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US swaps 'funny sausages' for Pizza Hut
Ed Harris31 Mar 2009
AMERICAN troops taking over the British army base in Basra today are appalled at the "funny sausages" and austere conditions.
The Americans, who took control of southern Iraq today, are expected to refit the British camp to include more home comforts such as a Pizza Hut outlet and wi-fi internet. They say the British base compares poorly to the relative luxury to which they have grown accustomed.
American bases in Iraq are often like small towns, with coffee shops and dining halls serving up a varied menu.
The British made do with "combat showers" and rationed water supplies, more basic meals and no international calling centres.
One American soldier complained of the British regime: "You only get one choice of meat and the sausages just taste funny."
Staff Sergeant John Simms said: "Nothing is comfortable right now and won't be until we are done rebuilding."
Reader views (15)
Yes, the big American camps are luxurious by our standards, but I don't see our soldiers in Afghanistan complaining. If we had the money, we would do the same. I can confirm 100% that the small American camps, and there are lots of them, are basic. You dont want to spend time there.
- Cj, geneva, Switzerland, 01/04/2009 10:02
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Roz - excellent and well-argued.
- Sam, London, 01/04/2009 08:45
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Roz, You raise some good points, but while the US spends 45% of the world share of military spending compared to our 5% it still cannot afford to provide free healthcare to it's citizens back home. People who cannot afford private insurance are forced to rely on charities, including injured veterans.
- Nj, London, 31/03/2009 16:10
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Treat the British soldiers like prisoners. They'll be delighted with the upgrade.
- Ted, London, 31/03/2009 15:40
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NJ, London: I've tried to check my facts on http://www.dasa.mod.uk/UKDS2008/c1/table122.html I see that although the UK is No. 2, it has only 5% of the global total compared to the 45% share of the US. On the table of Purchasing Power by Parity Rates the UK comes 5th. I also understand that the UK employs 2 civil servants in Whitehall for every man in the field, let alone his kit.
I'm rubbish at maths but I make the total of today's list of 74 London MPs claiming for a second home even though they live within commuting distance of Westminster . . . £584,530. That would buy 1,461 full-protection bullet-proof vests.
I'm sure some of the troops would prefer the luxury of a bullet-proof vest (standard kit to the yanks) before your idea of a John Lewis goose down duvet - though I can see why that would be more important to you. In 2003 2000 troops were sent into battle without either! Unnecessary second homes are 'fiddles within the system' - they get through on a technicality: I'm not even costing up all the little frauds for 30 quid's worth of porn that go on, but I bet they'd buy a bit more basic kit, too (say, bullet/bomb proof cars like those used by ministers instead of canvass-sided Landrovers).
British soldiers do the bidding of the Government you voted for: we may not approve of the Iraq situation but it really stinks to lay that on to brave soldiers in the field - who may well STILL be soldiers in some other future war where they directly protect YOU.
- Roz, Chamonix, France, 31/03/2009 15:15
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Joe, I looked it up, on the internet. I know that it makes me a little unusual but like to know what I am talking about before shouting my mouth off. No I am not politically active, but would that invalidate my point if I were?
- Nj, London, 31/03/2009 14:59
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Nj of London you sound to me like a poltical activist. How do you know the British Armed forces have the second highest expenditure ?
- Joe, Swanley Kent, 31/03/2009 13:57
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Nice swerve there Nj: "the British Armed forces have the second highest expenditure in the world". Like spending in education, or in health, just how much of that marvellous expenditure actually gets to the shop floor, so to speak? After further checking facts, do let us know.
I agree with you, as it happens, on too much of my tax money being spent on pointless wars, but I do want to see those that volunteer to fight those wars, on behalf of the govenrment, appropriately equiped and supported, for which much evidence exists to suggest they are not, before we even start looking at US levels of "comfort". I contend that wont happen until waste is eliminated.
- Escobar A-lop-lop, Camden County, 31/03/2009 12:54
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NJ- I think you need to A re-read the article and B - re read my post.
A - the article said that the troops had water rationing on base. I don't consider water to be a luxury. You do? How interesting.
Secondly I consider that if your sending troops overseas then the least you can do for their families is provide an International calling centre on base. Again in the article and again hardly a luxury. IMO There is no merit in making our troops suffer to appear more virtuous than other forces. Obviously you disagree and want our lads to suffer hardship.
And B/ The message in my post was of poor spending CHOICES not over all spending levels. But since you raise the point. Labour are running two wars on a peacetime budget so of course the troops suffer. Both from Labour incompetence and self self self first attitude.
Tell Dolly that you got your card marked and put in your claim for expenses will you?
- Ethan, UK, 31/03/2009 12:41
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Ethan- you mean our troops don't get a pillow menu in the barracks? That is truely terrible! If only Jacqui Smith’s husband hadn’t spent almost £30 on pornography then all our 425,000 troops could have John Lewis duck down duvets and 24 hour room service! If you check your facts before commenting then you would discover the British Armed forces have the second highest expenditure in the world and I, for one, think enough of my taxes are already spent on fighting pointless wars in foreign countries when we should be increasing spending improving conditions for the poor, sick and elderly back home.
- Nj, London, 31/03/2009 11:39
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No the message is that the US properly supports their troops. Making sure they have as much home comforts as possible. Our troops have been in Basra for years and still have to have combat showers and water rationing? Thats a flippin disgrace.
We pay the tax but it gets spent on Jacqui's porn films and MP's expenses. Then the MOD gets swanky new offices for the pen pushers. The PBI - Poor B****y Infantry being the last in the chain to get anything. Typical UK. Our troops are known by their allies as 'the borrowers'. Disgraceful.
- Ethan, UK, 31/03/2009 11:01
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"the sausages just taste funny."
That's probably because they're made of pork instead of the reconstituted chicken as American sausages are.
- Bob, Cheam, 31/03/2009 10:55
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When I was in the Royal Marines we had our own version of the US Marines `Halls of Tripoli`.
From the mouth of Portsmouth harbour,
To the gates of RNB (Royal Navy Barracks)
There´s a buzz going around the harbour
That the Yanks are going to sea.
With their crates of Coca Cola
And their tubs of ice cream,
They´re bloody good chaps in harbour
But, Oh my God at sea!!
- Peter Glazier, Sao Paulo, Brazil, 31/03/2009 10:54
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Also confirms that the political correct Labour government still treats our boys rather poorly !
- Joe, Swanley Kent, 31/03/2009 10:44
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Just confirms what we already knew, the US Army are soft.
- Nj, London, 31/03/2009 10:21
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