Loud-mouth Americans

**Shek** · 04-20-2006, 09:44 AM

I'll have to track down this Brigadier's paper to see whether these remarks are just cherry picked to stir the US vs. UK pot or if they accurately reflect his thesis. There are certainly some GOs in the US military that don't get COIN, but I think that there is also an inflated sense of COIN expertise among many of the British commenters, as if it were hereditary and not learned/acquired.

Quote:

London Daily Telegraph
April 19, 2006
Pg. 1

British Brigadier Attacks America's John Wayne Generals

By Thomas Harding, Defence Correspondent

A senior British officer has criticised "shoulder-holster" American generals for trying to emulate film stars.

Brig Alan Sharpe, who worked alongside Americans in Baghdad, said there was a "strong streak of Hollywood" with officers trying to portray themselves as Sylvester Stallone or John Wayne.

He wrote the comments in a paper on Britain's influence on US foreign relations and the essay is likely to strain the "special relationship" further, coming after other British officers' criticism of the American approach.

An important part to being a successful American officer was to be able to combine the "real and acted heroics" of Audie Murphy, the "newsreel antics" of Gen Douglas MacArthur and the "movie performances" of Hollywood actors, the brigadier wrote.

While this might look good on television at home, the brigadier suggested that "loud voices, full body armour, wrap-around sunglasses, air strikes and daily broadcasts from shoulder-holster wearing brigadier-generals proudly announcing how many Iraqis have been killed by US forces today" was no "hearts-and-minds winning tool".

Brig Sharpe, 46, who was awarded the OBE and the American Bronze Star for writing the "coalition campaign plan" for Iraq during a tour in Baghdad in 2004, is regarded as a high-flier.

But US officers he is working with as commander of British Forces in the Balkans will not be impressed by references to the early US regime in Iraq as "autocratic" and an "interim dictatorship".

By contrast British servicemen, although under-equipped, were "undemonstrative, phlegmatic and pragmatic", patrolled on foot where possible and were keen to interact with locals.

Arguing that the Army's 500 years of experience gave it a marked edge over the Americans in insurgency operations, Brig Sharpe said the senior British officers in Baghdad should continue with their moderating influence.

Rather than Britain punching above its weight it should "stand in the corner, with a bucket and towel, advising the undisputed heavyweight champion about who and how to fight".

He referred to America as a "hyper power" in the paper, written during a year-long course with other leading military figures from around the world, run by the Royal College of Defence Studies.

Brig Sharpe said the most effective way of passing on British experience was to place capable officers "with a feel for the British way of doing business" into positions of influence alongside American officers where they could "practically influence the decisions, plans and conduct on the ground of US adventures in world policing".

Tony Blair should not try to secure influence by providing "hollowed-out formations with little real capability".

Brig Sharpe gave the "last word" to an anecdote about a "subjugated Iraqi" just before his release from detention.

The Ba'athist was loudly lectured by an American officer, who was accompanied by a quiet British brigadier, on the dangers of returning to his "previously nefarious ways".

As the Iraqi left he said: "Hey, Mr American, next time before you shout so much you should speak to him. He is British - they know how to invade a country."

The Ministry of Defence said the thesis reflected Brig Sharpe's "personal views" but it was the object of the college course to "stimulate debate".

Ray · 04-20-2006, 17:54 PM

Shek,

Do get hold of this paper if you can and post it here.

Seems interesting!

gunnut · 04-20-2006, 19:05 PM

What?! No mention of Patton with his ivory-grip Colt 45s? I'm shocked!!! Shocked and appalled!!!

CAL · 04-20-2006, 19:28 PM

**Parihaka** · 04-20-2006, 20:09 PM

There is a certain section of British society that still cannot accept loss of Empire and strenuously project a belief in their own inate superiority.
Condecension is their stock in trade and reveals nothing more than outrage that nobody else thinks as highly of them as they do

Speaking of film stars, this gentleman probably fancies himself as Peter O'Tool in Lawrence of Arabia

gunnut · 04-20-2006, 20:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by parihaka

There is a certain section of British society that still cannot accept loss of Empire and strenuously project a belief in their own inate superiority.
Condecension is their stock in trade and reveals nothing more than outrage that nobody else thinks as highly of them as they do

Speaking of film stars, this gentleman probably fancies himself as Peter O'Tool in Lawrence of Arabia

Oh, you mean being French like. Now I understand.

**Shek** · 04-20-2006, 21:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ray

Shek,

Do get hold of this paper if you can and post it here.

Seems interesting!

Sir,
I couldn't find it yet. However, there's this interesting read that I think I may have posted before. Written by a British Major in the Para, it's very objective and makes many a good point:

http://www.smallwarsjournal.com/docu...hervington.htm

Ray · 04-21-2006, 05:54 AM

Thanks.

I am trying to download and read.

Appears interesting.

But do please try to get the other article.

**TopHatter** · 04-21-2006, 09:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gunnut

What?! No mention of Patton with his ivory-grip Colt 45s? I'm shocked!!! Shocked and appalled!!!

And exactly what is wrong with wrap-around sunglasses?

I wish I could find a local distributor for Gargoyles

2DREZQ · 04-21-2006, 15:07 PM

Quite right, old boy, a sticky wicket, this swaggering about, eh what?

Being a general officer in the US military entitles one to a certain amount of arrogance, IMHO.

Ray · 04-21-2006, 15:36 PM

Shek,

I have posted a request in the informal British Army website ARRSE for the article.

http://www.arrse.co.uk/cpgn2/Forums/...91.html#652591

Hope someone there would surface the article.

**Officer of Engineers** · 04-22-2006, 00:43 AM

Just like the Brigadier to make friends everywhere he goes.

Ray · 04-22-2006, 01:09 AM

Colonel,

Thanks.

With good people like you, making friends is so very easy.

Ray · 04-22-2006, 10:47 AM

Shek,

You are the resourceful type (not the loud mouthed American, but the Go Getter American

). Go get this paper.

Here is the link for further digging and ferreting.

https://da.mod.uk/RCDS/Information/L.../SHP2005/Sharp[font=Times New Roman]e

This gives the executive summary. I am sure you will be able to get the actual paper.Great Britain has lost an Empire and not yet found a role.’ How well has the British experience prepared it for its self-appointed role as principal advisor to the United States on the imposition of Pax Americana
Document Actions

* Send this page to somebody
* Print this page

Colonel ARD Sharpe MBE, (Late CHESHIRE, British Army)

Quote:

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

This paper concerns the nature of American actions and attitudes in international affairs, and the UK’s approach to acting as an advisor to the US. It covers the nature of empires and considers the debate over the imperial parallels with current US policies, and then examines the nature of the Americans, both policy-makers and servicemen. It goes on to focus on the British experience of operating a global foreign policy in the form of the Empire, drawing lessons and parallels from imperial India, Afghanistan, the Middle East and Malaya and from Northern Ireland. Finally, it uses policy-making and campaign planning in the US-dominated HQ in Baghdad as a case study in order to consider the value that the British experience may have to offer. It concludes that the US are powerful enough to act as they see fit, regardless of support or criticism from others; that it follows that the best way to influence the US is to remain positively but honestly engaged with them; and that the British should therefore continue to remain so engaged, offering considerable relevant and useful experience.

https://da.mod.uk/RCDS/Information/L...apers/SHP2005/

**Shek** · 04-24-2006, 08:40 AM

I love the Telegraph and its constant caricatures of us brash Americans.

In seriousness, quite and interesting article, and I'm curious about the relationship between the military/governement and the press in the UK in terms of publishing operational secrets.

Quote:

London Daily Telegraph
April 24, 2006

US Calls In Paras For Baghdad Secret War

By Thomas Harding, Defence Correspondent

British paratroopers secretly operating in support of the SAS in Iraq are using American uniforms, weapons and vehicles as part of their cover, The Daily Telegraph has learned.

Although John Reid, the Defence Secretary, only announced this week that the Special Forces Support Group (SFSG) had become operational, a company of more than 100 paratroopers has been working for six months in Baghdad. They have reportedly become so successful that American special forces have called on their help.

The SFSG was formed mainly because it was found that small groups of highly trained SAS troopers did not have enough firepower to take on large groups of Iraqi and Afghan terrorists. The unit has already seen a substantial amount of action in Baghdad.

Whenever the SAS goes on raids to apprehend terrorists in highly dangerous areas of Baghdad, the Paras are used to provide perimeter security.

Arriving in US Humvees, dressed in American army fatigues and armed with C7 Diemaco guns - a Canadian made version of the M16, the men have fought several battles with insurgents while protecting SAS colleagues.

"The SAS are doing the smash and grab but all the contacts are happening on the perimeter and there are a serious amount of rounds going down the range," a Parachute Regiment source said.

"They are making a really good name for themselves with the Hereford blokes and the Americans. If the **** hits the fan and the SAS need them, the boys are there as a quick reaction force."

The troops were also believed to have been used to provide a security cordon as part of Task Force Maroon when the SAS rescued the peace campaigner Norman Kember and two other hostages.

The troops deployed to Baghdad at the end of last year after undergoing specialist training at the SAS headquarters in Hereford, including the use of American weapons and equipment.

"They wear US uniforms so they can blend in in Baghdad where a British paratrooper would stick out and draw unwanted attention," an intelligence source said.

"But they don't have their hair cuts 'high and tight', don't strut around like Americans and are certainly not trying to speak with American accents. They are loving it with all the American kit, and you can't keep them out of the PX shop [US military duty-free shops]."

The SFSG is mainly based on the 500 men of the 1 Bn The Parachute Regiment supplemented by a company of about 100 Royal Marines and a similar number of men from the RAF Regiment.

The group is based at St Athan, near Cardiff.

04-20-2006, 17:54 PM	#2 (permalink)
Ray Postmaster General *Military Professional* Join Date: 08-20-03 Posts: 26,149 Country:	Shek, Do get hold of this paper if you can and post it here. Seems interesting! __________________ "Some have learnt many Tricks of sly Evasion, Instead of Truth they use Equivocation, And eke it out with mental Reservation, Which is to good Men an Abomination." I don't have to attend every argument I'm invited to. HAKUNA MATATA

04-20-2006, 19:28 PM	#4 (permalink)
CAL New Member Join Date: 10-27-05 Location: Texas Posts: 11	__________________ http://www.armyparatrooper.org/images/small_banner.gif

04-20-2006, 20:09 PM	#5 (permalink)
Parihaka Moderator Join Date: 11-10-04 Location: Te Ika a Maui Posts: 9,465 Country:	There is a certain section of British society that still cannot accept loss of Empire and strenuously project a belief in their own inate superiority. Condecension is their stock in trade and reveals nothing more than outrage that nobody else thinks as highly of them as they do Speaking of film stars, this gentleman probably fancies himself as Peter O'Tool in Lawrence of Arabia Last edited by Parihaka : 04-20-2006 at 20:11 PM.

04-21-2006, 15:07 PM	#10 (permalink)
2DREZQ Contributor Join Date: 08-04-03 Posts: 702	Quite right, old boy, a sticky wicket, this swaggering about, eh what? Being a general officer in the US military entitles one to a certain amount of arrogance, IMHO. __________________ USS North Dakota

04-22-2006, 00:43 AM	#12 (permalink)
Officer of Engineers *Military Professional* Moderator Scotch taster Join Date: 08-06-03 Posts: 15,917 Country:	Just like the Brigadier to make friends everywhere he goes. __________________ Chimo

04-20-2006, 19:05 PM	#3 (permalink)
gunnut *Senior Contributor* Join Date: 01-27-06 Location: DPRK, Democratik People's Republik of Kalifornia Posts: 9,376 Country:	What?! No mention of Patton with his ivory-grip Colt 45s? I'm shocked!!! Shocked and appalled!!!

04-21-2006, 05:54 AM	#8 (permalink)
Ray Postmaster General *Military Professional* Join Date: 08-20-03 Posts: 26,149 Country:	Thanks. I am trying to download and read. Appears interesting. But do please try to get the other article.

04-21-2006, 15:36 PM	#11 (permalink)
Ray Postmaster General *Military Professional* Join Date: 08-20-03 Posts: 26,149 Country:	Shek, I have posted a request in the informal British Army website ARRSE for the article. http://www.arrse.co.uk/cpgn2/Forums/...91.html#652591 Hope someone there would surface the article.

04-22-2006, 01:09 AM	#13 (permalink)
Ray Postmaster General *Military Professional* Join Date: 08-20-03 Posts: 26,149 Country:	Colonel, Thanks. With good people like you, making friends is so very easy.

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