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PANORAMA BBC1 TONIGHT 2215

3 Commando: Hunting the Taliban

In the remote desert of southern Afghanistan, a deadly struggle is intensifying between British troops and the forces of the fundamentalist Taliban. Amid battle-scenes that have been described by one commander as the most intense "since the Korean war," the BBC's Alastair Leithead and award-winning cameraman Fred Scott have gained unique, prolonged access to the soldiers of the Royal Marines' 3 Commando Brigade as they try to flush out a shifting and elusive Taleban threat. This programme contains very strong language. [S]

(taken from radiotimes.com)

What did everyone think?

Vx x x

Thought it was good. Royal came across very well

This was gave us a very good insight into the job and daily routine the RM are having to do. I know this sounds bad but I laughed when they used a couple of missiles to take out the lone fighter hiding in the bush.

Guardian of The Wall wrote:This was gave us a very good insight into the job and daily routine the RM are having to do. I know this sounds bad but I laughed when they used a couple of missiles to take out the lone fighter hiding in the bush.

Well you support the RM and all other British Forces don't you? Then have nothing to worry about. The Taliban are just doing they're job: to let us get them and send them to Allah.

HillVictor wrote:

Guardian of The Wall wrote:This was gave us a very good insight into the job and daily routine the RM are having to do. I know this sounds bad but I laughed when they used a couple of missiles to take out the lone fighter hiding in the bush.

Well you support the RM and all other British Forces don't you? Then have nothing to worry about. The Taliban are just doing they're job: to let us get them and send them to Allah.

If I didn't support them, what would I be doing here?

it was a good program, i even laughed a few times (when the guy fell over the wall, and with the rockets on the lone soldier) but looking at them, they are a determined bunch and i'd back them any day of the week, although why were most of them sporting beards? to fit in with locals or some other reason? (just curious so please dont bite my head off)

Sported beards to save on water I should think. That or they were taking part in a Beard growing competion, winner get all he can glop once they get home. We did it in the Oman.

Artist

"F*cking bang on!" - Wicked line for a wicked hit!

Good program, i pretty much knew what was said but it was good to watch. It was good to hear a mention about the para's and their troubles, it made me feel for them and it really gave me the sense that if it came down it, the para's would have gone hand to hand all the way until the end! Very brave and strong, good on em! It should definately have been covered by the news teams, because despite their shortcomings, news teams can often highlight alot of things that need addressing the RIGHT way.

It did make me feel for the real civilians in this who dont want to fight and just want to live out their lives, they are the ones suffering most from this.

I did draw up a few conclusions about this though. If i was over there i know in my heart that i would be fighting for the following:

1) Above all, making sure my mates and everyone else who is serving over there is kept as safe as possible and that everyone sticks together through it all.

2) Peoples rights to be able to live and to be able to make the best of themselves without the threat of oppression.

3) If we dont stamp on the drug barons in Afghan, then more of the drugs will end up on OUR streets, killing more people, putting more money in the hands of drug dealers and destroying peoples lives in OUR country.

4) To deal a very siginicant blow to terrorisum in the middle east.

That might sound like a load of bs to some people, but they're the conclusions i have drawn within myself about it all. Anyone else feel like this? Or perhaps have a different point of view??

Enjoyed watching it.

Interestingly, Capt. Milne was previously Sgt. Milne - as seen on 'The Real Heroes of Telemark' with Ray Mears a few years back.

i think you can go through the officer training if you believe you have earned it/field commission.

Armybrat - You're guessing, and it shows.

Artist, beards are up to each individual CO, although the official line is one of "cultural" reasons. The Afghans appear to have greater respect for men with beards. It's mainly BRF and 45 who are bearded up - people in daily contact with Afghan troops/civillians. Everyone else seems to be cracking a Norway 'tache instead. It seems the locals are obviously well into their spagetti westerns too! Obviously silly facial hair competitions are on the go all over the place. 42 aren't growing beards, but other units are, just for the badness. There's a good reason at the bottom of it all, but mainly just to wind up those who aren't allowed to. Oh, and to hope that the 'charming' girlies mistake you for some sort of leg-end from Poole (long hair, beard - lads'll try anything to get a bag-off!)

LG

Why don`t you take rest AB?

Beards were started when the Para was over there on his summer jollies because they give the wearer more street cred when dealing with the locals. No beard means no cahoonies.
Bit like down here with the bikey gangs
Artist, is it always like this mate?
Or is it skool holidays?
K`sake


Give Flighty a squeeze mate, say it`s from me

Salt? You don`t need no fuggin salt

i'd like to apologise! think i will keep shtum next time!

westy1984 wrote:Interestingly, Capt. Milne was previously Sgt. Milne - as seen on 'The Real Heroes of Telemark' with Ray Mears a few years back.

Capt Milne is quite a celeb in the Corps. He was also used for the fly on the wall programme that was on a little while ago, trying to train up civvies for the D Day landings. Can't remember what it was called, but he was teaching all the cliff assault stuff to them.

He got an LE Commission which (as I understand it) is open to any bootneck with a recommendation and the right education, who is over the adge of 27? Pass AIB and do a 14 (1 think?) week commissioning course and come out of it as a mid seniority Captain.

As for the beards, its a bit of both, water preservation and winning the respect of the locals ...... oh and looking tough and mysterious!