would go in their Hatred, would they have been equally happy if her children had cancer? Because I thought it was wrong and posted a reasonable response to their hatred I was accused of not knowing what happening in 1982 and was made to feel like I was supporting the Argentineans so I left the group. How would they have felt if their wife’s had cancer and it was being celebrated on the internet? I must point out that this was a small minority but none the less I found it highly distasteful , perhaps I’m getting to sensitive in my old age, I would like to think that I may have PTSD but I have matured when it comes to schoolboy name calling and abuse. I suppose leaving a Face book group is the equivalent to walking away from a drunk in a pub. Anyway I was not going to mention it but then this is a Blog and I cant just post Mil babes all the time and War vids, well I’m sure some of you would prefer it? The truth is as gung ho as I may appear on these pages I do not want another War with Argentina for the obvious reasons and I’m sure neither do they, more would die and end up wounded and mentally impaired but have no doubt we would win again. So it seems Face book groups and me don’t work very well, it’s the same with our so called `friends` apart from a small amount do we really know any of them? Every now and then one of the `civvies` on your list pops up and has a moan cos she doesn’t get squaddy humour, well I suggest you don’t go around collecting ex squadies on FB and stick to your own kind. Rant Over!
The British Army Cadets
For action and adventure, fun and friendship, the Army Cadet Force is hard to beat. With around 45,000 cadets (aged 12-18) and 8,500 adult volunteers in 1,700 locations in every corner of the United Kingdom, the ACF is one of the country’s largest voluntary youth organisations. It is also one of the oldest and celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2010.
We welcome boys and girls from the age of 12 (and in at least year eight at school), of all abilities and backgrounds, and through a broad range of exciting, challenging, educational and adventurous activities, help them develop physically, mentally and socially. Some of our activities have a military theme, others have more of a community focus. Combining military and community activities in this way enables us to offer our 45,000 young people a unique blend of personal development opportunities, all designed to promote fun and friendship while also helping them prepare for success in their chosen path in life, whatever that might turn out to be. Enter site Here
THIS IS WHERE IT ALL BEGAN FOR ME.
Thursday, 19 January 2012
Wednesday, 18 January 2012
David Cameron condemns Argentine 'colonialism' over Falkland Islands
WITH THE SAS AND OTHER ANIMALS
I have just returned from my two weeks winter break and while I was away I read the book With the SAS and other animals, thoroughly enjoyable and well worth a read see my short review below.
Andy McNab meets James Herriot in the hostile hills of Dhofar. If you like books on the Special Forces and animals even more then this is for you. The author enthrallingly takes the reader on a journey to 1974 and the vital role of the R.A.V.C working alongside the secretive S.A.S. in the successful counter insurgency War `Operation Storm` six months in the harsh environment of the Arabian Gulf. With local livestock being worth their weight in gold the `Vet` is up there in importance with the Sultan himself. As for hearts and minds Andrew Higgins has an impressive personal tally.
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