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[Frosty Jack]

Originally Posted by Addi

In war, as in chess, each piece has an assosciated value. Pawns are worth less than bishiops, bishops less than rooks etc... As the game progresses the value of these pieces change (as a pawn gets nearer to queening its value increases.) Like it or not Prince Harry is a very valuable piece (not directly, but if he was killed it would be a huge blow to the morale of the country and troops and let's not forget a huge boost to the morale of the enemy.) As such, I think utilizing Prince Harry as if he was worth the same as a normal soldier, when in actual terms he is worth more, just to prove a point would be foolish.

Am I saying that a regular soldier is worth less than Prince Harry?
On the battlefield as a target for the enemy in the context of this war, yes.
Off the battlefield, no.

However, if the people in charge judge that proving this point (the point being that Harry isn't getting special treatment and is just like everyone else and the Iraq war isn't a mistake etc...) is worth more than the potential loss of Prince Harry then they will send him anyway.

In conclusion: if Harry stays they lose a little; if he goes and survives they gain a lot; and if he goes and dies they lose a lot. Will they take the gamble for a big win or settle for the small loss?

It shall be interesting to see.

Well said. It's also worth mentioning that putting him in combat would automatically increase the risk for every soldier anywhere near him. It's possibly more to do with that particular risk to morale than anything else. Imagine finding yourself in a foxhole, you look round to guy on your right, and it's him. Ohhhh shiiiiittttt.....

[Rachie]

If you were an iraqi militant, and you heard that the commander of a particular troupe of soldiers happened to be 3rd in line to the throne of one of the countries responsible for the iraqi occupation, would you not try and take that troupe out in hope of killing the Prince?

His being there would put the lives of his troops in danger.

[RF Scott]

Were any royals posted to N.Ireland? The image of people directly fighting the reason for their anger is pretty good.

[Red Neck Man]

So why on earth did he join? my question is: Surely he must have known the outcome - so why join the army?

[Dave]

Originally Posted by PhotoCraig

So why on earth did he join? my question is: Surely he must have known the outcome - so why join the army?

He wanted to go to Iraq, that's the point. Word is he's actually considering quitting the army now because they wouldn't let him go. Most royals who join the armed forces do see active service at some point, but the top brass felt that in these particular circumstances it would be inappropriate.

[Stichman]

Originally Posted by PhotoCraig

So why on earth did he join? my question is: Surely he must have known the outcome - so why join the army?

He's a thick shit, he probably actually thought they would let him go.

Even if he did go, he'd be miles from the most dangerous areas, and he'd have huge protection. Anyone who seriously believes they would treat him as an "ordinary" soldier isn't so wise. As people have said, he'd be a huge trophy for any self-respecting insurgent, and would put his men's lives at risk too.

As an aside, don't you think people saying "Tony Blair killed my son" are idiots? It's called the army. Fighting is their general reason for existing. If Joe Bloggs' son really really didn't want to risk dying, he should have applied for a job at Specsavers. It doesn't matter if the war was justified or not - the army is dangerous.

[Cloud]

Originally Posted by SpanishArmada

Plus, no-one gives a fuck about the Royal family anymore unless they're having sordid sex or splitting up with gorgeous women, so sod it.

I think quite a lot of people in Deeside would disagree with your statement - considering that their very existence has led to a lot of tourist money coming in - which keeps a lot of people in employment.

Also, if no-one gives a fuck about the Royal family anymore, why do MORI polls over the last 14 years consistently state that around 70% of the population prefer having a monarchy, compared to around 20% support for a republic?

MORI - Monarchy Trends

Has anyone considered that Harry might just have wanted to go out there and get stuck in himself?

Edit : I see Dave's pointed that out already.

I have a faint hope that the real reason for him not being allowed to go is that Brown is planning on a unilateral withdrawal from Iraq once he becomes PM - and thus there's little point sending Harry out.

[Rachie]

I think usually if they're directly in line to the throne they do let them serve on the front line, hence they didn't let William go.

Prince Andrew was a RN helicopter pilot in the Falklands war, but that's a bit different from being an infantry soldier on the ground in direct line of fire.

[Old Gold]

Originally Posted by Cloud

I think quite a lot of people in Deeside would disagree with your statement - considering that their very existence has led to a lot of tourist money coming in - which keeps a lot of people in employment.

Also, if no-one gives a fuck about the Royal family anymore, why do MORI polls over the last 14 years consistently state that around 70% of the population prefer having a monarchy, compared to around 20% support for a republic?

MORI - Monarchy Trends

Has anyone considered that Harry might just have wanted to go out there and get stuck in himself?

Edit : I see Dave's pointed that out already.

I have a faint hope that the real reason for him not being allowed to go is that Brown is planning on a unilateral withdrawal from Iraq once he becomes PM - and thus there's little point sending Harry out.

My tongue was in my cheek, so leave your raging chubby at the door man.

[Stripey]

Originally Posted by Stichman

As an aside, don't you think people saying "Tony Blair killed my son" are idiots? It's called the army. Fighting is their general reason for existing.

True. People who willing sign up to be professional murderers can't complain when they get killed themselves. No sympathy from me for dead british or american soldiers.