bigjarofwasps

Operations in the Balkans: British Fatalities It is with very deep regret that the Ministry of Defence has confirmed the following fatalities suffered during operations in the Balkans. As at 10 June 2006, a total of 72 British Forces personnel have died while serving in the Balkans since the start of operations in 1992. Flight Sergeant Malcolm Walter Gilmore, United Kingdom Support Unit Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (UKSU SHAPE), aged 51, died as a result of a heart attack in Camp Able, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, on 10 June 2006. Corporal Christian Laine Bond, King's Regiment, aged 27, died as a result of a road traffic accident in Kosovo, Glocgovac, Former Yugoslavia (Now Serbia and Montenegro), on 19 October 2004. Private James Carl Rogers, The Royal Regiment of Wales (RRW), aged 17, died as a result of a gun shot wound in Kosovo, Former Yugoslavia (Now Serbia and Montenegro), on 17 December 2001. Private Robert Donkin, Black Watch, aged 24, died in Selly Oak Hospital, Birmingham, on 14 November 2001 as a result of a severe burns which occurred in Kosovo. Private James Phillip Southworth, Royal Army Veterinary Corp (RAVC), aged 18, died as a result of a gun shot wound in Kosovo, Former Yugoslavia (Now Serbia and Montenegro), on 2 September 2001. Sapper Ian Collins, Royal Engineers (RE), aged 22, died from injuries in Skopjke, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, on 27 August 2001. Trooper Adam Edward Slater, 9th/12th Royal Lancers (Prince of Wales's) (9/12 LANCERS), aged 24, died as a result of a mine explosion in Macedonia / Kosovo Border, Kosovo, Former Yugoslavia (Now Serbia and Montenegro), on 13 April 2001. Captain Andrew Michael Crous, Army Air Corps (AAC), aged 28, died as a result of a helicopter crash in Kosovo, Former Yugoslavia (Now Serbia and Montenegro), on 9 April 2001. Flight Lieutenant Mark James Maguire, RAF Benson, aged 31, died as a result of a helicopter crash in Kosovo, Kacanik, Former Yugoslavia (Now Serbia and Montenegro), on 9 April 2001. Private Paul George Crellin, King's Own Royal Border Regiment (KORBR), aged 22, died as a result of a gun shot wound in Manjaca Ranges, Bosnia and Herzegowina, on 7 September 2000. Lance Bombadier Christopher Mathew Manley, Royal Artillery (RA), aged 26, died as a result of a heart attack in Sanski Most, Bosnia and Herzegowina, on 26 August 2000. Craftsman Anthony Richard Pike, Royal Electrical & Mechanical Engineers (REME), aged 21, died as a result of a gun shot wound in Bosnia, on 4 May 2000. Lance Corporal David John Cronin, The Royal Green Jackets (RGJ), aged 26, died as a result of a gun shot wound in Kosovo, Pristina, Former Yugoslavia (Now Serbia and Montenegro), on 14 March 2000. Lance Corporal Katie Louise Tranter, Adjutant General's Corps (Staff & Personnel Support) (AGC (SPS)), aged 19, died in Oxford on 27 February 2000, as a result of an accident which occurred in Split, Croatia. Lance Corporal William Nicholas Vanstone, The Royal Regiment of Wales (RRW), aged 27, died as a result of a road traffic accident in Jelero To Makowic-Grad, Bosnia and Herzegowina, on 6 December 1999. Private Richard Allan Lloyd, The Royal Regiment of Wales (RRW), aged 18, died as a result of a road traffic accident in Jelero To Makowic-Grad, Bosnia and Herzegowina, on 6 December 1999. Corporal Peter Jonathan Bradley, Royal Engineers (RE), aged 28, died as a result of a explosive accident in Bosnia and Herzegowina, on 11 September 1999. Private Paul John McManus, Royal Logistic Corps (RLC), aged 35, died as a result of a fall in Bosnia and Herzegowina, on 4 September 1999. Trooper Daniel David Holt, King's Royal Hussars, aged 19, died as a result of a road traffic accident in Kosovo, Former Yugoslavia (Now Serbia and Montenegro), on 25 July 1999. Sergeant Balaram Rai, Queen's Gurkha Engineers, aged 35, died as a result of a mine explosion in Kosovo, Negrovce, Former Yugoslavia (Now Serbia and Montenegro), on 21 June 1999. Lieutenant Gareth John Maurice Evans, Royal Engineers (RE), aged 25, died as a result of a mine explosion in Kosovo, Negrovce, Former Yugoslavia (Now Serbia and Montenegro), on 21 June 1999. Sergeant Robert David Lyon, The Parachute Regiment (PARA), aged 30, died as a result of a road traffic accident near Prozor, Bosnia and Herzegowina, on 8 May 1999. Gunner Christopher William Smith, Royal Artillery (RA), aged 20, died as a result of a road traffic accident in south west of Glamoc, Bosnia and Herzegowina, on 28 April 1999. Lance Corporal Christopher John Addis, Army Air Corps (AAC), aged 26, died in Frenchay Hospital, Bristol, on 31 December 1998, as a result of a helicopter crash which occurred in Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegowina. Captain Philip Charles Henry Jarvis, Army Air Corps (AAC), aged 27, died as a result of a helicopter crash in Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegowina, on 22 December 1998. Sergeant David John Kinsley, Royal Electrical & Mechanical Engineers (REME), aged 34, died as a result of a helicopter crash in Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegowina, on 22 December 1998. Sapper Stephen Anthony Stewart, Royal Engineers (RE), aged 24, died as a result of exposure to inanimate mechanical forces in Mrkonjic Grad, Bosnia and Herzegowina, on 8 December 1998. Lance Corporal Tammy Gill, Royal Army Medical Corp (RAMC), aged 23, died in Royal Hospital Haslar, Gosport, Hants, on 24 September 1998, as a result of a road traffic accident which occurred in the Former Yugoslavia. Lance Corporal Jason Lawrence, Royal Army Medical Corp (RAMC), aged 23, died as a result of a road traffic accident in south east of Sanski, Bosnia and Herzegowina, on 23 June 1998. Lance Corporal Kevin Bell, Royal Electrical & Mechanical Engineers (REME), aged 28, died as a result of a road traffic accident in Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegowina, on 11 June 1998. Lieutenant Colonel Christopher Baker, Intelligence Corps, aged 42, died as a result of a heart attack in Sarjevo, Bosnia and Herzegowina, on 25 October 1997. Lance Corporal Anthony Claire, Royal Logistic Corps (RLC), aged 40, died from natural causes in Split Bosnia, on 24 October 1997. Private Stuart Brian Wilson, Royal Logistic Corps (RLC), aged 20, died as a result of a road traffic accident in Mrkonijc Grad, Bosnia and Herzegowina, on 7 July 1997. Private Marc Jon Symonds, Royal Logistic Corps (RLC), aged 19, died as a result of a road traffic accident in Mrkonijic Grad, Bosnia and Herzegowina, on 7 July 1997. Lance Corporal Kevin Mark Pawley, Royal Logistic Corps (RLC), aged 23, died as a result of a shooting in Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegowina, on 1 December 1996. Corporal Gregory Karsten Sheppard, Adjutant General's Corps (AGC), aged 27, died from choking in Bosnia, on 6 November 1996. Lance Corporal Steven Mark Thirlwell, The Prince of Wales's Own Yorkshire Regiment (PWO), aged 26, died as a result of a road traffic accident near Cold Hussar, Bosnia and Herzegowina, on 4 November 1996. Private Simon Lee Terence Jeans, Royal Logistic Corps (RLC), aged 25, died in Frimley Park, Frimley, Surrey, on 17 September 1996, as a result of an assault which occurred in Kastel Luksic, Split, Croatia. Trooper Aled Martin Jones, The Queen's Dragoon Guards (QDG), aged 18, died as a result of a gun shot wound in Kljuc, Bosnia and Herzegowina, on 18 July 1996. Private David John Baird, Royal Logistic Corps (RLC), aged 23, died as a result of head injuries in Trojir Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegowina, on 14 May 1996. Signaller Andrew Thomas Martindale, Royal Signals (R SIGS), aged 23, died as a result of a gun shot wound in Visegrad Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegowina, on 8 May 1996. Lance Corporal Christopher Stuart McLeish, Royal Engineers (RE), aged 24, died in Bundeswehe Krakenhaus Kob, Germany, on 18 March 1996, as a result of burns sustained in Bosnia. Private Simon Leslie Fox, The Light Infantry (LI), aged 24, died as a result of a gun shot wound in Kulen Vakuf, Bosnia and Herzegowina, on 28 February 1996. Trooper John Robert Kelly, The Light Dragoons, aged 21, died as a result of a mine explosion in Titov Devar, Bosnia and Herzegowina, on 28 January 1996. Trooper Andrew Ovington, The Light Dragoons, aged 25, died as a result of exposure to inanimate mechanical forces in Titov Devar, Bosnia and Herzegowina, on 28 January 1996. Lieutenant Richard Wyndham Madden, The Light Dragoons, aged 25, died as a result of a mine explosion in Titov Devar, Bosnia and Herzegowina, on 28 January 1996. Signaller Mark Maxwell, Royal Signals (R SIGS), aged 22, died as a result of a gun shot wound in Sarajavo, Bosnia and Herzegowina, on 24 December 1995. Fusilier Gary Riches, The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers (RRF), aged 24, died as a result of a gun shot wound in Bugojno, Bosnia and Herzegowina, on 25 October 1995. Staff Sergeant Ronald Paul Hodgkinson, Royal Signals (R SIGS), aged 32, died from natural causes in Croatia, Croatia, on 5 September 1995. Air Trooper Graham Shane Witherstone, Army Air Corps (AAC), aged 20, died as a result of a helicopter crash near Ploce Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegowina, on 20 August 1995. Sergeant Martin Charles Osborne, Army Air Corps (AAC), aged 30, died as a result of a helicopter crash near Ploce Croatia, Croatia, on 20 August 1995. Corporal Ian David Macdonald, Army Air Corps (AAC), aged 29, died as a result of a helicopter crash near Ploce Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegowina, on 20 August 1995. Air Trooper Roger Willingale, Army Air Corps (AAC), aged 22, died as a result of a helicopter crash near Ploce Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegowina, on 20 August 1995. Private Dale William Little, Royal Logistic Corps (RLC), aged 19, died as a result of a gun shot wound in Tomislavgrad, Bosnia and Herzegowina, on 22 July 1995. Private Darren Stuart Hole, The Devonshire and Dorset Regiment (D&D), aged 21, died as a result of a gun shot wound in Vitez, Bosnia and Herzegowina, on 23 June 1995. Private Indrakumar Limbu, Gurkha Rifles, aged 27, died in Woolwich Hospital, London, on 14 June 1995, as a result of a road traffic accident which occurred in Bosnia. Lance Corporal Stephen John Hunt, Royal Logistic Corps (RLC), aged 42, died from natural causes in Visoko, Bosnia and Herzegowina, on 7 June 1995. Signaller Lee Ryan Harper, Royal Signals (R SIGS), aged 20, died as a result of a fall from a moving vehicle in Split-Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegowina, on 25 March 1995. Private James Christopher Bainger, Royal Army Medical Corp (RAMC), aged 24, died as a result of a gun shot wound in Zepce, Bosnia and Herzegowina, on 18 November 1994. Private Phillip Russell Armstrong, Royal Gloucestershire, Berkshire and Wiltshire Light Infantry (RGBW), aged 21, died as a result of a road traffic accident in Goradze, Bosnia and Herzegowina, on 12 September 1994. Private Martin Derek Dowdell, Royal Gloucestershire, Berkshire and Wiltshire Light Infantry (RGBW), aged 19, died as a result of a road traffic accident in Goradze, Bosnia and Herzegowina, on 12 September 1994. Private Christopher Mark Turner, Royal Gloucestershire, Berkshire and Wiltshire Light Infantry (RGBW), aged 18, died as a result of a road traffic accident in Goradze, Bosnia and Herzegowina, on 12 September 1994. Private Benjamin Hinton, Royal Gloucestershire, Berkshire and Wiltshire Light Infantry (RGBW), aged 22, died as a result of a road traffic accident in Goradze, Bosnia and Herzegowina, on 9 September 1994. Sapper Barry John Nicholas, Royal Engineers (RE), aged 20, died as a result of a mine explosion in Gorni Vakuf, Bosnia and Herzegowina, on 16 August 1994. Corporal Philip Keith Bottomley, Royal Logistic Corps (RLC), aged 25, died as a result of a gun shot wound in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegowina, on 27 July 1994. Private Shaun Richard Taylor, Duke of Wellingtons Regiment (DWR), aged 20, died as a result of a gun shot wound in Goradze, Bosnia and Herzegowina, on 26 June 1994. Captain Steven Peter Wormald, 158 (Royal Anglian) Transport Regiment (Volunteers) (R ANGLIAN), aged 28, died as a result of a landmine explosion in Rajci, Bosnia and Herzegowina, on 29 April 1994. Marine Timothy Patrick Coates, 42 Commando Royal Marines (42 Cdo RM), aged 28, died as a result of a shooting in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegowina, on 17 April 1994. Corporal Fergus McIndoe Rennie, The Parachute Regiment (PARA), aged 28, died as a result of a gun shot wound in Gorazde, Bosnia and Herzegowina, on 15 April 1994. Corporal Barney Dylan Warburton, Royal Engineers (RE), aged 27, died as a result of a landmine explosion in Stari Vitez, Bosnia and Herzegowina, on 19 March 1994. Lance Corporal John Darren Rocke, Royal Irish Regiment (R IRISH), aged 27, died as a result of a gun shot wound in Vitez, Bosnia and Herzegowina, on 6 March 1993. Lance Corporal Wayne John Edwards, Royal Welch Fusiliers (RWF), aged 26, died as a result of a gun shot wound whilst on peacekeeping duties in Gornji Vakuf, Bosnia and Herzegowina, on 13 January 1993.

British Forces in the Former Yugoslavia 1. Forces from all three Services have played an important role in the events of the last year in the former Yugoslavia through their continued support to the United Nations Protection Force (UNPROFOR) humanitarian and peacekeeping operations. Now in their fourth year of operations in the region, British troops continue to make a major contribution to the NATO-led Peace Implementation Force (IFOR). 2. The British UNPROFOR contingent comprised broadly 3,500 personnel until the summer of 1995. But, on 31 May after the Bosnian Serb Army took hostage over 350 United Nations troops, including 33 British troops from 1st Battalion The Royal Welch Fusiliers and one Royal Air Force United Nations Military Observer, the Government announced that reinforcements would be deployed to improve the security of British forces. Some 900 immediate reinforcements were subsequently joined by 4,000 personnel from 24 Airmobile Brigade. Our contribution rose to over 8,000 troops and made Britain the largest UNPROFOR contributor. British forces formed a major part of the successful Rapid Reaction Force created by Lieutenant General Sir Rupert Smith, the UNPROFOR Commander, to improve the effectiveness and protection of UNPROFOR. British Army guns played a crucial part over several months as part of this quick reaction-capability, which helped to deter further Bosnian Serb bombardment of Sarajevo and keep open the main supply route into the city. 3. After the Bosnian Serb Army attacked the United Nations Safe Areas of Srebrenica and Zepa, the International Meeting in London on 21 July resolved that any further attacks on United Nations Safe Areas would be met by a decisive military response; corresponding warnings were issued to the warring factions. Despite this, on 28 August the Bosnian Serbs fired a mortar round into the Sarajevo market place, killing over 30 civilians. As a result, on 30 August, NATO aircraft were ordered into action to deter the Bosnian Serbs from further attacks on the Safe Areas and to persuade them to move their heavy guns from the Sarajevo exclusion zone. 4. British forces played a full part in the campaign. Eight Tornado F3s, twelve Harrier GR7s and two laser-designating Jaguars, together with eight Sea Harriers from HMS Invincible, took part in the operation. Some 3,500 sorties were flown in under three weeks - 360 by British aircraft. Supported by Royal Air Force tanker aircraft and the E-3D Airborne Early Warning aircraft, British aircraft flew some 270 successful bombing missions against Bosnian Serb targets, as well as flying essential combat air patrol and reconnaissance missions. On the ground, 'the Highland Gunners' from 19 Field Regiment Royal Artillery equipped with 105mm light guns provided vital support from their positions on Mount Igman, overlooking Sarajevo. 5. On 14 September, the Bosnian Serbs agreed to withdraw their heavy weapons from around Sarajevo. Following intensive United States-led activity, a 60-day Bosnia-wide ceasefire came into effect on 12 October. The proximity talks in Dayton Ohio led to a comprehensive Peace Agreement on 21 November, formally signed by the parties to the conflict on 14 December in Paris. 6. The first ever NATO land operation then swung into action, as IFOR began its 12-month deployment to Bosnia to help implement the military aspects of the Dayton Peace Agreement. At 1 April, the force was nearly 60,000 strong with contributions from all NATO nations and 16 non-NATO countries, including Russia and many Partnership for Peace countries. A further seven countries are providing IFOR with basing and transit assistance. 7. On 20 December, NATO assumed responsibility for operations in Bosnia from the United Nations, bringing to an end UNPROFOR's mission. Since their deployment began in October 1992, together with troops from 19 other nations, British troops made an outstanding contribution to the important and largely successful (although often misunderstood) work of UNPROFOR. Their support for the humanitarian relief operation helped to save many thousands of lives. They played a pivotal role in restoring relative peace and stability in Central Bosnia. Sadly, 18 British troops were killed during UNPROFOR operations. 8. The United Nations High Commission for Refugees humanitarian airlift into Sarajevo ceased on 9 January. A Royal Air Force Hercules made the very first aid delivery on 3 July 1992. Over nearly four years - the longest humanitarian airlift in history - British Hercules aircraft flew 1,977 sorties and just under 27,000 metric tonnes of aid. 9. The United Kingdom continues to play a major role in Bosnia and is making a major contribution to IFOR. As at 1 April, there were some 10,500 British forces on the ground. The IFOR land operation is controlled by the British Commander of the Headquarters ACE Rapid Reaction Corps (HQ ARRC), Lieutenant General Sir Michael Walker. As Framework Nation, Britain has the leading role in the Headquarters, providing 60% of its staff. In addition, Major General Michael Jackson, Commander of 3(UK) Division, commands Multi-National Division (South West) (MND(SW)), one of the three sectors into which IFOR operations are divided. Headquarters 3(UK) Division is based in Gornji Vakuf. The British contribution includes an all-arms brigade and supporting units, under Headquarters 4 Armoured Brigade. Photo 14: Following the first Royal Air Force flight into Banja Luka Airport, Major General Mike Jackson, Commander Multi-National Division(South West), gives a press conference on the airfield[58k] 10. The force is well suited to its mission and well able to defend itself. It currently includes: Two squadrons of Challenger 1 tanks from the Queen's Royal Hussars. Two medium reconnaissance squadrons with Scimitar armoured vehicles from the Light Dragoons. 2nd Battalion Light Infantry equipped with Warrior armoured infantry fighting vehicles. 1st Battalion Queen's Lancashire Regiment in Saxon armoured personnel carriers. Three batteries of AS90 155mm self-propelled guns from 26 Regiment Royal Artillery. A 105mm light gun battery from 19/5 Battery, ACE Mobile Force (Land). Photo 12: An AS90 155mm self-propelled howitzer on standby as part of the British contribution to IFOR[42k] 11. These troops are supported by soldiers from: 38 and 32 Engineer Regiments. The Royal Corps of Signals. The Royal Logistic Corps and the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers. The Adjutant General's Corps. The Royal Army Medical Corps. 12. Six Royal Air Force Chinook helicopters have joined the four Royal Navy Sea King helicopters from 845 Squadron to provide a support helicopter force, based at Split. The support helicopters are also available for casualty evacuation support. Fourteen Army Lynx TOW-equipped helicopters provide an anti-armour capability; and four Gazelle helicopters support reconnaissance operations. 13. In addition to the land contribution, the Royal Air Force and naval forces which formerly supported UNPROFOR operations also transferred initially to IFOR. Once the ground forces had fully deployed and it was clear that the mission was proceeding well, the Supreme Allied Commander Europe released a number of air and naval assets, including the Royal Air Force Tornado F3s and the Royal Navy Carrier Task Group. The Tornado F3 aircraft redeployed to the United Kingdom in February, but remain on seven days notice to return to theatre should they be required. Since April 1993, the Tornados have flown nearly 3,000 sorties as part of the NATO operation to enforce and monitor the United Nations No-Fly Zone over Bosnia. 14. Nine Harrier GR7 aircraft, which took over from the Jaguars in August, continue to provide reconnaissance support to ground operations and are available to provide close air support if necessary. Three more Harriers and two-laser designating Jaguars are on standby to move to Italy if necessary. 15. A Tristar K1 tanker provides air-to-air refuelling for Royal Air Force and Allied aircraft and two Royal Air Force E-3D Sentry aircraft continue to help monitor the air exclusion zone over Bosnia as part of the NATO Airborne Early Warning force. Air transport continues to play a vital role in supporting British forces: the Royal Air Force currently operates seven flights a week in support of operations and has a C-130 Hercules aircraft based at Rimini in Italy. 16. The Royal Navy Carrier Task Group, comprising HMS Illustrious, with her embarked aircraft, HMS London and Royal Fleet Auxiliaries (RFAs) Olwen and Fort Grange, was released from IFOR on 15 February. The Carrier Task Group had been deployed in support of operations in the former Yugoslavia since January 1993 during which time all three British carriers, HMS Ark Royal, HMS Illustrious and HMS Invincible, played their part in operations in the Adriatic. The six Sea Harrier F/A2 aircraft embarked on the carriers flew over 1,700 sorties in support of operations. 17. The joint NATO/Western European Union Operation SHARP GUARD to enforce the United Nations arms embargo will continue, alongside IFOR operations, until the phased lifting of the arms embargo is completed later this year. HMS Brazen and HMS Beaver currently operate as part of the combined naval operation. Since November 1992, nearly 70,000 vessels have been challenged, of which over 5,000 have been boarded and inspected at sea and nearly 1,500 diverted and inspected in port. Royal Air Force Nimrod maritime patrol aircraft continue to provide support to naval operations. RFA Resource remains in Split harbour providing stores and accommodation support to the British IFOR contingent. 18. IFOR's mission is so far going well and the parties have generally co-operated with IFOR. During the first four months of operations, IFOR has successfully ensured the parties' compliance with the key military requirements of the Peace Agreement and the parties' forces have now withdrawn behind the Zones of Separations either side of the new Inter-Entity Boundary Line between Republika Sprska and the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Photo 13: As part of the British contribution to IFOR, British foot patrols are mounted to reassure the local population 19. In difficult and demanding conditions, IFOR has performed extremely well and risen to all the challenges placed before it. British forces in both HQ ARRC and MND(SW) have made a major contribution to the overall success of the mission. Tragically four British soldiers have been killed since IFOR's deployment. 20. Over the coming months, IFOR's primary task will be to maintain a secure environment within which civilian assistance and reconstruction can continue. Throughout Bosnia, IFOR troops will patrol and monitor the 1,000 kilometre-long Inter-Entity Boundary Line and its Zone of Separation, monitor the movement of the parties' troops, and keep open routes throughout the country to allow civilians to move freely. In addition, IFOR will continue to provide substantial support to the High Representative, the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia and the many civilian agencies working in Bosnia, to whom IFOR is providing technical advice and assistance on hundreds of engineering and reconstruction projects.

A former Merrill High School basketball player looking forward to the end of his tour of duty in Iraq has become the second soldier from that northern Wisconsin community and the 59th Wisconsin service member to die there. Spc. Ryan Jopek, 20, of the National Guard's Appleton-based 2nd Battalion, 127th Infantry, was called "Kansas" by his teammates on the Merrill High School Blue Jays basketball team because that's where he lived before his family came to Merrill in 2002, coach Thomas Andreska said Wednesday, shortly after hearing the news of Jopek's death. "One of the neat things about him was even though he wasn't a starter, he came to practice every night and worked hard," Andreska said, adding that Jopek played guard on both the junior varsity and varsity teams. "He knew his role on the team and was happy with that." Jopek's father, Bryan Jopek, also of Merrill, declined to comment when reached by telephone Wednesday night but confirmed his son's death. WAOW-TV (Channel 9) in Wausau reported that Jopek was killed by a roadside bomb. His father had just returned from a tour of duty in Iraq in January 2005 and Ryan was his oldest son, the station reported. On May 15, Army Pfc. Grant A. Dampier, 25, of Merrill was killed in Baghdad when an explosive device detonated near the vehicle he was riding in. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, Fort Carson, Colo. Jopek is at least the third member of the 127th's 2nd Battalion to be killed in the Iraq conflict since it was deployed overseas in August 2005. Michael Wendling, 20, of Ripon, a specialist, was killed Sept. 26 with Sgt. Andrew P. Wallace, 25, of Oshkosh by a roadside bomb. The unit, which was activated last year and began training in June 2005 at Camp Shelby, Miss., was to serve as an armed escort for civilian and military convoys traveling from Kuwait north through all of Iraq, protecting supplies that allow security operations, the Wisconsin National Guard Web site says. According to a prior statement from Lt. Col Tim Donavan, a spokesman for the National Guard in Wisconsin, the 2nd Battalion, 127th Infantry was training members of the Milwaukee-based 1st Battalion, 121st Field Artillery when a roadside bomb killed Stephen W. Castner of Cedarburg on July 24. Three other guardsmen were hurt, one seriously, including a member of the 2nd Battalion. Jopek's basketball coach said he talked to Jopek in June. "He was excited about going back to school this fall," Andreska said, recalling Jopek's plans for college. Jopek's death was sure to hit the small community of 10,000 especially hard, Andreska said. "We have other high school students also (in Iraq) now and you just pray for them to come home safe and sound," he said. Bob Purvis of the Journal Sentinel staff contributed to this report.

<!--quoteo(post=150687:date=Feb 21 2007, 19:45 :name=bigjarofwasps)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(bigjarofwasps @ Feb 21 2007, 19:45 ) ←</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Hi Guys, Have managed to track down a copy of this book, there is a whole chapter, about Swiss Gold Coins, when I get a minute, I`ll post some of the figures & arguments that are put forward in the chapter. Its a very good book and well worth a read. Gordon.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd--> Having re read the chapter, in order for me to put all the points I wanted to make in, would entail me typing out most of the chapter, which would be pages and pages. So I`ll try and break it down a bit. Basically what the book says is that the SNB, tried to launder their gold for want of a better word, by making it into coins. By the end of the war, and just after they had minted more L1935B coins, than gold that they had in their reservers prior to the war starting. They claimed to use L1935B as a mint mark, as they stated that the gold used was from this period. However if this was the case, then all the gold they had they turned into coins, and yet still had tonnes & tonnes left over. It is also claimed that they in fact minted more coins than they had gold so must have used Nazi gold in order to produce so many. There also appears to be some Russian gold in there to. The book gives facts and figures to numerous for me to list here in order to put the case together. I strongly suggest that if your interested in this part of history then read the book, and see for yourself. I`m in no doubt that Swiss 20 Franc coins are made from Nazi gold, maybe not teeth (but then again, who could say what the gold had been before it was coins), but certainly of dubious origin!!!

More than 600 soldiers from National Guard infantry battalion returning from Iraq mission Gov. Doyle, senior National Guard officials, families and military band to welcome troops back to Wisconsin Thursday, Saturday The Wisconsin Army National Guard’s 2nd Battalion, 127th Infantry is scheduled to begin returning home to Wisconsin this week. The battalion is expected to return to Volk Field aboard two aircraft, one scheduled to arrive Thursday evening and the other on Saturday afternoon. The first group of about 300 soldiers is scheduled to arrive at Volk Field at approximately 9:00 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 17. Soldiers will be greeted by Gov. Jim Doyle, senior Wisconsin National Guard officials and a military band — and also by up to 2,000 cheering family members who have been waiting for their return for more than a year. The first flight will return soldiers assigned to the battalion’s Company A, Waupun and Ripon, and most of the soldiers assigned to Company B in Green Bay. The returning Company A soldiers had been previously assigned to Troop E, 105th Cavalry in Merrill and Antigo, and the Onalaska-based 32nd Engineer Company. Soldiers who had been assigned to Company A before the mobilization were moved into Fond du Lac’s Company C, which will return Saturday. Company B soldiers returning Thursday include soldiers who had been assigned to the battalion’s Company D in Marinette. The approximately 300 soldiers returning on the Saturday flight will include the balance of Company B’s soldiers, soldiers from the battalion’s headquarters in Appleton and the soldiers from Company C in Fond du Lac, which was augmented by soldiers from the armories in Waupun and Ripon. The Saturday flight is expected to arrive at Volk Field in the early afternoon and a separate news release with additional details will be issued on Thursday. 2nd Battalion, 127th Infantry left Wisconsin June 9, 2005 and deployed to Kuwait in August 2005 following several months training at Camp Shelby, Miss. The battalion was based in Kuwait, but the unit’s convoy security mission took them throughout Iraq as they escorted military and civilian convoys in armed and armored Humvee “gun trucks.” Three battalion soldiers were killed in action. Spc. Michael Wendling, 20, and Sgt. Andrew Wallace, 25, of Company C both died Sept. 26, 2005, after a roadside bomb exploded near their Humvee and they were attacked by small arms fire. Sgt. Ryan Jopek, 20, was killed just two weeks ago, on Aug. 2, 2006, while on his final convoy security mission. Jopek was transferred into Company A from his hometown unit, Merrill-based Troop E, 105th Cavalry. Following an initial reunion with their families and a brief official “welcome home,” the returning soldiers will travel to nearby Fort McCoy to begin several days of demobilization processing. Following the redeployment of 2nd Battalion, 127th Infantry, the Wisconsin National Guard will have about 1,950 soldiers and airmen serving on active duty. Of those, approximately 1,200 are deployed overseas and an additional 260 are bound for eventual overseas service in either Iraq or Kosovo.

British military fatalities in Afghanistan The total number of UK troops killed while on operations in Afghanistan since 2001 has risen to 47 after the death of a Royal Marine in Helmand province on 21 February. Of the 47, 21 died from accidents, illness, or non-combat injuries, according to the MoD.

Yes I think I`m right in saying, that the Swiss weren`t to picky who they shot down, if they flew into their air space.

Hi Guys, Have managed to track down a copy of this book, there is a whole chapter, about Swiss Gold Coins, when I get a minute, I`ll post some of the figures & arguments that are put forward in the chapter. Its a very good book and well worth a read. Gordon.

Service in Iraq from 19 March 2003 On 26 June 2004 Her Majesty The Queen graciously approved a proposal for the issue of a special medal to recognise service by civilians and others involved in the reconstruction and transition to democracy in Iraq. The Committee on the Grant of Honours, Decorations and Medals has had under consideration the eligibility criteria and other details of the medal, known as the Iraq Reconstruction Service Medal (IRSM). Their recommendations have been submitted to Her Majesty The Queen, who has graciously approved them, as described below. Operational Area The operational area for the medal will be the geographical territory of Iraq. Commencement Date The commencement date for the medal will be 19 March 2003, until a date to be decided. The situation will be reviewed on a regular basis to determine whether the medal is still warranted. Qualifying Period The qualifying period for the medal is set at 40 days of continuous service, or 40 days of service on working visits within Iraq aggregated over a period of one calendar year, provided that the visits are for a minimum of 48 hours each. Qualifying Service Unexpectedly Reduced/Terminated If qualifying service is brought to an end before the completion of the specified qualifying period on account of death, capture, wounding or other disability due to service in Iraq, and the individual had otherwise been expected to complete the qualifying period but for the unexpected termination, the reduced period completed by the individual will be sufficient qualification for an award. The grant of a British honour, decoration or medal (other than the Iraq Medal (military)) for services on operations during the qualifying period not amounting to the qualifying criteria specified above, will also qualify the recipient for an award. Service already counted towards the award of the Operation TELIC military medal cannot qualify for the civilian medal. There will be some circumstances in which individuals might qualify for both the civilian and the military medal for different periods and differing types of service. Accumulated Campaign Service Medal In parallel with the criteria for the military Iraq Medal, qualifying service for the Iraq Reconstruction Service Medal should not count towards the qualifying criteria for the Accumulated Campaign Service Medal (ACSM). Details of the recommendations for eligible and excluded personnel are as follows: Eligible Personnel All civilian Public Servants and those that hold the office of Constable not qualifying for the Iraq military (Campaign) Medal, appointed by HMG to serve in Iraq with, or in support of, the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA), British Office Baghdad (BOB) or British Embassy (including their Regional Offices). Civilian Public Servants deployed by HMG to work alongside coalition/multinational forces in Iraq, and who do not qualify for the Iraq military (Campaign) Medal. Members of the Armed Forces, working with or seconded to HMG Departments, and who do not qualify for the Iraq (Campaign) Medal. Contractors and their employees directly employed by HMG on a full time basis to work for, or in support of the CPA, BOB or British Embassy (including their Regional Offices), or to work alongside coalition/multinational forces in Iraq for HMG, and not qualifying for the Iraq (Campaign) Medal. Consultants and their employees directly employed by HMG on a full time basis to work for, or in support of the CPA, BOB or British Embassy (including their Regional Offices), or to work alongside coalition/multinational forces in Iraq for HMG, and not qualifying for the Iraq (Campaign) Medal. Any Foreign and Commonwealth nationals who qualify under the above provisions. Exclusions Locally employed civilians Specifications, Design and Production The Ian Rank Broadley effigy of Her Majesty will appear on the obverse of the medal. Details of the agreed design for the reverse, which has also been approved by the Royal Mint Advisory Committee, together with the design for the medal ribbon, are attached. The cuneiform symbols on the reverse of the medal can be roughly translated as "land bringing forth life". The depiction of the two rivers is based on relief carving from Mesopotamia, to be found in the British Museum. Front design: Round with obverse showing the Rank Broadley effigy of HM The Queen with the wording ELIZABETH II DEI GRATIA REGINA FID DEF. Material: Cupro-Nickel Diameter: 36.07mm Thickness: 4mm Manufacture: Struck Finish: Rhodium Plating/Coating Engraving: Recipients name to be inscribed on rim The medal will be on a plain bar swivel, with standard 3 pin mount and will come in a presentation case. The medal should carry no rights to the use of post-nominal letters. The IRSM is being produced by the Royal Mint, and will be distributed by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, to those eligible to receive it, as soon as possible. Iraq Reconstruction Service Medal

Hi Guys, Have recently discovered the existance of this medal, however, have been unable to confirm any criteria, can anyone shine any light on it?

I have since bee relaibley informed that due to lack of space, and no way to copy them onto a computer- in the 90`s North Wales Police destroyed all the serve papers for all retired & no longer serving Officers.

The deployment of guard units to Iraq, on a scale never seen even in the Vietnam war, has driven the cost of the war deep into middle America. In 2005, guard forces were at one point more than half the combat forces in Iraq (a percentage never reached in the far greater guard mobilisations of both world wars). And while National Guard and reserve deaths were a quarter of all US fatalities since the war began, this year they increased: for August and September 2005 they were 56%. http://www.opendemocracy.net/xml/xhtml/articles/2954.html

WASHINGTON — In a reversal of trends from past wars, part-time soldiers in the Army National Guard are about one-third more likely to be killed in Iraq than full-time active-duty soldiers serving there, a USA TODAY analysis of Pentagon statistics shows. According to figures furnished by the military branches, the active Army has sent about 250,000 soldiers to Iraq, and 622 have been killed. That works out to one death for every 402 soldiers who have deployed. About 37,000 Army Guard soldiers have been sent to Iraq since the war began and 140 have died there — one fatality for every 264 soldiers who have served, or about a 35% higher death rate. There are several reasons for the greater death rates among so-called part-time soldiers, who generally drill one weekend a month and two weeks during the summer when there's no war. The Pentagon has called up thousands of part-time troops for tours of a year or more in Iraq. Some of the most dangerous missions, including driving convoys and guarding bases and other facilities, frequently are assigned to Guard and reserve troops. Iraqi insurgents have attacked convoys with roadside bombs and rocket-propelled grenades, and a Tennessee Guardsman publicly complained to Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld last week about the lack of armor on some vehicles. Active-duty casualties have spiked during major battles such as the attack on Fallujah, largely carried out by Army and Marine troops. But such engagements have rarely been waged since President Bush declared major combat over in May 2003. Other branches with troops in harm's way in Iraq — the Army Reserve, the Marine Corps, the Air Force and the Navy — did not supply total numbers of their troops deployed to Iraq since the war began in March 2003, which would have made similar comparisons possible. But fatality numbers show the vast majority of U.S. deaths in Iraq come from the active-duty Army, active-duty Marines, the Army National Guard and the Army Reserve. The Marines have lost 350 troops, while the Army Reserve has suffered 59 deaths. The Air Force and Navy together have suffered 27 deaths. PART-TIME TROOP DEATHS Conflict Vietnam Total deaths 58,209 Army National Guard 94 Army Reserve 0 Desert Storm Total Deaths 382 National Guard 0 Army Reserve 34 Iraqi Freedom Total Deaths 1,286 National Guard 140 Army Reserve 59 Source: Defense Department Those casualties don't represent all 1,286 Iraq deaths because they exclude several categories, including Marine Corps Reserve. The elevated death rates among part-time soldiers are a significant shift from the past. During most wars in the last century, the full-time military took most of the casualties, and their troops were much more likely to die in battle than Guardsmen and reservists. In the 1991 Persian Gulf War, for example, the Army Guard suffered no fatalities out of 382 U.S. deaths. A total of 94 Army National Guardsmen and no reservists were killed out of 58,209 U.S. deaths in Vietnam. "It's a changed paradigm," says Richard Stark, a senior fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington. "We have completely crossed the line in terms of what it is to be a citizen-soldier." It's unclear what effect the elevated death rate will have on the part-time military's ability to recruit and keep soldiers. Although the Guard has met its goals for retaining soldiers since the war began, it missed its recruiting goal of 56,000 soldiers last year by about 7,000 and has fallen behind this year.

Private Luke Simpson, from the 1st Battalion, the Yorkshire Regiment, was killed in a roadside bomb attack on 9 February about five miles outside of Basra. The 21-year-old from Howden, East Yorks, was returning to his base from a routine patrol when the device detonated close to the vehicle he was driving. His commanding officer, Lt Col Andrew Jackson, said Private Simpson stood out as a young soldier with the highest personal and professional credentials. "He had the potential to go far and his dedication to duty, personal pride in soldiering and selfless commitment to his comrades is an inspiration to us all," he said. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6350591.stm

Soldier dies in roadside bombing The soldiers were on patrol five miles from Basra A British soldier has been killed by a roadside bomb while on patrol five miles south east of Basra in Iraq, the Ministry of Defence has confirmed. The dead soldier was from 1 Yorkshire Regiment. The explosion on Friday also injured three other soldiers. The MoD said one of the injured men was in a critical condition. All three have been airlifted by helicopter to the hospital at Basra and none of the soldiers' identities has been released. An MoD spokesman said the dead soldier's name would not be released until his family had been informed. The men were all travelling in a "Snatch" Landrover, which are lightly armoured vehicles. This latest death brings the total number of UK troops killed as a result of hostile action to 101. It is also the second British military death this week. On Monday, Second Lieutenant Jonathan Carlos Bracho-Cooke was killed by a roadside bomb while on patrol. His fiancee Laura Bottomley described him as "caring, loyal and incredibly funny" at a press conference held by his family in Hove on Friday. The couple had been due to get married on 9 August.

Second Lt Jonathan Carlos Bracho-Cooke from the 2nd Battalion The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment was killed in the southern part of Basra on 5 February. The patrol in which he was travelling was hit by a roadside bomb which also wounded a number of Iraqi civilians near the US consulate in the city. Second Lieutenant Bracho-Cooke, 24, from Hove, East Sussex, was described by his commanding officer as "bright, enthusiastic and charismatic". The "promising" young officer was due to marry his fiancee Laura in a wedding planned for August, a eulogy released by the Ministry of Defence said. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6336375.stm

I have two WW2 Bronze Stars, in my collection, both issued to US soldiers, one I think the the Ardennes and the other for the Far East, I have been unable to find out any other info on them whatsoever, so if you do find a way please let me know!!!

I`m no expert, but it looks like a modern issue to me. Check out this website... http://www.purplehearts.net/id8.html

Hi Guys, Can anyone answer these questions for me? 1. The Armed Forces Service Medal, what kind of thing is this awarded for? 2. Has the Iraq Medal had an devices authorised for it yet? 3. The NATO medal are they still awarded without bars for US personnel? 4. Can you get the Iraq Medal & the War on Global Terror for the same tour od duty? 5. Did US personal qualify for the US issue & NATO issue Kosovo Medals, for the same tour of duty? Cheers, BJOW.

This is the full transcript of the cockpit video from call sign POPOV36 during the disastrous friendly fire attack on the Household Cavalry patrol. Lasting just over 15 minutes, it begins just before the A-10 Thunderbolt pilot spots the four British vehicles. The local time is 4.36pm, or 1.36pm Greenwich Mean Time which is what the military use. The killer pilot’s wingman, hunting targets with him in a second A-10, had the call sign POPOV35. The other main call signs on the radio net are MANILA HOTEL, MANILA34, and LIGHTNING34 — three US Marine Corps Forward Air Controllers on the ground attached to British units. Later on, other call signs come on the net to relay emergency ceasefire messages. They are SKY CHIEF, an American AWAC jet controlling the overall air battle and COSTA58, a British pilot nearby. The time code in hours, minutes and seconds is from the digital clock on the pilot’s display. Transcript starts: 1336.30 MANILA HOTEL: POPOV from MANILA HOTEL. Can you confirm you engaged that tube and those vehicles? 1336.36 POPOV35: Affirm Sir. Looks like I’ve got multiple vehicles in reverts at about 800 metres to the north of your arty rounds. Can you switch fire, and shift fire, and get some arty rounds on those? 1336.47 MANILA HOTEL: Roger, I understand that those are the impacts you observed earlier on my timing? 1336.51 POPOV35: Affirmative. 1336.52 MANILA HOTEL: Roger, standby. Let me make sure they’re not on another mission. 1336.57 POPOV36: Hey, I got a four ship. Looks like we got orange panels on them though. Do we have any friendlies up in this area? 1337.03 MANILA HOTEL: I understand that was north 800 metres. 1337.12 MANILA HOTEL: POPOV, understand that was north 800 metres? 1337.16 POPOV35: Confirm, north 800 metres. Confirm there are no friendlies this far north on the ground. 1337.21 MANILA HOTEL: That is an affirm. You are well clear of friendlies. 1337.25 POPOV35: Copy. I see multiple riveted vehicles. Some look like flatbed trucks and others are green vehicles. Can’t quite make out the type. Look like may be ZIL157s (Russian made trucks used by Iraqi army). 1337.36 MANILA HOTEL: Roger. That matches our Intel up there. And understand you also have the other fixed wing up this push? For terminal control, if you can. 1337.44 POPOV35: I’d love to. I didn’t talk to him yet. 1337.46 MANILA HOTEL: Roger, I believe CASPER is up this push too. Two Super Tomcats. 1337.54 POPOV35: Hey dude. 1337.56 POPOV36: I got a four ship of vehicles that are evenly spaced along a road going north. 1338.04 POPOV36: Look down at your right, 2 o’clock, at 10 o’clock low, there is a, left 10 o’clock low, look down there north along that canal, right there. Coming up just south of the village. 1338.21 POPOV35: Evenly spaced? Where we strafed? 1338.23 POPOV36: No. No. Further east, further west, right now. And there’s four or five of them right now heading up there. 1338.29 POPOV35: No, I don’t have you visual. 1338.30 POPOV36: I’m back at your 6 – no factor. 1338.31 POPOV35: OK, now where’s this canal? 1338.35 POPOV35: Don’t hit those F18s that are out there. 1338.38 POPOV36: OK. Right underneath you. Right now, there’s a canal that runs north/south. There’s a small village, and there are vehicles that are spaced evenly there. 1338.49 POPOV36: They look like they have orange panels on though. 1338.51 POPOV35: He told me, he told me there’s nobody north of here. 1338.52 POPOV36: I know. There, right on the river. 1338.53 POPOV35: I see vehicles though, might be our original dudes. 1339.09 POPOV36: They’ve got something orange on top of them. 1339.10 POPOV35: POPOV for MANILA 3, is MANILA 34 in this area? 1339.14 MANILA HOTEL: Say again? 1339.15 POPOV35: MANILA HOTEL, is MANILA 34 in this area? 1339.19 MANILA HOTEL: Negative. Understand they are well clear of that now. 1339.23 POPOV35: OK, copy. Like I said, multiple riveted vehicles. They look like flatbed trucks. Are those your targets? 1339.30 MANILA HOTEL: That’s affirm. 1339.31 POPOV35: OK. 1339.34 POPOV36: Let me ask you one question. 1339.35 POPOV35: What’s that? 1339.45 POPO36: (to MANILA HOTEL) Hey, tell me what type of rocket launchers you got up here? 1339.50 POPOV36: I think they’re rocket launchers. 1339.52 MANILA HOTEL: . . . (garbled) You were stepped on, say again. 1339.54 POPOV35: MANILA HOTEL, fire your arty (artillery) up that 800 metres north, and see how we do. 1340.01 MANILA HOTEL: Roger, standby for shot. They are getting adjustments to the guns now. 1340.34 POPOV35: Copy. 1340.09 POPOV36: Roll up your right wing and look right underneath you. 1340.12 POPOV35: (angry) I know what you’re talking about. 1340.13 POPOV36: OK, well they got orange rockets on them. 1340.17 POPOV35: Orange rockets? 1340.17 POPOV36: Yeah, I think so. 1340.18 POPOV35: Let me look. 1340.26 POPOV35: We need to think about getting home. 1340.29 POPOV36: 3.6 is what it says (a fuel measurement). 1340.31 POPOV35: Yeah, I know. I’m talking time wise. 1340.35 POPOV36: I think killing these damn rocket launchers, it would be great. (The tape then becomes garbled) 1340.52 MANILA HOTEL: Yeah, POPOV36, MANILA HOTEL. I’ve got other aircraft up this push. Not sure they’re coming to me. Someone else might be working this freak. 1341.00 POPOV35: Yeah, MANILA34 is working them, break, break. 1340.12 POPOV36: Yeah, I see that, you see I’m going to roll down. 1340.15 MANILA 34: Break, be advised MANILA34 is not working the F18s unless they are trying to check in with me, over. 1341.21 POPOV35: Copy. 1341.24 POPOV36: OK, do you see the orange things on top of them? 1341.32 MANILA HOTEL: POPOV 36 from MANILA HOTEL. Are you able to switch to Crimson? 1341.37 POPOV36: POPOV 36 is rolling in. 1341.40 MANILA HOTEL: Tell you what. 1341.41 POPOV35: I’m coming off west. You roll in. It looks like they are exactly what we’re talking about. 1341.49 POPOV36: We got visual. 1341.50 POPOV36: OK. I want to get that first one before he gets into town then. 1341.53 POPOV35: Get him – get him. 1341.55 POPOV36: All right, we got rocket launchers, it looks like. Number 2 is rolling in from the south to the north, and 2’s in. 1342.04 POPOV35: Get it. POPOV36, “rolls in” for an attack and turns his A-10 into a vertical dive to strafe the British column, destroying two Scimitar armoured vehicles and killing L/Cpl of Horse Matty Hull. 1342.09 - GUNFIRE - 1342.18 POPOV35: I’m off your west. 1342.22 POPOV35: Good hits. 1342.29 POPOV36: Got a visual. 1342.30 POPOV35: I got a visual. You’re at your high 10. 1342.31 POPOV36: Gotcha. 1342.30 POPOV36: That’s what you think they are, right? 1342.39 POPOV35: It looks like it to me, and I got my goggles on them now. 1342.59 POPOV35: OK, I’m looking at getting down low at this. 1343.13 MANILA HOTEL: POPOV 36 from MANILA HOTEL, guns . . . 1343.17 MANILA HOTEL: To engage those targets in the revetts (slopes). 1343.24 POPOV36: It looks like he is hauling ass. Ha ha. Is that what you think they are? 1343.34 POPOV36: 1–2 1343.35 POPOV35: It doesn’t look friendly. 1343.38 POPOV36: OK, I’m in again from the south. 1343.40 POPOV35: Ok. 1343.47 - GUNFIRE - 1343.54 LIGHTNING 34: POPOV 34, LIGHTNING 34. 1344.09 POPOV35: POPOV 35, LIGHTNING 34 GO. 1344.12 LIGHTNING 34: Roger, POPOV. Be advised that in the 3122 and 3222 group box you have friendly armour in the area. Yellow, small armoured tanks. Just be advised. 1344.16 POPOV35: Ahh s***. 1344.19 P0POV35: Got a — got a smoke. 1344.21 LIGHTNING 34: Hey, POPOV34, abort your mission. You got a, looks we might have a blue on blue situation. 1344.25 POPOV35: F***. God bless it. 1344.29 POPOV35: POPOV 34. 1344.35 POPOV35: F***, f***, f***. 1344.36 MANILA 34: POPOV34, this is MANILA 34. Did you copy my last, over? 1344.39 POPOV35: I did. 1344.47 POPOV35: Confirm those are friendlies on that side of the canal. 1344.51 POPOV35: S***. 1344.58 MANILA 34: Standby POPOV. 1345.04 POPOV36: God dammit. 1344.14 MANILA HOTEL: Hey POPOV 36, from MANILA HOTEL. 1344.25 MANILA 34: OK POPOV. Just west of the 3-4 easting. On the berm up there, the 3422 area is where we have our friendlies, over. 1344.39 POPOV35: All right, POPOV 35 has smoke. Let me know how those friendlies are right now, please. 1344.45 MANILA 34: Roger, standby. 1344.49 POPOV35: Gotta go home dude. 1344.50 POPOV36: Yeah, I know. We’re f***ed. 1345.54 POPOV35: S***. 1346.01 POPOV36: As you cross the circle, you are 3 o’clock low. 1346.03 POPOV35: Roger. 1346.12 POPOV35: POPOV 35 is Bingo. Let us know what’s happening. 13446.15 MANILA HOTEL: Roger. We are getting that information for you right now. Standby. 1346.20 POPOV36: F***. 1346.47 MANILA 34: POPOV, this is MANILA 34 over. 1346.51 POPOV35: Go. 1346.55 MANILA 34: POPOV 4, MANILA 34 over. 1347.01 POPOV35: Go. 1347.02 MANILA 34: We are getting an initial brief that there was one killed and one wounded, over. 1347.09 POPOV35: Copy. RTB (return to base). 1347.18 POPOV35: I’m going to be sick. 1347.24 POPOV36: Ah f***. 1347.48 POPOV35: Did you hear? 1347.51 POPOV36: Yeah, this sucks. 1347.52 POPOV35: We’re in jail dude. 1347.59 POPOV36: Aaaahhhh. 1348.12 SKY CHIEF: MANILA this is SKY CHIEF over. 1348.18 MANILA34: This is MANILA 34, send SKY CHIEF. 1348.22 COSTA58: SKY CHIEF, SKY CHIEF. COSTA 58. 1348.25 MANILA HOTEL: SKY CHIEF, this is MANILA HOTEL. 1348.30 COSTA58: SKY CHIEF, SKY CHIEF. COSTA 58. 1348.41 SKY CHIEF: Relaying for TWINACT, the A-10s are running against friendlies. 1348.47 COSTA58: POPOV 35, this is COSTA58. Relaying message for TWINACT. Abort, abort. 1348.54 SKY CHIEF: MANILA how copy A-10s are running against friendlies. Abort. Over. 1349.07 COSTA58: From TWINACT, abort, abort. 1349. 11 POPOV35: POPOV 35 aborting. 1349.14 COSTA58: We will relay that back to TWINACT. 1349.18 POPOV36: F***. God f***ing s***. 1350.21 POPOV36: Dammit. F***ing damn it. 1351.17 P0POV36: God dammit. F*** me dead (weeping). 1351.25 POPOV35: You with me? 1351.27 POPOV36: Yeah. 1351.30 POPOV35: They did say there were no friendlies. 1351.33 POPOV36: Yeah, I know that thing with the orange panels is going to screw us. They look like orange rockets on top. 1351.48 POPOV35: Your tape still on? 1351.49 POPOV36: Yeah. 1351.54 POPOV35: Mine is end of tape. Transcript ends.

The total number of UK troops killed in operations in Iraq has risen to 131 after a soldier was killed by a roadside bomb while on patrol in Basra on 5 February. An unnamed soldier was killed in the southern part of Basra on 5 February after the patrol vehicle in which he was travelling was hit by a roadside bomb. The explosion, which also wounded a number of Iraqi civilians, occurred near the US consulate in the city.

Hi Richard, I totally agree with you, hence I have deleted the offensive reply. I hope this meets with your approval. Keeping things on the level. Gordon 4424.

The more I look inot this, the less inclined I am to believe it. I suppose there will always by the dubious history of where the Swiss got their gold from, whether it be seized Nazi gold, from banks,etc. melted down jewellery or teeth. I am however curious as to how they can say that the mercury would have all been burnt off, surely for it to be there in the first place it must have been present when they made the teeth? Also if it is so easily dismissed, why does it keep cropping up, in books & documentarys, is there no one out there that can finally put this to bed?

Quotes from some recent correspondence… “Yes I do have some Gulf issue sovereigns they were all mint condition NEW ones straight from the Royal mint still in paper wrappers wish I had not unwrapped them now, but they are all dated 2003” “I did have some sovereigns issued to me, they also issued Krugerrands, but because of their size they were harder to hide on your person the reason they tried the Krugerrands is that they are 1oz of 22ct fine gold and a sovereign is 1/4 oz of 22ct so less is more.” “I was issued x2 packs that had 10 in each and they were all 2003 as they came straight from the Mint, you were supposed to hand them back in but as you didn't actually get a receipt if you used them there was no way of anyone knowing how many if any you had used”.

Quotes from some recent correspondence… “Yes I do have some Gulf issue sovereigns they were all mint condition NEW ones straight from the Royal mint still in paper wrappers wish I had not unwrapped them now, but they are all dated 2003” “I did have some sovereigns issued to me, they also issued Krugerrands, but because of their size they were harder to hide on your person the reason they tried the Krugerrands is that they are 1oz of 22ct fine gold and a sovereign is 1/4 oz of 22ct so less is more.” “I was issued x2 packs that had 10 in each and they were all 2003 as they came straight from the Mint, you were supposed to hand them back in but as you didn't actually get a receipt if you used them there was no way of anyone knowing how many if any you had used”.