Originally Posted by Zulu_Zulu View Post
To be fair, the Argentine soldiers were overwhelmingly decent towards both the Islanders and the few British soldiers/airmen that they captured. There were some incidents which I personally believe were down to the fog of war. That statement is absolutely true by the way; a soldier understands what is going on around him mostly rather than the bigger picture and your field of fire reduces to the area immediately in front of you. Things are very confused hence the term ‘fog’. I think this is to blame with the incidents sich as the white flag at GG and the once I mentioned earlier.
Hello Zulu Zulu,
Many thanks for this statement, I as an Argentine recognize chivalry when I see it.
I have no personal issue with Argentines, as I said, I was in BA a few years ago and was treated very well by the veterans I met, especially those from the Argentine Marine Corps and a special thanks to Santiago Aversa who looked after me excellently.
All Argentine veterans are also well regarded by their British counterparts… I have had contact with many and all say the same… brave soldiers and chivalrous, apparently, some regretable things occured then, but your explanation of the “fog of war” seems to fit wel into my thinking.
Funny enough, Santiago is a good “pen pal” with me, I am sure you will concur that he is a gentleman with a acid and sarcastic sense of humor quite funny man actually. He is a renown lawyer and also an Officer of the “Infantería de Marina” ( Marines) as you surely know. I am sure you had a good time with Santiago, next time you talk to him send him regards from Juan “Pánzon” Mielke, I am sure you laughed your balls off when going out with him. And Santiago makes an enormous effort towards the ARA “naval reserve”
That aside, Argentina does have a dark past under the juntas and the likes of Dowling and Astiz showed themselves for the bullies that they were. Witness for example the meek surrender of the latter. These people and their ilk are a stain on the history of Argentina and I find your defence of that period of your history very puzzling.
Completelly agree on this, I did live the “Junta´s times” and I simply want to forget those times, but not completelly as there are many “accounts to settle” with several ones. But they are falling, one by one.
For your records Zulu, Astiz is in prison for crimes during the “dirty War”, which was not so “clean” as everybody tends to think… both sides commited atrocities in those terrible years when I was a boy. I am not familiar with what Dowling may have done, I will try to inform myself on this regard. IN any case, Astiz was NOT in command in the Georgias Islands and they never expected to repell the British Squadron.
I found Argentina and especially BA a fantastic place. BA is possibly the greatest city I have experienced and I have seen many. As for the women… wow! I was grateful for two thing; 1) I spent a few days there ostensibly single and 2) that I learned latin dancing as a child, it turned out very useful.
I agree with the quality of our women, they are a result of the “mixing of races” that populate Argentina, altough the fact that your Latin dance knowledge was so useful indicates that you were NOT going to the best places, Ussualy, the "Latin, or “tropical music” places are the ones inhabited by a lot of “easy game”… I am sure Santiago wanted you to “enjoy” the visit to the fullest! ( Latin music places are called “bailantas” there and they are ussually more dangerous than the FEBA). Just for the records, I am very fond of British ladies… they are very accomodating and excellent hosts.
Cheers,
Juan
steps and a hip roll.