Should Prince Harry go to Iraq?
 

Apparently the MoD have just realised that there is a war going on in Iraq so may not send Harry incase he gets injured.


http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/6594223.stm


His father, James Hewitt, must be really delighted at this news.

Re: Should Prince Harry go to Iraq?
 

James Hewitt has a son called Harry who's not going to Iraq too? What a coincidence!

Re: Should Prince Harry go to Iraq?
 

Yes he has, which is more than Prince Charles has.

Re: Should Prince Harry go to Iraq?
 

Theres no point, Its just a security risk and he has had a lot of targets. If one solider had so much attention from the terrorists then that solider would not be sent to Iraqi because they would not want the added consideration and risk. Remember its risking the people around him as well.

They just dont know what to do because they do not want to appear as if he is a special case, but he is a special case and they should adjust to it. Why risk the attention, the fellow soliders, and the victory the insurgents would feel?

Re: Should Prince Harry go to Iraq?
 

Oh is Prince Harry now able to go to Iraq? He'll be pleased I'm sure :)

Re: Should Prince Harry go to Iraq?
 

I am in two mind's over this, it's what he signed up for after all however if his presence put's his men at increased risk perhaps he shouldn't go, its also worth considering the propaganda the enemy would get if they were to kill or capture him, probably best he stays imo

Re: Should Prince Harry go to Iraq?
 

Didn't Andrew serve in the Faulklands? Not much different.

To not go out there makes a mockery of the royals and the armed services. He wants to serve, and should. He's a grown man, royal or otherwise.

I don't think he'll attract any more attention as he'll be unrecognisable.

Let's face it, He wasn't recognised by the US army without all the gear on when he went in to the US shop at Lakenheath recently.

Re: Should Prince Harry go to Iraq?
 

Why don't we ask the people of Iraq, it's their country after all?

Re: Should Prince Harry go to Iraq?
 

I think that Andrews involvement was greatly exaggerated at the time.


But I agree with your point about the whole thing making a mockery of the royals. To train to go to war then be told to stay home for his own protection is just ludicrous.

Re: Should Prince Harry go to Iraq?
 

Re: Should Prince Harry go to Iraq?
 

Do you ask the ones blowing everyone up or the ones being blown up? Might get a different answer

Re: Should Prince Harry go to Iraq?
 

His paternal grandad's military record is pretty good too, wasn't best pleased when his wife became Queen, end of Naval career.

Re: Should Prince Harry go to Iraq?
 

I don't think it was, helicopter pilots have one of the most dangerous jobs in war and btw his grandfather was mentioned in despatches in WWII

Re: Should Prince Harry go to Iraq?
 

Re: Should Prince Harry go to Iraq?
 

Yes, I agree, but how close did he actually come to the 'real' action?

Re: Should Prince Harry go to Iraq?
 

Don't know, seem to remember reading one of his jobs was to act as a decoy to exocet missiles though

Re: Should Prince Harry go to Iraq?
 

Real action????

God you're full of it. The fact that he was a navy helecopter pilot in a task force that was completely naval??

The fact that we lost several ships means he was as much at risk as anyone.

He may not have been a cobat pilot, or been in the infantry but he still could have quite easily have been on a ship that was hit by a exocet.

BTW Have you served in the military???

Re: Should Prince Harry go to Iraq?
 

So what was his involvement then if he wasn't a combat pilot?


Point is, there's no way that a royal family member is going to be put in the front line of a war for obvious reasons(the enemy taking down a royal would be a major propaganda coup for them and a disaster for us).

Re: Should Prince Harry go to Iraq?
 

He was a seaking pilotas I recall, undertaking whatever operations they did. AFAIK, two things they were used for was to deploy sonar, extend radar warning coverage.

Being a helecopter pilot was what he was trained for before the war started, and when he went to war he did the job he was trained for. If he was trained as an infantry man like Harry or william no doubt he would have done that also

Re: Should Prince Harry go to Iraq?
 

Helicopters aren't normally meant for combat, his jobs would have been casualty evacuation and the like, besides I would say missile decoy is a pretty dangerous job

I believe that the family insisted he served as well, against the advice of the MOD

Re: Should Prince Harry go to Iraq?
 

Harry go to iraq, mmmmmmmm "no"
Theres to much media hype about it making him the golden egg for the terrorists.

Re: Should Prince Harry go to Iraq?
 

That will upset all the combatant killed and tanks destroyed by Apache helicopters, then.....;)

Andrew was in the thick of the action in the Falklands, just like the rest of the Navy and Army (and the occasional Vulcan - the plane, not Mr Spock :dozey:).
BBC

"Famously, he flew as a so-called Exocet decoy to protect warships from missile attack. Throughout the war he flew on various combat missions, helped in casualty evacuation, transport, and search and air rescue."

Action, if you are going to disparage people, including royals, it might be worth getting your facts right first.........

Re: Should Prince Harry go to Iraq?
 

Hence the use of the words aren't normally, mind you a few of those might have come in handy during the Falklands

Re: Should Prince Harry go to Iraq?
 

I agree they will just target UK troups in the hope of striking lucky.

I just think wrong choice of carrer.....they could/should have thought of this before !

Mike

Re: Should Prince Harry go to Iraq?
 

yes harry should go to war! :) and "Piloting a Sea King helicopter of 820 Naval Air Squadron, Prince Andrew was first to lift off survivors after the Atlantic Conveyor was hit by an exocet missile." I remember it well although I'm not a royalist he certainly had bottle.

Re: Should Prince Harry go to Iraq?
 

Actually, if you look at my posts you will see that I was asking questions, not stating facts. :)


Foreverwar, if you are going to disparage people, including myself...... :D

Re: Should Prince Harry go to Iraq?
 

I said no and stated my reasons last time this was discussed

Re: Should Prince Harry go to Iraq?
 

If you or i sign up, would we get special treatment not to go to iraq, NO! why should he, so what if he is a royal, he is not first inline to the throne, and not that being first inline to it really counts for much these days, the royals are more a public figure than important decision makers of this country.

For hundreds of years leaders of there country's have sent everyday man to fight on there behalf, i dont see why they shouldnt fight for there own country also.

If he got captured there will be a big media circus of how silly it was to send him, if he dont go it will be oh he gets special treatment, so he cannot win and for that i do pity the guy cos its not of his own doing.

1 thing that i would be suspicious of, is if he did get killed, how long would it be before the politicans spin came that it was iranian terrorists an lets go start a war with them.:erm: :mad: :rolleyes:

Re: Should Prince Harry go to Iraq?
 

If they blow him away then they have a victory whether they know where he is or not he is still at risk no way should someone so close to the throne go to a war zone

Re: Should Prince Harry go to Iraq?
 

dont know what to say 1 part says YES let him go and serve with his troop as he is their troop leader.

but the reasons for NO would be too much of a tempting target, as soon as Harry would be captured he would be paraded in Teheran within hours.

if he does get sent out I hope that nothing will happen to the troops around him as yes he would be a prime target, even if the insurgents lost 2000 troops to capture him that would be victory.

Re: Should Prince Harry go to Iraq?
 

If other people have to go, what makes him any different?

Other people have died, so why shouldn't he if it happens.

Re: Should Prince Harry go to Iraq?
 

He is all for going, its the media that is causing the M.O.D to have second thoughts.
And what makes him different is he is a Prince if you didnt notice :rolleyes:

Re: Should Prince Harry go to Iraq?
 

still, he served his time as it were. On that recent series of interviews with Dr Connolly, Fergie said that for the first few years of their marriage, she only saw him for 40 days a year. And she never asked him to leave the navy, but he offered. :( I cried watching her interview...

Anyway, I do think Harry should go to Iraq as he is evidentally all for doing things to cause his late Mother to turn in her grave. :devsmoke: Even if she is going to hex him to high hell for it all... ;)

Re: Should Prince Harry go to Iraq?
 

Of Course He Should Go They Are Glad To Send Normal People Off To War For The Country But Not Him Just Because Of His Blood, He Should Go Normal People Have Too...

Re: Should Prince Harry go to Iraq?
 

I like Locky, he says what he thinks with no frills whatsoever(even if he does capitalise the first letter of every word) :D

Re: Should Prince Harry go to Iraq?
 

Yes he should go, it is after all his bloody job.

Re: Should Prince Harry go to Iraq?
 

I believe he would agree with you. The question is, does the propaganda value of claiming his scalp put his comrades at greater risk of an escalation in the insurgent bombing campaign?

Re: Should Prince Harry go to Iraq?
 

Then they should not have let him sign up in the first place, after all when you sign up for the forces you do so on the basis that you may actually have to go somewhere nasty one day.

Re: Should Prince Harry go to Iraq?
 

ahh well in regards to that do u realy think they are stopping him going in fear for the safety of the people protecting him, nahhhh no chance the monarchy is pushing the army simple as, they cudnt give 2 ****s about the other soldiers.. only tht harry cos of his blood..

---------- Post added at 16:29 ---------- Previous post was at 16:28 ----------

very true

Re: Should Prince Harry go to Iraq?
 

Considering the military records of some in the Royal Family, I very much doubt they are pushing for him to be given a safe job.
The MoD will be looking into what effect it will have on their operations if he is sent into the area.
If it is likely that insurgent attacks will increase dramatically, thus making it more difficul for everyone there, and increase the costs both financially and in human life, then it's understandable that they would not wish to get into that position.
If he was captured it would be unacceptable to the goverment for him to be abandoned.
If he was beheaded, there would most likely be an escalation on our sides, and a major backlash against all Asians in this country by people who can't differentiate between a murdering psychopath in the Middle East, and someone going about their business in this country who happens to have similar skin tone. Come on, these fools don't even know the difference between Muslim, Sikh or Hindu, hence why several Sikh temples have been attacked. They can't grasp that beard+turban=/=Muslim

Re: Should Prince Harry go to Iraq?
 

Well if you give such a **** about 'normal' soldiers, put yourselves in their position, would you want to serve with him, knowing that you are going to be targeted even more than normal? I know I wouldn't want him anywhere near me if I were over there, I don't think a single serviceman would knock him if he isn't allowed to go

Re: Should Prince Harry go to Iraq?
 

Whatever happens its a no win situation.

If he doesn't go people will say he's used his postion to get out of going, and if he goes and onof the men with him is killed it will be if he hadn't gone they would still be alive because they wouldn't have had a royal target.

Re: Should Prince Harry go to Iraq?
 

Will you accuse him of raping Iraqi women like you've done for other soldiers?

Re: Should Prince Harry go to Iraq?
 

Out of curiosity, what's with the 3rd option in the poll? I'm all for the 'Who cares' part but, last time I checked, Harry is still a 'senior' member of the royal family.

I'm no fan of the royal family, but at least give the guy the respect he deserves - he wants to go and serve his country...

Re: Should Prince Harry go to Iraq?
 

I think it's being implied he isn't the future Kings son ;)

Re: Should Prince Harry go to Iraq?
 

Of course not - he's our future kings brother ;)

Re: Should Prince Harry go to Iraq?
 

For those that are criticising him :td: . I for one have every respect for him and wish him a safe tour and Give um hell harry :).

It ok for you armchair soldiers who have never had the guts to do it yourself . Lets see if you would go and do it or would we find you hiding behind someone else.

---------- Post added at 20:17 ---------- Previous post was at 20:16 ----------

Good point :tu:

Re: Should Prince Harry go to Iraq?
 

Too bloody right!
Which would suit these nutters just fine. That's what they want. And make no mistake about this: almost certainly they will find out, one way or another, which unit he's serving in, the MOD and confidentiality be damned - and then they will stop at nothing to capture him. The propaganda value would be immense, and they'd milk it for all it's worth...which would be a hell of a lot. They could virtually hold the UK to ransom. Remember that the Armed Forces are ultimately under the command of Her Majesty, not Bliar - if she orders them to go in and get him back, they bloody well will, and damn the cost.
The situation is different from Andrew in the Falklands; at least the Argentinian army wasn't made up of raving loonies who seem to hate the West just because it includes the USA. Plus media coverage back then wasn't what it is now - back then we might not have heard anything for a few days had anything happened to Andrew; now, if Harry is captured it'll be all over the planet in less than an hour.
It's playing into their hands. He'd be a liability. That place is dangerous enough for our troops; why make it worse?
And if I may borrow an observation from Heinlein's Starship Troopers, no way should he be sent into combat with a commissioned rank (though anything else would be unthinkable for a royal, wouldn't it?) when he has never commanded troops under fire. Sandhurst's all very well, but all that's just theory. I for one wouldn't want my CO to be someone who's never been shot at. I'd rather he be someone who's been shot at a lot...because the existential evidence - i.e. his continued existence - implies he knows what he's doing.

Re: Should Prince Harry go to Iraq?
 

well idont think any ones son or daughter should be sent into that hell hole ,i dont think the iraqis are worth the bother ,there gona kill each other no matter what we do ,so why wast any more british lives [lost cause imo]

Re: Should Prince Harry go to Iraq?
 

What about the soldiers who want to go, and what about the Iraqi's that don't want to blow anyone up or be blown up?

Re: Should Prince Harry go to Iraq?
 

well i dont think we can sort this,and my only concern is for british troops,dont want to see any more body bags on tv,selfish maybe but life is valuable not for throwing away imo.

Re: Should Prince Harry go to Iraq?
 

Harry is at present 3rd in line to the throne.He's far from being a minor royal and in the event of his brother dying or abdicating he could conceivably become king. :erm: As for his paternity I don't think that even Diana was that crazy...

Re: Should Prince Harry go to Iraq?
 

my problem is not with harry it is the monarchy who are DEFINITELY trying to stop him going, harry clearly wants to go, if my eyes were up 2 scratch i would more than likely attempt to sign up and fight for my country, dont get me wrong on that, i have nothing but respect for those stakeing there lives on the line for the well being of us.

Re: Should Prince Harry go to Iraq?
 

Ahem...........

New definition of "I was asking questions, not stating facts" I hadn't come across before.......... :rolleyes:

Anyhoo, back to the topic - it would be an enormous PR victory if the insurgents killed/kidnapped Harry - we shouldn't send him because it is a no win situation.

Re: Should Prince Harry go to Iraq?
 

:clap: :clap: :clap:

Re: Should Prince Harry go to Iraq?
 

What do you base that on?

Re: Should Prince Harry go to Iraq?
 

jus putting 2 + 2 together

Re: Should Prince Harry go to Iraq?
 

Oh come on now man, he is the spit of James Hewitt.

Re: Should Prince Harry go to Iraq?
 

To question a persons paternerty is just wrong :(

Re: Should Prince Harry go to Iraq?
 

Why?

People much bigger than me have been questioning it for years, given the ties between Diana and Hewitt and the fact that Harry is Hewitt's spitting image.

If I was a royalist then I would be greatly concerned if the 3rd in line to the throne wasn't actually of royal blood.


Are you disagreeing that he is not the spitting image of Hewitt?


https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/local/2007/04/2.jpg

Re: Should Prince Harry go to Iraq?
 

You are Trolling with the wrong person
Why dont you go join the Army or are you a coward ???

You seem to give lots of judgment on other people from your chair, so get out there and see the world :rolleyes:

Back on Topic, i still insist that even if he wants to go there is to much of a risk to his men, if the media had laid off them yes but the way it is now no.

Re: Should Prince Harry go to Iraq?
 

What with this nonsense about "trolling"? Because I disagree with you? Because we have a difference of opinion? :confused:

Can't we just have a constructive debate or healthy difference of opinion without resorting to petty name calling?

And why would I want to go join the army? :confused:

I seem to give lots of judgement from my chair? It's called "opinion" and is the main ingredient of a debate.

Chill out, bro.

Re: Should Prince Harry go to Iraq?
 

I am chilled out, i just get annoyed when people that have never been there or done that give there opinion.
Its like a man trying to tell a woman what its like to give birth :rolleyes:

Re: Should Prince Harry go to Iraq?
 

We were discussing the possibility that Harry might not be the son of Charles, not what it is like in the army or at war, so not sure how I was professing to 'know it all'.



I've been constipated before. Much the same thing I reckon. :D

Re: Should Prince Harry go to Iraq?
 

Nope, they dont know pain until they have had kidney stones :Yikes:

Back on topic again,
Yes as a soldier he should go and he wants to.
But the press will follow him and put him and the men near him in danger, thats why i say no.

Re: Should Prince Harry go to Iraq?
 

I totally agree with that, and I do appreciate that it's a tough call for the MoD, but at the same time what kind of message is it sending out, both about the army and about the royals? The logic behind it might be sound, but try telling that to a grieving mother or wife of a soldier who was forced to go and died in Iraq.


What is the point of Harry being allowed to join the army if he is not allowed to go to war like everyone else in the army?

Re: Should Prince Harry go to Iraq?
 

NO1 they are not forced, the British army is not a conscript army.
NO2 Please see last post ;)

Re: Should Prince Harry go to Iraq?
 

Can't see any resemblance myself.Not even a spitting image.:scratch:

Re: Should Prince Harry go to Iraq?
 

Looks more like his mum, unless people think she wasnt his mum :rolleyes:

Re: Should Prince Harry go to Iraq?
 

Harry does look like the "Runt" of the family. That aside, he has trained for combat. He is now competent to serve. It should be his Commanders decision, based on operational requirements. Having read some posts, its clear some have no idea what contribution the Royal family have made. Some comments regarding Andrews involvement in the Falklands war are just pants.

Andrew served in the front line & got a damned site closer than most to being blown out of the sky, a choice which was HIS, & his commanders. Now Charlie had a cushy number, Captain of a minesweeper, patrolling the solent, nevertheless, he was available. HMQ, if I remember, served in WW2, in the fannies or something. Prince Philip, the Greek, did his small bit, Mountbatten was a special forces commander, there are others too. I wonder how many have a family who have all served in the forces.

I can understand why Marky said " I just get annoyed when people that have never been there or done that give there opinion". Its difficult for ex military peeps to listen to criticism. Unless you have been in the sh*t, you just don't know what its like. For all their pomp & ceremony, the royals do serve.

Personally, I don't think Harry should be deployed to Iraq, there is too much press about it now. If he goes anywhere, it should not be made public knowledge. The pressure on this boy is extreme, he is expected to be the best, how many of us could operate with that much pressure. We must remember, he is responsible for a dozen men, & every one just as important as him.

Re: Should Prince Harry go to Iraq?
 

Thanks for that, i totally agree :)

Re: Should Prince Harry go to Iraq?
 

Harry Hewitt

If we prove that James is his daddy, then this Iraqi problem will go away. ;)

Re: Should Prince Harry go to Iraq?
 

And making 22...

Re: Should Prince Harry go to Iraq?
 

:clap::clap::clap:

---------- Post added at 13:08 ---------- Previous post was at 13:01 ----------

This thread is gonig way off topic,

Who gives a S*** who the father of Prince harry is.

Whe is a Member of the British Royal family and should be treated with respect.

Also he is will to risk his life for Queen and country.

lets drop this paternaty crap and keep the thread on if he should go to Iraq r not

Re: Should Prince Harry go to Iraq?
 

Maybe in a personnel carrier he will be recognised by the us airforce :erm:
Would not worry so much about al queda getting him.

---------- Post added at 14:28 ---------- Previous post was at 14:19 ----------


about Harry Hewitt Name: Harry HewittMother's Maiden Surname date of Registration: 1985Registration district:Registration county (inferred):Volume Number:Page Number:Re-registration Year:0

Re: Should Prince Harry go to Iraq?
 

Why send Harry to Iraq, where his presence might endanger other soldiers (whose job is to go where danger is).

Instead bring Iraqis to Buck house and let them reduce the lot to smithereens.

Re: Should Prince Harry go to Iraq?
 

Just to confirm, by "the lot" you're refering to the Royal Family, not the building?

Re: Should Prince Harry go to Iraq?
 

He is going

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6609385.stm

Re: Should Prince Harry go to Iraq?
 

Good luck to the lad and lets just hope the media stay away and let him do his job.

Re: Should Prince Harry go to Iraq?
 

It was a no win dilema either way, If he goes he is an obvious increased risk of being targetted. If he doesnt go it would be seen as the first sign of weakness and tensions would increase anyway not that they are not allready.

Re: Should Prince Harry go to Iraq?
 

Its great that young Hewitt is off to foreign lands, to meet interesting people and to kill them. He could be the last royal since XXX to have a confirmed kill. Who was the last royal to have a confirmed kill?

Re: Should Prince Harry go to Iraq?
 

don't patronise him, marky, if he couldn't do the job it would have come out, by now, shirly ;)

Re: Should Prince Harry go to Iraq?
 

I would guess at Richard III, plenty have lead men into the 'thick of it' since, notably Charles 1st nephew for one but I can't remember seeing any reports of them 'getting stuck in' themselves

Re: Should Prince Harry go to Iraq?
 

Which century? Was that the crusades?

Re: Should Prince Harry go to Iraq?
 

War of the Roses 1485

Re: Should Prince Harry go to Iraq?
 

How does James Hewitt feel about the possibility of his young son getting savaged by the Iraqis?

Re: Should Prince Harry go to Iraq?
 

The Queen, pheasant, 2000

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/1031343.stm

Actually, jokes about huntin and fishin notwithstanding, Prince Phillip did serve in the Royal Navy in WW2 including at the Battle of Matapan, which ended with a couple of thousand dead Italians (and jokes about glass bottomed ships). I shouldn't think anyone would have beaten that for a bag since, he says callously.

Re: Should Prince Harry go to Iraq?
 

Charles, according to Al Fayed.

Re: Should Prince Harry go to Iraq?
 

They aren't his 'confirmed' kills though, which is what the question was, that said apparently he has killed one of almost everything, so it stands to reason, he's bagged the odd native

Re: Should Prince Harry go to Iraq?
 

if its safe enough for tom and dick !

Re: Should Prince Harry go to Iraq?
 

If it was at the time of Richard III isnt it more likely seeing as Dicky was killed before the end of the battle to be Henry Tudor later to be crowned Henry VII father of Henry VIII

Re: Should Prince Harry go to Iraq?
 

Don't think Henry did any killing, where as Dickey accounted for two of the few (perhaps only IIRC) nobles Henry lost that day

Re: Should Prince Harry go to Iraq?
 

what makes him any different from any1 else in the army?
hes there to be used when called upon in wartime,were in a war in 2 countrys so hes in the army.


use him
he does absolutly naff all for the country as a royal except spend tax payers WELL EARNED money for nothing.

Re: Should Prince Harry go to Iraq?
 

How many other soldiers would be singled out in a deliberate attempt to kidnap them?

Re: Should Prince Harry go to Iraq?
 

All of them, the only difference is how we would react to it and the effect it would have on our publics moral, there will be even louder calls for US withdrawal if anything happens to the three soldiers being held and it appears on internet sites, imagine what would happen here?

Re: Should Prince Harry go to Iraq?
 

Really? There are concerted efforts to kidnap every single British soldier?
So far the only public threat the insurgents have made regarding such a thing that I have seen only relates to Harry.

Re: Should Prince Harry go to Iraq?
 

Every soldier is a target and if they could take them alive them so much the better, it's so obvious the terrorist's don't need to say it

Re: Should Prince Harry go to Iraq?
 

What concerted efforts have there been to specifically attack vehicles with the objective of kidnap rather than death in mind?
Would there be more effort to kidnap Harry than any other soldiers?

Re: Should Prince Harry go to Iraq?
 

Why kidnap the three Americans the other day then, if all they were interested in was killing

Who knows about the amount of effort they put in, seems to me there is little organisation to it, which is probably why it's so hard to deal with, could such an operation even be mounted, I wouldn't have thought so, not without them having access to information

Re: Should Prince Harry go to Iraq?
 

Is there any evidence that the recent kidnapping was anything more than oppertunistic?