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Soapy Watson 2"Times are bad. Children no longer obey their parents, and everyone is writing a book." — Marcus Tullius Cicero (106-43 B.C.)

Editor's note : In these uncertain times there's concern that the youngest generation lacks the will to serve.

As a sixteen year old I was in my first fire fight on a ship in the South China Sea.

I had joined the Royal Navy in May 1964 having just turned 16 and commenced initial training at HMS Raleigh, down by Plymouth. I'd joined the RN partly to see the world (there is more to life that the street/town you live in - mine being Newcastle upon Tyne). My uncle was a Stoker in the RN, I never knew him as he was killed in World War II. My dad was in the Royal Signals during the same war so I combined the two ie: Joined the Royal Navy as a radio operator. My nickname in the RN was "Soapy" as there was a soap manufacturer many years ago called Watson.

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What Decisive Measures can the UK take now in Concert with Europe, to help deliver Peace and Maintain the International Rules-based Order?

A cartoon of a person wearing glassesDescription automatically generatedWithin Europe, the UK's importance as the last-ditch bastion of defence against tyranny within the continent has decreased. In 1815 it was paramount, in 1915 it was fundamental, in 1945 decisive; in 2025 it has declined, but could yet be hugely significant in leading by example.

UK's 200 years at the forefront of World history, of democratic leadership and of freedom under the law have not yet been entirely eroded. Nations still look up to us and global superpowers may yet heed us if we can but find a coherent and resolute voice. To be heard properly, this voice should be one of modest but confident thought-leadership, within a rattled. thus receptive Europe. It should also be well-placed to offer an Anglophone bridge to the US and a vital regional link into the FVEY intelligence agreement.

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joseph.fallonWar is a pendulum swinging back and forth between victory and defea, writes Joseph E Fallon. Its momentum is maintained by the gravity of human nature and human passions, maintained not just by emotions, but by blind arrogance and a blinder illusion.

However, by learning from the past you can better understand the present, and, thereby, better prepare for the future. This article signposts a few of them

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Rose 10382129 10152575359311122 29431050027067224 oWe mark the passing of those who have served this country. Contributions from comrades and families welcome.Contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

The last of the Few

Group Captain John Allman 'Paddy' Hemingway DFC 17 July 1919-12 March 2025 One of only ten Irishmen to fight in Battle of Britain.85 Sqn Hurricanes First victory May 10, 1940. Shot down May 11th after another part victory. Wounded when shot down same day near River Meuse. Walked to Brussels. Then Lille toi rejoin 85 Sqn RAF Debden. Shot down August 18th 1940 and August 26th. February 1941 night fighting, Havocs. Damaged Heinkels. 1452 Flight RAF West Malling Flight cntrooler. April 1945 C/O 43 Sqn Spitfires Italy. Bailed out April 23rd, smuggled through German lines by partisans. Italy, Austria C/O 244 Wing. Greece. SHAPE C/) RAF Leconfield as Gp Capt.

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At the end of December the Ministry of Defence announced its New Years Honours list as approved by HM King.

Full listing on following page.

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"Hellscape" is the name for the U.S. Navy's strategic response should China invade Taiwan, writes Joseph E Fallon.

Naval News, reported June 16, 2024, "'Hellscape' envisions a battlefield filled with tens of thousands of unmanned ships, aircraft, and submarines all working in tandem to engage thousands of targets across the vast span of the West Pacific...to impede any attempted invasion force while causing the highest level of damage possible, allowing U.S. and allied forces adequate time to set up necessary logistics and forward-based forces in the West Pacific."


In a Washington Post interview, June 10, 2024, Admiral Samuel Paparo, commander of the Indo-Pacific Command said of "Hellscape": "I can't tell you what's in it," he replied when pressed about details. "But it's real and it's deliverable."


But can "Hellscape" prevent a Chinese invasion and occupation of Taiwan? Can it buy Admiral Paparo "the time [he needs] for the rest of everything?"
And what is "the rest of everything?"

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Ongoing political and economic instability in South Asia is a cause of concern for New Delhi. The repercussions from such turbulence may adversely affect India's economic growth as well as its geostrategic position in South Asia as China seeks to exploit these volatilities to its advantage, writes Joseph E Fallon.

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joseph.fallonThe history of Russia's Pacific Fleet is the history of the trials and tribulations of Russia. So is its current status that of a Phoenix rising from the ashes or just a Potemkin village, all show but no substance, writes Joseph E Fallon?

The answer is

A PHOENIX RISING

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Rose 10382129 10152575359311122 29431050027067224 oWe mark the passing of those who have served this country. Contributions from comrades and relatves are welcome. Email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

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