View from the troops: army chief on Iraq
Updated on 13 October 2006
'If he gets the sack, watch out for fireworks.'
The Army's online ranks today gave their backing to General Dannatt's warning troops should be withdrawn from Iraq - or face dire consequences home and abroad.
Sir Richard Dannatt - head of the British Army - made his comments in an interview with the Daily Mail.
No sooner had overnight editions of the paper emerged than gleeful - and somewhat startled posts - began appearing on the The Army Rumour Service, ARRSE for short.
Brandt told the unofficial site: "AT LAST!!! After years and years, AT LAST someone at the top, who makes the headline on the news, has had the b@lls to stand up and be counted.
"If he gets the sack, watch out for fireworks - If he has had the balls to stand up for us, we should do the same."
Lanky agreed: "The most impressive comments I have heard from someone of his seniority for a long time.
"I bet the politicians are confused by someone at their level telling the truth, rather than getting clearance from a spin doctor."
Thoughts also turned to the impact Dannatt's comments on Blair.
Pillager wrote: "Can tony recover from this and justify British presence in Iraq, without using the words: 'I was wrong.......'"
brewmeister wrote along similar lines, hinting at the military going one step further: "I think even Teflon Tony is going to find it difficult to weasel his way out of this. If Sir Richard goes it's time for a coup."
Drop_Short was thinking along similar lines: "It is about time that our senior generalship actually stopped being part of the government and stood up for what is in the best interests of the Service. Bring on the revolution."
303SMLE said: "This might turn out to be one of those moments when the world turns and Governments fall; I certainly hope so!"
Amidst the happiness of someone in authority apparently telling it like it was, a few notes of caution were offered.
Nibbler posted: "I suspect that we attach too much weight to what most civvies will see as 'a bloke in uniform' commenting, but it is nonetheless reassuring: let's see what the reaction is.
"I bet Blair et al will, if they've any sense, ignore it in the first instance..."
Lanky added: "But there is one danger of withdrawing from Iraq. If it then gets worse all those originally against the war or now demanding UK withdrawal will then start saying... "My God, how awful, we must go in and do something!"
Related links
Q&A: army chief on Iraq
More Iraq reports
The Army Rumour Service
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