Another humiliating defeat for Moscow’s soldiers in the eight-month-old conflict takes the form of Russia’s order for its troops to leave strategically vital Kherson.
It is no longer viable to supply the city and adjacent areas of the west bank of the Dnipro River, according to General Sergei Surovikin, Russia’s top commander in Ukraine.
Russia’s defence minister Sergei Shoigu responded by saying:
“I agree with your conclusions and proposals. Proceed with the withdrawal of troops and take all measures to transfer forces across the river.”
Early in the conflict, Russia captured Kherson City, which had a pre-war population of 280,000; it is still the only regional capital to have fallen. Along with Luhansk, Donetsk, and Zaporizhzhia, four other Ukrainian areas were officially annexed in September.
Russian talk of leaving Kherson, according to a Ukrainian official, is premature.
According to Ukrainian presidential advisor Mikhailo Podolyak:
“It’s necessary to separate words from deeds. Until the Ukrainian flag is flying over Kherson, it makes no sense to talk about a Russian withdrawal. Ukraine does not take these statements by Russia into consideration. It is still too early to talk about the withdrawal of Russian troops from Kherson: a grouping of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation is being maintained in the city, and additional manpower is being pulled into the region. Our armed forces work according to their plan: reconnaissance, risk assessment, effective counterattack.”
Actions speak louder than words. We see no signs that Russia is leaving Kherson without a fight. A part of the ru-group is preserved in the city, and additional reserves are charged to the region. 🇺🇦 is liberating territories based on intelligence data, not staged TV statements.
— Михайло Подоляк (@Podolyak_M) November 9, 2022
Why is Ukraine’s Kherson region so strategically important?
Kherson, a province in southern Ukraine, borders Crimea and offers Moscow a land link to the peninsula in the Black Sea that it took from Kyiv in 2014.
Russia would lose access to that land corridor if Kyiv’s forces, who are launching a counterattack in the area, are successful in retaking significant portions of that terrain. Achieving such military success would also enable Ukraine to deploy long-range artillery closer to Crimea, which Moscow regards as being crucial to its interests.
If Ukraine were to recapture the partially held Kherson region, the territory’s fresh water supply to Crimea would likewise be in jeopardy.
NATO chief says Putin made ‘several huge mistakes’ over Ukraine
Putin committed “several huge mistakes” when he invaded Ukraine, according to NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg. “President Putin made several huge mistakes when he invaded Ukraine, strategic mistakes,” Stoltenberg told reporters while on a visit to the United Kingdom.
“One was to underestimate the Ukrainians – their courage, their commitment to fight and protect their country … The other mistake he made was to underestimate NATO allies, partners, in our ability to support Ukraine,” he said.
Probably the smartest thing Russia has done since the start of this war, be interesting to see if the command staff can pull off a organised withdrawal or whether it will turn into a rout which Ukraine could exploit to cause severe casualties
could get very messy if they have to withdraw over a river and are under attack
Seems very weird to tell the media, it’s either a trap or the Orcs are really that stupid.
Would be interesting to see if there is other intell backing up a withdrawal, ammo being blown up ,rear echelon withdrawing over the river etc
They have been blowing up their own positions and leaving manikins in them to make them look occupied still. From other things i’ve seen, there is some major looting taking place in Kherson currently by Russian soldiers which could also be a sign they’re going to bug out. Interestingly there have been reports of looting by Russian soldiers in the Luhansk region of Ukraine. If they pull back over the river, that gives them a good natural defensive boundry that runs all the way up to the Zaporizhzhia region. If you look at the defensive works they have under way… Read more »
Aaron, sorry I flagged your post by mistake,
Aaron wrote:
Its been revealed that Moscow has started building a defensive line at Armiansk which is situated on the small strip of land which connects the Crimea to mainland Ukrainehttps://i.postimg.cc/QtY0g9FR/Opera-Snapshot-2022-11-10-101332-www-google.gif
The link to where I read that post and the tweet (theres actually a few) where Sat photos reveal that digging in:
Yeah I saw this after I posted my original comment. It’s interesting that they’re already building defence lines in Crimea. There is practically 60 miles as the crow flies from Kherson to the border with Crimea, would be one hell of a push.
Seen some theories that this might be to set the new “borders” if Russia was to return to the negotiating table, or the Russians expect some sort of large scale breakthrough from Kherson.
The Russians want to negotiate but the Ukrainians are not negotiating until the Russians leave all of Ukraine. They are quite right not to negotiate. The Russians will only wish to keep bits of Ukraine for a peace… only to return after they rearm.
I see the latest Ork casualty estimate is larger than the British Army…
The issue here is how and where will Putin ‘punish’ Ukraine, for inflicting another major embarrassment on Russia.
By just keep launching Iranian Suicide drones and cruise missiles from Russian territory targeted at civilian infrastructure – Electricity, water, gas major road and rail bridges.
The Russian Army is getting all the flak internally for the failures in Ukraine. Wagner and Kadirov seem to have license to crap on them every chance they get. Maybe someone should give the Russian general staff a copy of Vakyrie. Even if they’re not Tom Cruise fans it might be useful.
Wagner are the ones to watch, not on the battlefield but in Moscow! Prigohzin will be pushing to replace Putin! His “troops” are the only ones doing at least mediocre fighting (with high losses) and therefore he can be seen to be the only viable option, with a private army, to try to take the head shed Nazi position of power!
Yep but they’re burning through the rapists, pedos and serial killers to get the publicity. I think if the Russian general staff grow a pair they’d squash Wagner. I know ‘if’
Agreed, there has to be some decent and reasonable head sheds in the Russian mil who are horrified by what has been going on!
There will be, but chances are they’re either dead, fired or moved to SIberia, out of the way.
Spare a thought for poor Oleg, JohninMK’s FSB handler who has to come up with a positive Russian angle on this, or as is more likely, spray around a load of bullshit.
Where is our resident FSB Troll. Things bit going so well in the St Petersburg farm 😀
Sorry to have reduced your amusement by not commenting but I’m having to come to terms with the unwelcome results of the prostate biopsy I mentioned a couple of weeks ago. It looks like I’m going under the knife at the Churchill in Oxford at Christmas, subject to the nurses strike of course. The subsequent side effects are sobering, to say the least.
I expect that many Ukrainians cannot access hospital care and treatment for their conditions due to the Russian military deliberately targeting and destroying hospitals and medical centres . A tactic you have repeatedly refused to condemn and actually given tacit support to with your gleeful reporting of supposed Russian ‘successes ‘. But now you look to play the sympathy card. If you really are getting an operation, take some time to look around the ward you’re in and see what if any part of it constitutes a military target and what it must feel like to be a patient in… Read more »
Well put 👍🏻
Nothing I do or say can have any effect on what is happening or has happened in Ukraine. I would be interested if you could come up with any evidence of the “Russian military deliberately targeting and destroying hospitals and medical centres” that were genuinely civilian as opposed to being used by the Ukrainian military.
In the meantime I hope that you do not, like most men, fall foul of prostrate problems and would advise you, if you are over say 55, to ask your GP for a PSA test.
JIMK wrote: “”Nothing I do or say can have any effect on what is happening or has happened in Ukraine.”” Actually you couldn’t be further from the truth, since time began nations have conspired to undermine any resistance towards their adventures elsewhere. During the cold war we saw that taken a stage further by the funding of groups like CND, which openly demanded that the West disarms , on the basis of it’s better to be red than dead and now we have social media which allows subversive elements to play their message directly to the plebs via their social… Read more »
Once again Boom Farouk shoots and we have “JohninMK down, JohninMK down, we have a nobber down in the city”……..my version, fav film!
JIMK wrote: “I would be interested if you could come up with any evidence of the “Russian military deliberately targeting and destroying hospitals and medical centres” that were genuinely civilian as opposed to being used by the Ukrainian military.” Moscow is signatory to the Geneva conventions 1 to 4 and Protocols 1 and 2 (there are 3), GC1 stipulates Hospitals and makes no distinctions between Mil and Civy and I quote: The First Geneva Convention protects soldiers who are hors de combat (out of the battle). The 10 articles of the original 1864 version of the Convention have been expanded… Read more »
Part 2 Here’s the interesting thing which very few people have picked up. The 1949 Geneva conventions have been modified with three amendment protocols: Protocol I (1977) relating to the Protection of Victims of International Armed Conflicts Protocol II (1977) relating to the Protection of Victims of Non-International Armed Conflicts Protocol III (2005) relating to the Adoption of an Additional Distinctive Emblem Until Oct 2019 Moscow was signatory to 1 and 2 where President Putin signed an executive order and submitted a State Duma bill to revoke Russia’s ratification of Protocol I . So what was it about P1 that… Read more »
What does a mercenary come under? If they aren’t a solider are they a civilian criminal?
Still you deflect. Nothing I say either has any effect on the battlefield, but basic humanity, decency and compassion should have allowed you to condemn utterly the summary executions by Kadyrovite militias of innocent Ukrainian citizens in Bucha, Irpin and other towns. That you didn’t, and instead continued to boast about Russian adventures, and disseminate Kremlin lies, myths and propaganda tells its own tale. I would wish no one any ill will if they were going through a bout of ill health, but it is difficult to work out if you are a committee of trollbots or a misinformed Russian… Read more »
“I would be interested if you could come up with any evidence of the “Russian military deliberately targeting and destroying hospitals and medical centres” that were genuinely civilian as opposed to being used by the Ukrainian military.”
Does this also mean, in your eyes, that civilian hospitals being used to treat wounded Ukrainian soldiers – alongside civilians – are legitimate targets, because they have soldiers in them – even injured and maimed ones?
Pretty sure the Geneva convention has an issue or two with that.
Good advice re PSA test. Big killer of men and no real test can confirm it other than the finger job unfortunately.
WHO condemns Russia for mounting attacks on Ukraine health facilities
https://www.axios.com/2022/03/07/russia-attack-ukraine-hospitals-who
Russia accused of deliberately targeting Ukraine’s medical facilities
https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/ukrainealert/russia-accused-of-deliberately-targeting-ukraines-medical-facilities/
Stop attacks on health care in Ukraine
https://www.unicef.org/press-releases/stop-attacks-health-care-ukraine
Spot on! When shit roles downhill and you cannot bluff and bluster the recent Russian catastrophe in Ukraine, play the sympathy card and ignore the subject matter.
Sorry to hear of your condition. Good luck and tonight you will be in my prayers, rra (napa, calif.)
Thank you.
I’m not. I hope you suffer.
Given the lies you’ve repeatedly posted all year about Russian victories and Ukraine faking war crime evidence, pardon me for not believing a jot of your sympathy play.
If it is true, consider how lucky you are to be going to a British hospital for treatment instead of a Ukrainian hospital, as the latter are regarded as valid military targets for Russian missiles.
I know the Churchill very well, can you verify which entrance your appointment has stated you use, and I’m sure you have been there before I’m sure you would like to inform me of the rather well known but awkward traffic situation we all see there!
Nicely put….
Chronic parking there I agree. First appointment is a scan down the long corridor from the main entrance, the one with the shops. There is a gents loo on the left in the corridor on the right just after said shops. The corridor that is a dead end for patients not staff going to urology. I try to use the car park on the right after the entrance but it usually involves waiting until someone leaves. Apart from parking there is nothing awkward about the traffic that I have found, unlike in the JR.
Car park on the right after the entrance? Interesting entrance don’t you think? First appointment a scan? You stated you need surgery at Xmas, so you haven’t even seen Urology yet? And yes the one system is an issue!
Yes, quite good shops, certainly better than the JR. I’ve been seeing Urology for nearly 4 years. What is the “one system”?
Er, you follow the one way system, but if you head to the east entrance, going past the ambulance parking and station, you are almost onto the circuit one way system, and most people get confused as they think they have already joined it, and many try to gurnaround (due to the very large signs, which look, but are not, no entry signs) but you will know this wont you. Anyway at least you can grab a Starbucks once you go kn the main entrance!
Was going to ask him that as the next question when he comes back with I’ve never been to the Churchill! He must have had a Urology appointment prior to being told he is going to have surgery!
Yup, as I said below before this reply of yours, the consultants (I don’t see just one, there is Oncology as well) work multi hospitals, as many do. I know the innards of the Churchill as I have ferried others there.
Why, if you are indeed in Milton Keynes, are you being treated in Oxford at the Churchill of all places?
Because MK hospital does not have the facilities I need like a PET scanner and advanced robotic surgery. The consultant works at both sites. Also and this is hard to believe in this day and age, their computer systems are incompatible and patient files have to be transferred on paper so they do all the work in one place rather than as convenient for the patient. The Churchill is for ‘elective’ surgery i.e. planned and cancer, whilst the John Radcliffe is for mainly emergency type work. Both are centres of excellence for a large part of south central England.
Oddly I know that as I used to live in Oxford: my dad still does….. Mind you there is nothing you say that Google wouldn’t tell you either. But you are ignoring the NHS PET scanner that is in Fishmead Milton Keynes…..so out of dateski….Googleski……researchski…. That would have been true in 2017 before it came online. Never mind. How do I know? Well I used to write software for MRI and other scanners and I have friends around the place. Oddly, as I am nice to them: they tell me facts and how to check them using public information!! Bad… Read more »
Not sure where your Fishermead PET scanner came from but it must have been a mobile as it isn’t available to MK NHS now. In 2019 when I was first PET scanned the nearest was in Northampton, certainly not in MK as you imply.
Google tell you where a toilet is in the middle of a hospital on a limited access corridor? Neither are even on a Churchill site map.
Try againski, as when you have been somewhere its hard to be caught out.
Trouble is I have been to the Churchill campus many times over the last 30+ years to see others and attend meetings.
I’m not quite sure why your trying to claim I’m getting my hospital info from Google.
I am quite familiar with the physical reality of the place thank you very muchski.
It was you suggesting that I could be getting my info from Google not the other way round.
So you agree re the scanner sites?
I am genuinely sorry to hear of your condition, as I would be with any man, but I’m afraid the criticism you receive is entirely due to your rewriting of reality. Have a thought for those people who were attacked for no other reason than Putin wanted an adventure.
Thank you. Its not a rewriting of reality, its looking at reality from a different direction. I don’t think that either Putin or the Russian leadership saw Ukraine as an “adventure” more of an existential threat to them by the US trying to expand its empire using the Ukrainians as the tool.
Then we will have to disagree. Russia invaded the Crimes, Russia invaded the Ukraine. I don’t see how a military attack can be see as defence.
1. The US doesn’t have an empire.
2. If Russia found the US an existential threat, why didn’t they attack the US??
Oh yeah, just realised why not……
It does and its based on the power of the US$ as the World’s reserve currency.
The US cultivated Ukraine as the next stick to beat Russia with and Russia reacted. They do not want to fight each other as that’s WW3. Just as the US would rather fight China using Taiwan.
Bullshit. Russia’s attack on Ukraine was purely based on Putins warped and fantasy version of history. There were no bio labs, no nazis, no nuclear weapons, just a sovereign nation that wanted to embrace western ideals of freedom and plurality. It’s increasingly apparent that when this war is won by Ukraine, given the amount of blood and treasure they have paid, they will be in no mood to offer concessions to Russia and Russia, with its defeated military will not be able to demand or enforce any conditions. What a massive strategic geo political failure by Russia. You see, there’s… Read more »
Spot on!
That’s a job and a half, and if a successful slant is achieved that’s an extra litre of 2 stroke for the month!
Can you idiots give it a rest. It takes forever to get to anyone with anything meaningful to say.
Ah nice post, rather childish throwaway comment calling people idiots! Maybe don’t bother reading our replies to another poster (a conversation you aren’t involved in) if it gets you all shook up! Ride your bang up!
Airborne,
I am referring the multitude of repetitive posts that all say the same thing. I realise this is a public forum. But get a grip! Poking a troll with childish arguments just generates more similar responses. Grow up man (or should that be grow up person?)! If you have a serious problem, contact George about getting his IP address banned.
Its getting to anyone else’s posts that is the problem. The tread is full of non relevant nonsense.
Airborne
If you still don’t get it, have a look at how ‘farouk’ goes about it.
Two replies, both passive aggressive! Nice! Anyway as I have previously stated I will continue to poke the trolls, regardless of your opinion! And I unfortunately don’t have as much time as Farouk! I’ve been posting for some considerable time now and know the many varied and well experienced posters and how they go about things, and very rarely do I attempt to dictate the format or content. So thanks for the advice but alas it will be ignored.
😁
The chooks have come home to roost – shades of Finland 39-40. Once the dust settles, I sincerely hope Putin is held to account.
Before the western press gets carried away we should heed what the Ukrainian presidential advisor is saying. It looks like the Russians are fortifying parts of Kherson city and some fresh units are moving up into the oblast, I think this a case of wait and see.
If they are then the Ukrainians have got to do what they have been doing,cut them off and let them freeze their cods off in the winter! Same as all these people saying the Orcs are waiting for winter just how are the conscripts going to survive the cold with no kit?
Good to see NATO is now switching focus to ensuring the Ukranian army can remain in the field during winter. So spartan apcs for battle taxis. Great in mud and snow. Generator sets. Cold weather clothing and sleeping bags. Thermal and insulated tents. Camoflage gear and high energy winter ration packs. Fortunately many NATO countries know what is needed and have these items in stores. Canada, USA, Norway, Finland, Poland, Austria, UK to name just a few. If the Ukranian army can keep active over winter and give the Russians zero respite and continue to draw in their scant reserves… Read more »
I do feel sorry for the 250k remaining conscripts who don’t want to be there and are doing to have a terrible winter.
If they are not properly fed or equipped then death will come from cold or by war.
These are not the previous generations that are skilled to live off the land, to forage and make shelters.
Are Russian troops being withdrawn from Kherson before it is laid to waste by shelling and missile strikes?
I’m betting it’s a bluff and then they do something dumb like a surprise Hostomel 2
Massive pinch of salt with this statement. Have the Russians suddenly decided to announce withdrawals? Some folks have said this statement is for the domestic audience and show they care about troops lives.
Ukraine wanted to keep the Russians tied up in the region inflicting casualties.
I will wait and see.
A lot of the remaining supply corridors over the river; barges/ferries, damaged bridges were reported destroyed by the Russians over the last 24 hours. They might have withdrawn what they could/wanted to save at this point.
It’s an eight year old conflict George, not eight months. A 2014 Guardian piece I archived makes interesting reading. Title: Ukraine: pro-Russia separatists set for victory in eastern region referendum The Ukrainian nationalist forces are wise not to assume Russia is conceding this city because it cannot be supplied. They should be very careful when advancing into “gifted territory.” The Russians have planned this withdrawal for a while and are doing it for an as yet unknown reason. My guess is either the use of a WMD on what Russia considers to be it’s own territory. Or the destruction of… Read more »
If they were to blow the dam it would actually flood the south side of the river! So effectively flooding their own lines of defence!
Effectively increasing the width of the natural barrier the Ukrainians need to cross. Added to whatever they have left behind in the city itself. Which is obviously the aim of the exercise.
I would call it a war crime to blow that dam. But I suppose it is as much of a crime as the dam buster raids of WWII.
The river is never going to crossed at Kherson anyway it is 1km wide there! An assault crossing would cost too many lives and be a logistical nightmare. There are mutterings of stay behind troops when they eventually leave the city to harass the Ukrainians but are the Orcs known for suicide missions? because that’s what it will be!
Damnbuster raid probably would constitue a war crime if it were not for the fact that the Germans had already blitzed lots of uk cities and killed at the time of the damn buster raid some 100,000+ uk civillians. As it was then so it is now. You reap what you sow. Russia sowed the seeds of this war. Now it must suffer the consequences in lost lives. Treasure and damage to its economy and people. Do I have any sorrow for the plight of the Russians? Nope not an ounce. The Russian people choose to allow Putin to remain… Read more »
The rules of war were changed post WWII to make the blowing of a dam illegal.
That’s not surprising. Victors write the history books and change the rules accordingly.
A little off topic but in a war against the ChiComs over Taiwan. I would make the Three Gorges Dam, Jinping-I Dam and many others priority targets on day one. Having such a large population, energy generation and food production are their weak points. But that’s me. When it comes to total war, winning matters more than anything else.
As for winter how effective is an army that is freezing it’s soldiers to death?
Apparently, we have very similar views on unfolding current events. Not certain whether that reflects positively on our collective sense of optimism or simply realism? 🤔😳
As others have commented that, whilst Zelensky jumped on it, many in the Ukrainian Military are regarding this announcement with caution, definitely having a good look in the mouth of this gift horse. In particular, they will be concerned that up to today Russia has resisted fiercely any attack and now they are expected to believe that these forces will suddenly withdraw. At this time of year the only practical way to move is down the roads, due to mud and minefields, All of which will be preset on one side into Russian artillery and drone system computers based on… Read more »
Oh my oh my, every post, no matter the tactical situation on the ground you always start your garbage with play up te he Russian efforts, then move to degenerate Selensky and Ukraine, throw in some supposed tactical knowledge you have (not) and then state it’s Russian efforts at reducing casualties/peace efforts etc and more garbage etc! Common routine, we have all seen it for months and you have actually been wrong EVEYRY SINGLE TIME! Yes, anyone with half a second military experience (about 300000 mobilised Russian peasants) obviously question the Nazis motives here, but whatever the reason, it will… Read more »
There you are wrong my airborne friend. The Russians have a plethora of chemical and biological weapons at their disposal. Things that as yet have not been used. At least as far as we know. A Russian UN spokesman has just accused Ukraine of using infected fleas as vectors to spread as BW agent. Obviously the Russians have thought about it and are ready to blame Ukraine if these things are found. Regardless which side uses them. I suspect the Ukrainian military services are not very advanced. Most likely just civilian medics dressed in uniforms. Could they detect an outbreak… Read more »
🤔😳☹️
It’s the history of posts that stack up to the blind following of Russia and the disregard of anything positive mentioned by Ukraine. Good thing about this forum is it’s really easy to see everyone’s previous posts.
Firstly do some research on JohninMK then get back to me, as I won’t need to say any more on that subject. Secondly the Ukrainians will be prepared for any Nazi use of chemical weapons, trained and equipped in the same way as conventional systems, by NATO!
You don’t know jack shit about Ukraine. Come back when you can condemn Putins invasion.
I hope your prostate is causing you agonizing pain nazi.
It would seem that with the intelligence capability of the US and its NATO partners, it would not be that difficult to determine if the Russians have indeed evacuated its forces from Kherson. The question is just what trap or surprise they may have set inside the city before a withdrawal. Sure wouldn’t want to be in the first element of Ukranian troops to enter the city.
Can’t help but wonder if this lines up with the nuclear threat? Pull out of a city and nuke it as ‘punishment’. Threaten to pull out of more locations, turn the war into a hostage situation.
Would be an incredibly pathetic strategy, but right up Russia’s MO.
I’m sure the US/UK have considered this in their high level talks with Wallace, at least I would hope so.
Hope that if and when Ukrainian forces go into Kherson that they don’t broadcast until afterwards of maybe not all. Hopefully they can even try to go further and beyond and in the East too. Any dirty business by Russia could be met with a more complete decimation of the Kerch Bridge for starters! Strength to 🇺🇦, it’s forces, people and president!
I completely agree. My threat detectors are flashing and I’m sat safely here in England. When dealing with KGB/STASI trained Putin, it pays to be extremely cautious. This is an obvious trap. The first people in there need to be in full IPE: equipped with CAM, NIAD and Geiger Counters. While sweeping for IDEs and mines. The Ukrainians should know what was available to the old Red Army with respect to chemical mines. However, Russia has had 30 years in which to develop new devices to utilise it’s binary weapons. Recent mention of insects used as vectors for biological weapons… Read more »
Absolutely concur. Heads on swivel when advancing, great time to utilize ‘Ulster Twirl.’ It’s unfortunate that they cannot be accompanied by a few NATO SF advisors, who have the requisite training to address the potential threats.
Ulster Twirl? What’s that?
Graham, Recalled a video shown to us sometime during the 80’s or early 90’s at a security briefing. Video of a dismounted patrol, estimate of 14 – 18 troops, on patrol in an urban NI setting. Believe these were regular British troops, not paramilitary. Split into two columns, one in each side of the street. These troopers were obviously locked, loaded and ready to rock. Every few steps forward, at least two and sometimes more would step out of line and seamlessly and apparently effortlessly do a 360 rotation while keeping pace w/ column progress. Presumed intent was to have… Read more »
Remember that these squaddies were wearing (red?) berets, not helmets. Don’t know whether that helps to identify regiment. Thought that was somewhat incongruous. Perhaps an effort to put the natives at ease?
They were Paras if they were patrolling as you describe, as they have maroon beterts.
Military Police wear a different shade of red berets and they do not operate like that.
Nothing incongruous at all in British soldiers patrolling in berets, particularly in a British street – helmets were carried on the waist and would be worn if the threat level increased. All over the world British soldiers would always patrol in berets initially and if threat levels permits.
Yes, the berets we’re a maroon color. NI must have been a sporting proposition, if paratroopers were used for apparently routine patrols. OT, and perhaps irrelevant, but always recall hearing reports of IRA bombings in NI. If that was indeed the case, and given the extensive deployment experience in NI, why didn’t the Brits deploy to Iraq fully equipped w/ MRAPs, and perhaps a few extra for the allies? We lost quite a few people, until we got our collective act together. I seem to recall that it was the SecDef who lit a fire under someone’s ass to expedite… Read more »
Hi mate. Paras are Infantry so they are employed on infantry tasks. I am not surprised you heard reports of IRA bombings, not just in NI but in many many towns and cities in GB too and they also attacked bases in Germany with bombs. The number of bombings they did was astronomic. Just one example: “On July 21, 1972: 21 IRA bombs explode in Belfast, leaving nine dead and 130 injured and also 14 bombs were exploded in other areas of NI on what will come to be called Bloody Friday. Another example but of a bomb attack in… Read more »
Appreciate the extended explanation; filled in many gaps in my knowledge re subject. I had always wondered why we were collectively so ill-equipped to deal w/ IEDs, given the previous extensive British experience in NI. Understand now, thanks.
Maroon, maroon, maroon!!!!!! Red is the RMPs and what your describing mate is decent skills and drills while urban patrolling in an area where lots of very grumpy Irish people live! Fart in a lift comes to mind!!!!
Yeah, sorry I used the term red to cover a multitude of shades of color, more properly labeled maroon. Thought that maroon may be the beret color of Paras, but didn’t necessarily want to display my potential ignorance. GM stated that Paras were assigned to patrol in NI. Unknown whether 82nd or 101st Airborne ever assigned similar role in US. Still somewhat surprised that elite troops would be assigned relatively routine security duty. 🤔😳
Many thanks. Those were certainly British soldiers. Sometimes the tail end Charlie would walk backwards for long periods of time. They must have been patrolling in a hard Republican area, and not in the very early days of The Troubles, as they were originally welcomed by the Catholic community.
Perhaps what we were shown was a variation on the theme developed by a specific unit. Simply assumed it was standard practice, developed after hard lessons learned.
The periodic twirl or the tail ender mostly walking backwards were standard techniques to maintain observation to the rear. Just I never heard the term ‘Ulster twirl’ before.
Actually, the term probably served as a mnemonic to assist in my recollection of a video from that many years ago. Term definitely made an impression upon me at that time. 🤔
Hard lessons learned indeed! All units deploying to NI went through extensive training in places like Tin city on Hythe ranges. One week you were security forces the next the ‘civilian’ population. A VERY hostile environment ensued!!
I will feel a happier when I hear that Ukrainian forces have secured the Nova Khakovka dam. The Ukrainian people have born their suffering with some grace and courage. Their soldiers have similarly fought bravely, confidently and intelligently. NATO has held together. The UK has shown exemplary leadership. The US strategy of ‘just in time’ weapons has avoided provoking nukes. The evidence of looting and that the Russians are digging defensive positions around Mariupol says to me that the West has turned the tide of Putin’s evil. Take care in Kherson, but time for a wee dram I think.