BBC Series 'Fighting the War'. Opinions please...

[wulfstan]

Have any of you guys been watching BBC 2's 'Fighting the War' series?
What do you reckon? It details the day to day running of the war in iraq from a British millitary position, with some interesting combat and logistical footage. What amuses me is the media personnel getting hot under the collar about access to the front, to see respected BBC presenters swearing about being kept in the dark is funny as ****!

Did anyone notice in last week's where water was being distrubuted there was some US personnel in the detail?

[Gordon]

Yeh, i've been watching that and I reckon it's been pretty informative.

The whole thing with the media amused me too ... I mean they're veteran journalists and, as you said, much respected, it amuses me that they actually thought they were going to be right up there in the front line ... a pretty foolish assumption I reckon especially from people who have been in the business for a while.

The other thing that amused me was the Royal Marine officer who took those three Iraqi "prisoners" from the American soldiers .... i think his opinion was something like this - "f*****g nobbers!".

There were definitely a few American soldiers in the detail handing out the water and they seemed to be working well with the Brits as far as I could tell.

[Gringo]

Yep been watching it too. That part where a Brit' soldier punched a Iraqi in the stomach while they we trying to keep a "que" under control.
I hoped he got a right bollecking from his officer.

[Gordon]

for real ... :oops:

[DeltaWhisky58]

This new series is looking at military operations in a way never seen before, certainly with British forces. The use of "embedded" media crews seems to work well, but it clear that the "non-embedded" guys, like the Channel 4 numpty who seems to spend all of his time whingeing don't like it one bit.

I feel that the series certainly portrays the situation "warts 'n all", showing the frustrations of many of the troops such as RQMS "China" Cooper who is unable to get the kit he feels his troops need, or the Queens Royal Hussar Colonel landed with "minding" the press non-embeds.

Bearing in mind that we have only seen 3/7 episodes so far, the series has done very well, especially in handling delicate matters such as the blue-on-blue when the RAF Tornado was shot down by a US Patriot battery.

The next four 1-hour programmes should be well worth watching........

[cut]

the footage of the warrior backing away over the bridge with mortars landing all around it was stunning

great series, can't wait to see the next one.

[Gordon]

Did you catch the challenger with "HOW'S MY DRIVING" written on the back ... :lol:

[Trident-za]

Damn... why don't they show stuff like this in South Africa? I don't suppose any of you are interested in sponsoring me a satellite dish? :lol:

[Argyll]

stunning and incredibly scary for the crew!!.
Loved the Black Watch MTO!!,He's obviously came up through the ranks!!
A typical Jock!!

[DeltaWhisky58]

Slightly off topic, but I was shown a picture of a Black Watch warrior on Sunday - it has "If you can read this, you're closer to Allah than you think" written on the front!

[Trident-za]

:lol:

[Gringo]

Slightly off topic, but I was shown a picture of a Black Watch warrior on Sunday - it has "If you can read this, you're closer to Allah than you think" written on the front!

rofl rofl rofl rofl rofl rofl rofl rofl rofl rofl rofl rofl rofl rofl rofl

[wulfstan]

Glad to see you guys buzz off this programme too! There was also a thing on BBC digital straight afterwards that gave a cameraman's perspective of the combat, but unfortunately I don't have cable/digital so didn't see it. :(

I've seen previews for 'Fighting the war' where the brits are in motor boats under fire, you can see a gunner unloading rounds at someone off screen, while incoming rounds ping off the armour plating. Most have been **** scary but amazing veiwing for us back home. I think some marines died in that engagement, and another got awarded a medal for going back to get his mates from the water!
Can't wait for that episode! :(

[cut]

US navy SEALs and 539 assault squandron, what a great combination..