Special Relationship

[Zigenare]

To be fair to the Yanks, in the 1930s the RAF was larger than the USAF, and the Royal Navy was vastly larger than the US Navy.

But the tables have long since been turned, and these days we're the ones with the almost empty words.

From Royal Navy - Wikipedia

In the 1930s there wasn't a USAF so that wasn't exactly difficult, was it?

[OwlHoot]

It is always best and safest to count on nothing from the Americans but words

To be fair to the Yanks, in the 1930s the RAF was larger than the USAF, and the Royal Navy was vastly larger than the US Navy.

But the tables have long since been turned, and these days we're the ones with the almost empty words.

From Royal Navy - Wikipedia

At the start of World War II in 1939, the Royal Navy was the largest in the world, with over 1,400 vessels, including:

* 7 aircraft carriers – with 5 more under construction
* 15 battleships and battlecruisers – with 5 more under construction
* 66 cruisers – with 23 more under construction
* 184 destroyers – with 52 under construction
* 45 escort and patrol vessels – with 9 under construction and one on order
* 60 submarines – with 9 under construction

[DoctorStrangelove]

And we can thank the genii in power since 2010 for much of that cheese paring.

Just encountered something that Chamberlain said:

It is always best and safest to count on nothing from the Americans but words

I like this one too:

You can always count on Americans to do the right thing - after they've tried everything else

[darmstadt]

A picture:

[PhiltheGreek]

Convoys - that worked before. A couple of Type 26's ought to be able to cover a dozen tankers and knock seven shades out of anything those camel botherers can dream up. Job done.

[DoctorStrangelove]

Bear in mind the UK has been whittling away at its armed forces for years now. For example, I think the Navy is only around a quarter the size it was even 20 years ago, and the army and air force is probablyl much the same.

So this is the US's tough way of reminding us we can't go on assuming that every foreign power will be nice to us and reasonable in this rational and civilized post-modern era. Instead they will inevitably start taking liberties as soon as they sense any weakness, just as they have since the dawn of history.

What?

We're not a superpower any more?

Gad, it'll frighten the horses.

[OwlHoot]

Yup.

The "Special Relationship" doesn't look so special now.

Good to know they're such reliable allies.

Bear in mind the UK has been whittling away at its armed forces for years now. For example, I think the Navy is only around a quarter the size it was even 20 years ago, and the army and air force is probablyl much the same.

So this is the US's tough way of reminding us we can't go on assuming that every foreign power will be nice to us and reasonable in this rational and civilized post-modern era. Instead they will inevitably start taking liberties as soon as they sense any weakness, just as they have since the dawn of history.

[Zigenare]

I thought this thread was going to be about you and that special squirrel you met recently?

That relationship faltered somewhat when Alexei announced that he was paying for pussy!

[Old Greg]

I thought this thread was going to be about you and that special squirrel you met recently?

She wouldn't sign the pre-nut.

[DoctorStrangelove]

Yup.

The "Special Relationship" doesn't look so special now.

Good to know they're such reliable allies.

[DimPrawn]

I thought this thread was going to be about you and that special squirrel you met recently?

[AtW]

UK must look after its own ships in the Gulf, says Pompeo

US secretary of state’s comment reflects tensions with UK over Iran nuclear deal

UK must look after its own ships in the Gulf, says Pompeo | World news | The Guardian