The Prince Wants to Fight

[Alexanderofmacedon]

It seems there's a row between Royal Officials, military commanders, the Ministry of Defence and Prince Harry over whether the Prince should be sent to frontline duty in Iraq with the rest of his regiment. The Prince last year said:

"If they said 'no, you can't go front line' then I wouldn't drag my sorry arse through Sandhurst and I wouldn't be where I am now. ... The last thing I want to do is have my soldiers away to Iraq or wherever like that and for me to be held back home."

Royal Officials and military commanders have expressed concerns that the Prince's presence might put him and his regiment at undue risk, but Defence Secretary John Reid said that Prince Harry should be allowed to fulfill his duties "as far as is possible". He'd follow in the footsteps of his uncle, who served as an airman during the Falklands War.

Even the staunchest republican (no, not the US political party) can appreciate the commitment to duty the Prince is demonstrating, but should he be allowed to serve and potentially put his regiment at greater risk than would otherwise have been the case? A dead Prince would certainly be an unimaginable victory for those pulling the strings of the more violent aspects of the insurgency...

[Joker85]

It's tricky. If he goes his unit will no doubt become the target for every insurgent group in the area on a constant basis. If they were able to kill him it would be an enormous propaganda victory, as well as do damage to the US/UK relationship. But on the other hand I understand why he doesn't want to send the message to the other guys fighting there that he is more important or better than them.

I would do it but keep the publicity down about it. Having a horde of reporters following him around everywhere he goes would make the situation worse.

[Don Corleone]

You could always think of it as the bait in a very large rat trap. A big part of the reason why insurgents gain the successes they do is that it's impossible to guess where they'll strike next. If you stuck 2 or 3 regiments in hiding 'near' where the Prince's regiment is, you would draw the enemy out into the open and as they'd be in a crossfire, their odds wouldn't be very good.

[Divinus Arma]

Well said Joker85.

He must consider whether his presence will endanger his men. If he refuses to recognize this, then he is doing a diservice to his men in order to satisfy a personal need, however honorable his intentions may be.

I am impressed by his desire to fight, though ultimately it seems to be unwise.

In days past and in older conflicts, the standards of royalty would contribute to morale. This may be the case today. However, in the past we did not have the type of non-linear conflict that we see in 4th gen warfare. There no "front lines". And as was already mentioned, the media contributes to the dangers for your brave prince.

[Devastatin Dave]

Well said Joker85.

He must consider whether his presence will endanger his men. If he refuses to recognize this, then he is doing a diservice to his men in order to satisfy a personal need, however honorable his intentions may be.

I am impressed by his desire to fight, though ultimately it seems to be unwise.

In days past and in older conflicts, the standards of royalty would contribute to morale. This may be the case today. However, in the past we did not have the type of non-linear conflict that we see in 4th gen warfare. There no "front lines". And as was already mentioned, the media contributes to the dangers for your brave prince.

No way to say it better, good post DA...

[Sjakihata]

Just put him in the middle of the British army and all the soldiers are less likely to rout.

[Devastatin Dave]

Just put him in the middle of the British army and all the soldiers are less likely to rout.

Hopefully he'll be upgraded with atleast silver shield and weopons. I would prefer to use his unit as a flanking cavalry unit once his pikemen hold the enemy up while his slingers can rain death on the other flank.

[UglyandHasty]

I say let him go. He trained to be there, let him get some fighting experience.

[Alexanderofmacedon]

I say let him go. He trained to be there, let him get some fighting experience.

Maybe some gold stars to his name.

[Seamus Fermanagh]

They do have a spare heir, don't they? Just kidding.

Div's got the right of it, I expect. The only way he can go over without endangering his comrades is to do so incognito -- and I don't know how long that would be possible under press scrutiny.

[solypsist]

oh man i hope he's not there when i am. that would totally make the experiance an odd one.

[Alexanderofmacedon]

oh man i hope he's not there when i am. that would totally make the experiance an odd one.

[UglyandHasty]

Who's knows what traits he may gain there

New Traits : Vanquisher of Democracy.

Having some experience(traumatizing) on the battlefield, the character decide democracy will cause the fall of the Western civilisation. He decide to reclaim by force, with the help of his loyAl troops, the Throne that is rightfully his. The British Empire will thrive again under a powerfull monarch.

[doc_bean]

They do have a spare heir, don't they? Just kidding.

He is the spare.