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| Britain |
| U.K.'s Black Watch to take on Iraq terrorists |
| 2004-10-23 |
| The Black Watch is being deployed as part of a US Marine expeditionary unit to take "decisive action" against insurgents in Iraq, Chief of the Defence Staff General Sir Michael Walker has revealed. General Walker stressed the 850-strong battle group, whose deployment was announced yesterday by Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon, would retain their own rules of engagement. But he said they would be under the "tactical command" of the relevant American corps commander. General Walker also repeated the Government's promise that the Black Watch would be home by Christmas, saying that, even if they needed replacing in Iraq, those resources already existed within the Multi National Force. "This is all about capabilities not numbers," General Walker told the BBC Radio 4 Today programme. "The Multi National Force corps commander wants to redeploy his troops within his corps, including our battle group in concert with them on behalf of the Iraqi government. |
| Posted by:Mark Espinola |
| #5 When my brother (Silentbrick) and I visited Edinburough Castle and saw the Black Watch museum/chapel in the late 80s, the guide made the amusing observation that the Black Watch had only lost their battle flags twice in their history, and that if we wanted to see them they were hanging at West Point in the US. More sobering was the small chapel with a large book that contained the names of those members of the regiment who had been lost in action through the centuries. In 1997 my wife and I saw the Black Watch's band and drum corp in concert on their stop here in Austin, Tx. Very, very cool. What was really amusing were a couple of sword dancers (they danced with and over swords) who we saw chatting it up with some girls after the concert who had their outer shirts/uniforms off. Their T-shirts underneath had various pro-Scotland/anti-England slogans on them. If you ever see the Black Watch band advertised in your area, it's worth buying a ticket. Enjoyable evening. |
| Posted by: Laurence of the Rats 2004-10-24 12:42:51 AM |
| #4 They play a mean sheep bladder. |
| Posted by: incarnate of lee atwater 2004-10-23 11:29:57 PM |
| #3 The origin of this regiment was the raising in 1725 of six independent companies of highlanders from clans which had remained loyal to King George I during the Jacobite rebellion of 1715, with the task of keeping peace and order in the highlands. Because of their job of ‘watching’ and the dark colour of the tartan they wore, they became known as The Black Watch. http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/ww2/A2780147 |
| Posted by: Don 2004-10-23 6:18:03 PM |
| #2 Well it used to be a Scottish regiment you didn't want to screw with in the old days. Not sure about now. I think it might be a major employment project in Scottland anymore. If they are being deployed with teh Marines I think that tells ya something. |
| Posted by: Sock Puppet of Doom 2004-10-23 3:27:18 PM |
| #1 what is the "black watch"? Can anyopne explain this too me? |
| Posted by: smokeysinse 2004-10-23 3:20:49 PM |