Scarred.

This is coolbert:

"It is well that war is so terrible, otherwise we should grow too fond of it." -R.E. Lee.

"Tragedy of the lost generation: Map shows the towns and cities where WWI wiped out tens of thousands of people - including whole circles of friends - as Britain was left scarred forever"

From https://www.dailymail.co.uk | By RACHAEL BURFORD |  FOR MAILONLINE | 11 November 2016. Image thanks to The Mail.

" * 'About 700,000 British soldiers lost their lives in WWI and level of loss was higher in some areas than others'  *  'Newly released research shows that some British towns and cities lost nearly one in ten residents'  *  'Some smaller northern England and Scottish towns saw entire generations completely wiped out'  *  'Durham, in the north east, was worst hit with 6,300 men lost - nearly eight per cent of the total population' "

Comments:

* Something needs to clarified about this graphic. As best as I can determine in societies such as Great Britain and USA at any given moment about 10 % of the population consists of young males of conscription age [ages 18-35years].

* That being the case about 75 % of that cohort Durham doing their military service during the Great War PERISHING. And we are not even talking about wounded-in-action disabled maybe for life.

* Eight percent of the total Durham population gone, but that number DECEASED in combat being of the most able persons, the breadwinners and those whom the rest of the society relies on to make things work.

 * Other sources such as the wiki suggest the number Durham KIA about 50 % higher..

coolbert.

Ripper D9.

This is coolbert:

Israeli combat D9 bulldozer ripper not at work! 

Cemeteries Gaza bodies exhumed by D9 bulldozer but with one exception!

"Gaza's British cemeteries are the only ones Israel isn't destroying"

https://www.middleeasteye.net | By Abubaker Abed | 26 June 2024.

"While Palestinian graveyards have been destroyed, two historic British cemeteries remain intact"

"In the Gaza Strip there are two cemeteries that contain the remains of British soldiers, most of whom died fighting in World War One, a few of whom died in World War Two."

"Owned by the UK-based Commonwealth War Graves Commission, they are known locally as the British graveyards, and are regarded as a major cultural and archaeological site in the Palestinian enclave."

"Adorned by bushes and surrounded by tall cypress trees and a low wall against which various flowers are in bloom in a calm atmosphere, hundreds of Gazans have for years visited them to relax."

I have an intuitive and probably correct explanation of what is occurring with these Gazan cemeteries. The Israeli military searching for the remains of hostages as taken prisoner [2023] and having perished while in Hamas captivity. Also less than a handful of Israeli in prior years for unspecified reasons wandering into the Gaza Strip and disappearing.

See the Battle of Gaza, the Great War: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Battle_of_Gaza

See prior blog entries the exhumation of Gaza cemeteries and the role of the CAT D9 bulldozer:

https://militaryanalysis.blogspot.com/2024/01/cemeteries.html

https://militaryanalysis.blogspot.com/2024/01/cat-d9.html

coolbert.

Martin CG.

This is coolbert:

The madness continues?

Transfer of essential war-making stuff from British stockpiles to the Ukrainian continues!

 "I saw a film today oh boy The English Army had just won the war"

British army not going to be able to win a war without the basic armaments. You can't make bricks without straw. You can't shoot the enemy unless you have ammunition.

1. "Great Britain transferred 80 air defense missiles, 1 million rounds of ammunition and 20 amphibians to Ukraine"

From https://www-kommersant-ru | 05/19/2024 |  https://tinyurl.com/3m3namdh

"British Defense Minister Grant Shapps announced the shipment to Ukraine of 80 air defense missiles, 1 million rounds of ammunition and 20 BvS 10 Viking amphibious armored all-terrain vehicles. The British supply also included drones, body armor and equipment needed for mine clearance."

“'That’s exactly what the UK did today,' the defense minister wrote on his account X, attaching a picture with information about the supplies. The data covers three weeks since the UK increased its financial assistance to Ukraine to £3 billion ($3.8 billion).

"The diagram indicates that the UK intends to send another 20 air defense missiles to Ukraine by the end of May, thereby bringing the number of missiles to 100. London transferred 20 mine clearance systems, 4 thousand reconnaissance drones, spare parts for equipment and military ammunition to Kiev."

2. "General Martin: The British Army has lost the ability to fight on its own"

From https://en.topcor.ru | 19 May 2024 |  https://tinyurl.com/2fbaceck

British army for many decades I fear not having the ability to fight alone against a peer adversary such as the Russian for a considerable number of years now! Class A-1 + soldier material without the wherewithal to conduct sustained conventional combat of say the WW2 variety.

"Britain may not be fully prepared to fight a full-scale war alone. The commander of the 18rd Division of the British Army, Major General James Rowland Martin, who was awarded the Military Cross in 3 'for valiant and distinguished service in Afghanistan,' told the British edition of the Telegraph on May 2011."

"The military chief said the army is trying to 'get back on track' after years of focusing on counterinsurgency, leaving it 'in the process of losing the skills' to carry out a full-scale campaign. Decades of fighting irregular forces in the wars in Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan have focused attention on these campaigns rather than on larger interstate conflicts."

This MG Martin correct! After decades of fighting insurgency the Middle East and before that the period of the Troubles, Northern Ireland the British army NOW needs to refresh itself and prepare for WW2 attritional-style combat against a formidable adversary [presumably the Russian]. A lot of remedial training needs to be done now!'

And again, what portion of badly needed war-making munitions bang stuff already been given to the Ukrainian. I would venture too much!

coolbert.

Tradition.

This is coolbert:

"Nine times out of ten a unit that looks good is good." - Slim of the Arakan.

The last refuge of the traditional Englishman? The Indian army?

Within context of this previous blog entry, see the Hell March of various Indian Army units. Impressive style that cannot be denied, the old Raj and all that. Magnificent spectacle of which the English could be duly proud.

The British indeed masters in training the sepoy and British Indian Army troops drill & ceremonies, pageantry, etc. The current British military need to now learn from the new masters that were once students. A proud tradition among the jawan continues.

coolbert.

PFLP -Gaza.

This is coolbert:

"Our people will not forget the major crime committed by Britain against the Palestinian people, with its major contribution to the establishment of the Zionist entity, after issuing the ill-fated Balfour Declaration, and its continuation to this day in supporting the occupation and its crimes," 

A decree of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine. British you are not welcome.

"PFLP says it will target British forces if they are deployed in Gaza"

"Marxist-Leninist group warns that UK and other foreign troops will be treated as 'occupation forces' if they enter Palestinian territory"

From https://www.middleeasteye.net | By MEE staff | 28 April 2024. 

"The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) has warned Britain and other countries against deploying forces on the land or coast of the Gaza Strip."

"The BBC reported on Saturday that UK troops could be deployed in Gaza to assist with aid deliveries via a temporary pier in the enclave being built by the United States."

"The Marxist-Leninist group said in a statement on Telegram that British troops would be 'treated as occupation forces and will be legitimate targets for the resistance'."

Correct! More than anyone else the Arabic speaking population of the British Mandate for Palestine blame the English for the debacle and dispossession they refer to as the Nakba.

British stay away! We have not forgotten. And you have been warned!

coolbert.

Third-party.

This is coolbert:

Will go over with the British public like the proverbial lead balloon I can surmise.

"Lead balloon: The 'lead balloon' idiom is a common English expression that means something has failed or been met with strong disapproval or rejection. It is often used to describe a situation where an idea, proposal, or plan has been met with widespread criticism or disdain."

UK military Gaza during a time of heated conflict?

"UK forces may be deployed on the ground in Gaza to help deliver aid"

From BBC News ^ | April 27, 2024 | James Landale | the tip from Freeper.

"British troops could be deployed on the ground in Gaza to help deliver aid via a new sea route, the BBC has learned. The US has said no American forces would go ashore and an unnamed 'third party' would drive trucks along a floating causeway onto the beach. The UK is understood to be considering tasking British troops with this when the aid corridor opens next month"

NO USA boots on the ground but ENGLISH boots OK?

Again, I don't this idea going to be acceptable to the English public. Rather to the contrary!

coolbert.

Marchers.

This is coolbert:

"We looked down a river and we see'd the British come

And there must have been a hundred of 'em beatin' on the drums

They stepped so high and they made their bugles ring

We stood beside our cotton bales and didn't say a thing"

Shocking in the revelations!!

Normally the British and in particular the British military noted as being THE BEST in the world at pageantry. NO longer?

"Britain In Competition With Belgium For World's WORST Military Marchers"

From https://rumble.com | DUmmie FUnnies

"Belgium had the reputation for having the world's worst military marchers. However, it now appears that the British military is in strong contention for that title. As you can see its not just that the Brits in this video are horribly out of synch while marching"

Indeed! Even from the standpoint of an American these British military personnel their drill and ceremony marching very poor!

A LOT needs to be done to correct all hands! King Charles III put me in charge boss!

coolbert.

SCAAP.

This is coolbert:

A coincidence. That is all this is, isn't? And at the worst possible moment too.

Merely accidental/fate/fluke/happening/incident?

"U.K.’s Only Munitions Factory Explodes, Just Days After U.S. Army Ammunition Factory Catches Fires in Scranton, PA"

From Gateway Pundit ^ | Apr. 20, 2024 | By Anthony Scott | the tip from Freeper.

"The United Kingdom’s lone munitions filing factory exploded on Wednesday, just two days after a fire erupted at the Scranton Army Ammunition Plant in Scranton, Pennsylvania. As The Gateway Pundit previously reported on April 15th, the Scranton Army Ammunition Plant (SCAAP), the United States’ primary producer of 155mm artillery shell bodies, caught fire. Just two days later, on April 17th, a section of the United Kingdom’s lone munition factory exploded after a single shell went off inside the factory."

Fevered efforts, ramped-up production of 155 mm artillery rounds now stymied? USA and Britain both and more or less at the same time.

Lack of 155 mm rounds well noted and has been for some time. Don't expect miracles for both the Ukraine, Israel, or even USA troops in a vital situation. Weapons and munitions production neither cheap or easily done the manufacture again at a ramped-up level.

These two events are going to raise some eyebrows in some quarters? I might not just to believe so but hope so!

coolbert.

Victory.

This is coolbert:

"All the drones and cruise missiles were downed outside of the country’s airspace by the IAF and its allies, including the United States, United Kingdom, Jordan, France, and others." 

"Video Evidence Shows Several Iranian Cruise Missiles Scored Direct Hits"

More video the drone/missile attack Israel.

From https://www.zerohedge.com | BY TYLER DURDEN | APR 14, 2024.

Ballistic missiles and not cruise missiles the culprits.

"Both Israel and the US have declared a 'victory' in defending against the overnight massive Iranian drone and missile attack, which reportedly saw over 300 projectiles sent toward Israel. Ground anti-air systems were very active, including the Iron Dome, David's Sling, and Arrow system - the latter intended to thwart long-range missiles. The night skies over Israel were lit up for several hours, with explosions ringing out above various cities, especially Jerusalem."

"US systems were also heavily engaged on behalf of Washington's closest Middle East ally. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) also subsequently said its air force fighter jets downed some 170 drones and 30 cruise missiles."

"However, a few videos are widely circulating which appear to offer proof that at least some of Iran's ballistic missiles found their way to a ground target, contradicting Israel's optimistic narrative of almost "all" drones and missiles intercepted."

"The videos purport to show several missiles scoring direct hits on two key Israeli military bases in the south of the country: Nevatim Airbase and Ramon Airbase"

DIRECT HITS WITH VERY MINIMAL DAMAGE. ALMOST IMMEDIATELY REPAIRED!

"The bomber will always get through!" And the ballistic missile too. On target? That is the question. When the warhead a conventional explosive it must be!

coolbert.

Partners.

This is coolbert:

Think not just Iran and Israel. Think additional involvement of USA/British/Jordanian and Yemeni/Iraqi.

Howdy partner!

"US, partners shoot down drones launched by Iran toward Israel"

"Israel and U.S. partners are scrambling to intercept."

From https://taskandpurpose.com | BY NICHOLAS SLAYTON | APR 13, 2024. 

"U.S. and allied forces are shooting down drones over Iraq and Syria after Iran launched hundreds of uncrewed aerial vehicles toward Israel. The intercepts after Iran began the attack in retaliation for the airstrike against its embassy in Damascus earlier this month, an action it blames on Israel."

"The attack started Saturday evening local time, with Iran launching hundreds of drones. Iran’s partners in Iraq and Yemen also began sending attack UAVs toward Israel, per reports."

Further ESCALATION of an EXTREME nature possible here on a REGIONAL level. How to confine?

I reiterate, the Israeli "doomsday" plane has taken off, been launched. NOTAM's the entire Middle East have been issued. OH BOY!

coolbert.

CH-47 Chinook.

This is coolbert:

State-of-the-art??

Prince William CH-47 qualified!

"Britain buys 14 state-of-the-art Chinooks in £151m boost for economy – but there’s a catch"

"Chinook helicopters have been used in every major conflict in which Britain has been involved since the Falklands War in 1982."

From https://www.express.co.uk | By CIARAN MCGRATH, Senior News Reporter | Mar 30, 2024.

"Britain’s move to acquire 14 state-of-the-art Chinook helicopters has been tipped to boost the British economy by £150 million. [about $ 185 million USD]"

"However, a military analyst has warned the deal is not without its drawbacks."

An EQUAL number of Chinook already in the British inventory will be decommissioned and taken out of service and inventory.

"The deal, announced earlier this month, will bolster Britain’s heavy lift capability with 14 extended-range Chinooks (CH47-ER), which the MoD estimates will 'pump an estimated £151 million into the UK economy'."

"The aircraft, which can carry up to 55 personnel or 10,000 kg [about 22,000 pounds] of cargo, and which have a top speed of 300 kilometers per hour [about 180 miles mph] , will have a range of new capabilities, including an advanced digital cockpit and a modernized airframe to increase stability and survivability."

State-of-the-art Chinook as a heavily modified version of the original. rotary-wing aircraft. First envisioned as a concept in the late 1950's to replace American medium-lift helicopters of the Shawnee or Mojave class.

Chinooks at least by 1966 already in combat the Second Indo-China War.

Definite incremental changes to the Chinook since 1982 to include but hardly limited to:

"U.S. Army's first major design leap was the now-common CH-47D, which entered service in 1982. Improvements from the CH-47C included upgraded engines, composite rotor blades, a redesigned cockpit to reduce pilot workload, improved and redundant electrical systems, an advanced flight control system, and improved avionics. The latest mainstream generation is the CH-47F, which features several major upgrades to reduce maintenance, digitized flight controls, and is powered by two 4,733-horsepower (3,529 kW) Honeywell engines."

British helicopter contingents as part of what is called Joint Helicopter Command. Prince William his official military dress Royal Air Force.

coolbert.

Culloden 1746.

 This is coolbert:

"What sort of day was it? A day like all days, filled with those events that alter and illuminate our times... all things are as they were then, except you were [ are] there."

I recommend highly without qualification or reservation these You Tube video. Done in a "You Are There" type genre' or format. 

"blend[ing] history with modern technology, taking an entire network newsroom on a figurative time warp each week reporting the great events of the past."

"Culloden" even can be described as a cult classic?

"A cult film or cult movie, also commonly referred to as a cult classic, is a film that has acquired a cult following. Cult films are known for their dedicated, passionate fanbase which forms an elaborate subculture, members of which engage in repeated viewings, dialogue-quoting, and audience participation"

See first "Culloden".

"The Battle of Culloden was the final confrontation of the 1745 Jacobite Rising. On 16 April 1746, the Jacobite forces of Charles Edward Stuart fought loyalist troops commanded by William Augustus, Duke of Cumberland near Inverness in the Scottish Highlands. The Hanoverian victory at Culloden decisively halted the Jacobite intent to overthrow the House of Hanover and restore the House of Stuart to the British throne"

Also see a critique and review of "Culloden" Special emphasis placed on the scene of the Highlander charge.

"Often times when a film is plagued with poor levels of authenticity and material accuracy, things like a small budget are blamed for the gaps. This film proves that a small budget is hardly any excuse, because with only a handful of actors and some incredible cinematography it represents one of the most authentic looks at the genuine terror of linear warfare in the Long 18th Century. Culloden is set around its namesake battle, fought in 1746 between the British army and Jacobite rebels in the Highlands of Scotland. In this video we will look at just one scene in the film, and precisely what makes it so extraordinary."

Frontal assaults by the Scots using broadswords and not else quite often succeeding. Not so at Culloden. Basically Bonnie Prince Charlie an incompetent with a staff of incompetents. The brave Scots commoner at Culloden never stood a chance.

coolbert.

Promulgated.

This is coolbert:

Justice was done? 

"1915: 22 Singapore mutineers"

From ExecutedToday.com ^ | March 25, 2012. The tip from Freeper.

"On this date in 1915, 'the sentences of the court-martial on a batch of 45 mutineers of the 5th Light Infantry were promulgated in public' — as the Straits Times reported — 'and, in the case of 22 who were condemned to death, the sentences were executed on the spot.'”

"A crowd of fifteen thousand watched the spirited Indian sepoys shot dead for revolting the previous month."

"This demoralized 800-strong garrison of Punjabi Muslims — who had, it need hardly be added, a noble history of insurrection to think upon — was already deployed far from home to look after the imperial interests of the London gentry while British lads mustered for bayonet charges in No Man’s Lands."

"The last straw for these sepoys was a rumor that they were to be shipped to the European theater and made to turn their weapons against the Turkish sultan, their Muslim coreligionist."

Comments:

* Mutineers guilty without question. A collective disobedience to orders. But more than that. Those guilty went on a rampage and murdered innocent civilians.

* This mutiny too suppressed in part by Japanese soldiers. Yet one contribution of the Japanese WW1 effort in concert with other allied nations.

* See yet more the Siege of Al Kut, WW1. An episode of the Great War a mass surrender of British Indian army troops fighting the Ottoman. Mistreatment of captured sepoy at the hands of the Turk extreme. 

coolbert.

Jammer.

This is coolbert:

If nothing else a grave violation of diplomatic protocol!

An effort at meaconing? False navigation signals.

 Deliberate and malicious. Downright dangerous!

"Russia ‘jams signals’ on RAF plane carrying Grant Shapps"

"The electronic attack happened when the defense secretary, who has accused Putin of ‘saber-rattling’, was flying back from Poland, where he had watched a Nato exercise"

From the Telegraph | Larisa Brown | March 14 2024. 

"Russia is believed to have jammed the satellite signal on an RAF aircraft carrying Grant Shapps back from Poland, in a 'wildly irresponsible' act of electronic warfare."

"The GPS signal was interfered with for about 30 minutes while the jet flew close to the Russian territory of Kaliningrad on the Baltic Sea. Mobile phones could no longer connect to the Internet and the aircraft was forced to use alternative methods to determine its location."

"Meaconing: Meaconing is the interception and rebroadcast of navigation signals. These signals are rebroadcast on the received frequency, typically with power higher than the original signal, to confuse . . . navigation. Consequently, aircraft or ground stations are given inaccurate bearings."

I am not absolutely sure about this but at the exact moment Grant Shapps would have been traveling with diplomatic status. Even an indirect effort to obstruct the movement of Shapps would constitute a contravention of diplomat protocol.

coolbert.

 

Peacemaker.

This is coolbert:

"Defense Secretary Grant Shapps and First Sea Lord Admiral Sir Ben Key were both on board the submarine during the test, according to the newspaper."

See that most recent blog entry the abortive submarine launch of a Trident missile! 

See too the video of the Trident missile malfunction. Cleared the water, rocket motor fired, then gyrations and catastrophic failure!

Too what extent the British submarine and crew were in peril from their own missile I guess will be a question that should never be asked or answered if indeed asked!

VIP onboard of the most highest level of authority and rank "observing" the launch I can only guess what their response was.

Do not think such a calamitous event existing in a vacuum. Historically such debacle during weapons testing or demonstrations not common but not rare either.

Naval gun of the "Peacemaker" variety exploding, killing numerous very high-ranking American VIP the USS Princeton [1844].

"On February 28, 1844, during a Potomac River pleasure cruise for dignitaries, one gun exploded, killing six people including Secretary of State Abel P. Upshur and Secretary of the Navy Thomas Walker Gilmer, and injuring others, including a United States Senator and Captain Stockton. The disaster on board the Princeton killed more top U.S. government officials in one day than any other tragedy in American history. President John Tyler, who was aboard but below decks, was not injured." 

See also this prior blog entry item # 2 a live and armed torpedo mistakenly fired at a warship on which as an observer no less personage than the USA President Franklin Roosevelt.

Think also from the era of the Cold War the event referred to as the "Nedelin Catastrophe". Soviet liquid-fueled intercontinental ballistic missile undergoing test  a major malfunction occurring. Marshal Nedelin perishing along with numerous other VIP and observers present. 

Thankfully this British missile firing submarine escaping calamitous damage. But always, take precautions!

coolbert.

QRA RAF.

This is coolbert:

Bad! Very bad! Royal Air Force front-line fighter combat warplanes gone.

And at the exact wrong moment.

"Anger as the RAF retires 30 'quick reaction alert' [QRA] Typhoon jets used to protect Britain from potential attacks by Putin"

From https://www.dailymail.co.uk | by Mark Nicol | 1 March 2024.

"The plan has been likened to 'scrapping Spitfires before the Battle of Britain'"

"Air Force chiefs are refusing to back down on a decision to retire 30 'quick reaction alert' jets used to protect British skies from potential attacks by Vladimir Putin."

"In a move likened to 'scrapping Spitfires before the Battle of Britain', bosses at the cash-strapped RAF are to retire the Tranche 1 Typhoons to save money."

"The jets, which still have thousands of miles left on their clocks and could continue to fly for several years, will be grounded after completing just 40 per cent of their predicted flying hours."

Vlad in the Kremlin must be having a good chuckle about this! At a time of crisis in Europe the British seem to be demonstrating a total lack of resolve, decision about these warplanes unsound! 

"chuckle: intransitive verb -To laugh quietly or to oneself."

coolbert.

Vanguard II.

This is coolbert:

American missile and not the British submarine and crew to blame?

First Vengeance, now Vanguard!

Atomic English submarine force Trident missile malfunction. Two missile launchings in a row now unsuccessful!

Nuclear deterrent British now compromised?

"British nuclear missile 'misfires and crashes into ocean'"

From Telegraph Reporters | 21 February 2024 • 

"A Trident nuclear missile misfired and crashed into the ocean near the submarine that launched it during a test last month, it has been reported."

"It is the second misfire in a row,  with a test launch of a Trident missile by the Royal Navy off the coast of the US in June 2016 also reported to have been a failure."

"The missile’s first stage boosters did not ignite during a test launch by HMS Vanguard on January 30, and it fell into the ocean and sank, the Sun reported."

"Defense Secretary Grant Shapps and First Sea Lord Admiral Sir Ben Key were both on board the submarine during the test, according to the newspaper."

HOW HUMILIATING IN THE EXTREME! THE BIGGEST OF THE BIG BOSSES ONBOARD AND FAILURE!

The two failures brings into question British and AMERICAN nuclear deterrence reliability? Some serious consideration needs to be made of the possibility!

See previous blog entry that Trident missile failure 2016:

https://militaryanalysis.blogspot.com/2017/02/trident.html

coolbert.

Archer UK.

This is coolbert:

I must admit that was fast!

Having donated all their 155 mm artillery to the Ukrainian the British army is now shortly to have in their inventory the Swedish Archer artillery system.

"British troops fire their new Archer howitzers for the first time"

From GlobalData ^ | Feb 19, 2024 | John Hill | the tip from Freeper.

"During a 14-week ‘train the trainer’ course taught at a frozen military base in Boden, Swedish Lapland, the Swedish School of Artillery instructed British gunners from Larkhill, Wiltshire, on how to fire the Swedish-made Archer howitzer systems. Defense Equipment and Support – the UK Ministry of Defense’s procurement arm – acquired 14 Archer systems from the Swedish Defense Materiel Administration for the Royal Artillery"

Replacements for the donated artillery [sent to Ukraine] about five years earlier than originally anticipated? Indeed that is rather rapid!

You cannot but be impressed by the Archer system. Has a lot of positive qualities, a well thought out weapon system. See the wiki entry for Archer.

Now do they have that amount of the appropriate 155 mm artillery rounds for contingencies? 14 Archer as now in the English but not replacing numerically the 30 AS90 sent to the Ukraine.

See previous blog entry as applicable:

https://militaryanalysis.blogspot.com/2023/02/foolish-ii.html

coolbert.

Type 45.

This is coolbert:

And now Richmond, get ye to Yemen!

HMS Diamond exceeding maintenance requirements. Must return to home port.

"Royal Navy troubled Type 45: Yemen mission halted by technical issue"

https://bulgarianmilitary.com | By Boyko Nikolov | On Feb 8, 2024.

"Due to unforeseen 'technical problems', the British Royal Navy has been forced to pull the Type 45 destroyer HMS Diamond from its operational duties near Yemen."

"Upon its inaugural service, the Type 45 was marked by a rather concerning reliability issue — its Rolls Royce diesel engines experienced a significant performance decline in exceptionally hot climates. Locations like the Straits of Hormuz and the waters of Southeast Asia"

"Since December, HMS Diamond has been active in this region, playing a crucial role in the American-led Operation Prosperity Guardian, which involves specific target strikes in Yemen. The ship’s commander, Peter Evans, shed light on the demanding nature of the ongoing operations, noting, 'The region is teeming with tension, and our fleet engages hostile forces every day.'” 

Diamond to replaced by HMS Richmond. A vessel of the same class! Richmond on the way!

Rolls-Royce diesel engines not suited for a hot climate like Yemen? Rolls-Royce? What have Rolls engineers been doing for over a century anyhow?

coolbert.

Hypothetical.

This is coolbert:

"With regard to the hypothetical return of American tactical nuclear weapons to the UK, I would like to strongly warn them against this destabilizing step,” - Ryabkov.

"Russia strongly warns US not to bring its nukes back to UK"

"Russia makes strongest warning to US against deploying nukes in UK"

 From https://english.pravda.ru | 30.01.2024.

"The Russian Foreign Ministry believes that the return of US nuclear weapons to Great Britain could be a likely, albeit destabilizing scenario. Reports about USA's plans to deploy nukes in the UK earlier appeared in The Telegraph."

"Deputy Foreign Minister of Russia Sergei Ryabkov said that the decision of the US authorities to return nuclear weapons to the UK would be a destabilizing step. Moscow 'strongly warns' Washington against such a move, he added."

The last time English had the pleasure of stationing American atomic weapons in their homeland was 1981 with the arrival of the American ground launched cruise missiles [GLCM]. There was a lot of controversy about this deployment at the time you can will expect to be a lot of controversy about the stationing of American nuclear weapons in England in 2024 also.

It can even be suggested by the cynical skeptic that if the Russian is against such an eventuality this a good idea and not bad?

coolbert.