Is Harry Even In Afghanistan?

[Kerosene]

http://news.uk.msn.co...during-taliban-attack

The Defence Secretary, Philip Hammond, declares on BBC's Newsnight that Prince Harry is definitely in Afghanistan and was at Camp Bastion during the recent storming of it by 'insurgents', and that he was then 'moved'.

Hammond adds fuel to the fire by - of course - deliberately refusing to disclose any further details. Quel surpris!

Is this all an elaborate governmental ruse to try and fool the Taliban into thinking that 'His Royal Harryness' is where they - the Taliban - would like to believe he was, when in actual fact he's possibly not even in the country?

Finally, is it said to make us believe that Harry is indeed out there amongst the muck and bullets in just as much danger as any other squaddie?

[ichkeria]

Have you thought of stand up comedy as a break from the stress of life in the field :-)

[Kerosene]

So, ichkeria, you resort to your trusty dictionary rather than the word of someone who has been there, done it etc etc?

I find that highly amusing. I know they say that "The pen is mightier than the sword", but that's kicking the bum out of it.

Why not just admit that you've never been in the military and leave it at that?

[jackthehat]

Rather than nit-picking about terminology on your own thread why not go back to addressing your earlier erroneous argument?

I take it you spent time in the Army?

[ichkeria]

Ah, but when I say "dictionary" I of course mean "elephant" - come on don't tell me you've never come across that common slang term.

And I expect at least a bit of sympathy. Clinging to an elephant is no fun, I can tell you, especially for a man of no military experience. (Now, the wife, however ...)

[Kerosene]

jack,

Please don't lecture me on 'nit-picking' after your own ' earlier erroneous argument'. Pot / Kettle etc?

I do have military experience, yes. For example, there are many threads on AB to which I don't contribute simply because I have no working knowledge of the subjects. I tend to stick to those I'm more au fait with. Not exclusively, but mainly.

[Kerosene]

ichkeria,

Fair enough, you've talked me into it. No hard feelings?

[jackthehat]

I have made no erroneous comments.

I simply used the term 'foot-soldier'......as a term to distinguish 'front-line squaddies' from other types of soldier. Not a mistake, simply a clarification. Anyone who is in the Army but other than a Rank and File squaddie would make a similar qualification.

I take it you have now abandoned the original premise of your thread and wish to concentrate on point-scoring, instead?

[sherrardk]

So are you saying that only people with military experience can post on this thread?

[ichkeria]

"Fair enough, you've talked me into it. No hard feelings? "

No!

[ludwig]

What makes you think he might not be there Kerosene?

[WELSHYORKIE]

I find it strange that in the first place it is announced to the whole world that he is there.i would have thought the MOD would issue a D Notice and keep his deployment there out of the public domain. The soldiers there have a tough enough job to do as it is. Kerosene - could I ask if you've overdone the coffee today? You seem to be getting hyper on this thread and the one concerning the Tomlinson family. Could I suggest a decaff, perhaps?

[Kerosene]

ludwig,

Simple - the powers that be have trumpeted the news that Harry is in Afghanistan - is there actual evidence of that? No.

However, the Defence Secretary then coyly demurs on 'Newsnight' when challenged to disclose details of Harry's whereabouts?

Our hierarchy cannot have it both ways. They either 'man up' and produce actual evidence - not hearsay - of Harry's deployment and whereabouts, OR shut up completely as per last night's charade by Hammond on Newsnight.

He's either there - or he's not. Now waiting for all the '3 wise monkey' comments like "Ooohhh, you don't really expect them to SHOW us where he IS.....do you?" Duh....yes I do. My name is not Thomas, but I most definitely doubt what a politician tells me - even if it was that night follows day?

It's nothing short of a PR exercise designed to have the gullible in our midst - many of whom seem to reside on AB - that Harry's out there putting his life on the line?

Remember that last time 'he was there'? We had film of him in some kind of Bedouin style tent blasting away with a heavy machine gun - absolutely no one else in sight. So who is he? John Wayne? Clint Eastwood? Rambo? A veritable one man killing machine? Per..leaze!!!!!

[jackthehat]

Harry will be flying sorties in his Apache helicopter.

Quite how do you propose that the MOD manage to persuade *you* that that is the truth of the matter?

[pdq1]

If he is in Afghanistan the recruitment figures for the Taliban must have increased greatly. Many Afghanistanis already feel they are being brainwashed into accepting the Western way of life and as many have low lives to have a foreign royalty telling them what to do and using force to do it seems blasthemus.

[WELSHYORKIE]

Kerosene - you could say that about any soldier. If 'Mr & Mrs Joe Public' are told that their son has been killed in Helmand you tend to believe it but who's to say he wasn't shot by Moonie on Salisbury Plain (apologies Moonie)?

[ludwig]

// However, the Defence Secretary then coyly demurs on 'Newsnight' when challenged to disclose details of Harry's whereabouts? //

Maybe we should be given the grid reference and a timetable of his activities?
The taleban don't watch much telly, so we should be alright.

[anotheoldgit]

/// Simple - the powers that be have trumpeted the news that Harry is in Afghanistan - is there actual evidence of that? No. ///

As I have already told you Kero Harry is definitely in Afghanistan because I know from first knowledge.

jackthehat

Captain Wales does not pilot the Apache, he is the Co-pilot in charge of the weaponry.

[jackthehat]

Either of the 'pilots' in the aircraft can act as pilot, AOG; and either operative has access to the weapons array.

[WELSHYORKIE]

In charge of weaponry, eh? <<So who is he? John Wayne? Clint Eastwood? Rambo?>> My money's on rambo - Harry Rambo, shooting mushy peas at the taleban - he he he

[ludwig]

Here's a thought..if they paint that apache bright yellow with a big crown on the side, we'll all know where he is.