RE: So I guess it’s just a matter of ‘when’ the US is going to war

Scooter.

“5 or 5 million……Well, maybe the US didn’t loose 5 million but, 5? I guess that shouldn’t surprise me! I should except your bias by now?”

Don’t be silly. You know full well what Garry means and his comment about 5 being a tragedy is correct. When you’re talking about the millions who died in World War II it is just a statistic. The mind cannot comprehend or individualise those millions. Go to the Vietnam memorial and look at those fifty odd thousand names, I defy you to individualise more than a few.

“The US on the other hand either started too late or did only so for profit etc. etc.”

Yes, the US did enter the war too late but no-one has said they did so for profit. However, you cannot deny that American industry profited greatly from the conflict.

“Well, all I have to say is the next war and history has a way of repeating itself.”

So now you readily admit that Gulf War II (the sequel) will be a repeat of the first where no consideration will be given to the Iraqis other than a promise of help which will never materialise.

“You can handle it on your own! I’ll be one the first war protesters for any future conflicts in Europe!”

Don’t think that will worry Garry too much, he’s a New Zealander and last time I checked New Zealand wasn’t a part of Europe.

“I don’t think your worth it………..”

Somehow, that doesn’t come across as an insult when it comes from you. And you still haven’t answered my question. Which unit will you be going into action with during Bush’s great crusade?

Regards,

kev35

RE: London – Prague flights

Sam.

I think from Leamington you would have to go to London and then on to Stansted. As for train prices, I think there are so many prices available according to when you travel and when you return I think it would be best for you or your sister to check that. I think there is a website which gives rail timetables and prices for the UK. A google search would probably be your best bet. What is the price difference between EMA and Stansted? And by the time rail fares are added on would it be any cheaper? I thought there were flights to Prague from Birmingham? Maybe one of the others may know more as I don’t know too much about the AW side of things.

Regards,

kev35

RE: Pic of Dark Lord Saur-, oops, I mean Bush

Just noticed the sign on the desk. Is that to remind US who he is or HIM?

Regards,

kev35

RE: Percy Leslie Moxey

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 20-01-03 AT 08:07 PM (GMT)]Hi, Moggy.

Do you have any idea of the circumstances of his death? Or who he was serving with? A quick scan of a couple of weeks before his death reveals nothing in either fighter or bomber command losses. It seems possible that your best bet would be a letter to the Air Historical Branch of the MOD or check the death notices in the Gt Yarmouth press.

I have a First World War pair of medals to a Pte Moxey of the Dorset Regiment in my collection but I haven’t been able to get his service details yet.

Interesting thought. If he is listed as being from Norwich try their local press, but, why was he buried in Gt Yarmouth cemetery? What were the nearest airfields to Gt Yarmouth? Perhaps he was killed or died while serving on one of those airfields?

Hope you’re keeping well.

Regards,

kev35

RE: Did I Hear correctly?…..Sniper to Sue!

Dazza,

I think you’re right about the families but it does bring up an interesting point. American’s have this constitutional right to bear arms but where is the regulation? Even here in the UK it is a simple matter to obtain unlicensed firearms and the recent gun battle in Birmingham shows that those obtaining such weapons now are more than happy to use them indiscriminately. The situation in America must be so much worse when firearms are easily obtained legally. I can see the point of sueing the retailer but not the manufacturer. In the case of the sniper there may even be a case for sueing the Army who trained the sniper. Is there any form of psychological cross-checking when applying for a gun license?

With guns so easily available illegally, it seems ridiculous in the extreme that the legal process of owning a licensed firearm allows Fred the window cleaner to own anything from a small handgun to an Uzi or a Kalashnikov.

Regards,

kev35

RE: Quotes

Vortex.

“I have no problem understanding what he’s trying to say.”

Now that’s worrying….

Refards,

kev35

RE: 262 Mishap

The warbird information exchange has reports on the incident and links to video footage of the collapse, including in cockpit footage. It must have been quite soul destroying for those who have put such effort in getting the project this far. Hope they get things sorted soon. From what you can see on the video, I very much look forward to seeing one of these arcraft in the air.

Regards,

kev35

RE: So I guess it’s just a matter of ‘when’ the US is going to war

Scooter.

“For you to claim that the only reason Americans sold (in many cases gave) War Materials to the West for monatary gains is insulting to say the least!”

You know that’s not what I was saying but it is the sort of response I’ve come to expect from you.

“As for the US Goverment keeping us out of WWII. President Roosevelt knew it was only a matter of time and strongly support Great Britain and Western Europe.”

And while America dithered, hundreds of thousands more died. Warnings from America that they would have joined a war against Germany at an earlier stage might have made a difference. You said yourself that America knew what was coming but still made no preparation until they were forced to.

“I believe most Americans did for that matter. Its funny that you bring that up? Just like you.”

Why thank you Sir. Whether you agree or not and more importantly whether you like it or not, I am entitled to bring it up. American involvement in 1939 may have persuaded Hitler to, shall we say, curb his ambitions. America was safe and in isolation from any German threat. No German aircraft could bomb your cities, no German army would ever had the wherewithal to invade your country. The presence of a few hundred thousand US troops in Britain and Western Europe may well have caused him to think twice. After all, it’s a policy you have adhered to strongly since 1945. The UK remains by far your largest aircraft carrier.

“In turn many in Americans started to wonder? Was it right to ge into a war half way around the world. Oh, its not our problem. Don’t send our boys over to die in some foreign land.”

Same applies today. Look how quickly you withdrew from Somalia to ensure the safe return of just one of your pilots. Obviously Somali’s are far less valuable to you than the average Iraqi.

“If, the US join the war in 1939 what would have happen? I can tell you. We would have lost!”

Not necessarily. If America had moved large numbers of troops to The UK and Western Europe in late 1939 it is far from certain that Hitler would have even attempted his Blitzkrieg on France and the Low Countries.

“What the US did have was many old WW1 Destroyers. Mostly what we call 4-stackers with 3-4 open guns mounts. (4-5 inch) They were
fast and could carrier many depth charges. (Seakeeping was poor for North Atlantic though) Besides its all we had and it was better than nothing. They did a fine job and sank a number of U-boats.”

Yes I know. I’m currently researching the loss of one of these destroyers in whom the uncle of a close family friend was lost in September 1942. The destroyer was one of just two escorts covering a convoy of American Great Lakes steamers being brought across the Atlantic for use in the forthcoming invasion. In the event, those that survived the journey, five I think, were used as nothing more than floating barrack blocks.

“Yet, today we shouldn’t confront a modern day Hitler (Saddam)?”

America, with all it’s subtle and not so subtle machinations throughout history, and with the level of superiority it has now, economic, technological, militarily, might be expected to be able to undertake the kind of change it wants to see in Iraq without hitting the place with everything short of an atom bomb. And putting the lives of God knows how many American and British troops at risk. To say nothing of the numbers of Iraqi civilians who will undoubtedly die in the event. Has America asked how many Iraqis currently subscribe to the quote of one of America’s favourite sons “Give me liberty, or give me death!”

“If, you were threaten by Saddam as your Grand Parents were by Hitler. You mite think differently!”

Not my grandparents, my parents. This is good coming from someone whose parents or grandparents have never been threatened in this way. Did your parents ever have to leave their beds every night to seek shelter? Lie awake listening to the bombs falling and then in the morning help to pull the bodies out of the rubble? And this night after night?

Like you, I suspect I am a product of my own experience and the experiences of those closest to me. Like you I am passionate in what I believe. I don’t think either one of us is really likely to change our views because of discussions like this. But I respect your right to your views as I would hope you would respect mine.

One final thing, you didn’t answer my question….. Why is an Iraqi worth more to you than a Rwandan?

Regards,

kev35