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Suburbs in flames after military exercise (French artillery torches Marseille)
Daily Telegraph ^ | 7-23-09 | AFP hacks

Posted on 07/22/2009 11:46:50 PM PDT by atomic conspiracy

Bombing exercise 'caused fires' Dozens of homes destroyed Authorities angry at military

MILITARY bombing practice has caused one of France's worst fires for three years which continues to rage on the eastern outskirts of Marseille. The fire has burnt dozens of homes but claimed no victims.

The wildfire was caused by military practice shelling which hit the eastern Trois-Ponts suburb of the southern city forcing the evacuation of scores of residents. "There are a few dozen houses burnt in the Trois-Ponts district but there are no victims," fire brigade spokesman Samuel Champon said. "There are more homes threatened than vehicles mobilised."

The fire moved down a hill outside the city and threatened the Trois-Ponts district where residents sprayed water on the outside of their houses before they moved out. People in neighbouring La Barasse also left, although local authorities said no evacuation order had been given.

About 1200ha of brush was razed by the blaze. "We are in a defensive mission for the moment," Mr Champon, pointing to "problems with the lie of the land" and difficulties in accessing water points. A thick black smoke swirled around the district and many residents angrily criticised the French army which had staged artillery training at its Carpiagne camp just before the fire started.

Regional prefect Michel Sappin confirmed that the blaze had been started by the shelling, lashing out at the "imbecilic" action that had led to "an annoying and serious" situation in a zone close to a city and saying he was "exasperated". In such weather conditions, with high winds, the army should refrain from carrying out shelling practice, he said.


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; Government; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: firestorm; france; frenchtroops; friendly; grapeshot; napoleon; wildfires
Not exactly a whiff of grapeshot but it does appear to have cleared the streets. I don't think Napoleon would be pleased though.
1 posted on 07/22/2009 11:46:51 PM PDT by atomic conspiracy
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To: atomic conspiracy

Give the Frenchies weapons and they attack themselves!


2 posted on 07/22/2009 11:51:18 PM PDT by TheThinker
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To: atomic conspiracy

Idiots. Devers and de Lattre took Marseilles in 1944. They can stop shelling it now.


3 posted on 07/22/2009 11:51:57 PM PDT by CougarGA7 (If I disagree with you, it is because you are wrong.)
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To: atomic conspiracy
Bombing exercise 'caused fires' Dozens of homes destroyed

I would think that with this event would make it easier to surrender.....

Again.

4 posted on 07/22/2009 11:59:09 PM PDT by SERE_DOC (My Rice Krispies told me to stay home & clean my weapons! How does one clean a phase 4 plasma rifle)
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To: atomic conspiracy

This happens with every military every now and then. I seem to remember an incident 15 or 20 years ago when an artillery unit knocked down a farmer’s barn while firing exactly 180 degrees in the wrong direction.


5 posted on 07/23/2009 12:08:02 AM PDT by Ronin (It will be helpful if Geithner can show us some arithmetic.)
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To: Ronin
This happens with every military...
Happened in Utah to an avalanche control crew. Artillery landed in some guys backyard.
6 posted on 07/23/2009 12:13:39 AM PDT by carumba (The secret of life is honesty and fair dealing. If you can fake that, you've got it made. Groucho)
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To: atomic conspiracy

OOPS?


7 posted on 07/23/2009 12:23:21 AM PDT by DakotaRed (What happened to the country I fought for?)
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To: atomic conspiracy

Napolean started off as an artillery officer.


8 posted on 07/23/2009 12:49:37 AM PDT by coconutt2000 (NO MORE PEACE FOR OIL!!! DOWN WITH TYRANTS, TERRORISTS, AND TIMIDCRATS!!!! (3-T's For World Peace))
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To: DakotaRed

This attack certainly qualifies as one of the greatest French military victories ever.


9 posted on 07/23/2009 12:49:41 AM PDT by FlyingEagle
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To: atomic conspiracy

Good for the French! They need to finish Marseilles off while they still can.


10 posted on 07/23/2009 1:32:23 AM PDT by agere_contra
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To: agere_contra
Wasn't Marseilles just being burnt down by the youths?

They need to bomb those unsightly Commie Block apartment blocks that fill the country while they are at it.

11 posted on 07/23/2009 2:45:18 AM PDT by riri (http://oneamericaninsweden.blogspot.com/)
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To: agere_contra

Wonder if that was a Muslim enclave that got hit?


12 posted on 07/23/2009 3:09:19 AM PDT by elcid1970 ("O Muslim! My bullets are dipped in pig grease!")
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To: atomic conspiracy

The Wehrmacht is advancing rapidly, and without apparent resistance.


13 posted on 07/23/2009 3:47:39 AM PDT by Jack Hammer
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To: carumba

In NJ a school was strafed. Of course, the gov had a fit and demanded no more live fire exercises.

Who’s the dummkopf?


14 posted on 07/23/2009 4:10:03 AM PDT by Carley (OBAMA IS A MALEVOLENT FORCE IN THE WORLD)
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