Your weekly dose of defence news, biased opinions and poorly curated content. You’re welcome.
TOP STORY THIS WEEK
VC recipient facing jail for alleged war crimes
Yeah but have you got a Coronation medal?
Australia’s most decorated living soldier, Ben Roberts-Smith, is behind bars this week over his alleged involvement in possible war crimes committed during multiple tours of Afghanistan over a decade ago. The Victoria Cross recipient is expected to put up a robust defence, centring on the premise that “the alleged killings were either legal, as they took place during combat, or did not happen at all”.
No one here is okay with war crimes, obviously, but those swathes of Green Party members who don’t understand the military should stay out of proceedings and leave it to the grown-ups.
IN OTHER NEWS
All eyes on Putin’s subs
“I have a little wooden hammer and I’m not afraid to use it”
Defence Secretary John Healey has dished out some harsh words to “Vlad the Lad” after Russian submarines were tracked mapping the UK’s highly vulnerable underwater infrastructure. “We see you, we see your activity over our cables and our pipelines… any attempt to damage them will not be tolerated and will have serious consequences.”
It’s a turn of phrase Healey clearly enjoys, having deployed it a year ago during the Yantar stand-off: “We see you, we know what you are doing, and we will not shy away from robust action to protect this country.”
See below for the kind of robust action we can expect to see from the British…
Government: International law stops us boarding ships
After the government made all its big claims about stopping the shadow fleet, everyone was expecting to see sea gods crawling all over those pesky ships in no time.
Except nothing happened.
We can reveal why that is and - you guessed it - it is because the government is worried it would be breaking international maritime law.
Crack on, shadow fleet - the UK will do literally nothing.
IN THE MEDIA
BFBS: Who rescues Brits (apart from Americans)
I’ve stolen curated BFBS content and shared it here for you. So, what happens when you do JPR for realsies?
Well…mainly the Americans come and save you, but in theory some other geezers can get involved.
THIS WEEK IN HISTORY
Big events from the past, covered in brief and probably inaccurately.
2nd April 1982: The Falklands War
Probably the greatest cover of all time, apart from that one by Winehouse
On 2 April 1982, Argentine forces invaded the Falkland Islands, triggering a conflict that would define a generation of British military history. Within days, the UK had assembled and dispatched a naval task force - sailing 8,000 miles to retake the islands.
It was impressive. Britain proved she could still project serious power at distance and win. The question 40 years later is…would we have the mettle/metal to do it again.
Nah.
JOB SPOTLIGHT
Changing things up? This is where we briefly look at career options from across the civvy world - everything goes here so expect some absolute drivel. Sometimes Forces Assist can help place you, sometimes we can’t. Either way we can offer advice.
HGV Technicians Needed - bumper pay
A load of HGV Technician jobs have come in across various depots (Plymouth, Leicester, Hampshire, Cardiff, Suffolk). Honestly, the salaries are bloody great (we’re talking £50k+ with a big fat sign on bonus) - if you know anyone with the relevant quals can you do us a solid and send them our way via our contact us form. If they namedrop your subscriber email and pass probation I will personally give you £500. Gen.
ANY OTHER BUSINESS
Get your mucker to sign up for this…
Bored of asking - they’ll love Despatches and we’ll love them.
Cheers,
Team Forces Assist