bigjarofwasps

US forces find 2000 gold bars US soldiers in Iraq seized a truck believed to be loaded with 2000 gold bars worth as much as $762.8 million during a routine search near the Syrian border. "The bars may have a total worth of 500 million US dollars, depending on carat weight and purity," the US Central Command said. Soldiers from the 3rd Armoured Cavalry Regiment stopped the Mercedes-Benz truck and its two occupants yesterday in Al Qaim, finding the 18 kilogram bars, which measured 10 centimetres by 13 centimetres by 25 centimetres. "The occupants told the soldiers that they had been paid a total of 350,000 dinars ($534) to pick up the truck in Baghdad and drive it to an unnamed individual in Al Qaim," the US Central Command said in a statement. News of the find came as senior US military sources insisted there would be no special deals with Uday Hussein, playboy son of ex-Iraqi dictator Saddam. "His surrender will have to be unconditional," said a senior commander, commenting on reports in The Wall Street Journal that negotiations were already under way with Saddam's eldest son. Uday would be expected to face human rights charges, and any deal which meant he did not would come under fierce attack. Meanwhile, the occupants of the truck, who were not identified, said they had been told the bars were bronze, but authorities believe the bars are made of gold and are having them tested. The command said the men, the truck and the apparent gold hoard was being held by the regiment. Al Qaim, a town on the Euphrates across the border from Syria, has been a key transit point for fleeing members of the deposed regime of Saddam Hussein. The Iraqi central bank and other banks were looted by the regime before the war and were ransacked again in the chaos that followed the fall of the Iraqi capital. But how much was taken when the banks were emptied and how much in other ill-gotten gains was squirrelled away during Saddam's rule is unknown. US authorities estimate Saddam and his family made off with $US900 million ($1.37 billion) from the central bank before the war. Saddam's son Qusay was reported to have sent three tractor trailers to the central bank to clean it out shortly before the war. US forces have recovered about $700 million in US currency and $US90 million in euros, which US authorities believe came from the central bank. Another $400 million in US currency was believed to have been looted from other Iraqi banks. Once across the border in Syria, hard-to-trace gold could quickly disappear into the international market. The cash generated by the sales could then buy protection for former regime members or finance those left behind in Iraq. Saddam, Qusay and Uday remain unaccounted for 43 days after US forces captured Baghdad. But nearly half of the 55 Iraqis on a US most wanted list have been captured or have surrendered, and those at large increasingly appear to be running out of options. The Wall Street Journal reported yesterday Uday Hussein was putting out surrender feelers from his hideout in a Baghdad suburb but had been put off by a tough US negotiating stance. Fearful of being killed if found by Iraqis, Uday "doesn't have good choices", a source familiar with the discussions was quoted as saying. Jalal Talabani, a Kurdish leader, has offered to let Saddam's wife and daughter live under his protection in the north.

Iraq Gives Back Gold It Stole During Its Attack on Kuwait Iraq has handed back to Kuwait gold bullion worth about $700 million that Baghdad looted during its invasion of the emirate last year, United Nations officials said today. The officials said the last of 3,216 bars of gold was handed over at the Saudi border post of Arar on Thursday. Transfer of the gold, looted from the central bank, began on Aug. 5 under the supervision of United Nations officials. Each bar was tested for purity and weight. Dick Foran, the United Nations envoy in charge of returning Kuwaiti property from Iraq, said Baghdad was expected to start returning artifacts taken from Kuwait National Museum by mid-September.

Looks like he`ll get his wish after all, with a tour of Afganistan... http://news.scotsman.com/topics.cfm?tid=166&id=612032006

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml...8/nwreck218.xml A record haul of half a million silver and gold coins from a 17th Century shipwreck may have been found just 40 miles from Land's End, an expert said. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/cornwall/6671975.stm

Oregon Citizen-Soldiers Receive Combat Medical Badge FOB WARRIOR, Iraq - Six citizen-soldiers from Oregon were awarded the Combat Medical Badge in a ceremony held on Jul. 8 at the Task Force 3-116 Armor Battalion Aide Station. The Soldiers received the awards for providing care to the wounded after three separate attacks by insurgent forces. The Combat Medical Badges were presented personally by 116th Brigade Combat Team commander, Brig. Gen. Alan Gayhart, who commended each of them on the performance of their duty. The recipients of the awards are: • Medford, Ore. soldier Spc. Richard Egan of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, and Spc. Nicolas Kettaneh of HHC, both of whom are attached to F Batttery, 188th Air Defense Artillery, provided medical attention after an indirect fire attack on the Delacruz range, Iraq. • La Grande, Ore. soldier Sgt. 1st Class Louis Gerber of HHC, along with Reedsport, Ore. soldier Spc. Raymond Viers of A Company, rendered medical attention after an IED detonation near Dogmat village, Iraq. • Spc. Alan Yanez, a soldier from The Dalles, Ore., of the Scout Platoon, and Spc. Isaac Witcraft, a soldier from Nyssa, Ore., of A Co., (who was unable to attend), provided medical attention after an IED detonated near Hawijah, Iraq while they were on combat patrol. All are members of TF 3-116 Armor and all were awarded the badge for rendering medical attention while participating in combat operations under hostile fire in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom III. Brig. Gen. Gayhart spoke informally with the entire formation of Soldiers afterward, answering questions and addressing concerns. The 116th Brigade Combat Team supports the government of Iraq in the areas of Security, Economics, Government and Communications. The 116th Brigade Combat Team is composed of units from Idaho, Oregon, Montana, Utah, North Dakota, Maryland and New Jersey. The unit is comprised of headquarters and staff sections, the 2nd and 3rd Armor Battalions, the 1-148th Field Artillery Battalion, the 1-163rd Mechanized Infantry Battalion, the 145th Support Battalion, the 116th Engineer Battalion and various intelligence, signal and specialized units. The 116th BCT is one of several Army National Guard units deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom III.

Nice, I wonder is the bridge still standing?

Yes so it seems after all that its to dangerous over there. I fail to see how this is an issue he`s joined the army, and opted to serve in the Blues & Royals, who are deploying. Does this mean that Tommy Atkins, doesn`t have to go as either? I think not!!!! This will surely mark the end of his career and certainly his credability as an officer? But getting back onto topic, yes a real blow for the person who spent ?51 on one of these t shirts, that will now be worthless, if they weren`t already...

Cheers Guys, thats smashing thanks very much!!!!! Laurence those guys with the colours are outstanding!!!!!! The German medics look like just want I`m after!!!!

Pte Kevin Thompson, aged 21, from the Royal Logistic Corps, died on 6 May from injuries sustained when the convoy in which he was travelling was hit by an improvised bomb. After the attack on 3 May, he was treated at the field hospital in Basra Air Station before being flown back to Britain, where he died. A British soldier who died from injuries sustained last week in Iraq has been named. He was Lancaster-born Pte Kevin Thompson, 21, from the Royal Logistic Corps, the Ministry of Defence said. Pte Thompson was wounded on Thursday when a routine convoy to re-supply the Basra Palace military base was hit by an improvised explosive device. His death on Sunday brought the total number of UK troops killed in operations in Iraq to 148. 'Best friend' Pte Thompson is survived by his mother Teresa, father Mark, brother Andrew, sisters Nicola and Jade and fianc?e Lucy. After being given first aid at the scene he was treated at the field hospital at Basra Air Station, and then flown back to Selly Oak hospital in Birmingham. He was expected to recover but his condition deteriorated and his family were at his bedside when he died. Born in Lancaster and nicknamed "Tomo", Pte Thompson was described as a keen footballer and supporter of Birmingham City FC. 'Genuine loyalty' His Squadron Commander in Iraq, Major John Wallace-Dutton, said: "He was a soldier who people liked to be around. "Everyone enjoyed his humour and respected him for his genuine loyalty and love for his family. He was a brave man and an inspiration to the men he served with." He joined the army in 2004 and was a member of The Carmen's Troop, serving in Iraq under the command of 19 Combat Service Support Battalion. Pte Thompson's friend Pte Robert Etherington described him as a "one-off". "He was my best friend and I will miss him terribly like us all serving with Carmen's Troop. He will never be forgotten," Pte Etherington added. Defence Secretary Des Browne said: "My thoughts and sympathies are with Private Thompson's family at this difficult

I can think of a few other British Medals.... Afgan Campaign Medal 1880 India General Service Medal Calsp afgan 1919, sure there`s a few other clasps- a long the NWF lines. I`m sure the Russians must have had one as well?

NATO

Are the Ozzy & Kiwi medals issued named?

Now this ones a bit better, but I prefer the British one.... There is a lot of confusion over this medal, as at one time it was issued with no bar, then a rossette, then with a clasp? Can anyone shine any light on this?

Johnsy, what a truely naff looking medal, nearly as bad as the Yank one...

Kev, quality. Some good points there, as you say just a scam, but a very good one, if people pay threw the nose to own one. I did notice the ?51 bids, and buy now for ?20. I can only assume that because some of the proceeds go to an army charity this is why the over kill on bidding. However, there are geeks out there who`ll buy and wear said item. I doubt whether any self respecting British soldier, would buy and wear one ho,ho,ho. Gordon.

15 year old C Rations nice!!!!! They were really spoiling you with those ho,ho,ho Re the Won, I suppose that would be similar to the Saddam H era dinars? Then come to mention it, the new ones aren`t much better I would imagine?

Saw this on Ebay, thought I`d share it with you.. Item number: 130109288307 PRINCE HARRY'S OFF TO IRAQ - OR IS HE.....? THE CURRENT DILEMMA ABOUT SENDING THE 3RD IN LINE TO THE THRONE TO THE FRONTLINE HIGHLIGHTS HOW BLOODY THIS WAR HAS BECOME. MORE BRITISH SERVICEMEN AND WOMEN ARE BEING KILLED EVERY DAY. THE FACT IS - EVERY BRIT SERVING OUT IN IRAQ IS HARRY, I.E. TARGET. BUT SHOULD WE BE RUNNING SCARED....? HARRY ISN'T, AND IF WE ALL SPORT THIS T-SHIRT WE ILL BE HIGHLIGHTING THE HARSH REALITY OF THIS WAR FOR THE TROOPS, AS WELL AS STICKING TWO FINGERS UP AT THE INSURGENTS. LET'S ALL SAY WE'RE HARRY. JUST LIKE THEY DID FOR SPARTACUS. AND ?5 OF THE SALE PRICE OF EACH T-SHIRT GOES TO THE ARMY BENEVOLENT FUND. THERE ARE T SHIRTS AVAILABLE IN SMALL, MEDIUM AND LARGE. CONTACT ME FOR BULK ORDERS, OR VISIT http://www.imharry.com/ I’M SPARTACUS. I’M HARRY. WE’RE ALL HARRY NOW. CONFUSE THE ENEMY, WEAR THE T-SHIRT. Support our boys, get a limited edition 'I'm Harry' ? t-Shirt, and help those who’ve suffered in Iraq, a percentage of each sale goes to an Army charity here in the UK. Join our campaign to support Prince Harry’s determination to serve, and put two fingers up to the insurgents. Prince Harry’s proposed tour of duty in Iraq is hugely controversial. The insurgents have apparently put a ?250,000 price tag on his head. His regiment, and every British soldier serving in Iraq are at greater risk then ever before. Michael Portillo says it would be a ‘disaster’ if the Prince were kidnapped or killed. There are enormous security considerations, a massive dilemma for the Army and a ludicrous PR coup for the extremists. Hang on a minute. Who’s side are we on? Are we scared of the threats and extremist propaganda? Prince Harry isn't and neither are we. Let's back him up. Just like Spartacus. Think about it. How will the extremists be able to tell the Prince apart from his colleagues? How will they know who the real prince is? The answer is they don’t know. And if we all wear the new exclusive limited edition 'I'm Harry' ? t-Shirt they’ll be more confused than ever.

Kranken Wagon.......

Look forward to hearing what they have to say!!!

Nice piece would be interesting to know if it is solid silver or not?

Major Nick Bateson, 49, of the Core of Royal Signals died in a cycling accident at Basra Air Station on 1 May. The Kent-born officer, who leaves a wife, was on detachment in Iraq from his role at the Defence Information Infrastructure Integrated Project Team in Devon. His commanding officer said Maj Bateson was known for his professionalism and commitment to his job and love of sport.

Hi Guys, Came across this whilst surfing the net, anyone idea what the crack is with it? Gordon.

Rifleman Paul Donnachie, 18, known as Donny to his friends, was killed while on a routine patrol in Basra, southern Iraq. He was shot dead after dismounting from his vehicle in the Al Ashar district on 29 April. The soldier, from Reading, was from the 2nd Battalion The Rifles. A British soldier killed while on a routine patrol in Basra, southern Iraq, has been named by the Ministry of Defence as Rifleman Paul Donnachie. The 18-year-old from Reading was shot dead after dismounting from his vehicle in the Al Ashar district. The soldier was from the 2nd Battalion The Rifles. He was killed on Sunday. He is the 12th British soldier to die in Iraq this month - the highest monthly casualty figure since the invasion four years ago. Major Alex Baring, his company commander, said: "Rifleman Donnachie, or 'Donny' as he was known to his mates, was the epitome of what it is to be professional. "Out here in Basra City, he was one of those rare sorts that never complained whatever he was told to do, in fact he used to volunteer to go out on patrols. "He never wanted to be away from where the action was. For an 18-year-old that's pretty impressive." Major David Gell, a British army spokesman in Basra, said the patrol had been travelling in a Bulldog Army vehicle, but had to dismount to carry out checks as they moved through the town. He said: "It was an opportunist small arms fire attack. They are not uncommon in Basra or indeed across the province as a whole so we are not looking at it as a new threat. "We are committed to enhancing the security of the region, supporting the Iraqi Security Forces (ISF). "An incident like this, tragic as it is, will make us pull together and recognise that we have a job to do out here." The latest death brings the total number of UK troops killed in operations in Iraq to 146, which includes 112 killed as a result of hostile action.

A soldier from the 2nd Battalion The Rifles has been killed while out on patrol in the Al Ashar district of central Basra on Sunday, 29 April. He was dismounted from his vehicle and had been carrying out routine checks at the time of the incident, which involved small arms fire.