>>Bev, to take issue with you(and it is outrageous in the >>extreme to credit British troops with the success of >>the operation thus far), the first troops off were >>actually from the Australian SASR followed by men from >>1RAR. Bear - I cannot for the life of me understand how you have come to this conclusion from my post. I did not say in any, way shape or form that the British troops deserved the credit for the success of the operation. I am well aware that UK are contributing less than 300 troops at this stage against the many thousand from ADF. I stated (Correctly) that the first troops off the Hercs were a 30 strong section of Special Boat Squadron/Royal Marine Commando's. heading to secure the port area. The Hercs involved were NOT from the ADF. If you knew anything re the SAS/SBS & SASR you would not find this unusual. It was clearly reported in the press by a reporter who expressed his suprise at seeing them there and who knew some of the men personally. It was also pretty clear to me from the film I saw - maybe you didn't see the same film but just some for domestic comsumption in OZ- who knows the vageries of editing? I also have a personal interest in that my brother happened to be flying one of the Hercs! The reference to equipment levels was prompted by a post in this thread - and I still state that the standard of kit the ADF boys were carrying is far higher than that of the UK forces are using. I did emphasise that "the Aussies ARE there" meaning not that for once you are there but YOU (Aussies) not Brits were there doing the job. My other main point was that both UK and OZ can hardly claim the moral high ground for going in to East Timor as we have both been exploiting the people for 20 years or more. As for Australia leading the force as they are part of the UN and this is a UN operation would YOU fly troops and kit 12,000+ miles when a capable member is just a few hundred miles away? Finally you appeared to have missed this sentence : "Having said all this the Aussies ARE there - I know they will do a good job in very difficult circumstances so they deserve our support and wishes for thier safe keeping" - it came from the heart from someone who's been there many times before, it's not all pictures on a tv for me. Bev Lawton