Kenneth Branagh recreates Col. Tim Collins' speech to 1 Batt., Royal Irish Regiment, on 19 March 2003, immediately prior to the invasion of Iraq. From the BBC production 10 Days to War.
i was stood 20 feet away from Col Tim Collins when he made this speech, and as scared as we were this was the biggest boost to confidence than anything what a legend!
You and your mates did him proud, Bob. Your lot kept your end of the promises he made that day, and lived up to what he asked of you. I wonder why they changed his last paragraph for that bit about *your mums standing in the queues at the co-ops* though? ***If you harm the regiment or its history by over-enthusiasm in killing or in cowardice, know it is your family who will suffer. You will be shunned unless your conduct is of the highest - for your deeds will follow you down through history. We will bring shame on neither our uniform or our nation. It is not a question of if, it's a question of when. We know he has already devolved the decision to lower commanders, and that means he has already taken the decision himself. If we survive the first strike we will survive the attack. As for ourselves, let's bring everyone home and leave Iraq a better place for us having been there. Our business now is North***
Reminds of a US Marine Colonel's words to a reporter at a very dark time in the Korean war: 'We are OK now, we have the sea on one side and the British on the other; and we know they will both be there in the morning.'
Leo Peridot wow. Okay dumbass. Why don’t you look to what the previous eight years brought and then look to now? Do some research before you virtual signal to appear popular. I know it’s difficult, but our previous president allowed media propaganda-why you think that is? Crawl back into your hole you fucking moron piece of shit. I’ll do exactly what you fuck sticks do and start calling names too and I know I can scream louder than you and I can back it up bitch.
As an American Soldier myself I love our British cousins who have steadfastly and unconditionally stood beside us in every battle for the last century. They should and shall always have our unwaivering support. God bless America and God save Great Britain!
Our countries have stood together against the forces of darkness in the past and shall do so in the future, no matter what any nasty troll may think or write.
From the tone of your comments if you doubled your IQ it would still be in single figures. You appear to be someone who has never served their country but has an opinion on everything to do with those who have. If I am wrong I am prepared to apologise but if I am right I do not expect an apology in return as I would be surprised if you were capable of doing so. America and Britain have stood firmly together in the past and will continue to do so in the future. God bless America, God save the Queen.
***** Britain and the United Stated are linked not just by past history but by a common language, culture and democratic institutions. We both value civil liberties and freedom of speech, even if these are open to abuse by certain parts of the social and political spectrum. By this I mean those for whom it is easier to decry than applaud, complain rather than succeed and criticise rather than do. By the way, while the language of the previous poster to your comments is not to my taste, he is essentially correct and I would suggest that you stop posting in SMS. It does nothing for your arguments and gives the impression that you have limited faculties.
I am not quite sure about the relevance of your comment, but the right you are alluding to (ie free speech) is the one you are currently taking advantage of. It is a right shared by pitifully few others in this world. That being the case, I have confidence in my world view. As for values and standards, they are timeless.
That man has the respect he deserves..ex Army...ex SAS and still a wonderful human being and a man who understands the nature of respecting the enemies country and history
Yes, people involved in this sort of offensive should know the entire scope of what they are invading. That helps the troops on the ground make good, moral choices about what they do. Whilst a speach saying 'they're all terrible, theyve done bad things, hit them hard' would be the wrong speech to give. Let the soldiers know what they're doing, and why they're doing it, and that's all we, as civilians need a commander to do - they can make judgement then
Being a US Marine vet, I miss hanging out with the Brits on Bastion. Such a good lot and it always made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside knowing they were going through the same shit we did.
@@MFKR696 In the Marines, I was stationed in Hawaii. During RIMPAC there was a Canadian unit that came to Marine Corps Base Hawaii--and just about every other country involved in RIMPAC had units somewhere in Hawaii during this time. We let them use our laundry facilities even though we were told not to. They got into a big fight with an Australian unit over a disputed lost/stolen wallet. It ended with the Sergeants Major of each unit exchanging the wallet in question to its owner. Good times!
I had the privilege of having a teacher when I was 13-14 who'd been a Capt in the Royal Marines Commandos in the 1960s. A humble, inspirational man who had all of us in awe of him. We'd have jumped through flaming hoops for that guy. Backed us up when we, as teenagers do, got into trouble. Gave us exercises and lessons which built our confidence, something which serves me to this day, and left us with a role model NO ONE has ever eclipsed since. He, and men like Col Collins are few and far between today, regrettably. The more the 'men' in bland, grey suits drive them away from the role they were destined to play in this World, the lesser we'll all be for it.....
It is easy if you are fighting a poor country in their own country. England has never know what it is to have a real war. To know real war, you need to be defeated.
@@escapethewest None of these wars affected England. The wars were fought elsewhere. As I said, you don't know, unless you have faced war. The Napoleonic wars were fought in Europe, not in England.
I had a drink with Tim Collins in Pristina. A great officer! This is one of the most inspirational addresses by a commander in history. Good job by Branagh.
We are so lucky there was a journalist present to record the words of the speech, so well recreated here. Otherwise these wise words would have been lost. This is a fantastic speech from a real leader of men.
Its a shame men like him were few &far between.. &the US military had almost NONE of this sentiment.. hell.. shock &awes entire campaign orders seemed to be.. if it's old blow it up if its shiny take it.. if it wears a hijab stick your johnson in it 💀
The way he addresses the historic significance of Iraq makes me happy. Even though I myself am not Iraqi, living in the Middle East, you appreciate the unique historical significance of it all despite the geopolitical problems of today. Makes you feel grounded when you know what civilizations have done to rule this region and here you are living on it normally.
The hope here in the West is that the middle east becomes a bit less religious and more secular once the fighting wears out. Because that's what happened to us in the past in the Cathalic vs Protestant wars. We kinda realised it was dumb and retarded and reformed our society. There's a lot of guilt over Middle East interventions so the West doesn't wanna do anything anymore. Sending fighter jets to Syria takes a year of political backroom talks because pacifism reigns right now. Not because of rational thinking but because of guilt. I'm always curious as to what iraqi's think is the biggest fuck up the West has made in Iraq? A lot of people here think that we shouldnt have gone in in the first place because they think the Iraqi people would be better of with Saddam and the Baathists. But I read 'The Republic of Fear' and I can't imagine that. I don't know. I hope you guys over there realise that the general concensus here in the West is that we hope you guys pull trough. It's in everyones interest to see places like Baghdad and Damascus become the beacons of light, and knowledge and amazement they once where in the past. And not the places of religious violence and hatred they seem to be now.
Another misinformed post by the radical Left. The REAL hope in the West is that the Middle East becomes more Christ like and less Mohammed like. The VAST majority of wars have everything to do with the LACK of Christianity, not sectarian conflicts. Mao murdered 70 million Chinese because Mao was a secular atheist. Hitler another 50 million. Stalin another 35-40 million. In America today, the secular Left has murdered 57 million innocent babies all in the hand of greed, selfishness, and secularism. What is really "dumb" is not to see the clear evidence that Christianity has done more good for the World than all the other "belief" systems combined and that secularism is brutal, hateful, and racist.
You strike me as a nice enough and well meaning sort of fella. Just wanted to say that before the comment section eats you alive for your sentiment. If it helps I've always found sleep to be a good way to relax... Good luck
Colonel Tim Collins probably gave this speech a good deal of thought, however, as an 'off the cuff' talk to his troops, I reckon it beats Shakespeare's St. Crispin's Day speech from 'Henry V', and how wonderful to have the same actor deliver these two monumental speeches. I hope, in time, Col. Collins's speech becomes as well-known as Henry V's, it certainly deserves to be. I could be wrong, but it's possible Col. Collins at some time read one of Churchill's most famous quotes, "When you have to kill a man, it costs nothing to be polite." It wasn’t until I had been in uniform that I began to understand what he meant. Churchill said this in response to accusations he was too soft on his speech, in the Commons, when officially responding to Japan’s sneak attacks on Pearl Harbor, the Philippines and Singapore. People felt he had been too polite in his remarks directed to the Japanese Ambassador. Of course, he wasn’t going to kill the Japanese official, he was speaking figuratively. Actually, his remarks in the House, were rightfully savage and true, it was just the sign-off that some thought was too polite. Colonel Collins was, in a way, advising his troops of the same kind of approach. To take lives when battle commands it, but afterwards respect the bodies of those you have killed. As he intimated, the taking of a life is a serious matter. The least we can do is respect the dead; and then, at the appropriate time, grieve for our fallen mates. Thanks for uploading this; I’d forgotten how good this was. I’ll take another look. Cheers, BH
To quote a great yet inaccurate war movie: "Have no illusions, tomorrow you will still be my enemy." "You're still my enemy tonight, but even enemies can show respect."
Leo Peridot Germany did come to our shores. Read a history book. Battle of Britain. I don't remember the Brits resorting to anything I mentioned. Not even during wars of antiquity such as when the French invaded our territories under Henry VI or during the War of the Roses. Englishman don't use their kids as human shields.
My father was flew out of England during WWII and had an abiding love of all things British. Our dear late son was protected by, among others, the SAS during his time in the sandbox. He worked intel. The day after a mortar attack one of those operators came in to his tent, slapped down a gore encrusted cell phone and told JD, this belonged to one of those chaps who dropped the rounds on you last night. He won't need it any more. It's trite to say that is typical British understatement, but that is what it was. Thank you all for your service.
Sorry to be a bore, but what does "sandbox" refer to? But man, those SAS guys are on another level - just casually tossing your son stuff from the guy who tried to kill him, that's pretty badass haha; they're superhumans I swear! But they're heroes most of all, and incredibly vital to a prosperous and peaceful civilisation. Sorry to hear that your son has left this world. May he rest in peace until you meet again.
@@zonesquestiloveunderworld The term "sandbox" is often used as a slang term by soldiers to describe a war zone or an area of conflict, particularly in a desert environment like Afghanistan.
we serve to do the job.selection is hard trust me,but serving every day is harder.and then the end comes and we are cast aside.no help or understanding from people.but such is life.let the new rainbow people and others that don't know what they are live long and happy lives, doing nothing but moaning about bollocks.what we do protect the weak and unable.stand and defend or stand and moan.made my call and it was to THE REGT
I've always felt that the men most comfortable with violence are also the most compassionate people in the world. They recognize what they're doing and they don't sugar-coat it. But they also have the strength to do what needs to get done. This makes them dangerous, but in an honorable sort of way.
E Drew "If you have no capacity for violence then you are a healthy productive citizen, a sheep. If you have a capacity for violence and no empathy for your fellow citizens, then you have defined an aggressive sociopath, a wolf. But what if you have a capacity for violence, and a deep love for your fellow citizens? What do you have then? A sheepdog, a warrior, someone who is walking the hero's path. Someone who can walk into the heart of darkness, into the universal human phobia, and walk out unscathed"
@DemocracyOfHypocrisy ... @John Ashtone ... Civilians might respect soldiers more if they didn't use analogies that claim their urge to hurt people grants them authority over us, and casts as dumb herd animals. The craving to hurt people has nothing to do with the intelligence to make wise decisions. Military men consistently force us to do things in simpler, less-effective ways ... just because simple methods are easier for military men to understand. Military men consistently abuse the weak for pleasure, while claiming abuse makes their victims better people. Your value system only works in warfare, because its the only way to give a million guns to a million teenagers without leading to a kinslaying clusterfuck. But in peacetime, your attitude that the rest of us are "sheep" is exactly what keeps you from learning from people smarter than you. If you only respect violent men, that's all you'll learn. If you disrespect those who are kind and gentle, you will learn nothing from us ... and then wonder why your jobs keep going to AI and robots, while the best jobs go to exactly those deviants and pussies you condescendingly despise.
what can I say but WOW!!!!!an unbelievable speech from a proud Ulsterman,i think as one of his troops they would follow him to hell and back.well said that man 👏👏👏👏👏
Thank you for your dignity, Colonel Collins. I became very fond of the Iraqis. I'm sorry there are so many bombings still today CW3, US Army MNSTC-I Baghdad, Iraq 2005-'06
I went to see this guy speak after he had been drummed out by the suits for criticising the tactics and (accurately) predicting the subsequent shambles they were sure to result in. A man of dignity, despite his anger, and an Ulsterman of the best kind.
And don't forget that the most decorated British soldier of the Second World War was Colonel Blair "Paddy" Mayne who came from County Down in Northern Ireland. He was number two in the original SAS but when his CO. Colonel David Stirling was captured, Blair Mayne took command and led them to victory in many raids on the airfields of the enemy in North Africa.
When he said. "Let's leave Iraq a better place for us having been there," I suppose he really meant it. It seems that many others did not. No wonder he had criticisms.
@@flankspeed Let me just vommit. This fake dialogue between you and "Ali from Iraq "should pretend, that the british give a flying fuck aboiut the fate of the iraqi people. Get the fuck outta here.
It wasn't a conflict. USA decided they wanted power in the middle east and created the war by spreading fake propaganda about weapons of mass destruction, which there were none. Yet some willingly join the army and go on missions to the middle east to this day. It baffles my brain.
@@cryptidian3530 Saddam Hussein gassed 5000 civilians in Halabja in March 1988. That was one of his uses of weapons of mass destruction. Just a cold fact.
@@TommyBahama84 Weapon of mass destruction usually refers to explosive devices such as atomic bombs. I don't think gassing people qualifies for WMD. Horrible thing to do, but I don't think it qualifies. USA propaganda essentially told the public that Iraq had nuclear weapons and that this is the reason they invaded. False. It all comes back to oil and having power in other countries.
@@Nobodyety I'm not saying Sadam Hussein was a good person, but it would be a lie to say that the US military/government didn't use fearmongering to get the American people behind the idea of invading Iraq. What America did to Iraq will never be forgiven, nor will it be forgotten. They lied about WMDs after 2001 happened simply because IRAQ HAS OIL. It was all about power and control. They just needed a good excuse to invade and a well thought out lie that the general public would believe.
@@cryptidian3530 chemical weapons, for example chemical gasses are most definitely WMDs. It was a proud sight to see when Saddam got executed, he most definitely had it coming.
0:24 couldn’t help but think of the St. Crispin’s speech “we would not die in that man’s company that fears his fellowship to die with us.” Kenneth Branagh has a knack for badass speeches.
I met Col. Collins officially on two occasions, it was just prior to him leaving the army, he was ill-served and it showed in his demeanor. He was not a man you would want to cross, he was as tough as nails, the first time he was in uniform and the second in a suit. I wonder what he would have been like if he was my Colonel because he stirred fear in me and I was no longer in the army. Memories run deep.
“Our business now, is north! .. Good luck.” For some reason I got shivers down my back at those words. The words of a true warrior addressing his men and women.
It was my great privilege to work with E Co, 1st Bat, 52nd Lowland Volunteers out of the Mary Hill Barracks in Glasgow. I was with the US Navy in Scotland at the time. The Scots were very professional, skilled warriors and ferocious in the field. As a young Hospital Corpsman I was (and remain) in awe. I am in their debt.
@@norndev Got it. I understand that the video in question is about an Irish unit of the Royal Army. My observation was about the British Army in general and my experience with same.
Steve Fauser just a brief note, for reasons of history the British Army is not the Royal Army, there are Royal regiments, but for political and historical reasons going back to the Restoration of the Monarchy in the mid-17th Century, the Army as a whole is not Royal. One of the strange quirks on this strange country of ours 😉
As a British Soldier it has been and will always be a relief and an honour to stand alongside American service men and women. They do an exemplary job under very difficult circumstances.
I remember traveling by trin up to London, myself and three of my colleagues, I had with me a copy of the morning papper. I began to read the artical to myself, it said are lads and girls were about to push over the border into Iraq, the country new that it was comming, you just can't quite believe it. It had this complete speach by Col Collins. I read it out loud to my colleagues, in parts I found it very hard to talk, when I got to the end, the whole carridge was in total silence. Unforgetable
You honestly could not have said that any better mate! I'm from Omagh and I'm Catholic I got a bit of a hard time in school for being proud of being British, Irish and Northern Irish. Fortunately now things have changed my British son seems to get on fine. At the end of the day either way you said that greatly, As Kenneth Branagh did in his speech
This man....THIS SOLDIER...is a BATTALION COMMANDER! He is a man who is true leader and a man who knows the history and the culture of a people with a proud and ancient history..HE is what we need! HE IS A SOLDIER. A man of strong beliefs. a man committed to accomplishing his battalions mission! If we had MORE LIKE HIM..We'd be a force to be reckoned with . I would proudly serve with this officer!
One of the very best speeches i have ever heard cuts direct to the core stunning words i can imagine the fear the worry the pain the simple not knowing, that was a leaders speech i would follow Col Tim Collins, glad he was serving the British Army.
Great speech - I think that Bush had it framed on his wall in the Whitehouse I read somewhere. I met Collins and the head of the British Arrny - Patrick Cordingley - at a conference at the Belfry - and { could honestly say I would go into battle for and with these guys. Both inspirational speakers and leaders and seem to find the words to inspires you. You could hear a pin drop when they spoke. With Patrick, we had the pleasure of sitting around a table with him in a breakout group and we just asked him about leadership and how he would appraoch this and that. He was outstanding and just a credit to the service and the UK. Nothing but the hghest respect for him. BTW the Royal Marines I have met and hung out with are just outstanding and incredibly tough men. I was going to say individuals but they really are peope who think as a team from the world of 'we not me' . Well done
@ MJW238 - Agreed - the moment any of these people signed on the line they sold out their moral agency. But if for example more officers in the US military had his attitude, Abu Ghraib would not have happened.
@SuperVHSchannel Indeed ... Blame not the soldiers, sailors, not airmen ... ... blame instead those whom order them there. And whilst it is true that the saying 'I was only following orders', has been used far too oftento cover for some of _the_ worse atrocities committed in human history, at the same time, from the US's Chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the UK's Chief of Defence Staff, downwards, both Officers and Enlisted have these two deeply engrained in them: to obey the orders of those senior to them; and go where, and when, they are sent, both without question ... It was politicians whom sent their military forces into Afghanistan and Iraq, and whilst you could disobey orders, the penalty for such disobedience in both militaries are prety damn harsh, and you have to be very clear, in your mind of those consequences, before you act. If you're senior enough, the worst that could happen is you'll get sacked. Otherwise, you'll face a courts marshal ... and they tend to be less forgiving than a civilian court ...
@@michaelgove9349 I wouldn't say 'sold out' ... but rather they know that what moral agency they may have is now placed within strict limits ... Even within the military, you are still expected to have moral agency; to treat non-combatants, and even captured POWs, with civility, and dignity, recognizing they are still human beings, with human rights. Abu Ghraib happened because those enlisted, and even officers, involved, totally abandoned what moral agency they did have, and let themselves be swayed by the daemons of their worse nature ... It wasn't that they 'sold out' their moral agency the second they enlisted. Neither the US, nor UK military, regardless of branch, expects you to sell your moral agency. Rather, they did sell their moral agency the second that they began their maltreatment of POWs, in their custody, thereby negating innumerable treaties, and clauses, that enumerate the rights of POWs. Their sold their moral agency when they decided such inhumane, but unlawful, and illegal actions, and behaviours, were not only the right thing to do, but, in doing so, treated those in their care and custody worse than animals ... That's when they 'sold' not only their morals, but their humanity. Given what they did, their sentences were an utter joke. Nothing less than 30-35 years, with a minimum of no less than 25 years, to be served, in solitary confinement, within a military prison, should've been handed down, followed by a Dishonourable Discharge, and total forfeit of all pension and other associated rights ...
Don't grind your enemy into the dust because you can after the battle is over. Treat them with due respect as fellow humans who have lost the argument of battle. You hold power of life and death and that is a big step yet a single one from which there is no return. To fail at this point is to start road to another war filled with battles, that will last for all time. The politicians dirty work ends with surrender and sign off on treaty.......Simple as that.
I served in Iraq and I always strived to treat the people and soldiers/police I worked with and trained as brothers,they served their children, people and country as best as they could,same as me.
I do not know the name of this film but I can tell you that this is the Royal Irish Regiment (I served for 5 years).Its an amalgamation (1992) of the Royal Irish Rangers and the Ulster Defence Regiment.Their motto (war cry) is Faugh A Ballagh (clear the way) which has its origins in the Napoleonic wars (battle of Barrosa,Royal Irish Fusiliers)
It's called '10 Days to War' and was a series of eight short BBC Tv dramas covering events leading up to Gulf War 2 in 2003. This episode was called 'Our Business is North.' Hope that helps:-)
+run4walk Im quoting from the film Henry 5th (1989) adapted from the Shakespeare play starring and directed Kenneth Branagh. I thought that would have been obvious.
i was amongst those he was speaking too....... it was a great speech but unlike some reports no one was sobbing and as far as i can remember he stumbled through some of it.
@@MartynLeech If Sarah Oliver of the Mail on Sunday didn't take notes, how do we know what he said? There were no TV crews present. And reporters then did not take pictures. I believe she is still at the Mail on Sunday. What she did was make notes in shorthand.
0:55 "...its the birthplace of Abraham...you tread...you tread lightly there...". Assalaam alaykum Ya Abi Ibraheem Alaiy salaam (Peace My Father Abraham peace be upon him)
Ankamtilnei Bekungbul Give people freedom of religion. Let them believe in what they believe in, and you believe in your faith. In nowhere in any holy scripture does it say to condemn anyone for what they believe in, aye?
@@jonathanfraser321 I am not sure we Christians have a similar saying, as neither the orginal ones translates accurately enough to English from either Arabic, nor Hebrew, but from the faith of Noah, and Abraham: peace be unto you both ...
What a powerful and moving speech!! Col Collins spoke to the heart of soldiers, instead of amping them up with anger and words of violence. That man is a man of honor and character; what a privilege it must of been for anybody to serve under him. God Bless the soldiers of The United States and Great Britain, you all have my respect for your commitment to serve and protect citizens like myself and others. Be Blessed!!
His recent interviews are excellent. Honest and insightful, no empty pride or dogmatic defence of the strategic under resourcing, lack of civillian leadership in the power vacumn or craven sucking up. Worth looking for.
I came across this video while RU-vid supplied me with endless videos after what I first watched was over. I heard this speech and said to myself I need to find out what movie this came from... I'm in utter awe this was real....
9 лет назад
I studied this speech in GCSE English. Perfect speech for a royalist-Irish school
I was in the USN... and also had the privilege of going to the UK... I loved the time there. We truely are one people divided by you know.... but was very well treated so ya GoD save the Queen,...peace and good will....
What a difference between British officers and American you can see what a proper education will bring and what it means to come from a place with history because you will respect and e knowledge the history and culture of others, respect for this man and what he stands for. i wish more Americans wold see this and take note!
I was in this camp when he made this speech, serving with a different unit. The media have blown it all out of proportion. The lads I spoke to were like "yeah whatever...".
I used to drink with a lot of the lads from the Royal Irish, junior NCOs most of them. When they got back, quite a few of them spoke about Collins' speech, and were nothing but fulsome in their admiration and respect for him, even when pissed, when true feelings tend to come out.
This is the eve-of-battle speech made by Colonel Tim Collins to the 1st Battalion of the Royal Irish Regiment in Iraq in 2003. "We go to liberate, not to conquer. We will not fly our flags in their country. We are entering Iraq to free a people and the only flag which will be flown in that ancient land is their own. Show respect for them. There are some who are alive at this moment who will not be alive shortly. Those who do not wish to go on that journey, we will not send. As for the others, I expect you to rock their world. Wipe them out if that is what they choose. But if you are ferocious in battle remember to be magnanimous in victory. Iraq is steeped in history. It is the site of the Garden of Eden, of the Great Flood and the birthplace of Abraham. Tread lightly there. You will see things that no man could pay to see - and you will have to go a long way to find a more decent, generous and upright people than the Iraqis. You will be embarrassed by their hospitality even though they have nothing. Don't treat them as refugees for they are in their own country. Their children will be poor, in years to come they will know that the light of liberation in their lives was brought by you. If there are casualties of war then remember that when they woke up and got dressed in the morning they did not plan to die this day. Allow them dignity in death. Bury them properly and mark their graves. It is my foremost intention to bring every single one of you out alive. But there may be people among us who will not see the end of this campaign. We will put them in their sleeping bags and send them back. There will be no time for sorrow. The enemy should be in no doubt that we are his nemesis and that we are bringing about his rightful destruction. There are many regional commanders who have stains on their souls and they are stoking the fires of hell for Saddam. He and his forces will be destroyed by this coalition for what they have done. As they die they will know their deeds have brought them to this place. Show them no pity. It is a big step to take another human life. It is not to be done lightly. I know of men who have taken life needlessly in other conflicts. I can assure you they live with the mark of Cain upon them. If someone surrenders to you then remember they have that right in international law and ensure that one day they go home to their family. The ones who wish to fight, well, we aim to please. If you harm the regiment or its history by over-enthusiasm in killing or in cowardice, know it is your family who will suffer. You will be shunned unless your conduct is of the highest - for your deeds will follow you down through history. We will bring shame on neither our uniform or our nation. It is not a question of if, it's a question of when. We know he has already devolved the decision to lower commanders, and that means he has already taken the decision himself. If we survive the first strike we will survive the attack. As for ourselves, let's bring everyone home and leave Iraq a better place for us having been there. Our business now is North
This speech, it's eloquence, humanity, wisdom and intelligence, makes me embarrassed that we Yanks produce something like "Generation Kill" and pass it off as the definition of our experience in Iraq.
i dont know what to say, he brought ancient history to guys have never heard of. its because of men like him that has respect and understanding of a people whom we thought inferior, men like him gives the world respect, did he know at that time that our world began at this place, highest respect for you sir cos i know what they did to you. you are among few that understands and respects other cultures and life, for me you sir are a hero.
I was a Tank officer in my day. In the same circumstances, I would have liked to make a speech to my men. I doubt I could have been 1/10th as eloquent.
War is never a good thing. It is the most unjust and despicable act in human activities. And I am not saying that the Iraq invasion was justified etc. but when it comes down to it: this is the kind of military leader that is needed. A man of ethics, compassion, respect for others and morality. There are few military actions that seem justified in the history of humanity, one of them being: the allied response in WW2 (and I am not talking about the bombing of innocent civilians, less the nuclear bombings). I am a former officer of the German Army armored engineers and I say this: We must bond together in order to facilitate peace, respect and maybe one day unity on this earth. These days we must not give in to reasons of war because of greedy corporations and careless legislature of our so called leaders. We all live on this planet. And if we continue living like this, we will perish.
Sir, I empathise with your general view, though I think WW1 was also inevitable and necessary once Austria, with Germany's backing, made impossible demands of Serbia and Russia. The intention back then was also European expansion at the cost of the sovereignty of neighbouring European countries. I agree that Tim Collins's speech is spot-on for a military leader. He was treated disgracefully by the Americans. This speech, a transcript which I have just post separately, will live on down the ages I think, and rightly so. Respectfully, 123tgw.
I agree with 100% germnbill however and with respect, humanity will stand for no more than 5 minutes of peace. We all want things we don't need and need things we cannot have war as I am told from veterans here in the U.S. starts in the hearts of every human being that overreaches for something that they cannot have. God bless you sir and for your service.
It is a testament to Kenneth Branagh that he can play an inhuman monster like Heydrich, and a paragon of humanity like Tim Collins equally convincingly.
