James Blunt: I helped prevent World War III
James Blunt has a new album out. He also apparently prevented World War III. The timing of the former and the announcement of the latter are probably just coincidence.
The hands of fate dealt an equally generous hand to the world when it turned out Captain James Blunt happened to be on duty the day a US General ordered British troops to attack Russian soldiers in Kosovo. As the risk of a court martial, Blunt says he would have refused, knowing the calamitous consequences such action might have.
The incident occurred at Pristina airfield, Kosovo, in 1999. Blunt was ordered to take the airfield but Russian troops had already got there first.
In an interview this weekend, he said:
"I was given the direct command to overpower the 200 or so Russians who were there.
"I was the lead officer with my troop of men behind us...
"The soldiers directly behind me were from the Parachute Regiment, so they're obviously game for the fight.
"The direct command [that] came in from Gen Wesley Clark was to overpower them. Various words were used that seemed unusual to us. Words such as 'destroy' came down the radio."
Asked if following the order would have risked starting World War III, Blunt, who was a 25-year-old cavalry officer at the time, replied:
"Absolutely. And that's why we were querying our instruction from an American general.
"Fortunately, up on the radio came Gen Mike Jackson, whose exact words at the time were, 'I'm not going to have my soldiers be responsible for starting World War III', and told us why don't we sugar off down the road, you know, encircle the airfield instead.
"And after a couple of days the Russians there said: 'Hang on we have no food and no water. Can we share the airfield with you?'.
I'm almost grateful enough to James Blunt's new album as way of thanks. Almost.
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Cruzin
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probably the first decent thing James C*nt have ever done...
- 1 year ago
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Cruzin
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AJILIVIZION
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This just makes me wonder about all the existing self righteous and delusional military commanders and troops that are absolutely fixated on WWIII. James Blunt helped prevent an earlier incident, but there will continue to be attempts, which will result in violent battles. Food and water will probably be a key element in causing the next great war.
- 1 year ago
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AJILIVIZION
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maasanova
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Jesus this is straight out of the movie Dr. Strangelove! I didn't even know this guy was in the military let alone a captain.
- 1 year ago
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maasanova
