The EUS, rather than HMS, Ark Royal?
As in European Union Ship.
"This time, Sarkozy...told the Germans about his plans to propose the creation of a European naval unit during France's presidency of the Council of the European Union, which begins on July 1. Under Sarkozy's plan, the German Navy is supposed to contribute frigates and logistics units to an aircraft carrier battle group which will sail under a European flag. The aircraft carrier itself will, according to the plan, be supplied by the United Kingdom, however, as France's prestige aircraft carrier, the Charles de Gaulle, is frequently out of service for repairs". From Der Spiegel.
Ahem: "The Royal Navy of England hath ever been its greatest defence and ornament; its ancient and natural strength; the floating bulwark of the island". Blackstone's commentaries.
And while I am at it, some Nelson:
"There is no way of dealing with the Frenchman but to knock him down - to be civil to them is to be laughed at. Why they are enemies!" 11 Jan 1798 after surrender of Capua.
"Firstly you must always implicitly obey orders, without attempting to form any opinion of your own regarding their propriety. Secondly, you must consider every man your enemy who speaks ill of your king; and thirdly you must hate a Frenchman as you hate the devil".
- to a midshipman in 1793 aboard the Agamemnon.
"To obey orders is all perfection. To serve my King and destroy the French, I consider as the great order of all, from which little ones spring; and if one of these militate against it (for who can tell exactly at a distance), I go back and obey the great order and object, to down - down with the damned French villains! My blood boils at the name of a Frenchman! Down, down with the French! … is my constant prayer".
Any readers with a record with the Senior Service have carte blanche (sorry...) to blow a gasket or two in the comments.
"This time, Sarkozy...told the Germans about his plans to propose the creation of a European naval unit during France's presidency of the Council of the European Union, which begins on July 1. Under Sarkozy's plan, the German Navy is supposed to contribute frigates and logistics units to an aircraft carrier battle group which will sail under a European flag. The aircraft carrier itself will, according to the plan, be supplied by the United Kingdom, however, as France's prestige aircraft carrier, the Charles de Gaulle, is frequently out of service for repairs". From Der Spiegel.
Ahem: "The Royal Navy of England hath ever been its greatest defence and ornament; its ancient and natural strength; the floating bulwark of the island". Blackstone's commentaries.
And while I am at it, some Nelson:
"There is no way of dealing with the Frenchman but to knock him down - to be civil to them is to be laughed at. Why they are enemies!" 11 Jan 1798 after surrender of Capua.
"Firstly you must always implicitly obey orders, without attempting to form any opinion of your own regarding their propriety. Secondly, you must consider every man your enemy who speaks ill of your king; and thirdly you must hate a Frenchman as you hate the devil".
- to a midshipman in 1793 aboard the Agamemnon.
"To obey orders is all perfection. To serve my King and destroy the French, I consider as the great order of all, from which little ones spring; and if one of these militate against it (for who can tell exactly at a distance), I go back and obey the great order and object, to down - down with the damned French villains! My blood boils at the name of a Frenchman! Down, down with the French! … is my constant prayer".
Any readers with a record with the Senior Service have carte blanche (sorry...) to blow a gasket or two in the comments.
Labels: EU fun and games, matters military
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on Sunday, June 15, 2008 at 9:54 am.
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Does the Royal Navy not owe its allegiance to Queen Elizabeth or
will she in turn soon owe her allegiance to the European President?
Despite the fact that I have lived and worked in la belle France and have several very good friends, and indeed relatives, there, you nonetheless include in this posting quite a lot of mots justes which have successfully survived the tests of time...
General Melchett: Now then,soldier, are you looking forward to giving those Frenchies a damn good licking?
Captain Darling: Er, no, sir -- it's the Germans we shall be licking, sir.
Melchett: Don't be revolting, Darling! I wouldn't lick a German if he was glazed in honey!
@Time Will Tell.. our Queen is already legally a "citizen of the EU" as we all technically are.
As someone who once worked at the Royal Naval Hospital Haslar and whose father had French missiles shot at him down in that skirmish with the Argies a few years ago I have no intention of commenting on this story.
If I wrote something I'd end up with a post which would make Devil's Kitchen or Guido blush. You can't possibly begin to imagine my anger at this idea.
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