| Author | Message | ||
     Omar M. Shams Grand Master Username: omar Post Number: 460 Registered: 4-2009 |
For those of you who don't know much about rugby, Australia is hosting the world cup Touch Rugby this year and it is taking place right now. If any of you are keen rugby enthusiasts and are spectators at this event in Coffs Harbour, please PM me with any photos you may take of my daughter playing for the UAE or Middle East Team. Her name is Sophie Shams. Thanks | ||
| Vladimir Ivanovich Kirillov Prolific User Username: soviet Post Number: 244 Registered: 2-2013 |
Sorry Omar, not a fan of Rugby and unfortuneatly I'm over 1000 miles from Coffs Harbour but if I was in that town I would treat Sophie to a tour in one of my cars to make her feel welcome. Our media here paints a very blatant stereotype of the middle east and its peoples and so possibly quite of few of the members would be surprised that Sophie was here as a contestant in a football game. I hope she enjoys her stay, Coffs Harbour is quite a pleasant place. You may be able if you make enquiries to whoever is videoing the match to get a copy and then get thousands of ditigal photos of the match. I can make some inquiries if you want to find out exactly what media coverage the match will get and who is covering it. Naturally I expect Australia to win. | ||
| David Gore Moderator Username: david_gore Post Number: 1585 Registered: 4-2003 |
Hi Omar, Unfortunately my partner has medical commitments in Sydney at the moment and we will not be home for a fortnight otherwise we would have gone up to Coffs Harbour as it is only 2 1/2 hours drive from where we live. Unfortunately, as I write this an East-Coast low pressure system is forming North of Coffs Harbour with rain in excess of 300mm predicted over the next few days. The local SES [State Emergency Service] have gone on flood alert however do not fear for your daughter's safety as the major tourist accommodation facilities are unlikely to be flooded and the tournament authorities will be in continuous contact with the SES to ensure the participants are not at risk. The local community would also respond quickly to any calls for help in caring for the participants if problems were to arise in the traditional way we look after each other in times of need. Coming from your climate, it will be an experience for her to see torrential semi-tropical rainfall. You can read about the tournament on the following link to the local Coffs Harbour newspaper: http://www.coffscoastadvocate.com.au/ Coffs Harbour is a beautiful location where the mountains meet the sea and the off-shore marine reserves are worth the visit - unfortunately it is a little too early for the annual whale migration from the Antarctic which passes through these reserves. May all players go home with fond and happy memories of their time in our country knowing they have done their best and represented their country with pride. | ||
| David Gore Moderator Username: david_gore Post Number: 1586 Registered: 4-2003 |
Photographs from Day 1 are on the following link: http://www.coffscoastadvocate.com.au/photos/touch-world-cup-1st-day-action/31026/#/0 Yesterday's scorecard: 2015 FIT TOUCH WORLD CUP Played in Coffs Harbour DAY 1 RESULTS Men's Open 11.30am: France bt Malaysia 8-5 11.30am: New Zealand bt USA 19-2 11.30am: Japan bt Singapore 11-2 11.30am: Australia bt Wales 22-0 11.30am: Papua New Guinea bt England 5-4 11.30am: South Africa bt Ireland 11-2 11.30am: Samoa bt Scotland 5-4 11.30am: Cook Islands bt Fiji 7-6 2.50pm: Japan bt Cook Islands 5-4 2.50pm: Wales bt Malaysia 7-3 2.50pm: Papua New Guinea bt USA 11-8 2.50pm: South Africa bt Scotland 17-4 2.50pm: Australia bt France 18-0 2.50pm: Samoa bt Ireland 10-3 2.50pm: New Zealand bt England 11-2 2.50pm: Fiji bt Singapore 15-6 6.10pm: Fiji bt Japan 8-6 6.10pm: South Africa bt Samoa 6-1 6.10pm: France bt Wales 3-1 6.10pm: Scotland bt Ireland 7-4 6.10pm: Australia bt Malaysia 23-0 6.10pm: Cook Islands bt Singapore 12-4 7.00pm: New Zealand bt Papua New Guinea 9-2 7.00pm: England drew with USA 2-all Women's Open 12.20pm: Japan bt USA 10-3 12.20pm: Singapore bt Fiji 11-1 12.20pm: France bt Philippines 10-1 12.20pm: England drew with Papua New Guinea 5-all 12.20pm: Australia bt Scotland 27-0 12.20pm: New Zealand bt Samoa 18-0 3.40pm: England bt Wales 5-3 3.40pm: Singapore drew with South Africa 6-all 3.40pm: Samoa bt Philippines 11-5 3.40pm: Australia bt Japan 24-1 3.40pm: New Zealand bt France 25-0 3.40pm: USA bt Scotland 6-3 7.00pm: Japan bt Scotland 11-1 7.00pm: South Africa bt Fiji 14-0 7.00pm: Papua New Guinea bt Wales 6-4 7.00pm: New Zealand bt Philippines 23-0 7.00pm: France bt Samoa 7-3 7.00pm: Australia bt USA 20-0 Mixed Open 1.10pm: France bt Germany 15-2 1.10pm: New Zealand bt Fiji 17-3 1.10pm: United Arab Emirates bt Italy 6-5 1.10pm: Singapore bt Chile 6-5 1.10pm: Australia bt Japan 11-3 1.10pm: Papua New Guinea bt South Africa 9-6 2.00pm: Philippines bt Netherlands 11-7 2.00pm: England bt Hong Kong 8-1 2.00pm: Samoa bt Wales 14-9 2.00pm: Niue bt China 9-4 4.30pm: Chile bt Fiji 7-5 4.30pm: France bt South Africa 10-6 4.30pm: Australia bt Italy 21-1 4.30pm: New Zealand bt Singapore 12-3 4.30pm: Japan bt United Arab Emirates 9-1 4.30pm: Papua New Guinea bt Germany 15-1 5.20pm: England bt USA 10-2 5.20pm: Wales bt Netherlands 3-1 5.20pm: Scotland bt Niue 8-5 5.20pm: Samoa bt Philippines 6-5 7.50pm: Japan bt Italy 13-1 7.50pm: South Africa bt Germany 15-0 7.50pm: Australia bt United Arab Emirates 15-0 7.50pm: Fili bt Singapore 7-6 7.50pm: New Zealand bt Chile 16-0 7.50pm: Papua New Guinea bt France 9-4 8.40pm: Scotland bt China 10-5 8.40pm: Philippines bt Wales 5-2 8.40pm: USA bt Hong Kong 6-2 8.40pm: Samoa bt Netherlands 8-4 Women's 27s 2.00pm: Australia bt New Zealand 8-4 2.00pm: France bt Scotland 6-2 7.50pm: New Zealand bt England 6-2 8.40pm: Australia bt Scotland 16-0 Men's 30s 11.30am: Japan bt England 6-5 11.30am: Australia bt Cook Islands 16-2 11.30am: USA bt Papua New Guinea 11-5 2.00pm: Fiji drew with Cook Islands 7-all 2.50pm: USA bt England 5-4 2.50pm: Australia bt Papua New Guinea 15-3 5.20pm: Cook Islands bt Japan 8-3 6.10pm: Australia bt USA 17-0 6.10pm: England drew with Fiji 4-all Men's 35s 2.00pm: France bt Papua New Guinea 13-5 2.00pm: New Zealand bt Japan 17-1 2.00pm: Australia bt Fiji 19-2 5.20pm: New Zealand bt France 11-4 5.20pm: Australia bt Papua New Guinea 16-1 5.20pm: Japan bt Fiji 5-4 Mixed Senior 12.20pm: New Zealand bt Netherlands 23-0 12.20pm: England bt Niue 14-0 1.10pm: Australia bt Singapore 21-0 3.40pm: New Zealand bt Singapore 20-0 3.40pm: Australia bt Niue 18-1 3.40pm: England bt Netherlands 16-5 Men's 40s 1.10pm: Niue bt Fiji 9-2 1.10pm: England drew with Japan 5-all 1.10pm: Wales bt USA 10-4 1.10pm: New Zealand bt Singapore 16-1 4.30pm: Wales bt Fiji 11-3 4.30pm: New Zealand bt USA 15-1 4.30pm: Australia bt Singapore 20-0 4.30pm: England bt Niue 6-1 Men's 50s 12.20pm: Australia bt Japan 17-0 12.20pm: Italy bt Niue 11-2 3.40pm: Ireland bt Japan 10-0 3.40pm: Australia bt Niue 21-1 8.40pm: Italy bt Ireland 5-2 Coffs Coast Advocate Mixed results for the UAE mixed team.... | ||
| Omar M. Shams Grand Master Username: omar Post Number: 461 Registered: 4-2009 |
I am touched by your hospitality as Australians welcoming us to your country. My little Sophie has scored severall tries now. the team has beaten Holland, Germany and Italy but we lost to Australia (current world champions), and Japan so far. You are wonderful people Aussies. You are always welcome in our country. | ||
| Vladimir Ivanovich Kirillov Prolific User Username: soviet Post Number: 246 Registered: 2-2013 |
Omar, you must be very proud of your Sophie, three tries is quite a feat especially at international level, your girl must be able to run very fast. Australians have always been very crazy about football and I can remember meeting an Israeli in New York in 1980 who was having a sook to me and showing me a lot of scars he had down his legs after playing football with Australian soldiers in the Middle East during Second World War. One day, I may see you in Dubai as I have seen a picture of an abandoned Camargue in Dubai that no doubt went in one of those awful auctions you spoke about in a post about securing abandoned cars for export. I wonder where that car is now. I recently read about a Phantom IV that was once the King of Iraq's car which is now in USA. Just imagine the history of that car. I am sure you must have read about it on the RROC site. Stunning looking vehicle. Hoping your daughter had a good time in Australia and has not developed a craving for meat pies. | ||
| David Gore Moderator Username: david_gore Post Number: 1590 Registered: 4-2003 |
Hi Omar, Weather deteriorating further today - play cancelled and I personally feel play tomorrow will be impossible if the east coast low develops and moves south as predicted. Our neighbour emailed this morning to advise there was 52mm of rain overnight and we are further away from the weather system which is currently developing near Brisbane and will move south and then out to sea if it behaves normally. The Middle East Mixed Open Touch team is currently equal leader with Chile in their Division and their performance is highly creditable given they have played against higher rated and far more experienced teams including Japan and our own team which were included in their playing pool A. Listening to a Sports Report on the radio as I write this detailing a proposed modification to tomorrow's programme to try and achieve a World Champion team in Sunday's games based on optimism the weather will clear tomorrow and the fields being OK to play on but I am very pessimistic this will be the case. The Mid-North Coast region is where I grew up experiencing a number of weather events like the current one and they always behave in unexpected and unpredictable ways sometimes slowing down and other times quickly moving away from instead of down the coast. I hope Sophie can video the weather conditions to bring home to show her family and friends. Also the playing conditions on the field as you can see from the photos on the newspaper website and these are from before the rain really started. We love to support the less experienced team in matches where Australia is not playing and always whichever team is playing our mates across the Tasman Sea [New Zealand for our International readers] - unfortunately Australia v New Zealand Rugby Union matches usually lead to disappointment as our team has ongoing problems beating their highly skilled and well-trained New Zealand opponents. It is anticipated the Mens Open Touch Football World Cup Final will be played between Australia and New Zealand weather permitting and it should be a match worth watching on the Touch World Cup YouTube channel and the Nine network for Australian viewers: 5.30pm AEST Sunday – W SF1 v W SF2 (Women’s Open Grand Final) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HSmH1Q0KTCU 6.50pm AEST Sunday – W SF1 v W SF2 (Men’s Open Grand Final) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_IQezLFaWTU Any changes to the match schedules or links should be documented on the following link: http://www.sportingpulse.com/assoc_page.cgi?client=1-9035-0-0-0&&news_task=DETAIL&articleID=34373341 As an aside, my partner is envious of your daughter as she always wanted to play football in her youth when girls were actively stopped from playing. She went to a small country school and was co-opted into the boys football team for inter-school competitions as they didn't have enough boys. However there were a lot of complaints from the other teams because she was a very fast runner and the boys could not catch her once she had the ball. If touch football was around in the 1960's, she probably could have matched her elder brother who played one game for Australia against the French Rugby League team when they visited Australia around this time. | ||
| Omar M. Shams Grand Master Username: omar Post Number: 462 Registered: 4-2009 |
Dear David and Vladimir, I really appreciate your posts and just cant imagine that kind of weather. We wake up to sunshine almost every day and can predict the weather years in advance fairly accurately. here let us try this: It will be hot and sunny every day in July for the next decade. I bet I will be right!! David, your partner sounds like a slightly older version of my Sophie. How times have changed eh? Take care All Omar | ||
| Omar M. Shams Grand Master Username: omar Post Number: 463 Registered: 4-2009 |
Hey Vlad, you don't need to go after that junked Camargue - there is a perfectly good example that is selling on our local classifieds site www.dubizzle.ae that is offered at a lot cheaper than the cost of salvaging that silver wreck. I asked the owner if he wanted to sawp with one of my Wraiths but he just wants shot of it. It is a good car. | ||
| David Gore Moderator Username: david_gore Post Number: 1592 Registered: 4-2003 |
Hi Omar, The Camargue link you posted is not working - the following link works: http://dubai.dubizzle.com/motors/used-cars/rolls-royce/other/2015/3/11/rolls-royce-camargue-2/?back=dWFlLmR1Yml6emxlL The Touch Football Grand Final playoff for Sophie's Group has been scheduled for 8am AEST [2am Sunday UAE time] and the runners-up Grand Finals for 9am AEST [3am Sunday UAE time] on Sunday with the time for each team being determined by their position on the group ladder after tomorrow's games. The UAE are scheduled to play Hong Kong at 9am tomorrow morning and I expect this will be another UAE victory based on the Group Results so far. The other Finals contender Chile has to play the Netherlands also scheduled for 9am and I am predicting a Netherlands win which should result in the UAE team topping or finishing second in Group 3 and playing for their Grand Final. I will be watching the Open Mixed Grand Final on YouTube or Channel 9 if they telecast the early Grand Finals and willing UAE player #7 to play the best game of her life and to help hold the winning plate after the presentation. UPDATE: Unfortunately the Group 3 Grand Final has not been scheduled for telecasting so I will not be able to watch however the World Cup website will have progressive updates during the matches if you click on the Match Centre link on the RHS of the page on the link below: http://www.sportingpulse.com/comp_info.cgi?client=1-9035-0-360315-0&pool=1033&action=FIXTURE&round=0 Current forecast is for the rain to ease on Sunday morning so here's hoping for a dry match on Sunday morning. | ||
| Omar M. Shams Grand Master Username: omar Post Number: 464 Registered: 4-2009 |
Thanks for fixing that David. Vlad - you are always more than welcome to visit us in Dubai. I am sure you will enjoy yourself. the UAE is a great place to visit. | ||
| David Gore Moderator Username: david_gore Post Number: 1594 Registered: 4-2003 |
The UAE team came second in their Group to Chile who were undefeated throughout the tournament. The UAE team had 4 wins, 1 draw and 1 loss plus losing the grand final to Chile this morning. A creditable result in extremely wet conditions that would have been completely foreign to the team. I trust Sophie enjoyed her time here and she intends coming back in the future to discover more about us. | ||
| Omar M. Shams Grand Master Username: omar Post Number: 465 Registered: 4-2009 |
Dear David, Nicely summed up. Sophie loved everything about this trip. I also treated her to business class flights as a small pat on the back for being such a super star at age 15. Incidentally - On day 1, she was the youngest captain of the tournament from what I have heard. I am really looking forward to her and her mum coming home - you should see the mountain of dishes and laundry that is just not cleaning itself up. How do the dishes clean themselves normally?? There is nothing but praise about the Aussie hospitality. You must be truly generous people. we welcome you to the UAE and hopefully reciprocate some the kind hospitality shown. All the best Omar | ||
| bob uk Unregistered guest Posted From: 94.197.121.239 |
I like singing songs at matches. Hope they do Waltzing Matilda. (Message approved by david_gore) | ||
| David Gore Moderator Username: david_gore Post Number: 1595 Registered: 4-2003 |
Hi Bob, I like singing too - despite my Welsh grandfather and great-grandfather being male tenor soloist Eistedffod winners, I am tone deaf and have no sense of rhythm so any singing has to be confined to either a soundproof room or in a large crowd where my contribution is drowned out by the more accomplished singers around me. You may or may not have been aware there was a commemoration of the 100th Anniversary of the landing of the British Empire [as it then was] and allied forces at the Dardanelles in Turkey on the 25th April 1915. This landing has special significance in Australia and New Zealand as it marked our emergence into the world of nations in our own right and the 25th April is our shared day of remembrance for those who have died or served in the defence of our countries or in international peace-keeping forces. The following quote from Peter FitzSimons, a columnist for the Fairfax media group who attended this commemoration and he wrote the following as he left the Gallipoli peninsula: "When the actual Lone Pine service finishes in the early afternoon of Anzac Day, the problem for so many Australian attendees, who haven't slept for the previous 36 hours is that it takes as long as – and I'm not making this up – EIGHT HOURS for the jam of buses to clear. Finally, though, most of the last lot get to the wharves where a ferry awaits to take them across the straits of the Dardanelles to Cannakale. They're all, not to put too fine a point on it, buggered, and slump in their seats. At least most of them do. Not, however, the Barker Choir and Band, some 200 strong. Even as the ferry waits for the last stragglers to arrive, the young'uns assemble on the foredeck and start to sing and play. Oh, how they sing and play. The ethereal harmonies of Waltzing Matilda, Run To You, Nearer My God To Thee, the Australian and New Zealand National anthems rise rich and beautiful into the Turkish twilight, as even the passengers on other ferries come out to watch on their verandas. They clap, they join in, some dance 'neath the diamond sky, with one handwaving free, silhouetted by the sea. And now, the final touch. As the last stragglers arrive and the Turkish guides who have been so good to them all start to wave goodbye and walk to the bus that is to take them back to Istanbul, the Barker choir instantly switches into a fabulous rendition of the Turkish national anthem. The guides stop, the wharf workers and security guards stare open-mouthed, the police and soldiers snap to attention. At the end, the Turks, the Australians and New Zealanders all together – 100 years on to the day since the beginning of the devastating battle that killed over 100,000 of our citizens – cheer and clap wildly. Peace between our fine nations. It looks like this." The following quote from Kemal Ataturk, the Turkish Commander at Gallipoli and later the founder of modern secular Turkey is inscribed on the memorial to the fallen at Anzac Cove at Gallipoli where the Australian and New Zealand forces landed; nothing more needs to be said as the words speak for themselves: Gallipoli - Memorial at Anzac Cove by Ataturk. "Those heroes that shed their blood and lost their lives… You are now lying in the soil of a friendly country. Therefore rest in peace. There is no difference between the Johnnies and the Mehmets to us where they lie side by side here in this country of ours… You, the mothers, who sent their sons from faraway countries wipe away your tears; your sons are now lying in our bosom and are in peace, after having lost their lives on this land they have become our sons as well." Ataturk, 1934 The power of song 100 years later reinforces a relationship that started in conflict and has ended in mutual respect and remembrance. | ||
| David Gore Moderator Username: david_gore Post Number: 1596 Registered: 4-2003 |
Omar, My apologies for semi-hijacking your thread in response to Bob UK's contribution but it highlights why we are the way we are and I couldn't resist the temptation to comment. Be prepared for two very tired but talkative family members to arrive home with lots to tell you about our country and way of life. Being in a country region and not a capital city also exposed them to what is left of the traditional Australian way of life that I and others of my generation grew up but is slowly being lost as the proportion of our population living in cities increases. I hope the team gets some recognition on their return home for their performance in International competition in a new sport and in conditions that they would never have encountered before. The next World Cup will be much easier for them especially if the younger members of the team remain involved and are not lost to other sports or interests along the way. Good on you Sophie - you, your parents and your country are entitled to be very proud of your effort and achievements in our country. | ||
| bob uk Unregistered guest Posted From: 94.197.121.239 |
I am very aware of the carnage of Gallipoli. A relation now long passed was in the Royal Navy on a troop ship and said the sea was red with blood. He hated Winston Churchill. As a child I was fed the glory of it all but in my teens my father told me the truth. He was a desert rat in the 8th army and experienced some nasty nasty stuff. He fought along side Anzacs in WW2 and he had a lot of respect for them. I cry for the youth of Australia and New Zealand who died and were maimed at Gallipoli. The 2 world wars were really one war with a 20 year armistice that didn't end until 1989 on the fall of the Berlin Wall. The stupidy was that the Kaiser was actually also a general in the British Army and cousin of our king. And our king was a general in the German army. My father said that the Africa korp (the germans) were so similar to the British Army. The germans actually wore British army uniforms seized in Trobuk. The germans sowed their badges on. My dad caught a german corporal, the same rank and spent hours talking to him. The german had a nasty leg wound and was pleased to be captured because the British army would send to hospital in Alex Egypt. My dad said in a different time they could be mates. Thats the tragedy of it all, both sides don't want to fight but are forced to. I have a qualification as a Historic Vehicle Restoration Engineer. Part of the qualification is the history of the motor which is 1890 to present. This studying led to the two world wars. I have cried at some stuff I have read. An account written by a British army captain of a 18 year old with legs blown off crying for help from no man's land. Eventually he went quiet. The captain felt guilty because he felt relieved when the crying stopped. He had ordered his lads not to attempt a rescue for fear of german machine guns. Gallipoli and the Somme stand out as blood on a white sheet does. The 7 billion people on earth must always remember what war is really about. Never mind Jesus dying to save us. The youth of the time died for us. (Message approved by david_gore) | ||
| David Gore Moderator Username: david_gore Post Number: 1597 Registered: 4-2003 |
Bob, There were two Rolls-Royce armoured cars sent to Gallipoli but have not found any more information - I suspect they proaby ended up in Palestine possibly with the forces led by Lawrence of Arabia. | ||
| Omar M. Shams Grand Master Username: omar Post Number: 466 Registered: 4-2009 |
I can never understand the need for wars. It is often ordinary men like you and I who make decisions to go to war. The outcome is always ugly. Why oh why? when there can be people like Ghandi, Mandela, Anan, Teresa and and so many more? how anyone can go to bed at night after sending an army to destroy is beyond my capacity - but clearly others are able to do it. David, thanks for the encouragement regarding our little Sophie - I feel she may be coming home to a hero's welcome both at school and the community. Such a star!! One of the England players kindly gave her his kit (which she is totally proud of). If my son is diligent with his training, we may be redoing this thread all over again for Rio 2016 (albeit a different sport and a very different event). He has one year to make the qualifying times............. fingers crossed. | ||
| bob uk Unregistered guest Posted From: 92.40.248.104 |
How many Rolls Royces were converted to armoured car? I suspect less than 50. Lawrence of Arabia was killed in a bike crash at clouds hill dorset. Not far from me. Also not far from Bovington Tank Museum. Which is the best place to check out armoured RRs. My apologies to Omar for hijacking your moment of Proud dad. Its good when a son or daughter does well because it gives mum and dad the confidence that their off spring is going to do well in life. Well done Sophie from I am sure everybody in the UK. Go Sophie Go.!! My kids and grandkids are much more important than stupid old Rolls-Royces. My youngest is Lewis 30 years old and he is a qualified tick tock drummer. The next is Thomas 32 he runs an hostel for ex prisoners. Next is Alice 36 she runs the kitchen for Dorset School meals. She 3 kids. Her husband Steve is very well respected in the farming community. My eldest is Toby at 41 he runs a heavy haulage office. He has 4 kids on of whom is famous as JK Murkerz a rap performer. My biggest achieve ment on my CV is my Kids. (Message approved by david_gore) | ||
| David Gore Moderator Username: david_gore Post Number: 1599 Registered: 4-2003 |
Hi Bob, The Wikipedia reference below refers to six Royal Naval Air Service squadrons each comprising 12 cars being formed at the beginning of WW1 and the total production during the war of 120 vehicles. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rolls-Royce_Armoured_Car Note the reference to 34 R-R armoured cars being operational in Egypt in 1940 - it is possible your father may have been aware of or even participated in actions where these cars were deployed. | ||
| David Gore Moderator Username: david_gore Post Number: 1600 Registered: 4-2003 |
Hi Omar, If your son qualifies for the Rio Olympic Games, please let me know beforehand; I will establish a Forum thread to encourage him in his endeavors. This also applies to any other member who has a family member participating in any International sporting or cultural competition; knowing there are people around the world showing an interest in their activities would be a great incentive for them. | ||
| Vladimir Ivanovich Kirillov Prolific User Username: soviet Post Number: 250 Registered: 2-2013 |
I would love to see wars start and end with the leaders of warring countries in the boxing ring. It would cut down on all the misery that returned soldiers have to go through and save big on resources. Maybe in a few thousand years our race will have come to the conclusion that wars don't solve any problems and we are all family on this ball of dirt in the middle of nowhere important in the universe and once the ball is stuffed we are all defeated. | ||
| Geoff Wootton Grand Master Username: dounraey Post Number: 689 Registered: 5-2012 |
Vladimir Whilst I agree with you, I wouldn't fancy Tony Abbott's chances against Vladimir Putin. At least you would have a head start on your compatriots - you can already speak Russian. Geoff | ||
| bob uk Unregistered guest Posted From: 94.197.121.177 |
Yep Vlad thats about the size of it. wW2 was madness. If Hitler had said to his generals from the get go that we will attack poland thus bringing the Uk in then invade france. Then kick the uk out of North Africa and turn north and invade russia. The generals would have called him mad from the start. Hilter didnt have a plan he just winged it until 1942 then it started to go wrong. After that Germany was on the back foot and rest is History. Thats the madness germany started a war they couldnt win. Hilter had to carry on because peace would have shown that the Nazis had fiddled the accounts and was actually bankrupt. Exposing the nazis as gangsters and criminals. Bit like the mafia. The game was to invade a country and steal their money to spend on the war.The last straw was the madman declared war on the USA and hitlers fate was sealed. A grubby death in a bunker. I read an account of a British Major on the west bank of the Rhine. A group of german officers rowed across the Rhine umder heavy Russian Gun fire. The germans insisted that the British opened fire on the Russians to save his men. The British Major had them disarmed and arrested. The germans really thought that even in mid april 1945 they could do a deal. General Pershing USA. Said no we go the whole way to unconditional surrender because the Ww1 armistice didnt work. Plus Stalin was very aware of deals going on. Which is why we stopped at the Rhine west bank and told Stalin to have your revenge. The reason two a bombs were dropped was to show Russia the power and stop Russia invading northern Japan with the Chinese. The USA could have blockaded Japan because by this time Japan was starving. But Russia and China would get there first hence the two A bombs. Even pearl Harbour was tactically and Statigally a failure because all they did was kill 3000 and sink some battleships which were out of date. They missed the carriers Pearl Harbour still functioned and of course Japan awaken an industrial giant with the good old boys armed to the teeth. Operation sealion was Germans plan to invade England. The whole plan was flawed. First they totally ignored the Royal Navy who would blow any invasion force out of the water. Next as a diversion the germans teamed up with the IRA in Eire. To mount a secondary invasion in Ulster only problem was that the IRA was actually Eire agents who told MI5 british intelligence. Next the home guard and auxiliaries. Although the TV series Dads Army paints a quaint picture of old men in uniform the reality was different. The home guard was a proper army. The auxiliaries were plain clothes secret army who had set tasks should the balloon go up, such as kill local nazi sympathisers blow up viaducts. In the event sealion fell apart at the first hurdle and failed to destroy the RAF. The reason they failed is because we were fighting over home ground so damaged planes and bailed out pilots were easily rescued where as german stuff was captured and a 100 miles in a shot up german plane is likely to end up in the sea. Then fuel constumpstion comes into play the germans had only ten minutes before turning for home. The above shows the madness of war. Incidently german war engineering wasnt very good. The gernans tended to design stuff that was a technical marvel but never fully developed it due to Hitlers insistance of bigger and better. The last tiger tanks were to heavy for the transmission, USA Shermans would give a tiger the run around until the gearbox broke then use 44 pound field guns to destroy it. The sensible tiger crews got out fast as soon as the gearbox broke. A 44 pounder is big, direct line of fire I should think 1 direct hit and even a modern tank is scrap. This thread has gone from rugby to singing to war. Dave Gores fault for mentioning Gallipoli. Before WW1 The british empire had lots of small armys. Like the Indian army and the Australian army to look after defence. Our home army was small. We tended to fight small battles only like the boar and crimena wars. Civilians on both sides we protected by both sides and kept out of the fighting. WW1 changed all that and we ended up with truly huge armies. Gallipoli killed a huge amount on both sides. Much more than the 600 killed in the charge of the light bridage. ten thousand in one day on the Somme. The present UK army is smaller. Oh what a lovely war. Dr Strange Love. You can't fight in here, this is the war room. (Message approved by david_gore) | ||
| David Gore Moderator Username: david_gore Post Number: 1603 Registered: 4-2003 |
This Topic was named Idler Chatter with good reason - like all good chats, it starts on an item of interest and you never know where you will finish until lack of time to continue or lack of something to say intervenes  . |
