Russian invasion of Ukraine

[Citizen Mike]

I wasn't aware that the Ruble has hit a seven year high. This shows how much Russia has benefited from the price of natural resources

 

[i kne albert davy]

Hence the old Rudyard Kipling poem -
"Tommy "
Which is why British soldiers became known as Tommies in the 20th century.

Highly doubtful I'm afraid it dates well back to the 19th century some say back to Wellington, but most likely was the service paybook that showed men how to fill it in used the generic name Tommy Atkins.

 

[SPIDERBOY]

Ukraine not giving up on taking snake island back.
Moscow apparently described the latest attempt as a "mad attack"

Ukrainian forces have launched a “massive” night-time mission to retake Snake Island, the Black Sea outpost captured by Russia at the start of the war.

Moscow claimed it repelled the "mad" attack which saw Ukraine "plan to carry out massive air and artillery fire... before landing and capturing" the island.

 

[i kne albert davy]

Can anyone out there explain why we have always had a small standing army?, even now with almost identical budgets France has far bigger numbers.

Quite simple really we're an Island nation and as such for centuries had the worlds most powerful navy which prevented any thought of invasion, so historically we have retained a relatively small standing army backed by territorials that could be called to the colours when needed. If more were needed volunteers were asked for, followed by conscription if necessary.

 

[manclad]

Highly doubtful I'm afraid it dates well back to the 19th century some say back to Wellington, but most likely was the service paybook that showed men how to fill it in used the generic name Tommy Atkins.

Tommy was written by Kipling in 1895 which is long after Wellington passed away.

 

[i kne albert davy]

Tommy was written by Kipling in 1895 which is long after Wellington passed away.

Yep British soldiers were known as Tommies well before Kipling wrote the poem.

 

[i kne albert davy]

Tommy was written by Kipling in 1895 which is long after Wellington passed away.

Tommies, Pommies, Redcoats and Limeys

Tommies, Pommies, Redcoats and Limeys

www.forces-war-records.co.uk

 

[manclad]

Yep British soldiers were known as Tommies well before Kipling wrote the poem.

My original post was replying to an earlier post about why the UK doesn't have a large standing army like for instance France does.
And someone else posted that no one wants to pay for the huge cost of a military force, that is until it's needed,and usually needed in a hurry.
And my reply was that is what the Kipling poem is about -
i.e. nobody likes the "British Tommy" in peacetime.
But "When the drums begin to roll" - then all of a sudden everybody is an admirer of Tommy,
because basically they need him to go and fight wars that nobody else wants to get involved in.

 

[BlueAnorak]

Ukraine not giving up on taking snake island back.
Moscow apparently described the latest attempt as a "mad attack"

Ukrainian forces have launched a “massive” night-time mission to retake Snake Island, the Black Sea outpost captured by Russia at the start of the war.

Moscow claimed it repelled the "mad" attack which saw Ukraine "plan to carry out massive air and artillery fire... before landing and capturing" the island.

It wasn't an invasion, it was a bombing mission. It destroyed a radar instalation.

 

[BlueAnorak]

Afternoon update:

Ukraine update: Severodonetsk area enters a new, critical phase as Russia presses in

Every time it seems impossible that the intensity of combat in Ukraine could increase … it increases. On-the-ground reports, official Ukrainian statements, and NASA’s FIRMS data all agree that conflict is hitting staggering new levels. There are...

m.dailykos.com