Post by David MartelThat's what I found so odd about this incident, Prince Harry is not a
figurehead; he's a young royal who is rather distantly in line for the
throne.
He's not all that distantly in line. If Prince William dies before
begetting children, he will eventually be King if he survuves him.
But I think there is three different things at play here. One is that
the general level of risk-aversiveness has increased since the
Falkland war. Another is the increased importance of media spin. And
the third is that, in this particular theatre of war, the most dreaded
option is to be taken prisoner by an armed group which doesn't
recognise the Geneva Convention.
Post by David MartelI suspect that not sending him with
his unit has destroyed his chances for a career.
You're most probably right.
Jan Böhme
In this post 9/11/01 world, and all that has happened since including
the Iraq war, it was highly unlikely PH was going anywhere near Iraq, it
was folly for anyone to think otherwise/propose such an idea. From the
moment the thing was proposed one can almost rest assured plans were
being drawn up to not only capture PH, but his savage, long torture then
eventual killing; all taken down on video and distributed to the world.
PH would have probably only been killed out right, say via sniper fire
or bombing if all attempts to get at him failed.
Keeping the above in mind it would mean every time PH left base it would
require an entire regiment if not more as body guards. Such movements in
of themselves would signal a very high personage even to the most
illiterate of persons. The other alternative, to send the PH out as a
regular solider would have been just too great a risk and you can be
sure no one in HM services would sign off on that idea. Which leaves
sending the prince to Iraq, but confining him to HQ, well behind lines,
in a secure area and even then perhaps always with bodyguards. Hardly
the military life PH envisioned.
Then there is the knowledge that you (PH that is), is putting your
entire regiment and or mission at risk because of your being a potential
target. While not a military person, do know that sort of thing simply
isn't something one wants to put one's men through.
