I think that bit of information is somewhat dated at this point:
Posted on 09/15/2012 5:26:47 PM PDT by mandaladon
An armada of US and British naval power is massing in the Persian Gulf in the belief that Israel is considering a pre-emptive strike against Iran’s covert nuclear weapons programme. Battleships, aircraft carriers, minesweepers and submarines from 25 nations are converging on the strategically important Strait of Hormuz in an unprecedented show of force as Israel and Iran move towards the brink of war.
Western leaders are convinced that Iran will retaliate to any attack by attempting to mine or blockade the shipping lane through which passes around 18 million barrels of oil every day, approximately 35 per cent of the world’s petroleum traded by sea.
A blockade would have a catastrophic effect on the fragile economies of Britain, Europe the United States and Japan, all of which rely heavily on oil and gas supplies from the Gulf.
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most congested international waterways. It is only 21 miles wide at its narrowest point and is bordered by the Iranian coast to the north and the United Arab Emirates to the south.
In preparation for any pre-emptive or retaliatory action by Iran, warships from more than 25 countries, including the United States, Britain, France, Saudi Arabia and the UAE, will today begin an annual 12-day exercise.
(Excerpt) Read more at telegraph.co.uk ...
As I said, pretty much of a joke these days.
If the EU combined all of its naval assets, it could put together a credible force. Alone, you might make a case for ranking the UK in the top 10, but competition for that list is mighty thin.
The second rendering, though beautifully done, does not have the rollicking balladry of the traditional song. Of course, it was at a concert which necessitated decorum and grace.
Now to Winston Churchill. I was surprised at the casualty list at Gallipoli as given on Wikipedia. Of course, it has been the ANZAC division that seems to be most associated with Gallipoli. 44,000 soldiers dead from that immense attempt to turn WW1. The Australian New Zealand Army Corps- to spell it out, lost 10,000 men.
For those that are not familiar with the Gallipoli campaign, it was Churchill, First Lord of the Admiralty that was said to be the planner. The allied ships were plagued by U-Boats as they tried to supply Russia from Europe. The plan was to force the Dardanelles, the backdoor to Russia. They had to push the redoubtable Turks aside. Thus the badly equipped Russian Army could get a million rifles etc. They had to bypass the Turks first to protect the shipping.
Please excuse this ramble, the memories just set me off. Finally, the Turks held fast and quickly the Allied troops were withdrawn (1915-1916). Churchill was fired and sent to the Western Front, but stood it for six months. Then he was back. I had better quit and have overstayed on this thread.
The Brits actually have a pretty good heritage when it comes to some things.
I note your support for things Brit and thanks. I am used to the give and take on FR, would not have it any other way. Getting late and I thought I would fire off a salvo. It was at Omdurman in 1898, witnessed by a young Churchill, that the great charge of fanatical Islam took place. Thousands of horsemen wanting to die for Allah. Victory for Kitchener of Khartoum. Oh well, one parting statement.
We are on the same bloomin' side, are we not? God speed the Navy!
Re the Battle of Omdurman. The charge of the “Whirling Dervishes”. I’ve seen one account that said that the British killed 10,000 of them.
How? Gatling guns or their British equivalent.
Remind me to thank the Gatling Brothers for their contribution to keep the world safe from Islamic extremists.
There is a scene from “On The Beach” where Waltzing Matilda is sung.... this scene affected me greatly the first time I watched the film. It’s just awesome!
Excerpt of “Waltzing Matilda” from “On the Beach” (1959)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-n7LwzODzQg
"The Gatlings jammed and the Colonel dead.
The regiment blind with dust and smoke
England's far and honour a name, but the voice of a schoolboy rallies the ranks.
Play up, play up and play the game."
Yep, Americans gave us the Gatling.
Wow! Trying to get some shuteye. But will give one more post. Yes, one terrific rendering. The end of the world, sends chills down my spine. Defiance plus.
Flagship aircraft carrier Ark Royal to be sold for scrap
Aircraft carrier HMS Invincible is put up for sale
Navy aircraft carrier will be sold after three years - and never carry jets
HMS Edinburgh and HMS York on sale; “illustrious names to be mothballed”
2—What are you banging on about, not armed?
Just FOUR missiles: What HMS Westminster was carrying when sent to defend the Libyan frontline
Libya: Navy running short of Tomahawk missiles
Sorry mate, but Britannia no longer rules the waves.
I’d take any D aily Mail story with a pinch of salt. And you make the mistake of thinking we use/rely solely on the Tomahawk. We use our own StormShadow missile:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Storm_Shadow
Wow. That’s just tragic.
If u keep sending that message you will have an armada.
Newbolt's poem could be misconstrued vis the jamming of the Gatling gun. It worked with deadly ferocity against the Islamic hordes. As with the Gardner, patented in Toledo, Ohio 1874, much dust did cause stoppages. In tests, the Gardner fired 16,000 rounds before jamming, under perfect conditions.
Fixed it!
Good, bad, indifferent, whatever, but the song and dance will be played to the tune of "You can't replace a sitting President in Wartime", and it will be the open and real start of WW III. All else is prelude.
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