if the unthinkable happened.

[emmie]

and WW3 was imminent, where would your allegiance lie. If it's with Britain, would you fight, and how would that square with the many people who now live in the UK from other nations.

[Old_Geezer]

?!?

Who is on each side ?

Naw I'm too old to fight. Might carry the first aid kit in the Dad's Army, provided I can find Capt. Mainwaring.

[ummmm]

I'd move back to Ireland...

[emmie]

world war, say USA and russia start it off, and everyone gets involved. I am aware that many people fought for Britain in WW2, those of the commonwealth, not forgetting the Polish pilots who did their bit, but would they do so now, and if i were to enlist and fight for Britain, why would my neighbours, some of them are asians, and africans, wouldn't their allegiance be with their own country, if say an african nation sided with Russia for strategic reasons.

[mike11111]

If your neighbours found that their allegiance was to a country other than the UK in the event of a war, they would be imprisoned as enemy aliens.

[jno]

indeed, they'd probably arrest you on mere suspiciion (happened to a lot of people in WW1 and WW2), so the sensible thing to do would be move to Switzerland, or perhaps Australia.

[emmie]

Mike, how would that work if say we had 2 million asian people, half of whom would rather not fight for Britain, perhaps Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, you couldn't stick them all in jail.

[Old_Geezer]

I understand you'll need to take a survey to see which national football team they support, and if it isn't yours, shove them in a camp for the duration. Pretty sure that's the rule.

[mike11111]

Despite their ethnic origin, if they hold British citizenship then they are duty bound to support this kingdom. To do otherwise and cling to the enemy is high treason, for which, in wartime, there is only one penalty. I am sure that most of the loud-mouthed ones, when confronted with the alternatives, will opt for the British rifle rather than the hangman's noose.

[emmie]

in other words, I can't see many people wishing to take up arms against a country they still consider home. I have pondered this for any number of years, and would many British who consider themselves relatively patriotic take up arms, or do as someone just suggested go abroad. Surely the situation wherever you go would be the same.

[emmie]

its partly prompted by how many people say bring back National Service, something i am sure many know nothing about. Stick the young in uniform, get some discipline seems to be the mantra, but they wouldn't do it im sure.

[mike11111]

If war ever comes again there will not be a choice. The borders will be closed so no chance to flee. They will have to decide which they prefer: UK benefits or a short trip to the gallows. I'm not taking bets on the preferred option!

[emmie]

Mike, not sure how to put this but if made to fight, might that not bring about civil unrest, even a civil war, because i have heard it often enough that many wouldn't fight come a war, not at any price. And i wouldn't fancy giving guns to those who fight under protest. I am aware you are in the military, so know first hand, but this does make me wonder what would happen to Britain in the event of WW3.
A mate of mine was in REME and told me that he thought it wouldn't be WW3 but annililation. Happy thoughts for a friday.

[diadem01]

To my mind, there are two separate issues here. As far as official immigrants are concerned I think there's a modest chance a fair proportion would fight alongside us and those who don't would be on their way before you could say 'Attention'.

But as far as British nationals are concerned I'm not at all sure the will is still there. I for one, would be less than happy to fight to support the one sided nation we now are in terms of the haves and have nots. Would you fight to support the thieving bankers and politicians who largely control us? Or use our island as an aircraft carrier for the USA (who only yesterday was showing support for Argentina)… and be blown out of the water on their behalf.

I'd do all I could be as neutral as possible, irrespective of the potential outcome. Don't forget, Germany lost the war and won the peace. Why, because whoever wins a war still has to allow an element of local control when things settle down.

[jno]

so is this annihilation due to happen before Britain becames an Islamic theocracy or after? Because it would make a difference to my response.

[emmie]

diadem surely had Germany won the war, we wouldn't be be sitting on our computers debating the issue, many of us would not exist. There wasn't all that much will to start off in WW1 or WW2, but that did change, i have wondered whether people are more complacent now. If you thought that Islam would be the dominant religion, and that you would have to adhere to any number of cultural changes, because of it, would that not make you sit up and say no i dont want that, and fight. Same as our forefathers, who didn't want to be part of Nazi Germany.

[carmalee]

without a doubt with my family -would be on the last flight out to Africa

[jackthehat]

Was your mate a REME Blackie or Greenie?.......it matters because as everyone knows a Blackie is a Greenie with the brains kicked out of him.......

I would fight for my country.........whether my country would think I was any sodding use at all, however, is a different matter.

[emmie]

jack the hat not sure, it was a while back, but he was a soldier through and through, even when he left the army, i am sure he never should have come out, well not till he was really done with it.
I would fight, and that is something i don't have to ponder on. As you said JTH might not be much use, but i wouldn't run away, because if its a world war, there is no hiding place.

[emmie]

just one last thought, even thieving bankers would be given a gun, fight or be shot. Good night