Gurkhas..

jumpy · 08-26-10, 02:05 AM

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...n-fighter.html

though a little while back, there's no mention of this on the bbc that I could find. I'm not entirely sure there should be much fuss over this, proof of identity was required and if carrying the guy out wasn't practical because of getting shot at... well, I know I wouldn't risk my life for the corpse of an enemy, and apparently neither would that guy. Reality lost in the PR effort or something more base?

Oberon · 08-26-10, 05:24 AM

Gurkhas...you really don't [use a word that the censors wouldn't like] with them.

danlisa · 08-26-10, 06:16 AM

Article aside, Gurkhas are probably the hardest little bastards in any of the armed forces. After witnessing their performance against Royal Marines at CTC Lympstone, I have a huge amount of respect for them.

Konovalov · 08-26-10, 07:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by danlisa

I have a huge amount of respect for them.

Took a whole lot of fuss and time for the UK Government to recognize this unfortunately.

TLAM Strike · 08-26-10, 08:51 AM

If the guy brought back the head of Bin Laden would be having this discussion?

Although I do question the wisdom of sending the Gurkhas to Afghanistan. Don't the Gurkha (Nepalese) people have this long bloody history with Islam? Then again the Gurkha's did successfully kick the Muslims out of Afghanistan in the 8th Century.

Weiss Pinguin · 08-26-10, 09:40 AM

I can see how this would be a bit of a PR disaster, but that doesn't make it any less stupid. My hat's off to him and all other Gurkhas.

Ducimus · 08-26-10, 03:13 PM

I Honestly cannot see why they are making an issue of this.

From what I read, they were in a fire fight trying to get out of the area with the body. The body, is literally dead weight slowing them down, and yet they have to bring back proof of the guys identiy. That trooper, improvised, overcame, and adapted. Take the head for identity, leave the dead weight behind, and high tail it out of there. From my point of view, it was a practical solution, and it sure beats dragging dead men around, and possibly joining him because of it. So I don't understand why the whoopla. Is the UK really that much of a Nancy?

edit: and seriously, beheadings should not be much of a shock to muslims. Hell, they behead people while they're still alive. So, screw their stupid sensitivies.

Oberon · 08-26-10, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Is the UK really that much of a Nancy?

The UK, no, not really. The UK government? Yes.

Platapus · 08-26-10, 03:18 PM

There are a couple of catalogues that sell antique khukuris and I have been drooling over them for years. I would like to buy some new ones too for that matter.

I honestly did not know that the khukuri was carried in modern times.

TLAM Strike · 08-26-10, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Platapus

I honestly did not know that the khukuri was carried in modern times.

Sure is. Other units like it too, the Regiment likes it for cutting their way though jungles.

08-26-10, 02:05 AM	#1
jumpy Admiral Join Date: May 2003 Location: Midlands, UK Posts: 2,139 Downloads: 22 Uploads: 0	Gurkhas.. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...n-fighter.html though a little while back, there's no mention of this on the bbc that I could find. I'm not entirely sure there should be much fuss over this, proof of identity was required and if carrying the guy out wasn't practical because of getting shot at... well, I know I wouldn't risk my life for the corpse of an enemy, and apparently neither would that guy. Reality lost in the PR effort or something more base? __________________ when you’ve been so long in the desert, any water, no matter how brackish, looks like life

08-26-10, 06:16 AM	#3
danlisa Navy Seal Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Cornwall, UK Posts: 5,499 Downloads: 45 Uploads: 1	Article aside, Gurkhas are probably the hardest little bastards in any of the armed forces. After witnessing their performance against Royal Marines at CTC Lympstone, I have a huge amount of respect for them. __________________

08-26-10, 08:51 AM	#5
TLAM Strike Navy Seal Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Rochester, New York Posts: 8,633 Downloads: 29 Uploads: 6	If the guy brought back the head of Bin Laden would be having this discussion? Although I do question the wisdom of sending the Gurkhas to Afghanistan. Don't the Gurkha (Nepalese) people have this long bloody history with Islam? Then again the Gurkha's did successfully kick the Muslims out of Afghanistan in the 8th Century. __________________

08-26-10, 09:40 AM	#6
Weiss Pinguin Ocean Warrior Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Auburn, Alabama Posts: 3,333 Downloads: 101 Uploads: 0	I can see how this would be a bit of a PR disaster, but that doesn't make it any less stupid. My hat's off to him and all other Gurkhas. __________________

08-26-10, 03:18 PM	#9
Platapus Fleet Admiral Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 19,360 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 0	There are a couple of catalogues that sell antique khukuris and I have been drooling over them for years. I would like to buy some new ones too for that matter. I honestly did not know that the khukuri was carried in modern times. __________________ abusus non tollit usum - A right should NOT be withheld from people on the basis that some tend to abuse that right.

08-26-10, 05:24 AM	#2
Oberon Lucky Jack Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 25,976 Downloads: 61 Uploads: 20	Gurkhas...you really don't [use a word that the censors wouldn't like] with them.

08-26-10, 03:13 PM	#7
Ducimus Rear Admiral Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 12,987 Downloads: 67 Uploads: 2	I Honestly cannot see why they are making an issue of this. From what I read, they were in a fire fight trying to get out of the area with the body. The body, is literally dead weight slowing them down, and yet they have to bring back proof of the guys identiy. That trooper, improvised, overcame, and adapted. Take the head for identity, leave the dead weight behind, and high tail it out of there. From my point of view, it was a practical solution, and it sure beats dragging dead men around, and possibly joining him because of it. So I don't understand why the whoopla. Is the UK really that much of a Nancy? edit: and seriously, beheadings should not be much of a shock to muslims. Hell, they behead people while they're still alive. So, screw their stupid sensitivies.