For the first time since the end of WW2 British soldiers have taken part in the annual Victory Day parade in Moscow's Red Square.

76 Guardsmen from 2 Company The 1st Battalion The Welsh Guards joined 10,500 Russian soldiers and contingents from the US, France and Poland in the parade to mark the 65th anniversary of the defeat of Germany in 1945.

The sacrifices made by the Soviet people in WW2 were staggering - almost 25 million citizens were killed (including 10 million military personnel). It is not surprising, then, that the annual Victory Day parade still has an immense emotional hold on the Russian people.

Guardsman Ian Mundy said: "There is a sense of pride to be in this massive parade on Red Square. It seems that everyone is interested in us as well and I'm proud to be a part of that.'

Major Dai Bevan, Company Commander, commented: “This (experience) typifies the polarity of our job as Guardsmen and as infantry soldiers – last year we were in Afghanistan and now we’re marching in Red Square as part of his incredible occasion.

The Guardsmen's presence in the parade not only recognised that Britain and the Soviet Union fought together to defeat Germany in 1945 but also reflected the current wish of the Russian leadership to improve relations with NATO.

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said: “At this solemn parade, the soldiers of Russia, the states of the CIS and the anti-Hitler coalition march together. Only together can we counter present-day threats. Only as good neighbours can we resolve problems of global security in order that the ideals of justice and good triumph in all of the world and that the lives of future generations will be free and happy.”

WalesOnline: Welsh Guards march in Moscow parade
BBC: British troops mark VE Day with Red Square parade
MoD: British soldiers march on Red Square in historic parade

Visitors to the National Trust estate at Wightwick Maner near Wolverhampton have been rightly angered by the Trust's decision to place the war memorials in honour of 36 estate workers on the walls of the public toilets.

What went through the heads of the National Trust managers when they decided that the most fitting place for the two memorial plaques - one to 33 men who died in WW1 and the other to three who died in WW2 - was hanging on the walls of the toilets?

These managers are no better than Philip Laing who was photographed last October urinating on Sheffield's War Memorial. At least Laing had the excuse that he was drunk; what excuse does the National Trust have? ...er..."I'm sorry. I should have sorted this sooner rather than later".

The Mail: Memorial to the fallen... on the toilet wall: Anger at siting of plaque honouring men who died in two world wars

The Mail: Anger of WWI veteran's family after binge-drinking student is pictured urinating on war memorial

A typical labourite response to the bikers' tribute at Wootton Bassett last Sunday was posted on Chris Hughes' blog in the Daily Mirror, that erudite organ of the labour party.

In his article titled "Wootton Bassett Bikers - A Response" he smugly wrote: "Now we've seen it all - hundreds of bikers showing their "solidarity with frontline troops," by trundling their petrol guzzling and fume spewing steeds through Wootton Bassett.

"I think it's great that they raised more than £100,000 by going on their road trip jolly and that the money will go to our forces. But I wonder if someone - just for a change - could set a trend by doing something they hate doing to raise money for good causes. And something that isn't so public and... well.... so annoying?"

I suppose that's the sort of comment you'd expect from the Daily Mirror's "defence correspondent" (actually, he can't make up his mind 'cos he also claims to be the Mirror's "security correspondent"). It shows how the newspaper and those close to the labour party treat with distain those who show respect for, and give support to British soldiers fighting in Afghanistan

Interestingly the link to this article has now been cut; presumably the Mirror didn't want to further prejudice public support so close to an election.

I wonder whether Chris will next be posting an "apology"; I doubt it some how.

19/03/10: I stand corrected; apparently he has now apolgised though I haven't been able to find it on the Mirror's website.
The Independent: Forces of Facebook turn on Daily Mirror

With 6,500 local residents lodging objections, Surrey Heath Borough Council had little choice but to reject the application to build a mosque in Camberley, Surrey.

The decision to reject the application was greeted with cheers from the hundreds of people who had attended the planning meeting.

To make way for the giant mosque, the local Muslim group were intending to bulldoze the cluster of listed Victorian school buildings which currently occupy the site and which are situated within the Royal Military Academy Conservation Area.

Local residents maintained not only that the existing school buildings formed an intrinsic part of the town's traditional English heritage and should be protected, but also that the size and scale of the proposal would mean that the mosque would dominate the town and tower over the surrounding buildings.

There was also a major concern both locally and nationally that the twin 100 foot high minarettes would give clear line of sight to the parade grounds of nearby Sandhurst.

The Muslim group are sure to appeal to the Planning Inspectorate to get the decision of the town overturned. It must be remembered that the Planning Inspectorate is just another arm of the central government and is indifferent to local opinion and local democracy. The Planning Inspectorate is only there to enforce the dictates of their political masters in the Department of Communities and Local Government, the fiefdom of Hazel Blairs MP. Bearing in mind how the labour party is constantly trying to appease the muslim community and "bring them on-side", the objectors to the proposed mosque may well still have a fight on their hands.

The Mail: Thousands of residents force council to reject plans for giant mosque next to Sandhurst military academy

AquilaVictrix: Mega Mosque designed to overlook Sandhurst

It sometimes seems that the only real military allies the UK has in Europe are the Danes and their fellow Balts, the Estonians.

750 Danes are serving in Afghanistan, proportionately one of the highest national contingents out there. 31 Danish soldiers have given their lives fighting to make Afghanistan a better, more secure place. A high price; in fact this casualty rate, 4.1%, is higher than both the UK's 2.6% and the US's 1.3%.

Unlike other European countries, the Danish people are honouring their commitments to NATO. We had thought that the Dutch could be relied on, but then, I suppose, so did the people of Srebrenica (the Danish Army's record in Bosnia on the other hand earned them great respect). It is most likely that the Dutch will soon be pulling out, leaving their NATO allies in the lurch. Other European contingents are reluctant to be posted to "restive" regions like Helmand or to take the fight to the Taliban; they'd rather leave that to the professionals.

The Danes, however, are in the thick of it and holding firm against the European flight to the Maginot line. Their forces in Afghanistan continue to have strong public support at home - their recent military resurgence has rightly been a source of great national pride.

As one Danish soldier said: "It is too easy to stay at home, and Denmark is doing its part"

There's no 'to be or not to be' for these Vikings.

Muslims in Surrey Heath have had their plans to build a giant mosque just 400 yards from the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst approved by the local council's planning committee.

Approval was given despite objections from over 1,000 local people - not to mention that a listed Victorian building will have to be demolished to make way for the new mosque. The height and scale of the massive mosque indicates that its design will dominate the surrounding buildings. But of more concern is that its two 100ft high minarets will give a clear view of the Academy's parade ground.

Military chiefs obviously consider this poses a major security threat to the cadets. "It is outrageous to even think that the officers of the future would have to watch their backs while they are still in training."

The Mail: Giant mosque's towers 'will loom over Sandhurst'

The government may have done a (welcomed) U-turn and reinstated the TA budget; they have not done the same with the Army Cadet Force and the £4million

cuts made in this year's ACF budget remain in force. The Army Cadet Force Association is now very concerned that, with the inevitable squeeze on the Army budget, this year's cuts may be repeated again next year - or even worse. This would have a seriously damaging impact on the facilities and opportunities available to the UK's 47,000 Army cadets and, importantly, on the resolve of the 8,500 adult volunteers to continue, particularly with the reductiion in instructors' paid training days and annual and weekend camps.

The ACF is a valuable training ground not only for future Army intake but also for the country's young people as a whole. The ACF helps teenages develop personally, physically and socially by providing challenging and adventurous opportunities in a structured, disciplined environment. Through the ACF young people learn the core values of self discipline, respect for others and team work. In other words the ACF teaches our young people the personal and social skills which our schools are lamentably failing to do.

Indeed up until recently Brown, Balls, Ainsworth and Co. had been announcing that the government had plans to expand the ACF and had been extolling the benefits the ACF could bring to children from all backgrounds.

The Army Cadet Force Association rightly says that each year the Army's cadets put a great deal of effort into supporting the Service community and Service charities. It, in turn, is now seeking all the support that it can get to increase awareness of the dangers that a repeat of this year's cuts would have on the ACF movement.

Army Cadet Force Association
Army Cadets website

The combination of the heavy fighting in Afghanistan and cuts to defence budgets has forced bosses at the MoD to cancel this year's Aldershot Army Show.

Attracting crowds of up to 60,000, the popular annual two-day event is the biggest Army show of its kind in the country tracing its roots back over 150 years to the time of the Crimean War.

Speaking after the last year's event, Major General Kirkland said the event was an important forum where the public could have an opportunity to meet soldiers and show their support for the Army. “Britain’s Army is the army of the people and it’s key that the people get to see who the Army is. This is an opportunity for the people to come here and support the Army when they are home from operations,” he said.

However, with so many of the local garrison currently away on operations in Afghanistan, the manpower isn't available to put on the show this year - the garrison has the 1st Battalion Coldstream Guards, the Queen's Own Gurkha Logistics Regiment, 4 Medical Regiment and elements of many other units deployed in Helmand.

This is also sadly another example of the MoD rolling back its National Recognition agenda.

BBC: Aldershot Army Show cancelled due to Afghanistan action

Back in the 5th century the Romans regularly bought off their enemies by making hefty tribute payments in exchange for an agreement not to attack the Empire - a kind of early protection racket. In 447 alone they forked out 6,000lbs in gold to pay off the Huns and agreed to make annual instalments of 2,000lbs from then on. When the Romans missed the 451 payment, Attila lead his army across the border and devastated the cities of northern Gaul.

If a report in today's Times is correct, then it would seem that the Italians have been taking a lesson from their history books and have again been paying tribute to their adversaries - this time to the Taliban.

A local Taliban commander confirmed that a deal was struck last year so that Italian forces in the Sarobi area, east of Kabul, would not be attacked by local insurgents in exchange for a load of cash.

Unfortunately when the Italians handed the area over to the French they omitted to tell them about the local protection racket - that or when the Italians said "pizzo" the French thought they had said "pizza".

Because the district had been so quiet prior to their arrival, the French had assumed that they had picked a nice peaceful area to look after. It was not until 10 of their soldiers were tragically killed last August that they realised all was not as it seemed.

Nato spokesman General Eric Tremblay said he was "not aware" of Italy having paid off Taliban militants. "If it does go on, it's the Afghan government (that does it) rather than international forces."

The Times: Italians bribed the Taleban all over Afghanistan, say officials

Philip Laing, a Sheffield college student, thought it would be funny to urinate on the city's war memorial and on the poppy wreaths placed there in honour of the servicemen and women who had given their lives in the service of their country.

This wonderful example of today's 'intelligentsia' and his friends no doubt thought it a great laugh to desecrate a war memorial and to piss on those who had died for our freedoms. They probably even congratulated themselves on the publicity that resulted from this disgusting behaviour. His parents more than likely think it all a laugh as well.

Of course the college authorities won't have the guts to do anything about it; the department of education won't kick him off his course; nor naturally will the police be bothered to do anything either - like giving him a criminal record.

No, this little prick will look forward to three years on his "sports technology" (no surprise there then) course as a celebrity amongst his fellow students.

The Mail: Shame of drunken student caught urinating on war memorial during 'Carnage' mass pub crawl

When Private Peter Walker went to get a pizza in Kuwait City the other day he was set upon by five knife-wielding locals.

Fearing that he was being kidnapped to be ransomed or even passed on to an Islamist terrorist group, Pte Walker fought his way free and legged it. Running into a building and up a flight of stairs, he found that there was no other way out but to leap from a balcony......so he jumped and sprinted to safety through the streets.

The propaganda value to the Taliban of having a British soldier in their hands would be immense and what they would do to him doesn't bear thinking about. Private Walker's quick thinking and fast footwork certainly got him out of a frightening situation.

Private Walker serves with 59 Movement Control Squadron, 29 Regiment, Royal Logistic Corps; it's fortunate that parkour forms part of 59MC Squadron's basic training.

The Sun: Kidnapped soldier jumps off balcony

Corporal Christopher Reynolds, 3 SCOTS The Black Watch, notched up the longest kill in Afghanistan when he shot a Taliban commander over a mile away (1.15 miles)!

Cpl Reynolds had lain in wait for three days on a shop roof before taking out the terrorist chief called Mula. As well as distance, he had to allow for trajectory, wind and temperature before he squeezed the trigger; his gun scope was actually aiming at the top of a doorway when he fired.

His bullet hit the target in the chest. "He had been given a lead sleeping tablet. I was quite proud of that shot - it is the longest recorded kill in Afghanistan", said Cpl Reynolds. His mate said: "'He did a top job that day - but we are all sick about him going on about it and telling us what a great shot he is."

Bloody good shot, sir!

The Mail: British sniper describes moment he shot Taliban commander... from TWO KILOMETRES away

We learn today that the government is going to shovel another £50billion into the vaults of the high street banks. This is so that City financiers and their accountants will have the funds available to pay themselves obscene bonuses.

That £50billion would buy quite a few Sikorskys and Ridgbacks is of no concern to our political elite.

Metropolitan Police officers had been banned from wearing the Union Flag badge which expresses support for Britain's Armed Forces and for the soldiers fighting in Afghanistan.

The badges are also sold to raise funds for the Royal British Legion, Help for Heroes and the Support Our Soldiers charities.

Some cretin had raised a complaint that the Union Flag badge was "offensive" and senior police officers at Scotland Yard consequently decreed that the badges should be removed.

Smothered by the diktats of today's "multiculturalism", police chiefs are terrified of appearing politically incorrect. Of course the Union Flag is not recognised by some groups as symbolising the Nation; they see it as something to be burned in protest. Police chiefs have been instructed not to upset these volatile groups and it therefore becomes preferable to insult British troops fighting on the frontline.

Officers at Heathrow were even ordered to take down a Union Flag hoisted on June 27 - Armed Forces Day - because it was not an ‘approved ensign’.

Most police officers felt so strongly that they risked disciplinary action, defied the ban and continued to where the badge in solidarity with their service cousins. A petition in their support has even been started on the No.10 website.

However, only hours after this latest row exploded across the media, the Metropolitan Police Commissioner, Sir Paul Stephenson stepped in and sensibly ruled that officers should be allowed to show their support for soldiers fighting for our country and that the dress code should be relaxed.

The Mail: Scotland Yard DROPS ban on officers wearing Union Flag badges backing our troops

Gordon Brown has had a bruising few rounds with General Dannatt. The General did to Gordon what Joanna Lumley did to what's-his-name; he told him what was what. Politicians don't like it when the military play them at their own game: using the media to bring pressure on the opposition.

After months of trying to influence the government in the traditional way - i.e. behind the scenes, out of the public eye - General Dannatt was forced by the government's intransigence and prevarication to bring the need for more resources in Afghanistan into the public domain. The General gave Brown a public battering with his uncompromising demands in support of the troops fighting in Afghanistan.

Wiping the blood from his nose, Brown's trainer, Peter Mandelson, whispered slyly into his ear that The General's period as CGS will be up in August and all that Brown has to do is to stick it out for a few more days and all will soon be well.

The General will be succeeded as Chief of the General Staff by General Sir David Richards. Brown's entourage reckon that General Richards is a "subtle operator"; this sounds a bit Mandelson-esque which is not a little worrying. Certainly General Richards' proposals to contract-out some of the duties currently carried out by the British troops in Afghanistan - like guarding Camp Bastion and Kandahar airfield - seem horribly like nuLabour thinking to me.

General Richards may not be as much of a bruiser as General Dannatt but let's hope that he puts up as much of a fight in his "subtle" way as The General has done and that he doesn't let down the guys on the frontline simply in the cause of political expediency.

The FT: New UK army head spurs hope of detente
The Times: The army’s been hit by Brown’s unfriendly fire

Hundreds of homes were evacuated yesterday after French Foreign Legion soldiers on artillery practice fired incendiary tracer shells into parched woodland close to the southern port city of Marseille. The temperature was 32 degrees; oh, and there was a strong wind blowing at the time.

City officials accused the elite Foreign Legion of being 'imbeciles'. When you’re faced with this kind of incredible stupidity, people need to know about it.’

One evacuee said: "My whole family is now living in a gym, and it’s all because of these ridiculous soldiers. They did not seem to have a clue what they were doing."

The Daily Mail rather generously says: "The French Army has had one of the worst military reputations in the world since capitulating to the Germans at the start of World War II."

It's integration with the French and German armies that the labour government sees as the future for the British Army. Ummm...............

The Mail: 'Imbeciles': Hundreds evacuated from their homes as bushfire caused by French military threatens Marseille

Labour Lord Foulkes, or "Baron Foulkes of Cumnoch" as he prefers to be called in true nulabour style, had the nerve yesterday to imply that Chief of the Defence Staff Air Chief Marshall Sir Jock Stirrup AFC and Chief of the General Staff General Sir Richard Dannatt MC were being disloyal to British troops by fighting to make sure that our Armed Forces receive the right equipment and resources to deal with the Taliban.

According to the Mail, Baron Foulkes had "an undistinguished ministerial career - clouded by an episode of drunk and disorderly behaviour." He apparently lost his job as labour spokesperson for defence in 1993 after he pleaded guilty to a charge of assault and of being drunk and disorderly after spending a night in police custody following a reception hosted by the Scotch Whisky Association (Wikipedia). He was elevated to the peerage by Tony Blair in 2005, presumably for services to the labour party.

During a debate in the House of Lords yesterday the red baron asked labour frontbencher Lady Taylor to 'consider gently reminding these gentlemen [CDS Stirrup & CGS Dannatt] of the importance of loyalty, particularly when we are engaged in a very difficult war where victory is essential for the future safety of this country.'

Snide remarks from a has-been politician would normally be ignored but in this case they have added support to the view that labour ministers and their toadies are engaged in a concerted campaign to systematically undermine the credibility of the heads of Britian's Armed Forces just because they had the temerity to stand up for the guys risking their lives on the frontline.

Baron Foulkes is currently on the government's Intelligence Committee. His absurd remarks remind me of the old BBC radio programme, The Navy Lark: "This is Intelligence speaking".

The Mail: Not fit to shine their boots! Outrage as toady Labour peer accuses forces of 'helping the Taliban'

In an article in today's Telegraph, head of the Army, General Sir Richard Dannatt insisted he has "no regrets" about speaking out to ensure his men were properly equipped and looked after.

During his period as Chief of the General Staff, General Dannatt has fought constantly to get the right equipment and kit to the guys fighting in Afghanistan.

So often we see generals calling foal and criticising policy only after they have retired, choosing to keep their heads down when actually in a position to do something. General Dannatt on the other hand has not shrunk from raising his concerns with the government and has at times

angered labour ministers by standing up for the troops - particularly recently with his insistance that more resources be made available for the Army in Afghanistan.

One wonders how much of the improvement in kit over the last couple of years would have happened without General Dannatt's insistence that the government fulfills its obligations to the troops. We know how every £ for the Army has had to be wrung from Brown and Co and that it was probably General Dannatt who did the wringing.

Let's hope his successor takes as strong a stand as General Dannatt has.

The Telegraph: British Army head General Sir Richard Dannatt insists 'I have no regrets'