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Sir Humphrey
33.9K posts
Sir Humphrey
@pinstripedline
Cold War History Blogger - thinpinstripedline.blogspot.com
Joined February 2012
- "We are not here to EXTERMINATE. We merely wish to visit the galactically renowned Salisbury Cathedral.
- 382 jobs lost, 85yrs of history written off, and 8 million listeners abandoned to save just £28m - less than 0.5% of BBC licence fee, or less than 0.001% of HMG spending. It makes a mockery of 'global Britain' when we need World Service more than ever.
- Real leadership is about following the rules, no matter how personally painful they may be, in order to set an impeccable example for others to follow.
- In 1972, based on still TOP SECRET intelligence reporting by the JIC, the MOD assessed the conventional threat to the UK from the Soviet Union. It concluded the UK could not defend itself against the conventional Soviet Naval and Air threat. Long thread follows! /1
- Possibly my favourite Grauniad correction of all time!
- From 1983 onwards the Royal Navy conducted a series of covert submarine intelligence and coastal surveillance patrols off Argentina, tracking warships and monitoring aircraft. This is the story of the secret RN operations conducted within sight of the Argentine coast. /1
- 204 days on patrol, without fresh air, daylight or fresh food. A huge burden on a small crew, tasked with avoiding detection by friend or foe and ensuring that they were ready at all times to unleash nuclear retaliation if required. Submariners are a very special breed. BZ.Welcome Home! Vanguard class submarine inbound to Faslane this morning. @RoyalNavy @NavyLookout #submarine #navy #naval #shipping #firthofclyde
00:00 - I never thought I would live in a world where the US President would call the leader of a nation fighting for its very existence a dictator, while cosying up to an actual dictator in Moscow. I fear for where this journey ends, and how many will suffer due to this madness.
- In 1973 Royal Marines from the SBS embarked onboard the QE2 for a secret mission. Posing as 'travel agents' and carrying an arsenal of weaponry, to keep her passengers safe from terrorism on a high risk cruise. This is the untold story of Op WILMOT. tinyurl.com/mr436hda
- In 1973 the CIA published a memo to a highly controlled distribution list highlighting Soviet submarine commanders 1968 secret proposals to detect and destroy Polaris submarines in wartime. It had some 'interesting' ideas, and was seen as hugely sensitive HUMINT reporting. /1
- In 1986 the UK and France signed a secret agreement covering the defence use of the Channel Tunnel. Major plans were made to use, and defend it. This thread (and blog) explore the details of logistics, hospital trains and transition to war. tinyurl.com/2hkxypws
