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I find thatsadly ironic. Whatever her other and subsequent failings. Thatcher was an effective war leader. She managed to take the nation from blissful ignorance and apathy over the islands and turn the Argentaine invasion into a searing national issue.
Today, Cameron has an enormous advantage relative to Thatcher.....people are well aware of the islands, and have not really forgiven the Argentines. The country is more well postured for war or at least resistance than it was in 1981. Yet somehow I have my doubts about Cameron. I doubt he has the necessary fortitude and conviction to repeat what thatcher did....
He went on to describe how he was a young 16 year old in 1982 and had been conscripted into going to defend the Malvinas. I can't remember what he said he did there, infantry I think, but he said it was a miserable time. The islands were cold - they had no real shelter and the food was dreadful. The weapons they had were hand-me-downs from WW2. He described how at first everyone thought that they were the best because of what they had done, but when they heard that the Royal Navy were on their way, he said he knew that things were getting serious. He said that a lot of the young guys got scared because the RN has such a big reputation in Argentina. He said that the surrender was the most shameful thing he had ever lived through. His story was most compelling and I really felt sorry for the guy. Needless to say, he got a few more rounds thrown his way to help him drown his sorrows. I still remember that night; very poignant.
michaelmaltby said:The original "war" was started as a political distraction. Tell me, please, that this is not more of the same, Mrs. Kirchner.
MM
Proud Canadian
That is the other side of it of course. The British Royal Marines SAS versus much less experienced Argentina ground forces.
The outcome was never really in doubt.
I was thoroughly dis gusted with the Sun headline 'GOTCHA' when the Belgrano was sunk. The picture of the sinking ship with men in the water was a low point in British journalism.
John
Ahem, cough , cough ......... John there were one or two Para's there as well !!!!!
and Ghurka's as well as a couple of Guards units !
http://www.bobhenneman.info/belgrano.htm
With no offense intended to my Argentine associates on this forum, I suggest that naming a football league "The General Belgrano" is a very sad gesture.
Argentina rename football league after sunk Falklands war battleship General Belgrano - News - MirrorFootball.co.uk
Can you imagine a US football club or division named "Pearl Harbor" or perhaps "December 7"?
Argentina needs to move on. It's neighbor Brazil is becoming an industrial and resource-based powerhouse while Argentina sulks over perceived insults and symbols and looks inward. There's oil off the shores of the Falklands. It will be much more economic to support exploration and extraction from Argentina than from Britain. Can Argentina co-operate ...? Not if they are the declared enemies of the Falklands' citizens.
The original "war" was started as a political distraction. Tell me, please, that this is not more of the same, Mrs. Kirchner.
MM
Proud Canadian
He went on to describe how he was a young 16 year old in 1982 and had been conscripted into going to defend the Malvinas. I can't remember what he said he did there, infantry I think, but he said it was a miserable time. The islands were cold - they had no real shelter and the food was dreadful. The weapons they had were hand-me-downs from WW2. He described how at first everyone thought that they were the best because of what they had done, but when they heard that the Royal Navy were on their way, he said he knew that things were getting serious. He said that a lot of the young guys got scared because the RN has such a big reputation in Argentina. He said that the surrender was the most shameful thing he had ever lived through. His story was most compelling and I really felt sorry for the guy. Needless to say, he got a few more rounds thrown his way to help him drown his sorrows. I still remember that night; very poignant.
I never got the Chilean girl either...
Argentina needs to move on. It's neighbor Brazil is becoming an industrial and resource-based powerhouse while Argentina sulks over perceived insults and symbols and looks inward. There's oil off the shores of the Falklands. It will be much more economic to support exploration and extraction from Argentina than from Britain. Can Argentina co-operate ...? Not if they are the declared enemies of the Falklands' citizens.
The original "war" was started as a political distraction. Tell me, please, that this is not more of the same, Mrs. Kirchner.
MM
Proud Canadian
"... politica de estado" .... National Interest ...?
He is talking a lot of crap THERE WAS NO 16 YEARS OLD soldiers, concription age began at 18
By the way you got really lucky to meet a good looking chilean girl, usually they are plain ugly (with moustaces you know)
Probably a missed memory by me. As for the WW2 era weapons, I used to know a Brit who fought in the Falklands and was at Stanley examining the cache of weapons left behind. He said he saw Lee Enfield rifles and a manner of American rifies from the same period. I've seen photos in a book of such a pile and you can clearly see Lee enfield rifles; the caption even mentions it. Why would I have reason to doubt this guy? Were you there at the time? Did you fight in the Falklands War?
Off comes the gloves!I've heard the same about Argie women, too!
I've heard the same about Argie women, too!
plymouth being all things Royal Navy.Plymouth mode???/ you got me....what is that