Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more...

[ZappBranigan]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080228/ap_on_re_eu/britain_prince_harry

Good on the Brits for allowing the prince to deploy. Reminds me of my favorite Shakespeare quote (Henry V, Act III scene I):


"Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more;
Or close the wall up with our English dead.
In peace there's nothing so becomes a man
As modest stillness and humility:

But when the blast of war blows in our ears,
Then imitate the action of the tiger;
Stiffen the sinews, summon up the blood,
Disguise fair nature with hard-favour'd rage;

Then lend the eye a terrible aspect;
Let pry through the portage of the head
Like the brass cannon; let the brow o'erwhelm it
As fearfully as doth a galled rock

O'erhang and jutty his confounded base,
Swill'd with the wild and wasteful ocean.
Now set the teeth and stretch the nostril wide,
Hold hard the breath and bend up every spirit

To his full height. On, on, you noblest English.
Whose blood is fet from fathers of war-proof!
Fathers that, like so many Alexanders,
Have in these parts from morn till even fought

And sheathed their swords for lack of argument:
Dishonour not your mothers; now attest
That those whom you call'd fathers did beget you.
Be copy now to men of grosser blood,

And teach them how to war. And you, good yeoman,
Whose limbs were made in England, show us here
The mettle of your pasture; let us swear
That you are worth your breeding; which I doubt not;

For there is none of you so mean and base,
That hath not noble lustre in your eyes.
I see you stand like greyhounds in the slips,
Straining upon the start. The game's afoot:

Follow your spirit, and upon this charge
Cry 'God for Harry, England, and Saint George!'"

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z256/ZappBranigan/Misc%20pictures/henryv.jpg

[DaJudge]

I love that piece! Another favorite of mine, by Rudyard Kipling:

Tommy

I went into a public-'ouse to get a pint o'beer,
The publican 'e up an' sez, "We serve no red-coats here."
The girls be'ind the bar they laughed an' giggled fit to die,
I outs into the street again an' to myself sez I:

O it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' "Tommy, go away";
But it's ``Thank you, Mister Atkins,'' when the band begins to play,
The band begins to play, my boys, the band begins to play,
O it's ``Thank you, Mr. Atkins,'' when the band begins to play.
I went into a theatre as sober as could be,
They gave a drunk civilian room, but 'adn't none for me;
They sent me to the gallery or round the music-'alls,
But when it comes to fightin', Lord! they'll shove me in the stalls!

For it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' "Tommy, wait outside";
But it's "Special train for Atkins" when the trooper's on the tide,
The troopship's on the tide, my boys, the troopship's on the tide,
O it's "Special train for Atkins" when the trooper's on the tide.
Yes, makin' mock o' uniforms that guard you while you sleep
Is cheaper than them uniforms, an' they're starvation cheap;
An' hustlin' drunken soldiers when they're goin' large a bit
Is five times better business than paradin' in full kit.

Then it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' "Tommy how's yer soul?"
But it's "Thin red line of 'eroes" when the drums begin to roll,
The drums begin to roll, my boys, the drums begin to roll,
O it's "Thin red line of 'eroes" when the drums begin to roll.
We aren't no thin red 'eroes, nor we aren't no blackguards too,
But single men in barricks, most remarkable like you;
An' if sometimes our conduck isn't all your fancy paints:
Why, single men in barricks don't grow into plaster saints;

While it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' "Tommy, fall be'ind,"
But it's "Please to walk in front, sir," when there's trouble in the wind,
There's trouble in the wind, my boys, there's trouble in the wind,
O it's "Please to walk in front, sir," when there's trouble in the wind.
You talk o' better food for us, an' schools, an' fires an' all:
We'll wait for extry rations if you treat us rational.
Don't mess about the cook-room slops, but prove it to our face
The Widow's Uniform is not the soldier-man's disgrace.

For it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' "Chuck him out, the brute!"
But it's "Saviour of 'is country," when the guns begin to shoot;
An' it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' anything you please;
But Tommy ain't a bloomin' fool - you bet that Tommy sees!

[potter]

Whoever it was who let this information slip out needs to be legally held responsible.

And props to the prince for actually being out there.

[DaJudge]

London Daily Telegraph


29 February 2008

Prince Harry fighting Taliban in Afghanistan


By Andrew Pierce


Last Updated: 7:12am GMT 29/02/2008

http://mailcenter2.comcast.net/wmc/v/wm/47C82F88000E758D00001D7722070210530A02079B9CD20E?cmd=GetImg&no=28&uid=1009035&sid=c0&name=002101c87aa8$82ad50b0$094ad34a@CPQ46374015264Have your say (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2008/02/29/#form) http://mailcenter2.comcast.net/wmc/v/wm/47C82F88000E758D00001D7722070210530A02079B9CD20E?cmd=GetImg&no=28&uid=1009035&sid=c0&name=002201c87aa8$82b1e490$094ad34a@CPQ46374015264 Read comments (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2008/02/29/#comments)
It was disclosed yesterday that Prince Harry has been fighting the Taliban
in Afghanistan, the first member of the Royal Family in 25 years to serve on
the front line.

? Your view: Should Prince Harry be on the front line? (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?view=BLOGDETAIL&grid=F11&blog=yourview&xml=/news/2008/02/28/view28d.xml)
? In pictures: Prince Harry in Afghanistan (wmfiltered:)
? Watch: Prince Harry on being a Taliban target (http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid1312383598/bclid1312351331/bctid1435539764)

The 23-year-old Prince, who is third in line to the throne, has spent the
past 10 weeks with the lives of British troops in his hands in his key role as
a battlefield air controller.






http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v490/astine/misc/untitled-5.jpg


On patrol: Prince Harry in the town of Garmsir in Helmand province, southern Afghanistan


He has been operating only 500 yards from enemy positions, calling in air
strikes and carrying out surveillance of Taliban fighters in Helmand province.
His military base has come under mortar and machine gun attack five times
every day.

In the heat of battle it has been Prince Harry, an officer in the Household
Cavalry, who would give final clearance for air strikes on Taliban targets.
Three British troops have been killed since he arrived in the war zone.

Gordon Brown, the Prime Minister, and Gen Sir Richard Dannatt, the Chief of
the General Staff, last night led the tributes to the Prince, who they
described as an "exemplary" soldier.

However, news of his deployment ignited a diplomatic row, as Sir Richard
condemned Australian, German and American websites for exposing the
Prince's secret role.

The British media, in conjunction with the Ministry of Defence (MoD), had
agreed not to report anything, for the Prince's protection, until he had
safely returned. But with his cover blown, a decision will be taken today on
whether to withdraw the Prince six weeks early.

There are fears he could become a prime target for the Taliban now they
know he is fighting against them, which would also endanger the lives of his
comrades.

Even when he is back in Britain, the Prince's personal protection will have to
be reviewed, as he concedes al-Qa'eda terrorists will now be looking to
assassinate him.

Sir Richard said: "I am very disappointed that foreign websites have decided
to run this story without consulting us. This is in stark contrast to the
highly responsible attitude of the whole of the UK print and broadcast
media."

The officer was full of praise for Prince Harry's service on the front line. The
last member of the Royal Family to take part in a war was the Duke of York,
who flew helicopters for the Royal Navy during the Falklands conflict in
1982.

"What the last two months have shown is that it is perfectly possible for
Prince Harry to be employed just the same as other Army officers of his
rank and experience. His conduct on operations in Afghanistan has been
exemplary," said Sir Richard. "He has been fully involved in operations and
has run the same risks as everyone else in his battlegroup. In common with
all of his generation in the Army today, he is a credit to the nation."

? Have your say: Send your messages of support for Harry and other (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2008/02/29/#form)
troops
? Prince Harry's bravery in Afghanistan saluted (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2008/02/29/nharry829.xml)
? Timeline: Prince Harry's path to war (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2008/02/28/nharry1528.xml)

The Prince had been posted to Afghanistan to work at a remote British
desert outpost in the south of the province, close to the Pakistan border.

Within days of his arrival - 10 days before Christmas - he was ordered
forward to the semi-deserted town of Garmsir alongside an attachment of
Gurkha troops.

The British base and the Taliban trenches are separated by a First World
War-style No Man's Land.

After the crushing disappointment of being refused permission to serve in
Iraq in early 2007 - a move which nearly triggered the Prince's resignation
from the Army - the deployment to Afghanistan was cloaked in the utmost
secrecy. Even some senior generals were not informed.

The Prince, a Second Lieutenant in the Household Cavalry, had been told he
could serve in Iraq as a tank commander, but the decision was rescinded
because the MoD feared his presence would lead to a surge in the number
of attacks on British troops in Basra.

His role in Afghanistan has put him at the centre of the fight against the
Taliban, working round the clock from a fortified operations room where he
can track enemy movements. He also had to set co-ordinates for bomb
drops. The role brought him into regular contact with British, American,
French and Dutch pilots. But none of them knew they were talking to a
member of the British Royal Family because he was operating under his call
sign "Widow Six Seven".

[DaJudge]

Prince Harry fighting Taliban in Afghanistan
By Andrew Pierce

Last Updated: 7:12am GMT 29/02/2008


The decision to deploy the Prince was reached in December, after Sir Richard had
consulted the Prime Minister, the Queen and the Prince of Wales.
It was the Queen who broke the news to her grandson that he could fulfil his
dream of serving his country. "All my wishes have come true, I managed to get
the job done," the Prince said, speaking from his camp known as Forward
Operating Base Delhi.
In an interview before he left for Afghanistan, Prince Harry said the posting would
give him his first taste of a normal life. He received a letter at the base from his
brother, Prince William, who said that their mother, Diana, Princess of Wales,
would have been proud of her youngest son.


? Leader: Prince Harry - a proud soldier (http://truro.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/main.jhtml?xml=/opinion/2008/02/29/dl2901.xml)
? In pictures: Prince's career (wmfiltered:)
? Allan Mallinson: Prince Harry can look every soldier in the eye (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/main.jhtml?xml=/opinion/2008/02/29/do2901.xml)

Prince Harry said: "Hopefully, she would be proud. She would be looking down,
having a giggle about the stupid things that I have been doing like going left when
I should have gone right."
Mr Brown led the tributes last night. He said: "Prince Harry has been an exemplary
soldier and is serving with dedication in the finest traditions of our Armed Forces.
The whole of Britain will be proud of the outstanding service he is giving. I want to
thank Prince Harry and all of our service personnel for their contribution and
service."
David Cameron, the Conservative leader, said: "Like all the troops currently
fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan, Harry has been incredibly brave.
"He has pursued his desire to get on the front line and serve his country with huge
determination and courage."

[DaJudge]

Comments:
Good for the Prince. If he has to be withdrawn is there any chance of
Brown, Browne and Darling being sent there ? Perhaps they will then get a
move on and properly equip our troops.
Posted by Brian Lait on February 29, 2008 5:59 AM
Report this comment

What SPLENDID news! Well done all concerned. What an example to us all,
including our honourable politicians, if they can lift their snouts from the
trough for a second to appreciate it.
Posted by Digby Smith on February 29, 2008 5:52 AM
Report this comment

Well done Harry, and to all the other soldiers over there, fighting something
that otherwise will come our way on the back of the stupid immigration and
asylum policies of the last 15 years under a corrupt EU which has dissolved
our border controls.

Carrot and stick. Harry and co you are part of the stick to contain this
menace that has explicitly threatened your Grandmother and our Sovereign.

What a pity the French and Germans in this contemptible undemocratic EU
cannot bring themselves to find frontline troops to fight alongside you, but
aid and abet revelations on your whereabouts which should have been kept
secret.

Some allies in a war against criminal religious zealotry that is now
entrenched and stretching across Europe - all due to the naive liberalism of
two generations of politicians.

Next we settle the 5th column in our midst..an altogether tougher task
contingent upon ditching the PC liberalism of the last 40 years.

Are Cameron and co listening? Because Brown has lost it - together with
that generation of hippy no-hopers.
Posted by John Carter on February 29, 2008 5:28 AM
Report this comment

Well done to the young prince good on him for sticking in there, and good
on General Dannert and the Queen for allowing him the opportunity to serve
his nation. You can now walk with pride and tell your grand children that
you were there. The role you fulfill is vital to all our coalition troops so well
done.
Posted by Paul Fuller on February 29, 2008 5:25 AM
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I guessed this is what would happen. First of all that he would go incognito
to Afghanistan and then some fools in the media would let the cat out of
the bag. Now they have put not only his life at risk but those of his men.
Perhaps those media idiots would like to take his place there or are they too
cowardly? (from an ex naval wife)
Posted by marianne stevens on February 29, 2008 4:35 AM
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As an American, I am extremely grateful for the brave service that Prince
Harry is displaying in Afghanistan.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Sincerely,
Steve Carr
Posted by Steven Carr on February 29, 2008 4:34 AM
Report this comment

Good show. We are very proud of you and all the soldiers. Keep up the good work.

A US supporter..
Posted by David W Newman on February 29, 2008 4:26 AM
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I salute Prince Harry for his courage but I fear for his life now that the "secret" is out.
Posted by George Parker on February 29, 2008 4:21 AM
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Come home Harry with your boys and lead the coup against the Brown "Idiocracy"

Be safe
Posted by Steve Byrne on February 29, 2008 3:56 AM
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Maybe having Prince Harry in the front line will frighten the "government"
into providing the equipment that is so desperately required by the troops.
It would not go look good if it took 7 hours to get him to a field hospital if
he is injured.
Posted by David Humphreys on February 29, 2008 3:36 AM
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England expects

Posted by Frederica Hastie on February 29, 2008 3:27 AM
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Fantastic! If only our rich people here in the US would follow his example.
Prince Harry is a stark contrast to our cowardly Vice President, always
running off to an "Undisclosed location."
Posted by Peter Laurence on February 29, 2008 2:57 AM
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It might look to the Arab world like the crusades all over again when
European Kings and Princes went to the middle east to fight muslims.
Posted by John on February 29, 2008 2:56 AM
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It was only the right thing to do.

Well done!
Posted by chris on February 29, 2008 2:56 AM
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WELL DONE HARRY - KEEP IT UP.
THIS IS A SNUB TO THE LEFTIST ANTIMONARCHISTS.
Posted by ARVIND L APTE on February 29, 2008 2:47 AM
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May I be the first on this leap day to wish all allied forces serving in
Afganistan good fortune and a safe tour. Hurrah for HRH Harry Hotspur and
all of those brave lads and lasses who serve with him. Your effort and
courage are and will be appreciated by those who desire a peacful and just
world.
Posted by JJWSpencer on February 29, 2008 2:34 AM
Report this comment

Good on yer Harry, living up to the name of your illustrious royal ancestor.
Once more unto the breach and all that.....
Posted by Guy Shirra on February 29, 2008 1:51 AM
Report this comment

This is just disgusting......

'Mr Brown led the tributes last night. He said: "Prince Harry has been an
exemplary soldier and is serving with dedication in the finest traditions of
our Armed Forces. The whole of Britain will be proud of the outstanding
service he is giving. I want to thank Prince Harry and all of our service
personnel for their contribution and service." '

If SlimeBall Brown really wanted to thank 'our service personnel', he'd make
it a priority to give them the basic equipment they need to stay alive.

The man is a turd.
Period.

[jeeplvr79]

Whoever it was who let this information slip out needs to be legally held responsible.

And props to the prince for actually being out there.

x2

[Mark]

I had heard that Drudge Report leaked it.

[jeepn4evr]

Whoever it was who let this information slip out needs to be legally held responsible.

And props to the prince for actually being out there.


x3

Unfortunatly looks like he will be pulled out due to the leak & noone of the soldiers are happy about it.

http://www.cbsnews.com/sections/i_video/main500251.shtml?id=3888156n

http://www.cbsnews.com/sections/i_video/main500251.shtml?id=3888156n

Similar to the actors etc from Hollywood serving in WW2. Just because they are famous doesn't exempt them from service. Too bad more "famous" people from this generation don't feel that way. The war would probably be thought of in a different light if they did & probably would have more in the services.

[ni0h]

Whoever it was who let this information slip out needs to be legally held responsible.

And props to the prince for actually being out there.


Of course, if journalists found out, so did the bad guys with guns instead of laptops, but... the Brits are furious. It would be nice if the person responsible has business in England, and in the future, things go wrong.

[DaJudge]

http://img.timeinc.net/time/i/logo_time_print.gif (http://www.time.com/time)
Monday, Mar. 10, 2008
Apology for Prince Harry Leak

By AP/ROHAN SULLIVAN


(SYDNEY, Australia) ? An Australian magazine apologized Monday to
readers and troops serving abroad for publishing a story revealing that
Prince Harry was fighting with British troops in Afghanistan.

New Idea magazine said when it ran the story in January it was unaware of
an agreement between the British Ministry of Defense and major news
organizations not to disclose Harry's deployment to protect the 23-year-old
prince and his fellow soldiers.

The story eventually resulted in the royal being sent home.

The report went largely unnoticed until last February when the Drudge
Report published it, citing the magazine and a German publication. British
officials decided to pull Harry out of Afghanistan for his safety and that of
his unit.

In an unsigned item in its latest edition issued Monday, New Idea did not
explain the source of its January story on Harry and indicated it did not
check with British military officials before publishing.

"We did not knowingly breach any embargo and were not party to any
agreement for a media blackout on the story," the magazine said. "However,
and more importantly, we do acknowledge that our actions in publishing the
story can be reasonably viewed as insensitive and irresponsible."

The magazine apologized to its readers and to troops and their families who
serve abroad.

Harry spent almost 10 weeks in Afghanistan's volatile Helmand province,
with his deployment kept secret by a deal between officials and British and
media ? including The Associated Press.

New Idea is a celebrity and lifestyle magazine with a monthly circulation of
about 390,000 copies. A magazine spokesman did not immediately return
calls on Monday.

[ZappBranigan]

My understanding is that the Brit units in this part of Afghanistan typically serve 4 month rotations so the Prince had already served most of his unit's rotation by the time he was pulled out. I think he came out about a month earlier than the rest of the unit. Not that this minimizes what happened or the culpability of the Aussie magazine, but the actual impact was minimal.

Incidentally, there would be nothing to prevent them from putting Harry back into another combat zone later on. Presumably this time they'd work out a better "cover." But my guess is that now that Harry's lost his cherry, he'll be sent on for more schooling and "refining."

[Scooter]

The British media, in conjunction with the Ministry of Defence (MoD), had
agreed not to report anything, for the Prince's protection, until he had
safely returned.



Wow!! A responsible media working with the government?
Quick does anyone see a flying pig?

This part of the story just blew me away!

Oh yea.. Props to Harry.:thumbsup: