The Military History Thread - Page 52

**haroldeye** · March 17th, 2013, 04:15 PM

I met several people involved in Barrass including the young Para Captain who took over when his OC was wounded (excellent young man). A friend of mine who worked out there after the rescue said that his job was much easier because the robust action of the Army let people know that the Brits had teeth and were prepared to bite.

**rupertramjet** · March 17th, 2013, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by haroldeye

Palo you are spending far too much time on this site. A few more comments like that one and you'll be on the way to getting honorary Brit status.

I will send a Company to the border to collect him if he decides to defect!

Or is it a bit late fr that?

**rupertramjet** · March 17th, 2013, 04:31 PM

Lance Corporal James Ashworth, of Kettering, Northants, was leading a 25-man reconnaissance patrol through an enemy-occupied village in Helmand Province last June when they were attacked by insurgents firing rifles and rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs).

He responded by charging towards the mud huts where the Taliban were taking cover. By deliberately offering himself as a target, he distracted their attention from his colleagues marching in single file behind.

This action, and an incredible last stand that followed, persuaded senior officers to recommend the soldier – known by his friends as a ‘gentle giant’ – for the Victoria Cross, Britain’s highest medal for gallantry.

Having repelled a succession of attacks by Taliban fighters, L/Cpl Ashworth, 23, of 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards, found himself isolated and outnumbered. But he took on the insurgents as they advanced.

However, he stood no chance when a grenade was launched towards his position. After the battle, his body was recovered from the village in Nahr-e Saraj district to Camp Bastion, the main British base in Helmand.

The decision to support a Citation for the Victoria Cross was unanimous.

James father Duane was a former soldier in the Grenadier Guards.

This is the Third British Award of The Victoria Cross this century, although there have been Australian and New Zealand VC awards, which although on a parity, and remaining members of the Association, are not awarded by Britain.

**richardoe** · March 17th, 2013, 04:36 PM

True the Australian Canadian and New Zealand VCs arent awarded by Britain butthey are awarded by Her Majesty. The VC is the only battlefield decoration that only the King or Queen can award.

**Ennath** · March 17th, 2013, 05:16 PM

First it was "spreading democracy", then the "responsibility to protect", So the Iraq and Afghanistan wars were followed up by the Libyan disaster. Next stop - Syria.

**sydney1** · March 17th, 2013, 09:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ennath

First it was "spreading democracy", then the "responsibility to protect", So the Iraq and Afghanistan wars were followed up by the Libyan disaster. Next stop - Syria.

Everyone in Britain is saying, stay the f**k out of this, it is nothing to do with us and if we get involved, it will only make it worse. Obviously our leaders seem to have learned nothing from Iraq.

**sydney1** · March 17th, 2013, 09:53 PM

Future war. Syria.....

**Rogerbh** · March 17th, 2013, 10:43 PM

I always think it will be near the Sprately Islands - the next war - mainly because there is oil there.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spratly_Islands_dispute
Of course Pakistan and India remain number two on my list as they seem willing to use nukes on each other.
Doubt we will ever outgrow our seeming desire to kill each other.

**rupertramjet** · March 17th, 2013, 11:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rogerbh

I always think it will be near the Sprately Islands - the next war - mainly because there is oil there.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spratly_Islands_dispute
Of course Pakistan and India remain number two on my list as they seem willing to use nukes on each other.
Doubt we will ever outgrow our seeming desire to kill each other.

Good we can have a war off!

**DTravel** · March 18th, 2013, 01:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by haroldeye

Palo you are spending far too much time on this site. A few more comments like that one and you'll be on the way to getting honorary Brit status.

You don't want to do that, he'll collectivize your medical system!

March 17th, 2013, 04:36 PM	#514
richardoe Vintage Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 2,812 Thanks: 1,424 Thanked 24,133 Times in 2,726 Posts	True the Australian Canadian and New Zealand VCs arent awarded by Britain butthey are awarded by Her Majesty. The VC is the only battlefield decoration that only the King or Queen can award. __________________ Richardoe To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

March 17th, 2013, 04:15 PM	#511
haroldeye Moderator Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Halfwitistan Posts: 5,716 Thanks: 113,598 Thanked 59,981 Times in 5,708 Posts	I met several people involved in Barrass including the young Para Captain who took over when his OC was wounded (excellent young man). A friend of mine who worked out there after the rescue said that his job was much easier because the robust action of the Army let people know that the Brits had teeth and were prepared to bite.

March 17th, 2013, 04:31 PM	#513
rupertramjet R.I.P. Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Cloud cuckoo land Posts: 4,300 Thanks: 26,852 Thanked 54,117 Times in 4,288 Posts	Lance Corporal James Ashworth, of Kettering, Northants, was leading a 25-man reconnaissance patrol through an enemy-occupied village in Helmand Province last June when they were attacked by insurgents firing rifles and rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs). He responded by charging towards the mud huts where the Taliban were taking cover. By deliberately offering himself as a target, he distracted their attention from his colleagues marching in single file behind. This action, and an incredible last stand that followed, persuaded senior officers to recommend the soldier – known by his friends as a ‘gentle giant’ – for the Victoria Cross, Britain’s highest medal for gallantry. Having repelled a succession of attacks by Taliban fighters, L/Cpl Ashworth, 23, of 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards, found himself isolated and outnumbered. But he took on the insurgents as they advanced. However, he stood no chance when a grenade was launched towards his position. After the battle, his body was recovered from the village in Nahr-e Saraj district to Camp Bastion, the main British base in Helmand. The decision to support a Citation for the Victoria Cross was unanimous. James father Duane was a former soldier in the Grenadier Guards. This is the Third British Award of The Victoria Cross this century, although there have been Australian and New Zealand VC awards, which although on a parity, and remaining members of the Association, are not awarded by Britain.

March 17th, 2013, 05:16 PM	#515
Ennath Vintage Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 6,815 Thanks: 26,921 Thanked 80,777 Times in 6,814 Posts	First it was "spreading democracy", then the "responsibility to protect", So the Iraq and Afghanistan wars were followed up by the Libyan disaster. Next stop - Syria.

March 17th, 2013, 09:53 PM	#517
sydney1 Vintage Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 1,378 Thanks: 10,562 Thanked 27,978 Times in 1,357 Posts	Future war. Syria.....

March 17th, 2013, 10:43 PM	#518
Rogerbh Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Land of the free within reasonable limitations Posts: 10,935 Thanks: 50,615 Thanked 91,393 Times in 10,784 Posts	I always think it will be near the Sprately Islands - the next war - mainly because there is oil there. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spratly_Islands_dispute Of course Pakistan and India remain number two on my list as they seem willing to use nukes on each other. Doubt we will ever outgrow our seeming desire to kill each other.