Friday, 16 September 2011
Tuesday, 13 September 2011
Submarine Mission Episodes 1,2 and 3
Royal Navy Submarine Mission
The crew have their work cut out in preparation for a mission that could see them stay underwater for 100 days.
Series 1 - Episode 1 << Click link to view on Demand 5
First broadcast at 20:00 5 Sep 2011
Available until 23:59 31 Jan 2012
Royal Navy Submarine Mission
A sewage leak and mechanical failure strike as HMS Turbulent joins the NATO operation off the Libyan coast.
Series 1 - Episode 2 << Click link to view on Demand 5
First broadcast at 20:00 12 Sep 2011
Available until 23:59 31 Jan 2012
Click to Enlarge image
Episode 3 First broadcast 19 Sep 2011
Submarine Mission episode 3 << Click link to view on Demand 5
Monday, 12 September 2011
Submariner Associations
The objective of the Submariners Association is to promote and support the RN Submarine Service and its heritage. To Foster the friendships and comradeship peculiar to all submariners so that they may continue to share the experiences and association, and to keep alive that pride in the Submarine Branch, formed during their service in H.M. Submarines.
Submariners Association - National Site.
Keep abreast of what is happening within the Association.
Keep abreast of what is happening within the Association.
Barrow-in-Furness
This is not only the Barrow-in-Furness site but one to celebrate one hundred years of submarine construction in Barrow-in-Furness.
This is not only the Barrow-in-Furness site but one to celebrate one hundred years of submarine construction in Barrow-in-Furness.
Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire
We meet on the 2nd Monday of every month at the R.N.A. Crawley Green Road, Luton, Beds. At 20.00 Hrs.
We meet on the 2nd Monday of every month at the R.N.A. Crawley Green Road, Luton, Beds. At 20.00 Hrs.
We meet at 2000Hrs. on the third Friday of each month at The Comrades Cub 116 Adelaide Street Blackpool
Dorset
Meets at The Royal Dorset Yacht Club, The Quay, Weymouth on the 3rd Wednesday of the Month at 2000.
Meets at The Royal Dorset Yacht Club, The Quay, Weymouth on the 3rd Wednesday of the Month at 2000.
East Kent Branch
Meet at the RBL Club, St. Johns Road, Margate.
Meet at the RBL Club, St. Johns Road, Margate.
Gosport Branch
The Branch is an integral part of the National Submariners Assoc. We have the same aims as our National Assoc. and have friends around the world. We would welcome any other branches Linking to our site and vice versa. it may keep the web masters busy, but keeping in touch is all important. You can e-mail us from the links page and also we hope to enjoy other very interesting sites.
The Branch is an integral part of the National Submariners Assoc. We have the same aims as our National Assoc. and have friends around the world. We would welcome any other branches Linking to our site and vice versa. it may keep the web masters busy, but keeping in touch is all important. You can e-mail us from the links page and also we hope to enjoy other very interesting sites.
The Goodwin Club, Walker Street,Hull Every second Wednesday of the month @ 1930Hrs
Lincoln Branch
Branch Meetings are held @ 1200 in the R.N.A. club, Coulson Road, Lincoln. On the Third Sunday of the Month.
Branch Meetings are held @ 1200 in the R.N.A. club, Coulson Road, Lincoln. On the Third Sunday of the Month.
Merseyside Branch
Meetings are held on the First Friday of the Month at the Lord Nelson Hotel.
Meetings are held on the First Friday of the Month at the Lord Nelson Hotel.
Meetings are held on the first Tuesday of every month at 2000 at the Railway Club Wellingborough.
The Branch meets every 3rd Friday of each month 1915 for 1930 at: The Royal British Legion - Crownhill
We meet at the Tong Conservative Club on the last Thursday of every month with the exception of December as there is no meeting that month and we meet at 2000 hours. All are welcome.
Link List From Hms resolution.org.uk/
- HMSm Courageous
This site has provided us with some useful information and we appreciate their help.
- HMSm Repulse
Our younger sisters site, dedicated to the men who server aboard HMSm Repluse
- Oldships site
Helped with some aspects of this site and is a good started to track an old comrade.
- Rum RationThe Navy Net, 'Rum Ration', is THE UK's most popular Royal Navy, Royal Marines and Royal Fleet Auxiliary community. A vast collection of information, humour and bullshit with forums, wiki, image library, chat, jokes and more...
- The Submarine Museum This unique Museum offers you the chance to walk on board a real submarine, discover true tales of heroism and relive a life under the sea through the personal belongings of the crew.
- Barrow-in-Furness SA This is site is not only home to the Barrow Branch of the submarines association but also has links and details of all the boats which have been built out of Barrow including HMSm Resolution.
- The Navy News The Navy News site, read your copy online or setup a direct debit, lots of new relevant information, search for old comrades and current affairs which are effecting the navies role in modern warfare.
- Spains Submariners Association "Espana Levante" Spain's first Branch of the Submariners Association, first ever outside the Commonwealth. Covers from Murcia to Denia, Costa Calida, Costa Blanca. Currently meets twice yearly in Benidorm for a Rum Drinking Competitor.
- Friends of the Submarine Museum This site every one is eligible to join, and lots of news and information whether your a submariner or not, take a look.
International Submarine Accidents
Discovery of the Australian AE2
The demise of AE2 and the capture of her 32 crewmen.
The demise of AE2 and the capture of her 32 crewmen.
SUBMARINE ESCAPE AND RESCUE
The Australian Solution
The Australian Solution
SERS (Submarine Escape and Rescue Service)
Rescue service of the Australian Navy.
Rescue service of the Australian Navy.
S-21 Tonelero
Sank at its mooring in Rio de Janeiro's in Dec 2000.
Sank at its mooring in Rio de Janeiro's in Dec 2000.
K-11 Felinto Perry
Brazil's submarine rescue ship
Brazil's submarine rescue ship
French Peacetime Submarine Accidents
From 1946 to today (text only).
From 1946 to today (text only).
U 35 and its most fortunate U-Boat crew
In 1938 the U 35 was overrun by a battleship.
In 1938 the U 35 was overrun by a battleship.
Unterseeboots-Unfälle
Great German article on submarine accidents, written in 1911 !
Great German article on submarine accidents, written in 1911 !
INS Nireekshak A15
India's diving support ship has 2 DSRV's on board.
India's diving support ship has 2 DSRV's on board.
Anteo A5309
Submarine rescue-salvage ship / submersible tender.
Submarine rescue-salvage ship / submersible tender.
INS DAKAR
This Israeli sub transmitted her last message on 24 Feb 1968.
This Israeli sub transmitted her last message on 24 Feb 1968.
Israeli Submarine Accidents
Only the Dakar listed, hopefully the list stays this short.
Only the Dakar listed, hopefully the list stays this short.
Japanese Peacetime Submarine Accidents
List seems incomplete, only one sub listed.
List seems incomplete, only one sub listed.
Japanese Nadashio rams the Fuji Maru No.1
The complete story on this 1988 tragedy that cost 30 lives.
The complete story on this 1988 tragedy that cost 30 lives.
Chiyoda and Husimi class
Submarine Rescue Ship and Tender with DSRV on board.
Submarine Rescue Ship and Tender with DSRV on board.
JMSDF DSRV
The Japanese DSRV
The Japanese DSRV
North Korean 1994 'Submarine Incident'
Information, disinformation, propaganda. . . . .
Information, disinformation, propaganda. . . . .
Stranded Sang-o (Shark) Class sub
The North Korean sub stranded on a South Korean beach in 1994.
The North Korean sub stranded on a South Korean beach in 1994.
The Sinking of the Pakistani Ghazi in 1971
The Indian account.
The Indian account.
The Sinking of the Pakistani Ghazi in 1971
Another account.
Another account.
Russian K-159 submarine sinks in Arctic
On 30 Aug 2003 a decommissioned Russian submarine sank in the Barents Sea.
On 30 Aug 2003 a decommissioned Russian submarine sank in the Barents Sea.
Fire Damages Russian Nuclear Submarine: site -1- , -2-
This accident happened on March 5 2003
Kursk's last voyage
Final journey before being broken up.
This accident happened on March 5 2003
Kursk's last voyage
Final journey before being broken up.
KURSK
Official information channel on the tragedy and the salvage operation.
Official information channel on the tragedy and the salvage operation.
Salvage of the Kursk
Official website of the Kursk salvage consortium.
Official website of the Kursk salvage consortium.
Death of the Kursk
CNN special on the catastrophe
CNN special on the catastrophe
Raising of the Kursk
CNN special on the salvage operation
CNN special on the salvage operation
Accident with the Russian Kursk
Extensive info about this recent submarine tragedy.
Extensive info about this recent submarine tragedy.
The Kursk Foundation
... towards the neutralization of the Kursk threat.
... towards the neutralization of the Kursk threat.
Russian Submarine KURSK catastrophe
Contains lots of technical info.
Contains lots of technical info.
Kursk submarine disaster
Another interesting Kursk page.
Another interesting Kursk page.
The Last Front of the Cold War
Collision on March 20 1993 between a Yankee and Ruskie submarine.
Collision on March 20 1993 between a Yankee and Ruskie submarine.
Project Jennifer: site -1- -2- -3- -4- -5-
The secret 1974 US attempt to raise a lost Russian submarine.
The secret 1974 US attempt to raise a lost Russian submarine.
Russian & Soviet Peacetime Submarine Losses
From 1888 to today (text only).
From 1888 to today (text only).
Komsomolets Submarine Investigations
The sinking of the Komsomolets submarine off Norway in 1989.
The sinking of the Komsomolets submarine off Norway in 1989.
The Last Front of the Cold War
Collision on March 20 1993 between a Yankee and Ruskie submarine.
Collision on March 20 1993 between a Yankee and Ruskie submarine.
K-19, the events that inspired the movie
Good site from National Geographic.
Good site from National Geographic.
Project 658, 658 M - Hotel Class
Incidents of this 'K-10' class.
Incidents of this 'K-10' class.
The Russian Northern Fleet Nuclear submarine accidents
From the sixties to today.
From the sixties to today.
The Russian Pacific Fleet Nuclear submarine accidents
From the sixties to today.
From the sixties to today.
The Nuclear Russian Fleet
Lots of facts and incidents related to the operation of these vessels.
Lots of facts and incidents related to the operation of these vessels.
Swedish Navy submarine rescue vehicle
The underwater rescue vehicle URF.
The underwater rescue vehicle URF.
Swedish Navy submarine salvage ship
The submarine salvage ship Belos.
The submarine salvage ship Belos.
Kockums rescue system
Second-generation URF, known as an S-SRV.
Second-generation URF, known as an S-SRV.
Dayang and Diver class
Little info on these submarine support and rescue ships.
Little info on these submarine support and rescue ships.
A584 Kurtaran (ex US ASR-19)
Submarine Rescue Ship.
Submarine Rescue Ship.
British submarine losses
From 1904 to the present day.
From 1904 to the present day.
English Peacetime Submarine Accidents
From 1904 to today (text only).
From 1904 to today (text only).
HMS Trafalgar runs aground
Nov 6 2002 mishap off the Scottish coast.
Nov 6 2002 mishap off the Scottish coast.
The A8 Submarine Boat Disaster
Plymouth Sound on Thursday June 8th 1905.
Plymouth Sound on Thursday June 8th 1905.
The Mystery of the M1
This RN sub went missing in 1925.
This RN sub went missing in 1925.
HM Submarine Affray
Disappeared Mysteriously in 1951.
Disappeared Mysteriously in 1951.
McLeod Submarine Volunteer Memorial
The explosion on board HMS Sidon on 16 June 1955.
The explosion on board HMS Sidon on 16 June 1955.
THE SAFETY OF TRIDENT
An assessment of the radiation risks.
An assessment of the radiation risks.
How the LR5 rescue sub works
Very informative.
Very informative.
LR5 Submarine Rescue System
A very good article on this RN rescue sub.
A very good article on this RN rescue sub.
LR5 Rescue Submersible
Information Sheet from LR5's builder.
Information Sheet from LR5's builder.
Royal Navy LR5
The very small official page.
The very small official page.
Royal Navy Undersea Medicine Division
Submarine escape and rescue, an overview.
Submarine escape and rescue, an overview.
Portsmouth Aviation Limited
Submarine Rescue Equipment.
Submarine Rescue Equipment.
UK Submarine Rescue Service
Including Scorpio 45 and LR 5 info.
Including Scorpio 45 and LR 5 info.
HMS Dolphin Submarine Training Facility
The leading submarine training facility.
The leading submarine training facility.
U.S. Peacetime Submarine Accidents
From 1915 to today.
From 1915 to today.
U.S. Navy Submarines Losses
Official US Navy listings.
Official US Navy listings.
USS Oklahoma City and unknown merchant
All happened in the Med on Nov 13 2002
All happened in the Med on Nov 13 2002
USS Ogden and USS Greeneville collision
Another USS Greeneville collision
Another USS Greeneville collision
USS Greenville (SSN 772) incident
Official US Navy website on this tragedy.
Official US Navy website on this tragedy.
USS Greeneville rams Japanese Ehime Maru
Nine Japanese were lost in this 2001 tragedy.
Nine Japanese were lost in this 2001 tragedy.
Collission USS Kentucky USS San Juan
Good article on this 1998 incident.
Good article on this 1998 incident.
U.S. Pacific Fleet
Submarines lost or damaged before and after World War II
Submarines lost or damaged before and after World War II
Project Jennifer: site -1- -2- -3- -4- -5-
The secret 1974 US attempt to raise a lost Russian submarine.
The secret 1974 US attempt to raise a lost Russian submarine.
USS SCORPION (SSN-589)
Sank May 22, 1968 in more than 10,000 feet of water.
Sank May 22, 1968 in more than 10,000 feet of water.
Wreck of USS Scorpion (SSN-589)
This US Navy page includes impressive photos of the wreck
This US Navy page includes impressive photos of the wreck
The USS Scorpion - Mystery of the Deep
May 17, 1968, the last time anyone saw the Scorpion.
May 17, 1968, the last time anyone saw the Scorpion.
Collision at Sea
1965 USS Blackfin SS-322 and USS Bainbridge DLG(N)-25
1965 USS Blackfin SS-322 and USS Bainbridge DLG(N)-25
USS THRESHER SSN-593
Lost at sea 10 April 1963.
Lost at sea 10 April 1963.
USS Thresher (SSN-593)
This US Navy page includes impressive photos of the wreck
This US Navy page includes impressive photos of the wreck
USS SCORPION (SSN-589)
Missing at sea.
Missing at sea.
The Sinking Of USS Cochino (SS-345)
Cochino was lost on Aug 26 1949.
Cochino was lost on Aug 26 1949.
USS Squalus (SS-192)
The sinking, rescue and salvage, 1939
The sinking, rescue and salvage, 1939
Trapped in the Depths
Great article on the loss of USS Squalus
Great article on the loss of USS Squalus
The U.S. Submarine S-51
Collided with a steamer in 1925.
Collided with a steamer in 1925.
The Last Front of the Cold War
Collision on March 20 1993 between a Yankee and Ruskie submarine.
Collision on March 20 1993 between a Yankee and Ruskie submarine.
Friends of the Hunley
The Hunley sunk on Feb 7 1864.
The Hunley sunk on Feb 7 1864.
Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicles
Brief info from Jane's on these rescue subs.
Brief info from Jane's on these rescue subs.
Submarine Rescue: Ready For The Unthinkable
Article from the US Navy "Undersea Warfare Magazine".
Article from the US Navy "Undersea Warfare Magazine".
Submarine Rescue Ships
Details on 12 USN rescue ships.
Details on 12 USN rescue ships.
Submarine Rescue
Interesting article from the 'Undersea Warfare ' magazine.
Interesting article from the 'Undersea Warfare ' magazine.
Preventing Submarine Collisions
Answers to the questions of U.S. nationwide policy debaters.
Answers to the questions of U.S. nationwide policy debaters.
Rescue Vehicles
Current submarine rescue services
Brief, but complete.
Brief, but complete.
Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicles
Brief info from Jane's on rescue subs.
Brief info from Jane's on rescue subs.
USN Deep Submergence Unit
Great USN site.
Great USN site.
Submarine Escape and Rescue
The Australian Solution.
The Australian Solution.
LR5 Rescue Submersible
Information Sheet from LR5's builder..
Information Sheet from LR5's builder..
Manned Submersible LR5 Specification
Very detailed technical info
Very detailed technical info
UK Submarine Rescue Service
Including Scorpio 45 and LR 5 info.
Including Scorpio 45 and LR 5 info.
Royal Navy LR5
The very small official page.
The very small official page.
LR5 Submarine Rescue System
A very good article on this RN rescue sub.
A very good article on this RN rescue sub.
How the RN LR5 rescue sub works
Very informative.
Very informative.
US Submarine Rescue Ships
Details on 12 USN rescue ships
Details on 12 USN rescue ships
Guardians of the Submarines
History of US submarine rescue vessels.
History of US submarine rescue vessels.
Portsmouth Aviation Limited
Submarine Rescue Equipment.
Submarine Rescue Equipment.
SERS (Submarine Escape and Rescue Service)
Rescue service of the Australian Navy.
Rescue service of the Australian Navy.
K-11 Felinto Perry
Brazil's submarine rescue ship.
Brazil's submarine rescue ship.
INS Nireekshak A15
India's diving support ship has 2 DSRV's on board.
India's diving support ship has 2 DSRV's on board.
Anteo A5309
Italy's submarine rescue-salvage ship / submersible tender.
Italy's submarine rescue-salvage ship / submersible tender.
Chiyoda and Husimi class
Submarine Rescue Ship and Tender with DSRV on board.
Submarine Rescue Ship and Tender with DSRV on board.
JMSDF DSRV
The Japanese DSRV.
The Japanese DSRV.
Dayang and Diver class
Little info on these Taiwanese submarine support and rescue ships.
Little info on these Taiwanese submarine support and rescue ships.
A584 Kurtaran (ex US ASR-19)
Turkish Submarine Rescue Ship.
Turkish Submarine Rescue Ship.
Swedish Navy submarine rescue vehicle
The underwater rescue vehicle URF.
The underwater rescue vehicle URF.
Swedish Navy submarine salvage ship
The submarine salvage ship Belos.
The submarine salvage ship Belos.
Kockums rescue system
Second-generation URF, known as an S-SRV.
Second-generation URF, known as an S-SRV.
Surviving SUBSUNK
Very informative article from Jane's
Very informative article from Jane's
Sorbet Royal 2002
Lots of info, videos and photos on this Sub rescue exercise.
Lots of info, videos and photos on this Sub rescue exercise.
Submarine rescue exercise Sorbet Royal 1996
Includes great images of a simulated rescue.
Includes great images of a simulated rescue.
In the wake of the Kursk: 'Sorbet Royal 2000'
NATO largest submarine rescue exercise.
NATO largest submarine rescue exercise.
Other Nation's Submarine Accidents
Israel, France, England and others (text only).
Israel, France, England and others (text only).
Unterseeboots-Unfälle
Great German article on submarine accidents, written in 1911 !
Great German article on submarine accidents, written in 1911 !
Selected Accidents Involving Nuclear Weapons
Including submarines 1950-1993
Including submarines 1950-1993
International Registry of Sunken Ships
Probably the largest fully relational database in the world
.......................................................................
With Thanks to >> Dutch Submarines.com
.......................................................................
......................................................................................................................
The Author's Home page
Probably the largest fully relational database in the world
.......................................................................
With Thanks to >> Dutch Submarines.com
.......................................................................
| Dutch Submarines | Dutch Navy Ships | Dutch Navy General |
| Worldwide Subs | Sub Accidents | Sub Communities |
| Sub Books&gifts | Sub Simulations | Sub Des.& Constr. |
| Civilian Subs | General Navy | Webrings |
| Other |
......................................................................................................................
Peacetime Submarine Accidents
Lord God, our power evermore, whose arm doth reach the ocean floor,
Dive with our men beneath the sea; Traverse the depths protectively.
O hear us when we pray, and keep them safe from peril in the deep.
Alternate verse for the Navy Hymn, David B. Miller (1965)
Dive with our men beneath the sea; Traverse the depths protectively.
O hear us when we pray, and keep them safe from peril in the deep.
Alternate verse for the Navy Hymn, David B. Miller (1965)
Background
This web site presents a comprehensive study of the accidents that have occurred during peacetime aboard submarines of all navies around the world. This study is intended to honor the dangerous work of all submariners, work that is no less (and sometimes MORE) dangerous than actual war.
This paper is divided into the following sections:- Abstract
- Introduction
- Background
- Purpose of Report
- Sources of Information
- Scope of Inquiry
- Collected Data
- Early Submarine Accidents (1900 - 1917)
- World War I (1914 - 1918)
- The Inter-War Years (1918 - 1941)
- World War II (1939 - 1945)
- The Early Cold War (1945 - 1975)
- Deténte, MAD, and Peristroika (1976 - 1999)
- The 21st Century (2000 - Present)
- Conclusions
- References Cited
- Appendices
- Unlearned Lessons, a commentary
- Glossary
- FAQ - Fequently Asked Questions
- Soviet and Russian Peacetime Accidents
- Submarine Accidents Involving Fishing Vessels
The Author's Home page
Thursday, 1 September 2011
The US Navy's Silent Strike Force
Submarine Force Library and Museum
The U.S. Navy Submarine Force Library and Museum, located on the Thames River near Groton, Connecticut, USA, is the only submarine museum managed exclusively by the U.S. Navy, which makes it a repository for many special submarine items of national significance, including USS Nautilus (SSN-571).
Visitors may take a 30-minute self-guided audio tour of the submarine. In a 2009 visit to the museum, a writer for Connecticut magazine found several veterans of the U.S. submarine force who talked about their experiences while visiting the Nautilus.
Visitors may take a 30-minute self-guided audio tour of the submarine. In a 2009 visit to the museum, a writer for Connecticut magazine found several veterans of the U.S. submarine force who talked about their experiences while visiting the Nautilus.
Royal Naval Submarine Museum
HMS Alliance
Royal Naval Submarine Museum
Associated Web Link: http://www.submarine-museum.co.uk/
The Royal Naval Submarine Museum allows you to trace the history of submarine development from the age of Alexander the Great to the present day.
The submarine tour starts with a film show showing the history of the Submarine service followed by a guided tour of HMS Alliance. You can then visit the Holland 1, the Royal Navy's first submarine, which is under conservation in her tank. There are also torpedoes, guns and missiles to see.
HMS Alliance, the submarine you can go on board, was commissioned in 1947 and allows you to experience life on board a submarine. You can look through the periscopes of HMS Conqueror towards Portsmouth Harbour. There is even an opportunity to be a Captain in the trainer control room. There are galleries telling of the history of the submarines and how nuclear physics drive today’s submarines.
There is a gift shop and picnic area as well as a restaurant. There is a remembrance corner which commemorates those who gave their lives to the submarine service. It includes their medals and tells of how 14 Victoria Crosses were awarded.
HMS Alliance is slowly reappearing
The new for'ard gangway ready to go in
Wootton Bassett Remembered
A behind-the-scenes story of the town of Wootton Bassett, whose
tributes to fallen soldiers have earned the community the first royal
title awarded in over 100 years. Looks at the repatriation of a fallen
soldier from the Afghanistan War.
THE market town of Wootton Bassett remembered the war dead once again
last night – but this time there was no fallen troops passing through.
Since April 2007, its people have stopped to pay their respects as
yet another funeral cortege made its way along the high street.
Hundreds gathered each time to mark the passing of a hero from Iraq
and Afghanistan, the tenor bell at St Bartholomew’s signalling the
approach of another coffin.
But the impending closure of nearby RAF Lyneham means the end of repatriations through Wootton Bassett.
And at 7.57pm last night, the town held an emotional sunset ceremony to mark the end of its solemn role.
For a final time the place fell silent in tribute and locals and
visitors bowed their heads to reflect on the casualties of the wars in
Iraq and Afghanistan.
In total, 345 dead servicemen and women passed through the Wiltshire town, the last one Lt Daniel Clack, 24, on August 18.
And each time St Bart’s bell tolled, Angela Adams, 52, closed her
card shop Paper Greetings and went outside to pay her respects. Her
husband, Flight Sergeant Tony Adams, 52, is stationed at RAF Lyneham and
she said: “The grief can be too much. It is hard for me to face, with
my husband in the RAF. It is too upsetting to see the pain, it makes it
so real.
“But I close the shop each time and stand and pay my respects. It’s
eerie. Each time the silence is total. Birds stop singing and dogs stop
barking.”
In the Cross Keys pub, Margaret Butterfield, 69, has provided free
tea and cakes to the relatives of the fallen and any of the other
mourners.
She thinks little of what it has cost her, only of the solace it has provided the grieving.
She said: “Sometimes they like to talk, sometimes not. But we are
there to help with a cuppa and a cake if they need it and someone to
talk to.”
Olive Spanwick, 69, from nearby Devizes, has been to every
repatriation in the past 13 months. But she asked why so many, some just
teenagers, are still returning home in coffins. She said: “They said it
would be over by now but it’s not.
“David Cameron said they would be home now but still they are dying
in a war that can’t be won. I wish these repatriations were not
happening but while they were happening here I wanted to pay my
respects.”
The Prime Minister also paid tribute to the people of the town,
which is to be renamed Royal Wootton Bassett in honour of its role. But
he defended the new route – via the Oxfordshire village of Carterton –
which, some say, will limit the amount of people who would like to pay
their respects.
He said: “The route that’s been chosen has been chosen sensitively
and carefully. What happened at Wootton Bassett was spontaneous. It was a
very beautiful thing.”
Last night’s ceremony brought together a truly British eclectic mix.
Bikers, all shiny tin badges and worn patches, chatted to old soldiers
with medals polished for one more parade.
Flagmaster Peter Gray, 72, has lowered and raised the town’s union flag during each repatriation.
And last night the former sapper in the Royal Engineers was overcome
with emotion. He said: “It’s a very sad day. It has been very emotional
for me and the town. This is the last time the flag will be lowered
here in Wootton for the soldiers who died.”
The grey skies gave way to a mackerel sunset as St Bart’s bell began to toll and the high street closed.
As the stoic old soldier lowered the flag for the final time, only quiet sobs could be heard in the silence.
Tuesday, 16 August 2011
Silent Service (US)
One statistic alone highlights the difference between the two campaigns, and that is: U-Boats lost: 781/785 dependent upon which stats one uses, versus US Submarines sunk, namely 52 ( 2 of which were lost in the Atlantic Ocean )
Shipping Losses in WW2.
Britain needed the lifeline of Merchant Ships plowing across the North Atlantic route from North American ports to both Liverpool and on the Clyde in Scotland. 75 % of all food stuffs to sustain the British people needed to be imported.
Shipping losses on the North Atlantic run totalled a staggering 11,904,954 tons.
Monday, 15 August 2011
My Naval family
Dad
My Wife Hazel on our Wedding day
Full Time Reservist 2010
Falklands 1983/84 Me and a Penguin
Alan and Ken
Ken and Carolyn Griffiths
Kenneth
Kenneth the Sprog
Ken Playing with Guns
Whose turn is it to Buy the Oggies ?
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