'They stayed a little back, a little off the front lines'

It's sad that this has turned out to be the first message in this new BAFF comms area. All the reactions we've heard to the US Commander-in-Chief's recent comments have been fairly unanimous, some more vociferous than others.

Interestingly, quite a few UK Afg veterans have been referring not only to our own country's contribution, our thousands injured, our 457 dead -

but also to other contingents, especially Denmark (43 killed, probably the highest national loss rate in proportion to population), and Canada (158 killed).

There were hundreds more casualties across the coalition, including 41 dead from another Commonwealth partner - Australia - and another Australian who was killed serving with UK forces.

It does seem significant that British veterans have been mentioning allies in this context. It means they thought as allies to those they fought alongside, whether as junior partners to the Americans, or side by side with others such as the robust, resilient Danes.

BAFF doesn't comment on national strategic issues or international relations, but veteran and serving members have their views.

In the meantime, with the author's permission we will quote a post on the Army Rumour Service website tonight by the former BAFF chairman, Douglas Young.

 

This was the 'Army Rumour Service' post mentioned above:

I understand that our King is due to make a State Visit to the United States as part of the celebrations of the 250th anniversary of US Independence, just as his parents made a State Visit for the Bicentennial in 1776.

As of a few days ago - although significant that the question was even asked - it was understood that planning for the visit was still proceeding unchanged.

The latest utterances - without any attempt by the White House to clarify the remarks at the time of writing this post - will no doubt lead to calls from various quarters to cancel the visit. Both the Government and the palace will be understandably keen to avoid cancellation if at all possible.

The 1976 celebrations included musical performances at various US locations by, I think, the Black Watch and a Band of the Royal Marines. It is not for me to say, but unless something is done quickly on the US side to limit the damage, it seems a big ask to expect British personnel to participate in such an event. Military musicians are all members of the armed forces and, of course, regimental pipers and drummers are infantry soldiers, some of whom can have served in Afghanistan.

As always, our personnel will do their duty. I simply mention the issue.