Skip to main content
Defence in the media

https://modmedia.blog.gov.uk/2015/05/23/defence-in-the-media-23-may-2015/

Defence in the media: 23 May 2015

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Defence in the media, Reactive statements

The safe removal of a WW2 bomb from Wembley by Army bomb disposal experts continues to make headlines today.

In other defence news, it is reported that ISIL are making gains in Ramadi and surrounding areas, and the Iraqi Army Commander of Baghdad says he is ready to defend the capital if necessary.

Wembley Bomb

There is widespread positive coverage of the work of the Army bomb disposal team which safely removed a WW2 bomb from a building site in Wembley yesterday allowing this weekend’s events at the Stadium to go ahead. Watch the video and read our full statement here. 

Royal Navy

The Times reports that the Royal Navy is “pushing for more sailors” to avert a manpower crisis. According to "defence sources” quoted in the paper, a cap of 30,000 personnel imposed at the last defence review five years ago means that there are insufficient crews to staff ships. 

The precise detail of future personnel figures and structure for the Armed Forces is a subject for the 2015 Strategic Defence and Security Review.

A Royal Navy spokesperson said:

The Royal Navy continues to meet its all of its current operational commitments. The Service has acknowledged challenges in retaining engineering and technical expertise in a highly competitive employment market and remains committed to its innovative package of measures to address those challenges. The measures are already producing results allowing the Royal Navy to deliver maritime capability where it is needed.

ISIL

The Daily Telegraph reports that the US-led coalition has bombed jihadist positions in Iraq and Syria in an attempt to stop ISIL expanding on recent gains and overrunning a major military base.

Elsewhere, it is reported that ISIL has seized Syria's last border crossing with Iraq with commentators casting doubt on the effectiveness of the international coalition's campaign against the jihadists.

ISIL militants have also claimed responsibility for a fatal bomb blast which ripped through a Shia mosque in Saudi Arabia, killing at least 21 people.

The UK Government has said that coalition forces continue to provide targeted air support in ISIL-held and contested areas throughout Iraq. You can read the full UK Government statement in a previous blog post here.

Dunkirk - 75th anniversary

It is also reported that British and Allied veterans of the Dunkirk evacuation will gather at the French port today to remember the tens of thousands of servicemen who died trying to escape Nazi forces. The service at the Allied Beach Memorial is the climax of a series of events to commemorate Operation Dynamo.

For the 75th anniversary the Armed Forces have paid tribute to this extraordinary feat. You can read what they said here. 

Image of the day

The Association of Dunkirk Little Ships 75th Anniversary of the Original Crossing  to Dunkirk For the 75th Anniversary of the original crossing to Dunkirk in 1940 the Association of Dunkirk Little Ships (ADLS) held a series of events to commemorate the operation, Operation Dynamo. The operation saved the lives of 338,000 British Army and Allied forces soldiers by taking them across the English Channel in little boats. This occasion was commemorated by a church service at the Sailor’s Church in Ramsgate Royal Harbour and a Parade. This was followed by the current owners of the boats that took part in the crossing opening their decks to visitors.  On the 21 Mar 2015 the little ships left Ramsgate Royal Harbour and sailed for Dunkirk. The ships were accompanied by Royal Navy P2000’s, HMS Trumpeter and HMS Ranger. Images show the transit from The Ramsgate Royal Marina to Dunkirk, France. HRH Prince Michael of Kent was onboard HMS Trumpeter for the the transit. A Royal Air Force Hurricane and Spit Fire flying over the fleet as they left the Royal Ramsgate Marina.
The Association of Dunkirk Little Ships 75th Anniversary of the Original Crossing to Dunkirk for the 75th Anniversary of the original crossing to Dunkirk in 1940 the Association of Dunkirk Little Ships (ADLS) held a series of events to commemorate the operation, Operation Dynamo. The operation saved the lives of 338,000 British Army and Allied forces soldiers by taking them across the English Channel in little boats. This occasion was commemorated by a church service at the Sailor’s Church in Ramsgate Royal Harbour and a Parade. This was followed by the current owners of the boats that took part in the crossing opening their decks to visitors. On the 21 Mar 2015 the little ships left Ramsgate Royal Harbour and sailed for Dunkirk. The ships were accompanied by Royal Navy P2000’s, HMS Trumpeter and HMS Ranger. The image shows a Royal Air Force Hurricane and Spitfire flying over the fleet as they left the Royal Ramsgate Marina.

 

Follow us on Twitter and don’t forget to sign up for email alerts.

Sharing and comments

Share this page