HCMDB - Officers exposed to fire |
Mike Snook
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Peter,
You are so right. I was out training in Kenya a few years back and I remember taking a young lieutenant to one side (after a field firing package of several days) and saying to him words to the effect of: 'You are a really first class platoon commander - your boys respect you -your sections manoeuvre beautifully under your control - and you are quite excellent company in the mess into the bargain - so it saddens me to think that you will be killed in the first three minutes of a real firefight. Watch my lips and mark my words well. You are not bullet-proof. You must not in your anxiety to do your job well, expose yourself so. It is your Achilles heel. It is a platoon commander's job to die well, but at least try and make it to the second day of the war! I don't know if he paid any heed to my advice, but he did get a Queen's Commendation for Bravery the following year! I guess it was ever thus. Boers or no Boers. Regards as ever Mike |
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Rich
Guest
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Fellows,
You know in reading the previous I'd be curious to know if Zulu battle plans took into account the purposeful "taking out" of British officers. I'm sure they probably could have been identified or would that be difficult under the tremendous din and fire of battle. In Zulu parlance, it would certainly seem "if you lop off the head there goes the body". And on another historical point. In a way, I don't there was much difference, except intervening time, between officers fighting in ancient battles and "leading from the front" as they say and in the Zulu War. Both officer corps there were right out in the open and available for pickin's. What amazes me is how fellows like Alexander and Caesar can be right up in the the thick'o' things and never get hit by an arrow or mortally stabbed by a spear or sword in all the battles they fought. They sure were some lucky lucky blokes as you guys say! It boggles my mind that they weren't 6 ft under right away under those blistering circumstances. |
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Mike Snook
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Rich
That's easy. Alexander and Caesar were gods weren't they! Merry Xmas and a Happy New Year amigo (as I believe they say out there in the New World!) Regards as ever Mike |
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Rich
Guest
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Hey Mike that's an answer for the ages! How in Mars' name did I miss that?!
And a pint to you in this festive season! Thanks for your hard work in presenting AZW history and making it come alive for all of us. Looking forward to your next book from the RRW museum. |
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HCMDB - Officers exposed to fire |
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